Dog parks are appearing in communities nationwide and are a great option for busy pet parents to make sure their dogs get the exercise and socialization they need. Some dog parks actually are designated specifically for dogs, and others are claimed informally by groups of pet parents who show up in the same place and let their dogs play together. Most pet parents and their canine companions who frequent dog parks absolutely love being able to spend time together playing with other dogs and getting to know other pet parents as well.
Health Concerns
Pet parents should be aware of potential health concerns before heading to the dog park. Be aware of your dog's the potential exposure to certain illnesses. Many illnesses can be prevented simply by following your veterinarian's recommendations for vaccination. Young pups are at greater risk for contracting an illness, especially if they have not been fully vaccinated. If you notice a dog at the park that seems to be showing signs of illness, it would be a wise decision to take your pet home rather than risk exposure to a communicable disease. Any dogs that are sick should be kept away from the park until they have fully recovered from their illness.
Parasites are another health concern that your dog may be exposed to in a dog park. Parasites, both internal and external, can be quite detrimental to your dog's health. Human infection can occur with some parasites when contact is made with an infected dog or feces. Picking up immediately after dogs eliminate helps reduce the risk of intestinal parasites spreading. Control programs should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Besides the usual concerns about fleas, ticks, and worms, beware of stagnant water. Although it may be a magnet to playing dogs, it could contain dangerous parasites that can invade your dog's digestive tract and make her very sick. Prevent your dog from drinking or playing in stagnant water.
Injury Prevention
Injury can happen at any time, especially when dogs are engaging in rough-and-tumble play together, but pet parents can reduce the risk greatly by taking preventive steps:
Start Out on a Leash
Walk or run your dog on her leash for a few minutes as a warm-up before turning her loose to "go all out" with other dogs. This not only allows your pet to burn a little energy, it also allows you to survey the situation and take note of how the other dogs are playing and getting along.
Keep Your Pet at a Healthy Weight
Keep your dog at a healthy, lean weight to reduce strain on her heart and joints. Do not let your pet overdo it if she is not conditioned for this type of exercise or if she has joint issues such as arthritis or hip dysplasia.
Keep a Watchful Eye
Be sure to always supervise your dog while at the park. Don't allow her to play with noticeably aggressive dogs. Also, never allow her to enter or play in unsecured or unsafe areas.
Be Mindful of the Weather
Protect your pet from the elements - overheating and heat stroke can occur quickly in the hot, humid summer months. Even though our pets have fur coats, they can still suffer from hypothermia, and frostbite. Avoid taking your pet to the dog park during extreme weather and also consider protective clothing such as booties or a dog sweater if indicated.
Follow Park Etiquette and Avoid Faux Pas
Dog Park Etiquette
Make sure your dog is wearing ID. This can be either a tag or information on her collar. Identification can help reunite you with your pet if she should become separated from you. Be sure that your contact information on the identification tag is current. Another option is a microchip. A microchip carrying your dog's information can be implanted under your dog's skin.
Keep dogs on-lead until inside a safely enclosed area. Be sure to check the fences to ensure they are secure enough to contain your dog. This will help prevent your dog from escaping and getting away from you.
Bring a bowl and water from home for your dog. Some dogs do not like the taste of water from other places and will refuse to drink the water. The last thing you want is for your pet to become dehydrated. You also want to prevent your dog from drinking from puddles or communal bowls. Parasites or other illness could be passed to your dog.
Do not use choke or pinch collars on your dog. Among other dangers, these collars can get caught in the teeth of other dogs, with dire consequences.
Know the rules and the hours of the park, and make sure dogs are allowed to play there. Call your city or village hall for information.
Keep the dog park clean and beautiful. Be sure to bring clean up bags and pick up after your dog. Ask others to pick up after their dogs so they don't ruin it for everyone.
Bring a cellular phone if you have one - just in case an accident happens or you have so much fun you decide to stay longer and need to phone home. You may also want to take pictures of your furry friend's playful antics!
Bring towels for cleaning up muddy paws and to cover seats. Dogs can get very dirty! Be sure your pet does not jump on other pet parents, especially if your pet is wet or muddy.
Be sure to bring a few toys to the park. Expect to share toys or more likely lose them to the group.
Be prepared when you call your dog for more than one to respond!
Dog Park Faux Pas
If your dog has a hard time minding her manners in group play, enroll in an obedience class before you try taking her to the dog park. A dog that does not obey commands can find herself in trouble quickly.
