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Is A Dog Park The Right Choice For You and Your Dog?
Some dogs adapt
quickly to dog parks, jumping in with gusto and appropriate manners.
Some dogs take a while to feel comfortable at the dog park and some
dogs never fit in.
Make the right
decision for you and your dog.
Canine Candidates NOT Ready for the
Dog Park
-
Puppy that has
not had all its shots
-
Any dog that has
not been socialized
-
A dog that does
not know basic obedience
-
Female dogs in
heat
-
Fearful dogs
-
Aggressive dogs
-
Dogs that
bully
-
Dogs that are
ill
Human Candidates NOT Ready for the
Dog Park
-
Humans who don’t
obey dog park rules
-
Humans who can’t
control their dogs
-
Humans who don’t
keep their attention on their dogs at all times
-
Humans who bring
too many dogs to the dog park at one time
-
Humans who don't
clean up after their dogs
Guidelines for a Safe & Fun Outing to
the Dog Park
-
Leave the leash
on your dog until you are safely inside the dog park
-
Carry your leash
with you
-
Take your own
water (for you and your dog)
-
Food does NOT
belong in dog parks!
-
Train your dog to
respond to voice control, especially the recall
-
If you see a dog
on leash or with its owner off to the side, please respect their
privacy and don’t approach until the owner says OK
-
Always be aware
of your dog’s location and the body language of the dogs your dog
is interacting with
A Visit to a Dog
Park Should Not be the Only Exercise Your Dog Receives
More Guidelines for Safety at the Dog Park
-
Train your dog –
at least he should know the recall and settle down/relax
---Consider the Canine Good Citizen Program
-
Use a flat collar
at the dog park. Keep harnesses, slip lead/training collars, and
collars that may catch or snag on shrubs or other dogs for other
activities
-
Your dog does not
need to go to the park every day. If he is not feeling well or is
injured, keep him home.
-
Stay at the park
only as long as your dog is having fun
-
Dog Parks are not
appropriate for small children (or even medium sized children)
-
Keep your eyes on
your dog – visiting with your friends is fun but your focus needs
to be on your dog
-
Toys that are
high value items for your dog should not go to the dog park
-
Stay calm – this
keeps your dog calm
-
Stay calm – loud
noises and excitement may raise the excitement level of the park
-
Stay connected to
your dog – call him back occasionally for a pat on the head or
hug. Play a quick game and then let him resume play with his
canine pals.
-
Only bring 2-3
dogs to the dog park at a time. You can only watch so many dogs at
once
-
Only bring your
own dogs to a dog park. You may not know your “nieces and nephews”
well enough for a visit to the dog park
-
If a human or dog
enters the park that makes you feel nervous, leave and return
another day
-
Before you leave
the park, check your dog to make sure she has not picked up a bur,
fox tail, or has a cut paw or other safety or health issue. Make
sure your dog arrives and leaves the dog park healthy
Resources
Websites
Books & DVD’s on Canine Body Language
Calming Signals:
What Your Dog Tells You by Turid Rugaas
Canine Behavior Program: Body Posture &
Evaluating Behavioral Health
by Suzanne Hetts and
Daniel Estep
Canine Body Language, A
Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff
The Language of Dogs, Understanding Canine
Body Language and Other Communication Signals
by Sarah Kalnajs
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