For a dog to be happy and healthy, they need both physical exercise and social interaction with their peers. Running, playing, speaking “dog,” and sniffing butts are all part of a well-socialized canine community. As essential as a leash is for the rest of your pet’s day, it can interfere with normal socialization and even lead to poor or aggressive interactions. Known as “leash aggression,” it is the most common form of dog aggression, and even dogs that are typically calm and well-behaved can display signs of aggression when meeting new friends.
Not long ago, every park was an off-leash park. However, with the urbanization of our world, the areas where our pets can play freely are rapidly diminishing. Now, more than ever, dog owners must act responsibly and not take off-leash parks for granted.
Off-Leash Etiquette: How to Help Keep Dog Parks Open
Part of not taking off-leash dog parks for granted is following a few simple rules of etiquette:
- Keep your dog on a leash outside of the park or if there is no sign indicating that the area is an off-leash zone.
- Don’t let your dog become a nuisance to other people, pets, or wildlife.
- Basic obedience is a must! If your dog doesn’t have a solid recall, keep them on a leash until they do!
- Always carry a leash, even in the designated off-leash area. You never know when you might need it.
- Keep your pet within sight and voice range at all times.
- Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate! Always ensure your pet is up-to-date on their vaccines.
- Don’t bring a young puppy to a dog park. Puppies have weaker immune systems and are more susceptible to potentially life-threatening viruses.
- Never bring an intact female in heat to a dog park. This could lead to serious trouble!
- Never bring toys or treats to a dog park. Dogs can quickly become territorial or exhibit guarding behavior over toys and food. Save the game of fetch for another area.
- If your pet seems under the weather, listless, or has diarrhea, do not bring them to the dog park unless you know the cause of the upset stomach. Common viruses can spread quickly.
- If your dog begins acting aggressively or their play becomes out of control, leash them immediately and leave the area.
- Never bring an aggressive dog to an off-leash park. Instead, take them to an animal behaviorist or an aggressive dog obedience class to rehabilitate them.
- No digging allowed! If your dog digs a hole, fill it immediately to prevent any injuries to other dogs or people.
- Respect the rules of the park and other users—both four-legged and two-legged.
- Always bring multiple waste bags and clean up after your pet immediately. Pay special attention to the first ten minutes of each play session. If you see feces that doesn’t belong to your pet, pick it up—otherwise, it may be your dog that steps in it and brings it home!
Dog Parks and the Not-So-Common Common Sense
Beyond the basic rules of the off-leash dog park, it’s also important to use your common sense:
- Is it your first visit to the dog park? To guarantee a pleasant experience for both you and your pet, visit during a quiet time, such as early morning or mid-afternoon. Avoid the chaotic after-work/before-dinner rush, as it will only overwhelm your pet and make the experience stressful for both of you!
- Keep your dog under control! If your pet doesn’t have basic obedience or is still in the playful puppy stage where they enjoy playing “keep away,” avoid the park. For your pet’s safety, they must be under verbal control at all times while at the park.
- Look before you leap! Before entering the park or releasing your pet’s leash, take a moment to observe the behavior of other dogs and their owners. Is a dog acting aggressively or out of control? What is the owner doing about it? It’s better to keep your pet on a leash and go for a walk than to risk them picking up bad habits or encountering an aggressive dog or an irresponsible owner.
- Watch your pet’s behavior and body language throughout the session. Play can quickly turn into fear or aggression if things change, or a new dog enters the park. If your dog seems hesitant or no longer wants to play, take them to a different area within the park or call it quits for the day.
By following this advice, we can help ensure that off-leash dog parks remain open and our pets stay happy!
