#025 - The Problem With Off-Leash Parks With Natasha MazacMost pup parents believe that visiting off-leash parks with their canine companion is a right of passage. But, what if I told you that dogs suitable for attending public off-leash parks may actually be the exception, not the rule?Today’s guest is Natasha Mazac. Natasha is a certified professional dog trainer and head of behaviour at Dogma Training in Calgary, Alberta Canada. In this episode, we’re going to discuss the many reasons why visiting public off-leash parks may not be a good idea for your pup, and some of the things you can do to better understand how to visit them responsibly, should you decide to take them anyway.Natasha’s qualifications include:CPDT-KA Certified Dog Trainer (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through CCPDT)  Head of Behaviour at Dogma TrainingIn this episode you'll learn:The best age for puppies to start visiting the dog park. What a "fear stage" is and why it's so important. If dog parks are good for socializing your puppy. If dog parks are a good choice for "shy" dogs. What to do if your dog gets injured at an off-leash park. What signals to look for from your dog at the off-leash park. How to tell if your dog is suitable for public off-leash parks. How to prep yourself and your dog for an off-leash visit. How long and how often you should visit an off-leash park. The biggest problems with public off-leash parks. About alternatives to visiting off-leash parks. Resources from this episode:Episode 025: ResourcesEverything Pup Podcast Community on FacebookFind Holly on Social Media:FacebookInstagram Support the show