We all love to take our dogs down to the local off leash Dog Park – they can run free, socialise, have fun and come home very tired. However there are certain rules which we all should follow when we enter a dog park.
Some basic ones being:
- Pick up after your dog – no one like to step in dog poo.
- Make sure you keep an eye on your dog and how they are interacting with the other dogs. Sometimes fights can start up and if you are not in close proximity to break it up, it can end in tragedy.
- Make sure your dog doesn’t bark excessively, and ensure your dog isn’t causing too much trouble.
- Above all DO NOT leave your dog unattended at the dog park at any time.
Some dog parks have a double gated area to take your dog off leash before you enter the park. First, take your dog off leash in this area. When you walk into the park with your dog on leash, you are potentially creating a number of problems. First you may be affecting your dog’s body language. When a dog is pulling on leash, all their body is going forward and they are telling other dogs they are a challenge… even if they don’t actually mean to be. Second, if your dog feels crowded and wants to get away from the onslaught of dogs, by keeping your dog on leash you are putting your dog at a disadvantage. Being unable to get away, she might panic and may feel the need to defend herself.
Without fail, when you and your dog arrive at the park, many other dogs will rush to the gate to greet you. The problem here is that dogs in the dog park form loose packs, and they will want to quickly assess where your dog fits into that pack. This may lead to some conflicts, particularly if you have a fairly dominant dog. Also the sheer number of dogs at the gate, she may feel the need to defend herself. A way to avoid this is to wait until most of the dogs have lost interest and have moved away from the gate.
Always pay attention to what your dog is saying. Dogs are masters at communicating their discomfort and fear. A dog who behaves appropriately will respect that another dog is uncomfortable and either leave the dog alone, or ease up. If your dog does not do this then they are being a bully. If your dog is being a bully, make sure you rectify their behaviour straight away.
Some dogs become overwhelmed by dog parks as they can get quite busy. If your dog has their tail tucked between their legs and have their ears back, it’s a sure sign they are feeling uncomfortable. In this case your dog might be happier going for a walk or run with you or playing fetch at home.
In the end, dog parks are a great place for some dogs. If you choose to enter one, make sure you do it with respect for the park and the other animals there and always take responsibility for your dog and their actions.
For More Photos of Paddington Pups dogs go to Paddington Pups Facebook Page
My husband and I are avid pet owners and are fascinated by how much helpful knowledge can be gained from sites like this. Keep it coming!