< PreviousMoon Area School District News Moon Area High School students in the Drama Club had the opportunity to work with Broadway and television actor Wes Taylor in February. Taylor, who originated the role of Lucas Beineke in “The Addams Family” on Broadway, visited the high school to talk to students about his acting experience and to coach students as they prepare to put on their own production of “The Addams Family: A New Musical Broadway.” Taylor originated three iconic roles on Broadway and starred in 26 episodes of NBC’s hit show “Smash.” During his visit to Moon Area, Taylor worked through and coached a few scenes from “The Addams Family” with cast members. He also gave very detailed feedback and insight on their performances. Students then had the opportunity to work one-on-one in a song coaching session with Taylor. Toward the end of the evening, Taylor sat and talked to the cast about his experience building “The Addams Family” from the ground up. He also talked about his most fun and joyous experience of originating the role of Plankton in “Spongebob Square Pants: The Musical.” As well, he discussed performing for Stephen Sondheim during his most recent run of “Assassins.” All students received an autographed headshot and had the opportunity to take a photo with Taylor. “It’s always so thrilling for the students of the performing arts to be able to connect with working professionals, but being able to bring Wes in was incredibly special,” said Robert Michael, theatre producer and director. “To have an original cast member work directly with our students was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they’ll never forget and it will certainly give our production of ‘The Addams Family’ an added flare.” Broadway performer Wes Taylor visits Moon Area Mia Cochran three-peats as Gatorade Girls Cross- Country Player of the Year Rocco Otto named to JA’s 18 under Eighteen High school senior Mia Cochran has once again been named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. This marks the third consecutive year that Cochran earned the title. This past fall season, Cochran also repeated as the PIAA girls cross-country champion for a third consecutive year. She went on to place ninth at the Eastbay Northeast Regional Championships and eighth at the national Eastbay Cross Country Championships. She has committed to run for Arkansas University this fall. Moon Area High School student Rocco Otto has been selected for Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania’s inaugural class of 18 under Eighteen. Otto is the founder of the nonprofit organization The No Child Fights Alone Foundation, which raises money to support childhood cancer and diabetes research. His organization also seeks to support families and multicultural communities. Mia Cochran has three-peated both as girls cross-country state champion and as the Gatorade Girls Cross-Country Player of the Year. Rocco Otto Broadway performer Wesley Taylor talks with Drama Club students during a special visit in February. 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2022If your child will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2022, then it’s time to register for kindergarten! Be sure to register as soon as possible and save the date for Moon Area School District’s annual Kindergarten RoundUp Event, scheduled for May 17, 2022. Visit www.moonarea.net to register. Kindergarten RegistrationMoon Area to present “The Addams Family” Moon Area students will perform “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy!” in March for its spring musical. Performances will take place March 17, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. nightly and on March 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at moonarea.ludus. com. Please note that the show is rated PG-13. The show is based on characters from the television show of the same name, which has been revived in several films in recent years. The plot revolves around Wednesday Addams as she falls in love with a sweet and smart young man from a respectable family. When the Addams family hosts the object of Wednesday’s affection and his family for dinner, hilarity ensues. March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 21{ Groundwork Groundwork A native species is defined as one that originated in a particular location naturally and without the involvement of human activity or intervention. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources describes a native plant as one that was present in the region before European settlement. In other words, our native plants include all the grasses, ferns, wildflowers, trees, shrubs and vines that covered Penn’s Woods when the first settlers arrived. Native plants are a critical component of a healthy ecosystem. They support birds, pollinators and wildlife by providing food and shelter. In turn, the bees, butterflies and other pollen-loving insects are vital to maintaining these healthy ecosystems. Benefits of native plants are that they are relatively easy to grow and do not require fertilizers, chemicals or pesticides. By definition, being native means that they are already adapted to our local conditions. Some examples you may be familiar with include phlox, bee balm, New England