In case you’ve visited a dog park, you almost certainly noticed that the majority have the foundations posted near the doorway.
But not all do and never all dog parks have the identical rules.
The dog park rules below are true at almost every dog park and even in the event that they aren’t official, it’s courteous to watch them.
Following these rules may also help prevent conflicts between dogs and help keep your dog secure.
UPDATED: This text was originally published July 11, 2011
Vital Dog Park Etiquette Rules to Know
1) No Sick or Unvaccinated Dogs Allowed
Dog parks could be a cesspool of germs and disease.
Things like canine parvovirus (parvo) and the dog flu are easily transmissible.
In case your dog shouldn’t be vaccinated against common diseases and parasites, they’ll get really sick from visiting a dog park.
In case your dog is sick, they’ll spread it to other dogs on the park, potentially putting their life in peril.
2) Don’t Bring Your Dog If They’re In Heat
Some dog parks don’t allow any intact dogs to go to the park, whether male or female.
But female dog in heat pose a selected problem.
Simply being around a female dog could cause male dogs to fight.
Female dogs, even when one is spayed, may fight one another.
And, in fact, it only takes a second for an intact male dog to by accident impregnate a female dog in heat.
3) No Choke, Spiked, or Pronged Collars
When dogs rough-house and play, they often grab the opposite dog’s neck or collar.
Spikes and prongs could cause injury to each dogs.
If a dog bites down on the collar, the spikes could cause damage to the dog’s mouth and to the wearer’s neck and throat.
What training tools you utilize in your dog outside of the dog park is your individual business but remove them before you go in.
4) Don’t Let Any Dogs Escape When You Enter and Exit the Dog Park
Most dog parks have a double gate.
The right strategy to use them is to open the primary gate, move your dog inside, completely close the gate behind you, after which open the subsequent gate to enter the park.
This double gate system ensures that one other dog contained in the park can’t rush the gate if you open it and escape.
Once you exit the park, use the identical first gate, second gate method but ensure that no dogs have slipped into the space between the gates with you before the open the ultimate gate to outside.
If there are other dogs and folks ahead of you waiting to enter or exit the park, wait for them to go through each gates before you start your entrance/departure.
5) Use Small and Large Dog Sections Appropriately
A number of dog parks divide the play area into two sections – one for small dogs and one for large dogs.
In case your dog isn’t truly a small dog, don’t use that side of the park.
If you will have a small dog, don’t throw them to the large dogs, literally.
The difference in body size alone can create a hazard for small dogs as they’ll easily get stepped on or rolled by the larger dogs.
As well as, sometimes larger dogs will corner and chase smaller dogs, not necessarily out of aggression but because they may see little dogs as prey.
There are two exceptions to this rule:
- Some parks allow shy dogs of any size to make use of the small dog area
- If nobody is using the small dog side, and your dog would love to be alone, it’s okay to use that side (but leave when a small dog comes into it.
6) At all times Pick Up After Your Dog
There isn’t a dog poop fairy. Not even on the dog park.
It’s as much as you to note when your dog poops, bag it, and throw it within the trash.
So many dogs use dog parks that it could quickly turn out to be like a sewer if even a fraction of holiday makers don’t pick up their dog’s poop.
Ans who desires to by accident step in it and track it into their automotive or home?
Be sure that you aren’t so absorbed in conversation, or scrolling in your phone, to note when your services are required.
7) Supervise Your Dog at All Times
Your dog could also be friendly but you don’t know in regards to the other dogs on the park.
Perhaps they’re untrained, are having a nasty day, or something your dog does triggers them.
You never know what other dogs will do, particularly when there are multiple dogs present.
When dogs get together in a gaggle they have an inclination to develop a pack mentality, which might be dangerous in the event that they gang up on other dogs.
You’re accountable for your dog’s actions and their wellbeing so at all times keep watch over them.
In case you see your dog overwhelming one other dog, otherwise you notice that your dog is getting nervous or scared, redirect their attention to you or one other area of the park.
If that’s not enough to de-escalate the situation, it’s best to go away the dog park for the day.
8) Prevent Altercations Before They Occur
I assume you understand your dog’s triggers so be watchful for anything which will cause your dog to turn out to be a “trouble-maker”.
For instance, perhaps your dog is so food focused they fight to leap on people in the event that they brought treats to the park for their very own dog.
Or perhaps your dog likes to chase the ball and it looks like being off leash in a wide-open space is the right place to play fetch.
But your dog doesn’t wish to share and there are other dogs on the park which can be as ball-obsessed as your dog is.
If two dogs run after a ball and one doesn’t back down when the opposite one tries to swoop in, a fight can occur.
Or perhaps your dog likes to chase other dogs and sees it as play.
But you notice your dog is consistently chasing one particular dog and that dog doesn’t appear to be it’s having fun (flattened ears, tail between the legs, consistently rolling onto his back, etc.)
You want to be responsible and consider the security of the opposite dogs and folks within the park.
In case your dog is consistently clashing with one other dog it could be time to go away and are available back one other time. Signs that one other dog has “had enough” are.
9) No Digging or Destructive Behavior
A hole in the bottom is a terrible accident waiting to occur – to each dogs and humans.
