The Play Bow Explained

We see the Play Bow every day in the dog park. Here is an explanation from the BBC.

4th of July Parade

We had so much fun driving our golf carts in the parade with our furry ambassadors, Lumi, Ellie and Monica. The weather was gorgeous, the crowds were cheering as we tried to make our tosses of candy and dog biscuits hit their targets. See you next year.

New ramp for climbing

Many thanks to Dan and Karen Aiken of SWBC Mortgage for their generous donation of a new ramp and stairs for our fur babies to climb on. Doesn’t Sadie look great posed on top?

Dog Park Safety & Etiquette

Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, fenced park for all to enjoy. Please help to ensure you and others have a good time by following the posted rules and observing the following guidelines:

Pay attention – know where your pups are and what they are doing at all times. Be ready to intervene, fill holes they dig and pick up their poop.
Read dogs’ body language. A dog at play has relaxed ears, a wagging tail, and may “play bow” with his front end down to the ground. Upset hounds hold their tails at half-mast or between their legs. Their ears are pinned back, and their pupils shrink so you can see the whites of the eyes. A dog that’s ready to rumble will be tense, hold his head high, and will lean forward. His ears will point up or forward, too. While growls and barks are common in play, snarling with lips curled back isn’t. If you see these danger signs, redirect the dog with a toy or make a loud noise and take your dog to another area or leave the park.
Know what to do if a fight breaks out. Despite your best efforts, it can happen. Make sure you’re ready:
Interrupt with an environmental distraction, such as throwing water on them or putting a barrier between them. Or throw a blanket or coat over one. Do not reach in with hands to grab a collar, you’ll likely get bit. Approach the dogs from the rear. Gently grab their back legs at the top of the leg and lift them up like a wheelbarrow, then start moving back. Quickly separate the dogs and get them each under firm control. Discipline with a time out. Make sure both dogs are safe and check for injuries. If injured, seek veterinary attention immediately. It is often impossible to place the blame entirely on one dog. Share contact info. with the other dog’s owner and make arrangements to share the cost of medical care.
Discourage the following rude behaviors:
Rushing the gate  – teach your dog to wait until the gate is closed before greeting newcomers.
Humping/mounting other dogs – this behavior can lead to fighting.
Jumping up on humans 
Excessive Barking
Peeing on the water buckets or chairs – please be kind to us all by rinsing the soiled item. There are 4 water spigots in the park.
Most of all, encourage your dogs to play and have a great time!

Tips for Moving with Pets

A Stress-Free Guide to Moving With Your Pet

Article submitted by our friends at ourdogfriends.org 

There’s no doubt that we love our pets. In fact, CNBC reports that a vast majority of pet owners would gladly give up their perfect palace if it didn’t please their pooch — or fish, cat, or reptile. When shopping for a home with an animal to consider, your choices are a bit narrower. And when it comes to moving during the pandemic, your responsibility is greater. Here are some ways to get through the process without adding extra strain to you or your non-human roomie.

The House-Hunting Process

Your first step before you even contact your agent is to determine if your pet is going to live inside or out. If you have a dog, a yard is a must. Depending on the breed, you may be just fine with a small outdoor area. But, if you have a highly active breed, such as a Labrador retriever or Siberian Husky, you may need a more expansive space.

You’ll also want to take a look at your preferred neighborhoods before you make an offer on a property. Pets Best Pet Health Insurance recommends finding an area with plenty of dog parks and walking routes.

When you have other pets that don’t need lots of outdoor time, you’ll want to pay close attention to the layout of the home. If you have fish or iguanas, for example, you’ll need a place where they can be visible.

Once you do find the home of your dreams, you need to get your pet used to being in the car, particularly if you’re going to be moving across the country. First, visit their veterinarian to make sure they are healthy enough for long-distance travel. When moving day comes, make sure to have plenty of supplies and, ideally, another adult or responsible teenager to help you along the way.

Welcome Home

Now that you’ve found your perfect house, it’s time to get yourself and your pet acquainted with your new surroundings.

First things first, figure out how you’re going to keep your home clean. Even if you’re used to cleaning up after a slobbery, shedding roommate, moving is a stressful time, and your attention needs to be on your animal, at least for the first few weeks. Plan to invest in a quality robot vacuum, one that does the job well and can avoid obstacles in the home. If you have a cat, a self-cleaning litter box will do you both a world of good.

Helping your pet settle in should be your top priority. Keep in mind that, although you and your family may have been super stoked about the move for a while, pets don’t understand. They literally have no way of knowing that their life is changing until you get there.

VCA Hospitals recommends changing up your schedule to match how things will be in your new home. Introduce your pet by walking them around the property. Make sure to have plenty of treats hidden around – and in your pocket – during your first visit together. Keep in mind that not all dogs settle in quickly, and your pet may be nervous in the first few weeks. It may be wise to restrict them to one area of the house and keep them away from hyperactive young children
until they accept their new space as home.

Resources for Making the Move During COVID-19

Tips for Moving Into a House During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Tips to Keep Pets Safe During COVID-19 Pandemic
Home Prices and Market Trends in Peachtree City
Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean in the Time of COVID-19
How to Visit the Vet Safely in the COVID-19 Era

There are so many things to consider when moving with your pet, especially when it comes to the pandemic. The best thing you can do is practice cleanliness, keep an open line of communication with your veterinarian, and be there when your animal needs you. Remember, they are looking to you to know how to act, so keep your cool and love them like never before through the entire ordeal.

Image from Lum3n via Pexels

Buy a PTC Dog Park T-Shirt

 
If you are interested in showing your support of our favorite canine happy place, you can purchase one of our t-shirts here. We will also be selling them at the park entrance on future dates. as weather permits.

New Kroger Rewards Number AG327

You can support the dog park through Kroger’s Community Rewards Program with purchases you make with your registered Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card.

In order for this partnership to be successful, we ask that you kindly visit: – krogercommunityrewards.com – If you already have a Kroger Plus card, registering the PTC Dog Park as a recipient is easy as pie and even if you don’t have an account yet, the process is straight-forward and requires less than two minutes of your time: If you already have a registered account, simply sign in and select the PTC dog park as the recipient. If you do not yet have an account, click on “Create an account” and follow the instructions by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address, creating a password, and agreeing to the terms and conditions. Next, the site allows you to search for the recipient either by name (Peachtree City Dog Park) or via our dedicated ID number:
Our Kroger ID/NPO number is: AG327Kroger Community Rewards

We won the Grand Marshal’s Award!

PTC Dog Park won the Grand Marshal’s Award for our 4th of July Parade entry and we had a great time tossing candy and dog treats to all the parade watchers. A ’73 Mustang, a Club Car and especially our puppies were a big hit. A big thanks to Maureen, Susan, Karen, Dan and Rita for participating.