Dog Park Etiquette

You’ve decided to take your pup to the dog park, but want to make sure you know what you’re dong. Well, you’re in the right place. A dog park can be a fun and exciting place for your furry friend, but there are some rules to follow so that everyone involved has a good time. We have included some dog park do’s and don’ts so that you are a well-informed pet owner.

Do’s:

Exercise your dog beforehand. A dog that is too rambunctious and hyper could cause problems with other dogs. Try taking him/her for a walk beforehand to work off the excess energy, so that they can play nicely with the other dogs.

Do leave your kiddos at home. Some dogs might not react well to children, or an overexcited dog could unintentionally knock your child over trying to be friendly. It is better to leave them at home so you can focus on your pet.

Do learn about healthy dog play. By doing so, you are more likely to notice when the dogs are getting too aggressive or uncomfortable.

Do throw some training in with the play. Practice calling your dog to you and play with them by yourself before releasing them to go play with their canine buddies again.

Do keep the leash with you at all times. In case play gets a little too rowdy, you can leash your dog quickly to remove them from a dangerous situation.

Do keep your small dog with the other little dogs. There might be small dogs that don’t know how to play with smaller dogs, and your pet could get hurt by accident.

Don’ts:

Don’t bring your pup’s favorite toys. They have the potential of getting lost or creating competition and possessiveness between your dog and the others. Save those toys for home play.

Don’t let your dog bully others or be bullied. Pay attention to their body language and the aggressiveness of the play. You should also know how to remove a dog from a situation without getting bitten.

Don’t bring dogs with issues such as anger, fear, etc., towards people or other dogs. You don’t want your dog to attack others or be scared of the other dogs. Dog parks are for well-socialized dogs that know how to play well with others.

Don’t be distracted. Put your phone down and watch and play with your dog. Paying closer attention and knowing your dog’s body language can prevent most incidents.

Don’t take your puppy to the dog park. Puppies are more vulnerable to disease and sickness because their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. They also might not have all of their vaccines yet which makes them even more susceptible to illness.

Dog parks can be a fun experience for you and your dog if you follow the proper etiquette. Make sure to follow any rules posted by your local dog park. Remember to follow those rules and have fun!