How To Take Your Dog To A Dog Park

 

Going to a dog park with your dog can be one of the most enjoyable experiences both for owners and dogs. Dog parks are a great way to socialize your dog, burn some energy, and simply have fun with them. Sometimes finding the right dog park can be a challenge as there are always a few things to look at when going to new dog parks.

Learn more about taking your dog to the park

Dog parks are great places for dogs to get exercise and play with other dogs. But taking your dog to a dog park can also be dangerous, especially if you act carelessly or too quickly.

Here's how to make the most of your visit while staying safe:

Before you go

1.  Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations — this includes rabies, distemper/parvo, and Bordetella (kennel cough).

2.  Ensure that your pet is wearing a collar with a current identification tag. If you have a large dog, consider using a harness instead of a collar for better control.

3.  Make sure she always answers to her name, comes when called, and won't get aggressive when you call her away from other dogs or people. If your dog isn't well behaved around other dogs or humans — even in familiar situations — reconsider visiting until he's had some training.

4.  Bring fresh water from home and a travel bowl for drinking and check the park carefully for any hazards such as broken glass, metal, or other sharp objects before letting your dog off-leash.

5.  Make sure there are bags provided so that you can clean up after your dog. If there are

The Best Dog Park Advice A novice Can Get

So, you've decided to take your dog to the park and let him run free. Maybe you're one of those people who think dog parks are a really bad idea and that we should keep our dogs on leashes at all times, but I'm not one of them. I think dog parks can be a lot of fun for dogs and their owners as well.

There are a few things you should know about dog parks before you bring your own dog there for the first time. Here are my top tips for newbie dog park goers:

1) Make sure your dog is up to date on all his shots and is in good health before taking him to a dog park. There's nothing worse than having a sick puppy or an injured puppy running around while other puppies are trying to have fun. It's also important that you don't put your puppy at risk by exposing him to diseases he could get from other dogs.

2) Never leave your puppy unattended at the park, even if it's just for a few minutes. This is very important because puppies tend to chew on things they shouldn't, like sticks and rocks, which can lead to serious injury or even death. 

Just like you, your dog needs exercise. The dog park is just a different kind of environment. That's why I come to dog parks most days and it's why I wanted to tell you how to take your dog to a dog park. A good first step is researching dog etiquette at the park in question. If owners aren't able to enforce rules that are against the organization's bylaws, then little will be accomplished. The rules set forth should be enforced and reprimanded as needed. Keep this in mind as you take your dog to a dog park.