There is nothing more fun for your dog than a trip to the dog park. Essentially, this is doggy heaven. They get to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. They get to run around like crazy dogs. They get to roll in the cool grass. They get to make 1,000 new friends. Sniff a 100,000,000 new scents. And of course, play, play, play, play. As you can see, there is a lot going on at the dog park. Even for the best-behaved dogs, it can be a little overwhelming. This can lead to uncharacteristic behavior. To make sure everyone gets along swimmingly (dogs and people), it is important to follow dog park etiquette.
- Follow Leashing Rules
Some dog parks require that dogs stay on leashes, others are off-leash, while some have designated areas for both. It is important to follow these leashing rules. They are in place for a reason. It may not feel like a big deal to keep your dog leashes in an off-leash area, but this could cause problems with other dogs. They could get tangled in your leash which could lead to broken legs or choking. If you are not comfortable letting your dog off-leash, remain in leashed areas.
- Pay Attention
It is not uncommon for dog owners to treat the dog/dog park dynamic the same ways as they would children/television. That is, let the dogs loose in the dog park and they will take care of themselves. They are now out of your hair. Nothing to worry about. This could not be further from the truth. It is important to keep an eye on your dog the entire time they are at the park. You never know what could set off an incident with another dog. Yes, everyone is there to have fun, but even when dogs are playing and having fun, tempers can fly.
