Dog Park Safety Tips
Going on an adventure with friends can be the highlight of your dog’s week, especially if you’re meeting up in a large area where you’re allowed to roam free. Dog parks are a great place to let your dog socialize, burn off extra energy and experience the outdoors off leash. You also get the chance to meet other pet parents! However, it does come with some rules and regulations that need to be followed. In order to make the most out of your dog park trip, consider these 9 factors before you head out the door with man’s best friend.
Research the rules and regulations. Some dog parks require documents, some require memberships and some have no monitoring at all. Some have strict requirements with certain stipulations or fee requirements. So make sure you are familiar with the rules, regulations and entry process before driving over.
Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated. It’s very important that your pet is fully vaccinated before socializing or even going out in public, including being up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Not only can your dog contract illnesses from other unvaccinated dogs, but they can also spread disease.
Consider your dog’s temperament. It’s very important that you know your dog's boundaries and what to expect from them. Some are eager and ready to make new friends with every dog that crosses their path while others are more selective about who they want to interact with. You can’t control someone else and what they do with their dog, but you have complete control over yourself and it’s best to be realistic and honest about what to expect from your dog.
Be present while at the dog park. You aren’t at the dog park to sit and take a break while your dog has fun; it’s still important to be fully aware of where your dog is and what they are doing so they aren’t getting into trouble. Keep your physical body in the park and be attentive to what’s going on with your dog and other dogs at all times. Remember, the dog park is not a babysitter.
Find out if there are separate areas for big and small dogs. Many parks are sectioned off into separate fenced areas.Too often you will have a larger dog that plays too rough, small dogs may have anxiety or complexes about larger dogs and multiple other issues when you mix large and small breeds in one fenced area. Before you head over, check to see if the park you want to go to has separate fenced areas or is just one big area for all.
Stay away from bringing favorite toys and treats. The last thing you want to do is to make your dog feel territorial in any way because even the nicest dog can get mean when another dog tries to take their toy. Most dogs are also food motivated, which can make bringing treats for your dog a problem. It’s best to just leave everything in the car so they can have their own time with their favorite things away from other dogs. It doesn’t matter if your dog likes to share or not, if they’re involved in the wrong type of situation it can only lead to more trouble.
Make sure your dog is properly identified. Having a collar and ID tag on your dog can make it easier to find them if they decide to make a great escape. Despite being fenced in, you can never be too sure if other dogs have dug holes by the fence, someone leaves the gate open a little too long or there is just enough space for a dog to wiggle through and break free. So make sure they have identification on them just in case.
Make sure your dog knows some basic commands. Your dog should be able to respond to some basic commands before letting them off leash at the dog park. Sit, stay, come and leave it are good commands to train your dog on (especially with distractions around) to make it easier for you to exit the dog park or leave a bad situation. It’s a lot harder to rein in a dog that is out of control and won’t listen to any commands.
Bring the right supplies. Make sure you go to the park prepared and bring along a leash, a collar with an ID tag, poop bags, water and a water bowl. Not every park will have fresh water available and community water bowls can sometimes breed bacteria so bring your own supplies to make things easier. Don’t forget to always clean up after your dog too!
Having fun is always at the top of the list when it comes to visiting dog parks but it’s important to know the rules and regulations before clicking off that leash. Every dog will respond to new environments and other dogs differently, so make sure you have an understanding of your dog and where you are going before adventuring.
While we love a good walk around the neighborhood, Going Mutts Pet Services also enjoys transporting our furry friends to nearby dog parks and trails to change things up a bit. Let us help get your dog the exercise and fresh air they need while you’re away at the office so you don’t have to worry if they’re chewing on your favorite sock because they’re bored. Check out our website or send us some information so we can help to take care of your pet care needs in the Lancaster, PA area!
