Dog Park Safety: Do’s & Don’ts for Pet Owners

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:

• Stiff, upright body or tail position
• An intense stare of “hard” eye contact
• Ears laid flat back or standing straight up
• Bared teeth or curled lip
• Hair standing up around the neck and shoulders

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.  

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