Dog parks—what a great idea! Imagine being able to take your buddy to a spacious, open field and letting them safely play and run around with dozens of other dogs. It’s a fantastic way to provide exercise, especially for those rambunctious, high-energy teens who can become destructive and “self-employed” at home when they have nothing else to do. How many of us have come home to torn sofa cushions, shredded plants, or neighbors complaining about incessant barking?
Dog parks offer a wonderful opportunity for your dog to learn appropriate dog-to-dog behavior with dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. In addition to these benefits, dog parks also give us humans a chance to get out of the house and socialize, meeting new friends along the way.
Most people who take their dogs to dog parks are respectful, polite, responsible, and look out not only for their own dogs but also for others. After all, if one dog gets hurt, everyone is affected. Most dog parks are well-maintained, clean, and safe. With so many benefits, are there any disadvantages?
Potential Risks at Dog Parks
Not a month goes by that I don’t hear from one of my clients about their dog or a neighbor’s dog getting hurt at a dog park. In 99% of these cases, the issue stemmed from the attitude of the human. A well-known actor (this is L.A. after all) brought two of his dogs to a park. As soon as the dogs entered, they zeroed in on a Lab resting under a picnic table. Within seconds, cries and growls filled the air. People rushed to help the Lab, who sustained multiple puncture wounds. When the actor finally arrived at the scene, he simply said, “Hey, dogs are dogs, they were only playing.”
On another occasion, a woman came directly from a rescue with her new 80-lb dog and wanted to see how he would behave around other dogs. The dog attacked a small, blind Pekingese, causing several thousand dollars in medical bills.
In other cases, dogs are hurt because of how they play—some dogs are more physical than others, leading to unintentional injuries. Others never learned proper dog etiquette due to a lack of proper socialization when they were young. As a result, their pushy behavior often leads to misunderstandings and triggers fights.
Additionally, not every dog enjoys visiting dog parks. Older dogs may not care about being around other dogs and are perfectly content interacting only with their humans. Well-intentioned as some people are, they can unintentionally cause problems by failing to read their dog’s body language, which may be saying, “Get me out of here!”
So, what should you look for when choosing a dog park? Visit the park before bringing your dog. Talk to other park-goers. Safe parks have one thing in common: responsible owners who won’t tolerate aggressive dogs and look out for one another. Make sure there’s a separate area for small dogs. How clean is the park? Is water available? If you find yourself stepping over mounds of feces, it’s a good bet that park isn’t for you or your dog. See if the park has a ranger who oversees activities. This is rare but speaks volumes about safety.
Once you’ve chosen a dog park, don’t bring food or your dog’s favorite toys, as these can often cause problems. Observe how other dogs are behaving, and if play becomes too rowdy, intervene before a problem arises. If your dog seems fearful, leave the park.
Know your dog. If your dog shows signs of aggression or fearfulness, don’t take them to a dog park. You can work on behavioral problems with a trainer, but in the meantime, take your dog for walks, jogs, play fetch, or try games like hide-and-seek and “find-it.”
There are wonderful dog parks out there that benefit both people and dogs. To find them, do a little research, use your common sense, be responsible, and keep a watchful eye. You and your dog can have a lot of fun!
