To The Dog Park ?
Playtime and exercise is so important for dogs, so taking a trip to a dog park can be a fun activity for both you and your pet. When planning to go to a dog park, however, make sure you know your dog and how they interact with other dogs and humans.
It is also important to consider whether owners are paying attention to their dogs, if there appears to be any aggressive dogs or overcrowding, and if the gates are secure.
What is Appropriate Dog Park Behavior?
Not all dogs are good candidates for dog-park play. A dog park is not the appropriate place for dogs who have serious behavior problems in relation to other dogs or humans. There are a host of other options outside of a dog park to give your dog proper exercise and socialization.
Consider the following carefully before taking your dog through the gate into your local dog park.
For a full article visit. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/dog-park-etiquette/
• Dog-park dogs should be friendly and outgoing, without being overbearing, obnoxious, or bullying.
• Your dog should be reasonably confident and social. Those who are fearful, aggressive, or reactive are not appropriate for dog parks.
• Basic good manners are a park prerequisite. Your dog should not body-slam, mouth, jump on kids, or mark (leg-lift) humans in the park, nor should he jump into laps of random sitting humans without invitation.
• Your dog should be responsive to basic cues – at least “come when called,” “sit,” and “leave it/off,” so you can get control of him if necessary and prevent him from harassing others.
• Barking should be kept to a reasonable level, both for the comfort of other park users as well as nearby neighbors. Occasional barks of joy are acceptable. Non-stop barking of a “fun police” type dog is not, nor is barking with more serious aggressive intent.
• Only healthy dogs should visit dog parks. Obviously, communicable diseases and parasites are unacceptable as these can affect and infect other dogs. Structural un-soundnesses that can cause pain (hip dysplasia, arthritis, etc.) are a high-risk factor for causing aggression when a dog is hurt or stressed by the anticipation of being hurt.