Have you ever been to a dog park? You really should go. It’s a very simple activity, but it can genuinely be one of the highlights of your day. I dare you not to smile ear to ear when your dog gets super amped and starts running around. The happiness is infectious in the best possible way. Even though it is a space for your dog to be free and run around off-leash, there are still some basic rules you should follow to ensure that everyone is having as good of a time as you and your dog are.
The first thing you should do when entering a dog park is to read any signs, rules & regulations posted by the
city/owners to make sure that everything is on the up and up and that your dog meets all of the requirements listed. With that being said, here are some good, basic rules from
DogPark.com to start with:
- Never leave your dog unattended. Make sure you know where they are at all times so they don’t get into any trouble!
- Keep your cellphone in your pocket. I know we are all addicted to our devices, but this should be about you and your dog. Give them your full attention, play with them, watch them and interact with them. Keep your eyes off the digital screens!
- ALWAYS clean up after your dogs. Is it gross? For sure. However, it is very necessary. You can imagine if everyone left it on the ground. There wouldn’t be a whole lot of dog park left, and you definitely wouldn’t want to enter. Most parks have bags and trash cans you can use to dispose of things in. It’s not the end of the world, hold your breath and you’ll be fine.
- Make sure your dog is current on all vaccines. You don’t want your dog spreading any diseases to other dogs, or even worse, have your dog catch something from somebody else’s dog. Healthy and happy pets make for healthy and happy humans.
- If your dog starts getting aggressive or unruly, make sure to calm him or her down, or put them back on leash and leave the park. Don’t be that owner that doesn’t correct bad habits. Everyone wants to have fun at the park and not worry. If other owners see you correcting your dog they will not only respect you, but also will be more likely to correct their pet, as well.
- Don’t scold or correct other dogs. Even if somebody else’s dog starts trouble with your dog, simply go and take your dog away from the situation. It may be tempting to stop the other dog, but that is the owners job and hopefully they are responsible enough to do something about it.
- Be friendly with other dog owners. You don’t have to be best friends. They don’t need to be invited to your birthday. However, the dog park is a social, fun place. Don’t be a poor sport and ruin the positive environment. It’s time to be friendly.
Please remember, this is like a vacation for your dog. Anytime you take them to the dog park, it is literally the best day of their life. Your dog is a direct reflection of how you are feeling. Be happy, in control and open to new experiences, and you and your dog will both have the best day of your lives! Have fun!
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