A sick dog could be carrying a contagious disease and might infect any other dogs that come into contact with her. Don't bring your dog to the park if she has been sick in the last 48 hours. When in doubt, visit your veterinarian!
Many dogs have sensitive stomachs, food intolerances, or even food allergies. Don't feed or offer treats to other dogs. You don't know if the other pet parents allow their dogs to take food from others and your treats may cause problems.
Some dogs get car sick, especially if they are fed before a car ride. Don't feed your dog before riding in the car to help prevent motion sickness. It is also recommended not the feed your dog immediately before heavy exercise.
Don't be shocked to see canines eat feces or grass, throw up and roll in smelly stuff - dogs will be dogs. Just be prepared to clean up after your pup.
Putting Your Dog's Manners to the Test
Protecting your pooch encompasses behavioral matters, too. A properly trained and socialized dog will be less likely to aggravate other park-goers, both canine and human. Manners are important; bringing a dog that behaves aggressively will not make you or your pet a welcome sight at the park.
Dog-to-dog interactions must follow some rules of etiquette. Inexperienced dogs and young puppies can be overwhelmed, terrified, or traumatized by suddenly finding themselves in the middle of a canine melee. Get your puppy and dog used to the park gradually.
Whenever a new dog joins an established play group, natural canine behavior will create similar scenes in parks across the country. Initially, there is an increase in activity and noise. Eventually, with mounting, wrestling, possession claiming, posturing, and vocalizing, ranking orders are adjusted to make room for the newcomer. Some canines enter this group as lowly underdogs, and others come in like leaders of the pack, moving up fast in rank.
Aggression problems in such large groups certainly could occur, but for the most part people seem to know their dogs are socialized well enough to get along before deciding to bring them. When a new person occasionally does appear with an overtly aggressive dog, many of the other pet parents in the group are quick to suggest strongly that the person not allow the dog to mingle.
There always is the risk that two or more dogs will engage in a serious, possibly injury-causing fight. If you have the slightest suspicion your dog has a propensity to be aggressive toward other dogs, you should not allow her to place other pets at risk.
Special steps must be taken if a dog is behaving defensively, running to her pet parent for protection, or behaving in a defensively aggressive manner. Be careful not to pick the dog up unless it is the only recourse and the dog truly is in danger. A panicked pet may bite. Try to avoid these situations by making sure your pet is fully prepared for the dog park experience and that the other dogs there are friendly.
Obedience training is not just a virtue, it is a must for any dog which a pet parent intends to allow off-leash. Rather than tossing your dog into an unfamiliar group to "work it out," enroll in a training class to get help if you are concerned about her social behavior. If you are not positive your dog would stop on command, come when called, and behave respectfully with people and other dogs, go directly to school (dog school!) and hold off on the park until you are accomplished graduates. It will be worth the wait and will protect your dog as well as the others you encounter.
Once at the park, spend five or 10 minutes reinforcing obedience training with your dog on a leash. Stay removed enough from the group that you can get her to settle and pay attention. This helps prevent your pet from becoming overbearing and dragging you to the play area. Rewarding compliance with free time is a great way to reinforce obedience training while reminding the dog life can't be all play!
Understanding Dog Body Language
Some pet parents may want to brush up on dog behavior before heading to the park. If you don't know the difference between rough play/wrestling and real dog fighting, spend some time observing dogs playing together in a group before including your own. Observe from a distance how the dogs interact before allowing your dog to join in. Unprepared pet parents have been known to panic the first time they see their pets on the bottom of a dog pile. Panicked over-reaction to normal dog play can cause both dog and human tempers to flare quickly. If you are not ready to step back and let your dog "be a dog," keep her away from an off-lead group situation.
Likewise, be prepared to see your dog mount or be mounted. Mounting is a perfectly natural mode of canine interaction. Dogs may mount one another for amorous reasons, regardless of gender or if the dog is neutered or spayed. Most of the time mounting behavior occurs between adult dogs to establish dominance; a dog that assumes the mounting posture is informing the "underdog" clearly that it is subordinate in rank. When the mounted dog tolerates the other's behavior it is yielding to the dominating dog's higher rank. This is a very ritualized mode of canine interaction that helps dogs to establish ranking order without violence. Obviously, if your dog is an intact female, be sure to not bring her during a heat cycle.
Indeed, dog parks can provide pets with many benefits: improved health from exercise, improved behavior from having an active, positive outlet for energy, and improved socialization from learning how to interact appropriately with a variety of dogs and people. It's also a great way for people who love dogs to spend time with their own "breed" - other dog lovers!
Article by: Peggy Moran and Angela Walter, DVM