Dog parks are important for the overall socialization of your pup so with that comes the unspoken dog park rules. They also contribute importantly to your dog’s exercise regime.
A dog park does, however, constitute a whole lot of other dogs and dog-parents, and there are unspoken dog park rules that every dog-parent needs to be aware of.
Here’s a list of 10 things to keep in mind before your pet’s first dog park visit.
Many dog parents mistakenly assume that since they are taking their pet to the dog park, they don’t have to give their dog any more exercise time. This approach, however, is completely wrong and can work strictly against them when in the dog park.
Dogs are active and energetic creatures. They need to go for regular walks and need to play often to release this pent up energy.
Bringing your pup to the dog park with all that pent up energy inside can be disastrous. Your pet will most likely jump all over the place, attack other dogs and be out of control, just so they can release the excess energy. This can be a nuisance not just to other dogs but also to other dog parents.
Remember, your dog, your responsibility. Trust us when we say that you don’t want to be one of those careless dog parents who let their dogs poop everywhere, without cleaning up behind them.
Such dog parents are troublesome and are unwelcome at dog parks.
In fact, you don’t just have to clean up the mess left behind by your pup; you can always be a good Samaritan and clean any other dog messes you see lying around.
In fact, that’s probably going to win you many points from other dog-owners, and you can gain popularity amongst them!
Some dog parents are reckless and least bothered about just what their dog is up to when at the park.
Their dog could, for example, be running wild, chasing other dogs, leaving huge messes behind, etc., while they were chilling on a bench, reading a book or engrossed in their smartphone.
You don’t want to be that dog owner that everyone just despises when they see them.
Remember, being a dog parent can be just as challenging as being an actual parent. So make sure before you adopt a pet, that you’re ready to face these challenges head-on.
This is basically just common sense. Taking your dog to the dog park if it is sick or has not has all his required vaccinations is selfish and irresponsible.
You are not only risking your own dog becoming sicker or catching diseases but also risking the health of all the other dogs in the park.
If you have young children, it is advisable that you keep them at home and do not bring them with you to the dog park.
While children love to be around dogs, you can’t say the same for all dogs. It’s possible that some of the dogs at the park are aggressive, and your kids might even get hurt. So for safety reasons, it’s better to simply leave them home.
If you see your dog bullying other dogs around the dog park, you need to take him home immediately. No one likes a bully, whether human or animal. So if you see your pet causing problems for any of the other animals in the dog park, you need to retreat him from the park right away and take him home.
If your dog regularly does not respond to your voice when you call him or does not listen to the instructions you give him, it is probably best not to take him to a dog park until he learns to do these things.
Verbal commands are extremely important when in a dog park. If your pet doesn’t respond to your voice, he can become out of control and can become problematic for the other dogs in the park.
Most dog parks are strictly ‘non-leash,’ so you will need to keep your leashes at home. Additionally, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to take your dog to a dog park if you only want to keep him on a leash the entire time.
If you are still training your dog, you may be making use of treats quite often to motivate or encourage your dog.
It may not be a great idea to be handing out treats when at the dog park, because there will be so many other dogs around, who may mistakenly assume the treats are for them.
So you may have to be extra careful about handing out treats, or just wait till you’re home to do so.
Taking human food with you to a dog park can be chaotic and is not a good idea. So make sure to leave behind any snacks etc. that you had initially decided to take with you.
Dog parks are important for your pet’s socialization and wellbeing. Meeting and playing with other dogs will not only keep your dog busy but also train him well about how to be around other dogs.
If you simply follow these 10 unspoken dog park rules, you are likely to keep other dog owners and dogs very happy.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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