4-legged freedom
By Karen Beaudoin, The Maine Switch
April 23, 2008
Always know where your person is. They could get
lost if you leave them unattended.
When you do your business, make sure your person
is paying attention and following behind with a
plastic bag.
Don't ask to be let off your leash until you're inside
the fenced area. You'll just stress your person out.
Remember that other dogs may not like to play
rough, so go easy on the little guys.
You've been here, you know the rules, so make your
person proud by behaving. You know there's a
yummy treat waiting at home.
Tips for people
Pets that aren't exposed to people and other pets may
be fearful or aggressive. The best age to start
socializing your dog is between 3 and 12 weeks.
Dogs should be walked a minimum of 30 minutes
twice a day (it's good for the owners too). Those
that don't get enough exercise may expel their pent
up energy by barking or jumping.
Bad habits are hard to break, so if your dog proves
tough to train seek the help of a pro before the
habits get too bad.
Dogs thrive on consistency, so if one owner sets rules
for the dog park but the other owner allows them
to be broken, Fido may get confused. The result
will be bad behavior (at least for one owner).
Treats are a great reward when your dog comes to
the car when it's time to leave, but giving too many
treats will mean they'll lose their training value.
It's also a good idea to give different treats for
different levels of good behavior.
It can take an entire paragraph to describe the joy of a dog bounding
through a dog park on a sunny spring morning Ñ especially when that dog
happens to be a bassett hound. Legs appear to be heading in four different
directions, though they continue to deliver the sausage-like body toward a
new arrival, with ears flopping and bouncing, pink tongue lolling side to
side and the beginning of what appears to be a grin spreading across the
parts of the face not covered by tongue or loose, bobbing jowls. For a dog,
does it really get any better than this?
Because Portland is such a dog friendly city, that's a question I wanted to
answer.
Just one problem.
I don't have a dog.
Luckily, I know a very handsome 4-year-old back lab who was ready to be
borrowed so Dylan Marshall Washburn and I set out for Quarry Run Dog Park on
a Sunday morning (of course his mother, Donna, came too, just in case he
decided to do his own thing when I wanted him to get in the car
or didn't
play nice with that bassett hound that wanted to hump him).
Portland has plenty of off-leash parks for canines, but this is one of the
best. There's a double-gated entrance, so no pup can escape when another is
being brought in, and a roll of plastic bags hangs front and center so there
are no excuses for not scooping the poop. Dylan was sniffed by a waiting
friend as soon as he strolled through the gate, and then the options were
endless: take the trail to the left that crosses a bridge, sprint to the
right where there's sure to be mud, or head up the hill where dogs, people
and open space awaits?
Well, there was open space anyway.
Apparently, it was a little early for some of those late-sleeping dogs,
since Dylan was the only one sniffing around the clearing while Donna and I
took seats on the covered benches to watch him. But it didn't take long for
friends to arrive. Here came a chocolate lab and a pair of goldens, one with
a ruddy coat, heading into the park on a sprint. The four dogs all sniffed
and jumped and then went their own ways, intent on smelling every scent on
every tree root, blade of grass and patch of dirt.
Next up the path was a young great dane, all gangly legs and Marmaduke face.
He made a quick cameo appearance on his way to another area of the park, but
it was long enough for the golden retriever to charge up to him and then
immediately submit, falling to the ground and rolling to her back. The great
dane was unimpressed and continued strutting along, so the retrievers, Lily
and Izzy, tag-teamed Dylan by nipping and jumping on either side of him.
But as Dylan soon learned when a chocolate lab stalked him down a trail
intent on mounting his back, not all dogs play nice at the park. That's why,
even though it's expected that dogs will be off-leash, owners need to be
aware of what their four-legged kids are up to. Stealing someone else's ball
can be a no-no, and so can leading the pack through the mud so they all
appear to be wearing brown socks like the ones the golden left with.
But after a visit to a dog park you can expect to head home a little more
dirty than you arrived (whether you're a dog or a person) and having had
your private parts sniffed over and over again (hopefully, only if you're a
dog).
As we were leaving, more cars were pulling in with puppy snouts and dog ears
sticking out the windows. The pooches were panting with excitement about the
spring air, the smells, the friends, the places to dig, the chance to run
fast and far. You could almost here them yelling ÒOpenthedoor! Openthedoor!Ó
in anticipation.
So does it get better than this Dylan?
His heavy breathing and excited face said he was a happy, happy dog. But I
have a feeling it would have been an even better time if there were treats
involved.
Portland's Off Leash Dog Areas
Eastern Promenade Park and East End Beach
Where: Eastern Prom
When: 5-9 am and 5-10 pm (April 15-Oct. 15), 5 am-10 pm (Oct. 16-April 14).
Beach part closed from Memorial Day to Labor Day
How: Not fenced
Notes: Off leash area in Eastern Promenade Park within perimeter bounded by
Portland House Property, water side of the Eastern Prom and Cutter Street
(excluding the area known as Fort Allen Park). Bathrooms available
seasonally.
Capisic Pond Park
Where: Lucas and Brighton streets
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Dogs should be good under voice control due to many distractions.
Beautiful trail next to the freshwater pond on 18 acres.
Jack School
Where: 195 North St.
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Dog off-leash area is behind school.
Pine Grove Park
Where: Ray Avenue
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Easy access from Washington or Allen avenues.
Riverton Trolley Park
Where: Bridgton Road (Rte. 302)
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Trail goes through wooded area and then near an open field. Be aware
of cross country skiers in winter.
Valley Street Dog Park
Where: Valley Street
When: Daylight hours
How: Fenced
Notes: Highlights include water spigot, benches and decorative fire
hydrants.
Hall School Woods
Where: 23 Orono Road
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Dog area is in the woods.
Ocean Avenue Landfill Trails
Where: Ocean Avenue (near Falmouth line)
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: 1.5-mile trail surrounds the capped landfill. Be careful of quarry
pits and water that may not be clean for swimming.
Quarry Run Dog Park
Where: Ocean Avenue and Portland Street
When: Daylight hours
How: Fenced
Notes: Near Landfill Trails but has a separate area for small dogs.
University Park
Where: Harvard Street off Washington Avenue
When: Daylight hours
How: Not fenced
Notes: Street parking at Harvard Street or at Seventh Day Adventist Church
on Allen Avenue.
Portland Arts & Technology School
Where: 196 Allen Ave.
When: Daylight hours that do not interfere with classes
How: Not fenced
Notes: Dog area is in woods behind school.
Evergreen Cemetery
Where: 672 Stevens Ave.
When: 7 am-4:30 pm
How: Not fenced
Notes: Use the far side of the pond (not clean for swimming). The cemetery
covers 150 acres and maps are available at the office.
