How is the dog park designed?
- Dog parks which offer more than one entrance, with visual blockers, help decrease the "gang mentality" of the resident dogs when a new dog enters.
- No seating area, or a seating area in the middle of the park, encourage owners to monitor their dogs while they play - a crucial part of dog park safety.
- Shade trees not only help with the heat in hot weather but also offer the dogs something to move around and make the space more interesting to the dogs.
- Play equipment, which offers the dogs height and places to go under greatly enhance the play experience of the park.
- Surfaces which can be easily cleaned, are easy on the dog's pads and cut down on mud make the dog park experience more fun for everyone.
- Ideally, three areas should be available; an area for large dogs, an area for small dogs and an area for dogs and owners who want to play with toys. These distinct areas make the park safer and more fun for everyone.
- Clean up equipment, provided by the park, helps encourage everyone to pick up after their own dog.
- Fresh running water is a great benefit especially in the summer. Add a couple of plastic wading pools and not only will the dogs have a terrific time, but on a very hot day a pool of water may be critical to help cool down an overheated dog.
What are the rules of the park?
- Parks which require all participants to be neutered or who offer separate areas or times for dogs who are not spayed or neutered tend to be safer for all. Dogs in heat should not be permitted at the park.
- Requiring current immunizations to be on file with the organization running the park helps ensure everyone's safety.
- The park should have written policies for reporting dog on dog altercations.
- Parks who have separate areas/times for large and small dogs demonstrate their commitment to safety.
- Restricting times/areas the use of toys, balls, food and discs help keep resource guarding minimized.
- Some parks are community and some private. Private clubs usually require an annual fee which goes towards the upkeep of the park and the purchase of dog friendly equipment.
What can I do to make the experience safe and fun for my dog?
- Be sure your dog is healthy and has current immunizations for your area and is on external parasite preventative.
- Learn Canine Body Language. Take a course or read a book so you can discern between rough play and inappropriate play. If your dog is being inappropriate, remove him from the park for twenty to thirty minutes and give him a walk. After the walk, he may be ready to return to the park but keep alert and take him home if he's still too stimulated. If another dog is being inappropriate, remove your dog and return on a different day or time.
- Limit the time your dog is in the park - dogs can get over tired and over stimulated which is when altercations may occur. Many dogs do very well for twenty to thirty minutes.
- Before entering, scope out the group. If you feel uncomfortable with what is going on, take your dog home and try again later or on another day.
- Find a time when the park is less crowded and develop your own "play group" with dogs and owners who are safety oriented and respectful of others.
- Be sure your dog is playing with dogs her own size. BDLD (big dog/little dog) is an accident which happens when a larger dog plays with a smaller one and injures the smaller dog - with no ill intent. It is a bit like having your eight year old child playing football in the NFL. The big players may try and be as careful as possible but an accident can still happen and it is the child who will get hurt.
- Have your dog wear a quick release, flat or rolled, collar. Slip collars, martingale collars and prong collars can become hooked on another dog's teeth when the dogs are playing. Hooked dogs tend to panic and both parties can get injured.
- Keep your tags on your dog's leash. Tags can also get hooked when dogs play. Print, or have embroidered, your phone number on the collar and leave your license and rabies tag attached to your dog's leash.
- You are the best judge of your dog. Not every dog loves being in a large group. If your dog isn't enjoying it, come back when the park is less crowded. If your dog still isn't enjoying it - perhaps a long walk with a friend and the friend's dog will be more to your dog's liking.
- Remember many dogs, as they age, change how they interact in a group. Respect your dog's preferences.
You know your dog better than anyone. Use your common sense, learn canine body language and be willing to walk away from the park. Dog parks should be fun for everyone and it is up to all participants to keep them safe.
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