If you’re trying out a new park, take note of the times and days in which you visit. This will help you establish a schedule that is beneficial for you and your dog. Keep your dog’s immunization dates on your calendar, and keep to them. A healthy dog is a safe dog. By exercising caution and responsibility, you and your dog can safely enjoy a day at the park.
Natural dog play can appear aggressive – biting, chasing and rolling around together – but it’s crucial to pay close attention, especially when they first meet. Dogs are pack animals and one or more may want to establish their dominance. Should two dogs begin to truly fight, clap and shout to get their attention. If nothing else works, the safest way to separate them is by grabbing one dog’s tail, haunches or whatever you can reach and pulling the dog backward. Never put your hands or face anywhere near a fighting dog’s mouth or front paws.
And don’t think you should only fear larger, more dominant breeds such as pit bulls or German shepherds. Small breeds, such as terriers, can be protective of their owners. Even toy poodles are known to bite out of self-defense. Any dog can potentially be a hostile dog if provoked.
Always monitor your dog’s interaction with others very closely.
A female dog that hasn’t been spayed is in danger at a dog park. Unaltered males could mount the female in a matter of moments, increasing her risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. And female dogs in heat could bring on an onslaught of attention from males, who might then become aggressive with each other to win over the female.
If you’re bringing your unaltered female dog to the dog park, be extremely cautious. And don’t take her when she’s in heat.
If you’re trying out a new park, take note of the times and days in which you visit. This will help you establish a schedule that is beneficial for you and your dog. Keep your dog’s immunization dates on your calendar, and keep to them. A healthy dog is a safe dog. By exercising caution and responsibility, you and your dog can safely enjoy a day at the park.
Families often bring young children to dog parks to get comfortable and play with the various dog breeds. However, some young children may not know how to play with a dog appropriately, inviting trouble. Teach your child basic dog etiquette before venturing to a dog park.
Unfortunately, children are usually among the first injured because their height places them at muzzle level. Small children are also as susceptible to germs and disease as your dog is, so make sure she doesn’t sit or play too much in the grass.
Never bring an animal to the dog park that isn’t a dog, even if you plan on holding it the entire time.
Puppies
One school of thought regarding puppies at the dog park is that a puppy must be socialized and exposed to other dogs at a young age to grow up and become a well-adjusted adult dog. However, puppies’ immune systems are young, and the multitude of stimuli at a dog park can be overwhelming to a puppy’s health.
Consult your veterinarian and follow his or her advice before you take your puppy to a dog park. He or she may have alternate socialization techniques to try. If you do take your puppy to a dog park, ensure his vaccinations remain current.
A healthy dog is a safe dog. By exercising caution and responsibility, you and your dog can safely enjoy a day at the dog park.
