SPCA Behaviorlist at Phoenix Dog Park

You are invited to a special event at Phoenix Dog Park!
Sunday, June 7th -- 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

An educational session about dogs behaviors, and why Fido at the dog park is very different from Fido at home!

Val Masters, a canine behaviorist from the SPCA

If you've heard Val speak in earlier years, the odds are good that you learned something. Val has been training and evaluating dogs for the SPCA for many years, and she knows her subject. She can help you understand what your dog is communicating through body language, and will talk about what is play, what is aggression (and what isn't), what is submission, what is dominance, what is fearfulness -- and give you some tips on how to respond. Dogs, just like children, don't come with an operating manual, and the more we understand about THEIR language, the more effective we can be as their guardians.

We'll bring chairs out to the soccer field just east of the dog park, but if you have your own folding chair to bring, we encourage you to do so, as we usually get a pretty good attendance. These sessions typically last about an hour: this might be a good time to come without your dog unless Fido is pretty good at hanging out next to your feet in spite of "the playground" being just a few feet away! Or perhaps your Significant Other, or a good friend, can come along to take Fido into the dog park when he or she (Fido, that is!) gets restless.

After the "presentation" there will be time for questions and answers, and then Val will spend a little time observing the dogs as they play, pointing out real-life examples of different kinds of behaviors.

This event is free of charge, but we will be soliciting donations to the Sacramento SPCA -- they can use whatever you can spare.

If you're currently owning your first dog, this is well worth an hour of your time. Even if you've had several dogs in your life, you may learn something new -- we've seen that happen more than once. And don't hesitate to mention this to your dog park friends!