aster, butterfly milkweed, bleeding heart and the flowering dogwood tree. An invasive species is defined as one that is not native to an area. These non-native, or invasive, species can sometimes cause harm to the environment, the economy and even human health once introduced into an ecosystem. According to the DCNR, the list of invasive plants in Pennsylvania includes 14 trees, 14 shrubs, 12 vines, 13 grasses, 27 herbs and 11 aquatic plants. A few examples are English ivy, Japanese pachysandra, butterfly bush and the Norway maple tree. Invasive species can cause harm to the environment in a number of ways. They typically have aggressive growth habits that cause them to spread beyond where they were originally planted. The result of their prolific growth is that they can out-compete and suppress native plant growth in the area. Japanese knotweed, for instance, has bamboo-like stalks that tower over and crowd out other species and spread by massive underground rhizomes. This affects an area’s ecosystems and biodiversity. They also may not have natural predators, which allows for unabated proliferation. Multiflora rose, with its abundant jaggers, is another invasive scourge that is rapidly taking over the woods, meadows and fields. Many invasive species also do not provide the benefits or support to the local native wildlife that a native species would. As an example, many people are aware of the significant decline in populations of bees and monarch butterflies in recent years. You may have even planted a butterfly bush to help our pollinators and been rewarded by the sight of both bees and butterflies on this colorful bush. Though it grows easily in our region, the butterfly bush is not native to North America. While the invasive bush does benefit pollinators by providing copious nectar, it does not increase the monarch butterfly population because the caterpillars hatched from eggs laid on the leaves will not eat these leaves. In fact, not a single native caterpillar eats butterfly bush leaves. However, milkweeds are the host plant of the monarch butterfly. The butterflies require these plants to lay their eggs, and the larvae require the plants for survival. To help the monarch throughout their life cycle and increase their population, plant butterfly milkweed. Note that butterfly milkweed does not spread by runners like common milkweed, so it’s not aggressive. If you already have a butterfly bush in your garden, perhaps transition to butterfly milkweed instead. Monarchs and milkweeds enjoy full sun so try to locate both milkweeds and nectar plants in a Native, invasive and pollinators…oh my! BY ANDREA SCHRIVER PHOTOS BY ALICIA LI A flower bed combining native plants and herbs can be beautiful and beneficial to pollinators. The orange milkweed pictured in the photo is native to southwestern Pennsylvania and the blue lavender is a herb. FROM TOP: A ruby-throated hummingbird enjoys nectar of lavender. A monarch butterfly enjoys the nectar of orange milkweed flowers. Orange butterfly milkweed also serves as a host plant for larva, also known as caterpillar, of the monarch butterfly. 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2022{ Groundwork Groundwork sunny location. Some other good native nectar plants for monarchs include cardinal flower and bee balm, both of which have scarlet blooms, and also attract hummingbirds. Brown-eyed Susan is also uniquely helpful to monarchs because it remains in bloom later into the fall. Fresh, homegrown herbs in the summertime are the best for a pop of flavor in a home- cooked meal or on a salad. Beware that many herbs are invasive, however, and spread rapidly beyond where intended. They easily replant themselves if the flowers are left to go to seed and the wind blows the dry seeds into the grass nearby. Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and thyme have underground runners that allow them to spread horizontally as well. Possibly the most aggressive spreading type of herb is the mint family. One way to contain mint is to grow it in pots or containers instead of in the ground. The mountain mint variety is the exception to the rule, as it is not aggressive or invasive. If interested in planting a fruit tree in your backyard in the coming year, consider the native pawpaw tree. This unique tree is native to much of the U.S. and it has the largest edible indigenous fruit in the country. Native Americans are credited with spreading the pawpaw across the eastern half of the U.S. It has been documented in journals of Lewis and Clark as well as grown at Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. The reason it is not well known is that it is not cultivated by commercial farmers because fruit production may be erratic and it does not have a long shelf life. This fruit has a dense creamy texture with a taste that is a combination of mango, banana and pineapple. In addition, it is a host plant of the zebra swallowtail butterfly. The larvae of the zebra swallowtail feed exclusively on the young leaves of the tree. Patience is required with the pawpaw, however, because it takes at least four to five years before the tree produces fruit. Groundwork is a regular column submitted by the Moon Township Garden Club. Andrea Shriver and Alicia Li are both members. For