A dog or an individual can easily hurt themselves (even break a leg) from running or walking right into a hole.
Digging near fencing may allow a smaller dog an escape path or a way in for a critter with a death wish.
In case you see your dog digging, stop him/her immediately and fill in the opening!
10) Don’t Bring Treats or Food Right into a Dog Park
Bringing food right into a dog park could cause altercations.
You stands out as the hottest person on the park to the dogs, but you furthermore mght run the danger of beginning a fight.
The presence of food can create unnecessary tension and could cause some dogs to turn out to be territorial.
As well as, not all dogs have the perfect manners and there’s a superb probability your sandwich shall be knocked out of your hand or you might be knocked over.
Your now unattended sandwich might be wolfed up and 1) cause a dog with allergies to have a nasty response or 2) one in all the ingredients might be poisonous to dogs.
11) Respect the Other Dog’s Space
Simply because a dog is on the dog park, doesn’t mean they need to stand up close and private with the opposite dogs there.
Other dogs may not like being sniffed for prolonged periods, or in any respect, or don’t need to play.
Dog body language be subtle, and vary per individual dog, so should you are unsure in case your dog should approach or rough-house with one other dog on the park, ask the owner’s permission.
If an individual shouldn’t be comfortable with how our dog is interacting with theirs and asks that you just give their dog some space, don’t take it personally and get offended.
Advocating in your dog is the responsible thing to do and completely acceptable (and ought to be normalized).
Simply redirect your dog to you or move to a different area of the park.
12) Look Out For Your Fellow Dog Park Attendees
Dog owners are likely to be careful for one another to strengthen a secure and fun atmosphere.
Do you see someone’s dog squatting within the corner while they aren’t looking?
Politely allow them to know and they’re going to almost definitely thanks for keeping a watch out.
In case you notice a hole within the fence, mention it to an owner should you see their dog over in that area.
The dog park might be an amazing strategy to meet people and creates a really communal environment.
13) Never Leave Your Dog Alone on the Dog Park
This one should absolutely go without saying but you could be amazed at how many individuals just “drop their dog off” at a dog park prefer it’s a dog daycare or something.
I’ve heard stories of individuals leaving their dogs alone on the dog park that range from an owner walking away from their dog to go get something within the automotive to people literally letting their dog contained in the gate and driving off.
Never, ever leave your dog unsupervised on the dog park.
The Two Dog Park Rules I Break
There are two of the foundations above that I don’t fully consider in and bend from time-to-time.
Yes, I do know, if everyone thinks the foundations don’t apply to them and does what they need, things can devolve into chaos.
But I don’t at all times break these rules and I attempt to mitigate the circumstances once I do.
The 2 rules are…
Sticking to the Small Dog Area
My Dachshund are truly small dogs at slightly below 11 lbs each.
I understand the purpose of larger dogs not mixing with small dogs due to their prey drive and since big dogs can by accident step on a smaller dog and injure them.
Nonetheless, I feel so long as I’m aware of the special risks that include having a small dog and are willing to go away the massive dog area if my dog is in peril or causes a difficulty, I mustn’t should my small dog within the small dog area only.
I need my dog to be socialized towards dogs of all sizes.
If I at all times keep my dogs from big ones they won’t know the proper strategy to behave once they encounter them.
Also, sometimes there aren’t any dogs in the large dog area.
For the reason that big dog area has more room to run, I often reap the benefits of the chance.
With that being said, I do stick with the small dog side of the dog park the vast majority of the time.
In case you decide to take your small dog into the large dog side, ensure that you understand break up a dog fight between just a little and large dog.
Don’t Bring Treats to a Dog Park
It’s true that having treats in my pocket could make me a dog magnet, other owners must have enough control over their dog that they’ll call them away from me if they get too push or territorial.
While, ideally, my dog should have already got good manners before I bring them to a dog park, a dog park might be a superb place to practice obedience drills akin to reliable recall amongst intense distractions.
Where else do you get this sort of opportunity?
If my dogs know that in the event that they come when called they get good things like treats, the are far more more likely to do it consistently.
I exploit the treats as a reward for them any time they do what I ask them – especially at a dog park.
I’d mention here that, although tempting, I never feed another person’s dog treats without asking permission first.
Many dogs have allergies or are on special diets for fitness or medical reasons.
Also, if I see that my having teats is causing a difficulty, I leave the park or go put the treats within the automotive.
Final Thoughts
Dog parks are an amazing option for exercising your dog, letting them run around off leash, and providing mental exercise through limitless sniffing opportunities.
Rules can vary by dog park but there are some which can be universal.
Whether you might be a brand new dog owner, latest to dog parks, or recently visited a dog park that didn’t have posted rules, this list of rules offers you a superb idea of what to anticipate (and what is anticipated of you and your dog).
While I’m generally a rule follower, there are two that I break.
But even once I’m breaking the foundations, I take 100% responsibility for my dog’s actions and return to following the rule if I’m causing a disturbance.
If you will have a Dachshund like I do, it’s possible you’ll be thinking about my article Is it Protected to Bring My Dachshund to the Dog Park?
