Tips for enjoying the dog park

Tips for Enjoying the Dog Park
by Allie Thomas

I love going to the dog park. I feel good giving my dog a place to run, socialize and play with other dogs and I know he likes it. I also am very happy when we leave and he is very tired and relaxes for hours after we get home. After being a dog park regular though, I continuously witness people involved in “incidents” at the park and that is one thing about the dog park I do not enjoy! I used to think that all of the fights at the dog park happened between the dogs, but the more I go to the dog park, the more I am seeing fights between the humans! Below are some pointers to help make sure you and your dog enjoy the dog park and avoid as many “incidents” as possible!

1. Read the dog park rules. Many are posted outside of the park or on the parks website. People get very upset when they see someone breaking one of the rules and I have seen many people get called out on it. Since there is generally no one working at the park to enforce the rules other owners will take on that role and depending on the person it may not be handled diplomatically. The best way to avoid a fight at the dog park is to know and follow the rules.
2. Know your dog. If your dog does not get along with certain dog temperaments or sizes, it is up to you to stand outside of the park and watch the action to make sure it will be a good fit for your pup. If you are unsure or a certain dog in the park makes you nervous, hang out with your pooch outside of the park and play until that dog leaves and you feel more comfortable. Your dog is not equip to decide whether or not he should go into the dog park so it is up to you to make the best decision for your dog and the other dogs there. If you bring your dog in, knowing he may fight with another dog already in there, you will only be setting you and your dog up for trouble. Also, if your dog has serious dog aggression please don’t bring him to the dog park. Seek professional assistance to help him get over the problem first!
3. Pick up your dogs poop! It is a major dog park no-no to leave your dog’s poop on the ground. Other dogs could roll or step in it and then you are the one in deep doo-doo as their owner will be sure to let you know how unhappy they are with you! So pick it up! It is easy and most dog parks even have a supply of bags you can use if you did not bring your own.
4. Be very careful touching other people’s dogs. If another dog is humping your pup and you run over and throw that dog off of yours you are really asking for a fight. You would be much better off calling your dog over to get them out of the situation or asking that dog owner to remove their dog from yours. You would not run up and grab another person’s child, right? Don’t do it to their dog either or you will be sure to hear from them and they won’t be happy with you! If another dog in the park is really bothering your pup and the owner does not seem to care, you will be better off leaving the park with your dog and coming back another time when he will have more fun too. The exception to this rule is if a fight is breaking out. You may need to grab other dogs to keep them all safe and from hurting each other and most dog owners will be totally fine with that, maybe even thankful for your help!
5. Try hard not to get involved if you do not like how someone is training or talking to their dog. As a trainer I have often been tempted to give people suggestions at the dog park, but it is not usually received well and can be a sensitive subject for people. Unless someone asks you how you have trained your dog to be so well behaved I would not offer my opinion or make any negative comments about their dogs behavior. I have also witnessed people who I felt were being inappropriately harsh with their dog. When approached by another dog owner about the issue, things get ugly quickly. Imagine, if that person is not being nice to their own dog, they are certainly not going to be nice to a stranger who approaches them about it. If another owner is making you feel uncomfortable, your best bet is to grab your pup and leave. If the park clears out every time that person shows up they may start to get the point!

Source: The Swanky Pup