more about the club, visit moontownshipgardenclub.com. Be sure to also visit the club’s plant giveaway on May 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Brewer Airport Toyota Pavilion at Moon Park. The giveaway will include herbs and southwestern Pennsylvania native plants that benefit wildlife like insects, bees, butterflies and birds. It will also include growing information for the giveaway plants and information on the use of native plants in place of invasives. For more information on native alternatives to common landscape plants of southwestern Pennsylvania and native plants for formal gardens, go to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania website at www.aswp.org. You can also search “native plants” and “planting for pollinators” information sheets from Penn State Extension. Native aster provides late season color to a garden along with nectar to both migrating monarch butterflies and native bees preparing for winter. A spicebush swallowtail butterfly rests on bee balm, a native herb to southwestern Pennsylvania. March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 23On the Horizon On the Horizon ; Moon Parks and Recreation All programs are subject to change or cancellation. Some have participation limits. Check www.moonparks.org for the latest, to register and information on any masking requirements. Call (412) 262-1703 with questions and to pay by credit card. Moon and Crescent Democratic Committee Meetings, last Tuesday of each month, email moondems1@gmail. com for time and location, candidate and volunteer information also available. The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection Meetings, Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., Eat N’ Park on Route 60, referral group of business professionals, promote your business through networking, www.gpbc-pgh.org, (412) 364-6446 x 302. Crescent Easter Celebration, April 2 (rain date April 9), 1-3 p.m., egg hunt, magician, face painting, balloon artist, egg decorating, pictures with the Easter bunny, more, crescenttownship.com. 54th Annual Ukrainian Pysanky /Easter Egg Sale, April 10, parish of St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Boulevard in Carnegie, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., over 1,200 Pysanky (Easter Eggs), hand-painted wooden eggs, hand-crafted Ukrainian items, basket raffles, door prizes, bake sale, pre-packaged kielbasa, butter lambs, church tours and talks, (412) 527- 5359, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org, Easter Egg Workshop, April 2, 12-3 p.m., learn the traditional art of Ukrainian Pysanky/Easter Eggs, advanced and beginner classes, ages 8 and up, $20-$30, registration required, (412) 527-5359. West Hills Symphonic Band Concert, April 24, 3 p.m., Montour High School, see page 11, whsb.org. Moon Township Garden Club Plant Giveaway, May 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Moon Park, see page 23, moontownshipgardenclub.com. Fitness (ages 15+) Programs take place at Robin Hill Center unless otherwise indicated. Moon Easter Bunny Hop, April 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Hill Park, scavenger hunt, visits with Easter bunny, snacks, lawn games, additional parking at Vintage Church at 965 Thorn Run Road, shuttle available. Moon Earth Day, April 24, 1-3 p.m., Moon Park, volunteer activity, help plant trees at the new Black Dog Wine Company Dog Park in Moon Park, dress accordingly. Hip Hop Cardio, May 5-June 23, 7-8 p.m., cardio dance exercise session, all fitness levels, $45 Moon resident, $50 non- residents, per six-week session. Pilates, Tuesdays, March 29-May 3, May 10-June 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m., unique system of stretching/strengthening exercises that work the entire body, all fitness levels, bring mat and light hand weights along with water, $45 residents/$50 non-residents, six- week session. Barre, Wednesdays, March 30-May 4, May 11-June 15, 8:30-9:30 a.m., outdoor class, total body workout that includes elements of ballet and Pilates, bring mat and a pair of 1-3 pound dumb bells, all fitness levels, $45 Moon resident, $50 non-residents, six-week session. Pound Fitness, Tuesdays, March 29-May 3, May 10-June 14, 7-7:45 p.m., full-body cardio jam session, combines light resistance with simulated drumming, POUND off pounds as each song flies by, bring a mat and water, $45 Moon residents, $50 non- residents, six-week session. Totally Toned, Mondays, March 28- May 2, May 9-June 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m., designed to help tone entire body, all fitness levels, bring hand weights and mat, $45 Moon resident, $50 non-resident, six-week session. Pilates with Kimber, Wednesdays, April 20, May 4, 18, 25, June 1, 15, 10:30-11:15 a.m., $45 Moon residents, $50 non-residents, six-week session. Yoga for Beginners and Beyond, April 7-28, May 5-26, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Robin Hill Carriage House, no experience required, modifications for everyone, good for first- timers, bring mat and water bottle, $30 Moon resident, $35 non-residents, three-week session. Allegheny West Magazine welcomes non-promotional submissions of events and announcements. Email info@awmagazine.com. 