Dog Park Rules & Etiquette For You and Your Pup
Thousands of dog parks exist across the United States, from snow-filled parks of Alaska to the forest and grassland parks of Wyoming. Dog parks now come equipped with drinking fountains, walking trails, river-access, doggy rest areas and many more amenities. It is easier (and more fun) than ever to get outside, socialize, exercise and play with your pup!
To stay in good grace with other park-dwellers, both owners and animals, there are few dog park do’s and don’ts that should be followed to keep our off-leash privileges.
Follow The Rules – Nearly every recognized off-leash dog park, field or sawdust play-pen has rules and regulations posted. Rules vary, but generally dogs must be on-leash when entering and exiting the off-leash area, no aggressive dogs allowed, clean up any messes, dogs must be current on all necessary vaccinations and dogs must be under voice command and controllable by the owner. Dog parks post rules to maintain the safety of pets and owners at all times, by following the rules you ensure your pet (and the pets and people around you) will have a pleasant experience.
Keep An Eye On Your Dog – Be sure your dog is in sight at all times in the dog park. This way you can be aware if a wrestling match starts with another pooch that becomes too aggressive, your dog goes to the bathroom and monitor the exits to be sure your pup doesn’t escape. An aware owner is a happy owner. Dog park guests will appreciate you watching out for your pet and the day always ends a little brighter when you don’t have a stranger tapping you on the shoulder to tell you your dog left the park and is rapidly swimming across the river.
Leave Your Cell Phone in The Car (Or At Least Your Pocket) – This goes back to being aware. It is much more difficult to keep an eye on your dog when you’re having an in-depth conversation about the latest tribe member to get voted off Survivor. Plus, none of the other park dwellers care to hear it. Let the dog park be a special bonding time for you and your dog, give him extra attention, play fetch and meet new friends (both for him and you).
Leave Human Children Out Of Dog Parks – Families are certainly welcomed in dog parks, but allowing small children to run around in off-leash dog areas could be a recipe for disaster. While your dog may know the rules and how to play with your small child, others may not. Dogs can easily knock over, jump on, lick or scare kids, whether they mean to or not. If bringing your child to the dog park with you is unavoidable, stand with them off to the side – out of the way of other animals – or bring another family member or friend to accompany your child outside the dog park or keep an eye on them inside in case you need to tend to Fido in the middle of a dog pile.
Don’t Overstay Your Welcome – There is no time limit to dog park visits, but be aware of how long Fido can be outside and running around, especially in the summer months. Always bring water with you to the dog park; several supply water bowls and some even have drinking fountains with a bowl at the bottom especially for the pooches, but bring your own in case water isn’t provided. Staying too long at the dog park can result in dehydration, injuries and exhaustion – know your dog’s limits and when enough playtime is enough playtime.
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Good tips. Also keep an eye out for owners who are not watching their dogs closely. Keep your dog away from those as they could become aggressive in the blink of an eye.