 With warm, sunny spring days on the horizon, many PNW dog owners are excited to get outside with their pups! The neighborhood dog park can be a great mental, social, and physical outlet for many dogs. However, it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts to ensure your dog park experience is safe and low-stress. Know Before You Go A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to dog park safety. First and most importantly: know your dog. You know your dog’s personality better than anybody else! Is your pup shy and anxious around other dogs? Or are they a rowdy roughhouser who tends to get overexcited? Does your dog know how to greet other dogs politely, or do they barrel through other dogs’ social cues? The plain truth is that not every dog is a “dog park dog.” Some will be too afraid to enjoy themselves, while others pose a risk to themselves or the dogs around them. Knowing your dog’s personality and temperament will help you decide whether or not they’ll have fun in an off-leash dog park environment. Keep Vaccines and Preventatives Up-To-Date Anytime dogs socialize with other animals, they increase their risk of picking up or transmitting illnesses and parasites. Common risks include “kennel cough,” giardia from drinking contaminated water, and fleas or other parasites. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with chronic health conditions are especially susceptible to these illnesses. For their own safety, puppies should never go to the dog park until they’re fully vaccinated! For adult dogs and fully-vaccinated puppies, a monthly parasite preventative can keep your pet protected from creepy crawlies they might pick up. If your dog regularly visits the dog park, your veterinarian may also recommend additional vaccines for canine influenza, bordetella, and leptospirosis. Brush Up On The Basics Even though dog parks are fenced in, they’re still off-leash play areas. Making sure your dog knows basic commands—come, sit, stay, and leave it—will come in handy should trouble arise. For example, working on your dog’s recall could prevent disaster if a dog park gate is accidentally left open. Keep A Close Eye Dog parks are social spaces with plenty of activity for pups AND their people. It’s easy to get distracted or caught up in conversation with other pet parents. But no matter what’s going on around you, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog and their interactions. Aggression is not uncommon in dog parks, and play can quickly escalate into something more serious. Luckily, dogs are masters of communicating through body language. Watch your dog for signs of discomfort like:
These behaviors could be signs of trouble, whether your dog is giving them or receiving them from a playmate! If you notice them, intervene as quickly as possible to prevent a fight. Know When It’s Time To Go Being watchful also means monitoring your dog for signs they’ve had enough for one day! If your dog looks like they’re not having fun anymore, leave. As your dog gets tired, overwhelmed, or overstimulated they’ll be more likely to snap or engage inappropriately with other dogs. Pressuring your dog to stay longer than they’re comfortable can lead to stressful dog park interactions and set them up for negative expectations in the future. Practice Dog Park Safety For A Paws-itively Good Time! All in all, parks are a great way for your dog to let loose and have some fun. But as with everything else, taking your dog to the dog park comes with responsibilities. With a little forethought and planning, you can prepare your pup for a positive dog park experience. Have questions about how to socialize your dog safely? The Mountainside Veterinary Hospital team is here to help! Give us a call or follow our blog for pet health and behavior tips.  Early this year, we watched wildfires ravage California, displacing thousands of people and their pets. As the effects of climate change increase, natural disasters continue to defy seasonal rules, occurring with more frequency and intensity no matter where you live. To help pet parents prepare for the unexpected, we've put together an emergency prep checklist to keep your furry friends safe!
Make A Plan Having an emergency plan in place means less decision-making when you're in a high-stress situation. A few crucial considerations include: Know where to go: Establish a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. Do you have family or friends who can house you and your pets during a disaster? Do you need to make special arrangements for your animals? Consider making a list of clinics, shelters, and hotels nearby but outside of your immediate area. Find out if they accept pets and inquire if a "no pet" policy would be waived in an emergency. Keep records on hand: Some shelters, rescues, hotels, clinics, and boarding kennels that temporarily house pets during disasters will require proof of vaccinations. Keep pets' vaccines up-to-date and make sure you have proof of rabies in an easy-to-access location. Digitizing records is one easy way to ensure you have your pet's information at your fingertips when you need it. Microchip pets: If you and your pet are separated during an emergency, a microchip exponentially increases your chances of being reunited. Make sure pets are microchipped and that your contact information is up-to-date. Include at least one emergency contact, a friend or family member, who lives outside your immediate area. Practice, practice, practice: Evacuation drills with pets help you prepare for an emergency and reduce stress for your pets. Make sure cats and other small animals are used to traveling in their carriers, and keep dogs' collars and leashes handy. Practice getting in and out of the car or even going for short drives. The more "normal" an evacuation feels, the less stress your pets will experience in the case of a true emergency. Prepare Your Pet Emergency Kit Stock up on what you need for an emergency now so you never get caught unprepared! When packing your pets' emergency kits, make sure to use an easy-to-grab container, preferably something airtight and waterproof. Review your kits at regular intervals to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh. A basic emergency kit for each pet should include:
Try To Keep Calm While everyone responds to emergency situations differently, the key is to stay as calm as possible. Pets respond to their humans' anxiety levels, so keeping your cool will also help them stay more relaxed. By having a plan in place well ahead of emergencies (and knowing you have their essentials packed), you're more likely to make clear-headed decisions when faced with evacuation orders. Have questions about the best way to protect your pets during an emergency or disaster evacuation? Mountainside Veterinary Hospital is always happy to help! As a locally owned veterinary clinic in Beaverton, Oregon, we stay up-to-date on weather and conditions that may impact you and your pets. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for frequent pet care tips and local pet safety information! |
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Mountainside Veterinary Hospital
www.mountainsidevets.com [email protected] Office: (971) 405 - 1111 Fax: (503) 498 - 5322 |
Hospital Location
15000 SW Barrows Rd. Ste. 101, Beaverton, OR 97007
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Monday - Friday: 8:00a - 6:00p
Saturday: 8:00a - 4:00p Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! (971) 405-1111 
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