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2022; On the Horizon On the Horizon Seniors (ages 55+) Programs take place at the Carriage House at Robin Hill Park unless otherwise indicated and require a Senior Connection membership. Memberships are free with purchase of a $10 card. Register by calling Moon Parks and Recreation at (412) 262-1703 x 404 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Senior Connection Programming, Tuesday- Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., check website for schedule. Women’s Grief Support Group, first and third Mondays, 1:30 p.m., no registration required. Spring Luncheon, April 5, noon, stuffed cabbage, dessert, beverages, music by Rick Purcell Duo, $15, register by March 24. Historical Speaker Series: The Moon Nike Site, April 13, 11 a.m., presented by Earl Edwards, register by April 6. Casino Pittsburgh Bus Trip, April 21, departs from Carriage House at 10 a.m., returns 5 p.m., enjoy a day at the Live Casino and Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg, $35, register by April 14. Historical Speaker Series: H.J. Heinz: A Recipe of Success, May 4, 11 a.m., complimentary French fry bar to follow, register by April 27. Springtime in Amish Country Bus Trip, May 17, departs from Carriage House at 7 a.m., returns 8 p.m., enjoy a full day of springtime in the Ohio countryside, Heritage Village at the Craft Mall, lunch at the Der Dutchman, Coblentz Chocolates, a candle carving demonstration, broom making at Walnut Creek Brooms, Swiss Heritage Winery, Broad Run Cheese Shop, $116, register by April 13. 50’s Themed Diner Lunch, May 24, noon-2:30 p.m., $15, register by May 12. Youth Programs take place at Moon Park office classroom unless otherwise indicated. Safe@Home by Safe Sitter, grades 4-6 and 6-8, program designed for students to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone, see website for dates and prices. Youth Leadership Program, ages 13-15, Wednesdays, June 8-Aug. 10, 4-5 p.m., leadership development program that helps youth discover their full potential, guest speakers, engaging activities, service projects, more, $50 Moon residents, $55 non-residents, register by June 1. Moon Parks and Rec. (cont.) Crescent VFD Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent, 4-7 p.m., 79 McGovern Boulevard in Glenwillard, fried and baked fish dinners, fish sandwiches, fried shrimp dinners, pierogis, French fries, haluski, chicken tenders, cole slaw, onion rings, fried cauliflower, more, menu available at crescenttwpvfd.org, call to order: (724) 457-7430. St. Joseph Church Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent, 3-7:30 p.m., 1304 4th Avenue in Coraopolis, fried fish, baked fish, crab cakes, shrimp, pizza, homemade mac’n cheese, haluski, fries, pierogis by the dozen or half dozen, bake sale coincides, mshj.org. St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent, 4-7 p.m., St. Columbkille Church, 103 Church Road in Imperial, shrimp dinners, fish dinners, fish sandwiches, mac’n cheese, fries, coleslaw, curbside ordering, food delivered to vehicles, park and tune to FM 100.5, cash and credit cards accepted, stisidorethefarmer.org. Parkway West CTC Fish Fry, March 25, April 1, 8, 2-6 p.m., Parkway West CTC, 7101 Steubenville Pike in Oakdale, take- out only, fried fish, fried shrimp, fried clams, fried fish sandwiches, salmon, pierogis, mac’n cheese, fries, haluski, coleslaw, clam chowder, prepared by culinary students, menu available at: www.parkwaywest. org, call ahead to order: (412) 923-1772 x 152. Archangel Gabriel Parish Pizza Kitchen, Fridays during Lent, order Fridays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., pickup 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at St. Malachy Campus cafeteria, 343 Forest Grove Road in Kennedy Township, vegetable soup, haluski, gnocchi, pizzas with a variety of toppings, pepperoni rolls, sausage rolls, more, archangelgabrielparish.org/pizzakitchen for menu, to order: (412) 771- 0848. Rennerdale VFC Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent, 4-7:30 p.m., 30 Suburban Avenue in Rennerdale, car pickup only, order online 3-7 p.m.: rennerdalevfd.net/fish-fry, to order by phone call: (412) 276- 9652. Imperial VFD Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Imperial VFD, 111 Pine Street in Imperial, fried fish sandwiches and dinners, shrimp dinners, sides: mac’n cheese, cole slaw, pierogis; take-out only, (724) 635-8845, (724) 695-0281, menu available online: imperialvfd.org/fishfry.html. McDonald VFD Fish Fry, Good Friday (April 15), hours TBA, McDonald VFD, 150 N. McDonald Street in McDonald, dine in and take out, call-ahead available, (724) 926-9190. Fish Fry and Lenten Food List Crescent VFD chief Dan Muller and assistant chief John Kriger serve up fish sandwiches at the department’s fish fry. