Since the weather is getting warmer, we’ll be taking our best friends out to play more frequently. Taking your dog to the dog park is always a great time – and it’s really cute to watch your dog interact with other dogs.
However, before you can think about introducing your dog to a dog park, there are some things that you’ll need to do in order to ensure your safety, your dog’s safety, and everyone else in the park’s safety. Also, there is unspoken “dog park etiquette” that you should be aware of if you don’t want people looking at you strange and talking behind your back!
BENEFITS
If your dog has behavior problems, it’s most likely due to a lack of physical and mental stimulation and activity. Dogs need to live active lives – that’s exactly what they were born to do. While we have dogs to keep us company and fill certain voids in our life, we need to consider their needs as well. To keep your dog happy and healthy, you need to exercise both their brains and bodies. Going to the dog park will do just that! Here are some of the benefits of going to the dog park:
MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY:
At the dog park, your dog can run around freely, smell and investigate new things, and socialize with other dogs. This gives your dog a chance to get all of their energy out for a day and get their daily dose of exercise so that they can rest efficiently!
SOCIALLY:
Dogs are social creatures. It’s not enough for them to spend time around a bunch of humans. It’s important for dogs to spend time with their own species! It helps them to behave around dogs when they do come in contact with them. It’s just generally important for communication skills. Think about if you never were around your own species, then all of the sudden you were confronted with another human.
ETIQUETTE
- Scoop your dog’s waste. This is perhaps the cardinal rule of the dog park. Many parks will have resources such as baggies and trash cans. Scope the park out first before you go so you come prepared.
- Get your dog fixed before taking them to the park. Male dogs that are neutered have better temperaments towards each other, and the females don’t have to worry about being overwhelmed by males in heat! Great for all parties included.
- Know your dog’s disposition. Different breeds react differently to socializing with other dogs. You can’t predict how other dogs are going to act, but you need to know how your dog typically is with other dogs. If you dog is aggressive, don’t take him/her to the dog park.
- Keep puppies at home! Puppies can be little troublemakers sometimes. They aren’t vaccinated – which will put other dogs at risk—and they might be extremely afraid of other dogs! You don’t want to terrify them and ruin their future experiences.
We hope to see you at the dog park this spring!
Til Next Time,