The Do’s and Don’ts of The Dog Park

With the weather warming up, the temptation to head outside and enjoy the outdoors is nearly impossible to resist. Dogs have a natural desire to keep active and venture out of the house, and traveling to your neighborhood dog park is a healthy and fun option for everyone involved. While most pet owners want nothing but the best for their pets, it’s important to set your trip up for success by evaluating your pup’s personality and having a good grasp on the do’s and don’t of the dog park.

If you’re unsure of how your dog will react in a group setting, It’s A Dog’s World Yappy Hour is a great option. Yappy Hour is a supervised dog park situation led by our certified dog trainers at our facility, held on our spacious training field. Owners are educated on how to understand and recognize their dog’s body language signals, so the can properly address the situation and become more equipped to deal with situations that may arise at the dog park.

We know that dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so we also offer a little dog session, Petite Pals, which is held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., along with a larger breed session on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Both sessions are $5.

All dogs are welcome at Yappy Hour, but please note that the dog needs to be social in large groups. If you feel your pup is not quite there, or if you have any apprehension, It’s A Dog’s World also offers a 30 minute, smaller socialization session with a certified trainer. The trainer will bring in one or more of our trained, reliable dogs to help your pet prepare for socialization in a larger group. One important step to consider before Yappy Hour, is obedience training. This will establish a good relationship between the dog and the owner, and help everyone feel more secure about their roles and environment.

Before your pet greets the open wilds of your neighborhood park, take a look at this list of do’s and don’ts. Happy dog parking!

Do’s

• Do investigate the dog park before entering. If there’s a park full of happy pups frolicking around in a well-kept space, enter with ease. If there appears to be fighting between animals, trash, or unsafe landscaping, don’t be afraid to re-route your trip and find a new park.
• Do allow your pet to socialize. At dog parks, dogs can practice their social skills and sniff, bounce, and run to their hearts content. Allowing interaction between new dogs will help combat future aggression and potentially ease canine-induced anxieties.
• Do bring water and a water dish (there are affordable, collapsible bowls available online, or bring a small bowl from home).
• Do bring doggy clean-up bags. The park may run out or not carry them at all, and keeping the dog park clean and tidy is everyone’s responsibility.

Don’ts

• Don’t take your pet to the dog park if they’re not vaccinated. This puts your dog at risk for a variety of diseases, not to mention exposure to fleas. The dog park is an adventure best explored after vaccinations, especially when dealing with young puppies.
• Don’t bring unneutered pets.
• Don’t use the dog park for training sessions. Whether you’re trying to teach your pet simple commands or attempting to socialize a nervous pet, these important first steps are best learned in a controlled environment.
• Don’t take a dog aggressive pet to the dog park. Pups with a strong history of being dog aggressive shouldn’t be placed into a situation where they will feel threatened, so it’s best for the owner to be responsible and find an alternative form of outdoor exercise.

IADW has seasoned staff members who can consult with owners and take the steps necessary to help your pet be all they can be. Contact thebestdog@verizon.net formore information.