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 25 Whether you’re a longtime dog owner or one of the many people across this country who adopted a pooch during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably thought about checking out an area dog park. These amenities allow dogs to socialize and run free in a fenced-in area. They’re also a great excuse for you and your pup to get outdoors, particularly during the colder months. Here’s a rundown of this area’s dog parks, along with some tips from a local dog trainer about proper etiquette when visiting one. This enormous dog park is situated in the middle of Settlers Cabin Park. Head into the park on Papoose Drive or Greer Road and go straight until you come to the “T” intersection. Then take a left. Head to the far end of Te Pee to the roundabout at the end. A sign there indicates the turnoff to the right for the parking area. The dog park features an enclosed area that is around 300 feet wide, offering more than ample room for pups to run and play. There are also separate areas for large and small dogs. A pavilion is located in the larger section and there are bathrooms right inside the dog park. There’s also a water station and some picnic tables set up on the hill. The park gets busy right after work hours. If you’re looking for a nice hike afterward, throw a leash on your pup and jump on the Waterfall Trail on the other side of the parking lot. This trail follows a route downhill all the way to a waterfall at the bottom of the ravine. Be sure to read the dog park rules at: www. alleghenycounty.us/dogparks and, while you’re at their website, check out more of department’s dog parks across the county. The dog park at Settlers Cabin Park is massive, and even has bathrooms, a pavilion and a water pump for filling dog dishes inside the fenced-in area. Settlers Cabin Dog Park Settlers Cabin Park Robinson Township Te Pee Drive 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2022 Moon Park Moon Township Beaver Grade Road The Black Dog Wine Company Dog Park at Moon Park is currently under construction and slated to open in the late spring or early summer. North Fayette Township-based Black Dog Wine Company acquired the naming rights last year. The park will sit adjacent to the Moon Park complex and the parking lot will be accessed from Beaver Grade Road, across from the new Downes Fire Station. A pedestrian path will link up with Moon Park across Ewing Road. The park will sit to the west of Discovery Field in an area once known as the duck pond, where locals used to at one time fish and ice skate. Once completed, the park will feature an acre of fenced-in space with separate areas for larger and smaller dogs. The site will have double gates, benches and a water fountain for both people and dogs. Permanent bathrooms and a small picnic shelter will also be coming in the future. Findlay Township’s dog park is located at the top of Findlay’s sprawling Recreation and Sports Complex at Leopold Lake off Route 30. To get there, head up the park’s main drive from Route 30 and park alongside the ball field at the far end. The fenced-in area is located on the other side of the baseball diamond. The dog park features a large, fenced-in area split length-wise down the middle to create separate sections for small and large dogs. Before you go, visit www.findlay.pa.us and check the red dot to make sure the park is open. The dog park will be closed if the rest of the park is also closed due to snow or other conditions. Findlay Township’s dog park is located at the Recreation and Sports Complex at Leopold Lake. It has sections for both large and small dogs. Architectural renderings show Moon Township’s new dog park, which will be opening this spring. RENDERING COURTESY LENNON, SMITH, SOULERET ENGINEERING Findlay Recreation and Sports Complex Dog Park Recreation and Sports Complex Findlay Township 800 Route 30, Imperial COMING SOON: Black Dog Wine Company Dog Park March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 27 The Donaldson Community Park dog park is located in the far corner of Donaldson Park in North Fayette Township. From Donaldson Road, head up the hill and into the park. Head straight, passing the community center on your right, and park in the lot adjacent to the playground. The blacktop foot path will take you over to the fenced-in area. There’s a double gate and bags provided to help you pick up after your pooch. The fenced-in area is about 100 feet wide and consists of a single area, so no second section for smaller dogs. Dog owners tend to check out the park after work and on the weekends. During youth sporting events like soccer, football and baseball, the dog park can get particularly busy. After you’ve checked out the fenced-in area, take your pooch on a walk around the park on the paved walkway for some additional exercise and socialization opportunities. Some play amenities will be coming this spring. The dog park at Donaldson Park is picturesque to say the least and some play amenities will be coming soon. Donaldson Dog Park Donaldson Community Park North Fayette Township 590 Donaldson Road, Oakdale 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2022Should a fight occur... Despite your best efforts, there’s always a chance that a fight can occur. Should that happen, remember to never, ever put your hand near a dog’s mouth to break them apart. Instead, use your voice commands and, if necessary, grab your dog’s collar or harness to try to pull them away. Usually yelling doesn’t help, as some dogs take that as you joining the fight. Instead, try dumping or spraying water on the dogs, as this will work as a good distraction. If you’re particularly concerned, you can bring along an air horn