Social niceties even extend to your pets, and there is dog park etiquette everyone who uses them should know. Dog parks should be safe, friendly places which your darling woofer should be able to enjoy. Unfortunately, human and human-led behavior can spoil things and make you want to avoid them more than frequent them. Here’s how to be a responsible owner by knowing your dog park etiquette.
1 Do: Pick up Your Dog Mess
This one is at the top of the list of dog park etiquette rules and tips because it is obvious and part of being a good human being and a responsible dog owner. The nasty effects the stuff has on the environment and the danger it poses to kids is more than enough reason to pick it up.
Frequently asked questions
2 DON’T: Let Kids Touch Your Dog if You Are Not 100% Confident
You know from experience if your dog has ever nipped or bitten you in the past. You know if the dog has growled when someone pulls his or her tail or when kids are around. Your dog is only a few generations away from a wild animal when compared with us. A child cannot possibly know the danger that even a small dog poses for death and personal injury. You will go to jail if your dog causes harm to a child, especially if that child is scarred.
3 Do: Your Dog Should Be on a Leash if It Attacks Other Dogs
Some people have temperamental dogs that are fine with some but not with all. If your dog is like this then you should have him or her on a leash because there is nothing worse than the upset of two dogs fighting in a dog park.
4 DON’T: Take Your Dog if It Has Not Been Vaccinated
It is for your dog’s health and the health of other dogs. If you ever feel like a cry then look up how damaging some dog illnesses are to your furry friend. It is really not worth the risk.
5 Do: Supervise Your Dog at All Times
This is especially true when it comes to dog park etiquette because there are lots of things your dog can get up to, from stealing a child’s ham sandwich to humping another dog when your back is turned. An unsupervised dog may do anything from run away to bring you back a dead squirrel to play catch with.
6 DON’T: Let Your Dogs Work It out
Other dogs get aggressive and some people think it is okay to let two dogs squaring up to each other work it out on their own, but this is never the thing to do. Ideally, you should separate the dogs, and if you are trying to introduce two dogs, then both owners should have the dogs on a leash and be ready to pull them away at the first sight of a fang. Dogs are far better killers than people are aware of.
7 Do: Allow Your Dog to Play with Other Dogs
If the other owner is okay with it and neither dog is in distress or being bullied, then let your dog play with others. Just be sure both dogs are having a good time and that the other owner is okay with what is going on.
8 DON’T: Bring a Female Dog if She is in Heat
This is one of the most important rules for the dog park. It makes her pee and poop a prime location for male dogs to start a fighting contest, and the attention your female dog gets from other males is similar to what happens in a frat house when only one girl turns up to the party.
9 Do: Put down Your Phone for a Minute
The amount of people at dog parks looking at their phone instead of being with their dog is unreal. Have a look the next time you are at a dog park. Not only are they ignoring their dog, a dog that may be causing trouble or being attacked, they are missing the fun they are supposed to be having with their dog. If they would rather look at their phone in a dog park, then they should have bought a cyber pet app instead of a dog.
Did you ever consider the social side of taking your pet to the dog park? Dog park etiquette is all about keeping the space pleasant, friendly and safe for all dogs and their owners. Do you use your local dog park or are you put off because of the lack of canine social nicety?
