© K9 of Mine https://www.k9ofmine.com/dog-park-etiquette/
With warm weather on the horizon and a holiday weekend ahead, chances are you’ll see a lot more people out and about enjoying the outdoors with their dogs. Some dogs, like people, are super-social and love spending time with others. If you have a dog like this, a dog park might be a fun destination. The website K9 of Mine has an excellent overview of the advantages and disadvantages of dog parks, do’s and don’ts, and dog-friendly alternatives if a dog park isn’t a good choice for you. It’s definitely worth reading the entire article. Find that here.
Before you turn your own Fido loose into a crowd of canine revelers, let’s review what the AKC calls the common-sense rules of dog parks:
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Should your pet show signs of illness or a contagious disease, don’t bring him/her to the park.
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Don’t bring a puppy less than four months old or a female dog in heat.
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Keep an eye on your dog! Don’t let your dog be aggressive with another dog.
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Obviously, you should pick up after your dog.
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Don’t bring food for yourself or your dog.
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Bring a portable water bowl for your dog – water bowls at dog parks carry the risk of communicable illnesses.
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Keep your small dog in the designated small-dog section of the park – even if he/she enjoys hanging out with the big dogs.
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Bring a ball, but be prepared to lose it.
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Don’t let your dog run in a pack. Intervene when play starts to get too rough
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For more helpful suggestions about dog parks, check out this handy poster from Tail Wags Playground (click to enlarge):
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Interested in establishing a dog park in your own community? Check out this infographic from the AKC or their handy guide, complete with success stories!