or a spare leash that you can use to loop around your dog’s waist to pull them away. Avoid the park with recently adopted dogs If you’ve recently adopted a dog, I wouldn’t recommend taking them to the dog park right away to test them out with other dogs. Instead, wait at least 30 days. I call this the honeymoon period with a new dog, as your pup may not show you their true self until at least after then. Use this time to get to know your dog and find out how they interact on walks with other people and dogs in more controlled settings. If you can, it’s always good to socialize with other well-behaved dogs so your dog can have a good experience. Once your dog seems to enjoy the company of other dogs, and isn’t just going along with what you want it to do, then your dog may be ready for the dog park. Remember, it can be extremely dangerous and irresponsible to use other people’s dogs as guinea pigs. It also isn’t normal for a large number of dogs to be around each other at the same time, so your dog may not enjoy the dog park. If so, that’s ok. Just be sure to ask yourself, are you going to the dog park for you or for your dog? Take it slow with puppies Socialization can be overwhelming for puppies, so if you have a young pup, it’s important to do so in baby steps and with a positive attitude. Showing consistent praise for having a good socialization experience teaches the dog that the dog park can be a rewarding and fun activity for everyone. Socialization is important for dogs, but if it’s a risk to you, your dog or others, it’s best to stay home. The best way to have a great day at the dog park is to be prepared. Once you and your pooch feel ready, it’s a great way to expose your dog to the sights, sounds, and smells of the world. BY ELISSA WEIMER-SENTNER, FOUNDER AND TRAINER, PAW & ORDER DOG TRAINING Tips for dog park etiquette Dog parks are a great resource to have and dogs love them. A pet-friendly space dedicated to letting our furry friends run, play and be free from the house is an exciting day for them. These parks also offer great opportunities for your dog to meet other dogs and socialize. Before pet parents head to the park, there are some things they should be aware of, though. Let’s call it “dog park etiquette.” Dog parks present lots of distractions for your pooch but it is your responsibility to be aware of your dog and keep them under control at all times. Following these tips will help you do just that: Elissa Weimer-Sentner owns and operates Paw & Order Dog Training, a canine training business with locations in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Florida. She is an American Kennel Club Evaluator, a Therapy Dog Evaluator with Therapy Dogs United and a member of numerous other canine associations. She holds a criminal justice degree from California University of Pennsylvania and served as an MP in the National Guard for six years. She currently assists law enforcement with drug searches through American K9 Detection Services. Paw and Order is accepting new clients. For more, visit www.pawandorder.com. Don’t crowd the gate First things first: I recommend that you do not let your dog crowd the entrance when another dog is coming into the fenced-in area at the dog park. Call your dog to you and let the incoming dogs come inside and get comfortable before releasing your dog again. Crowding the gate can make a dog defensive and an already nervous dog will not have a good experience. This is actually where I see fights happen the most. Other dogs also want the extra attention and can fight amongst each other in such a small amount of space. Make sure your pooch is up-to-date on their shots Secondly, and perhaps this should be first as it should be addressed before even going to the park: make sure your dog is up to date on shots. Dog parks are full of germs and parasites that your dog can pick up, and some parks explicitly state that all dogs that come to the park must have all their shots. Whether they do or not, it’s a good idea. Leave toys and treats in the car One common reason dog fights happen at the dog park is because people keep treats in their pockets that the dogs can smell. Carrying treats, or even toys, into a dog park can cause unnecessary fights over resources, so leave these behind for later. If you want to throw a ball for your dog, I suggest you choose a time when no one else is in the park. Know when your dog is being pushy You love your pet and know their best side, but this can cause loving pet parents be unaware of when their pet is being pushy, aggressive, or rude to other dogs. Most people might think their dogs are being friendly and social when, in reality, they’re being rude. You might not think of your pooch as the type to go out looking to cause a fight, but if your dog is being pushy and doesn’t take a hint, that other dog may hit their threshold. It’s very important to always keep an eye on your dog and other dogs when it comes to their body language. Pet parents should always try to get better at advocating for their dogs and not let their dogs be the bully of the dog park. Elissa Weimer-Sentner is pictured with her dogs. March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 29 March/April 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >