Dos and Don’ts of Dog Park Etiquette

The dog park is the perfect place for you and your dog to make new friends while getting some fresh air and exercise. In order to make the experience fun and peaceful for everybody, there are rules and etiquettes you should follow. If you’re not sure what they are, don’t stress. In this blog, we are going through the do’s and don’ts of visiting a dog park.

Dog park do’s

• Pick up after your dog. Leaving your dog’s poo in a public place makes it less enjoyable for other users and there are also all sorts of diseases and parasites in dog faeces that can be dangerous for other animals as well as the environment.
• Keep an eye on your dog at all times. It’s easy to get distracted when chatting with other owners, so make sure you’re checking on your dog while you are doing so.
• Intervene carefully when playing gets a little too rough.
• Leave if your dog becomes aggressive or anxious. Keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour and if you are struggling to keep them under control then it’s time to leave.
• Supervise your children around animals (including your own). Take the time to teach them how to approach dogs and how to respect them. If a child that isn’t yours approaches your dog, don’t assume that they know how to safely engage with it and provide instructions if appropriate.
• Be careful entering and leaving the park. Make sure you’re not accidentally leaving with an extra dog.

Dog park don’ts

• Bring a dog that is in heat or isn’t de-sexed or vaccinated. You’ll be putting your pet and other’s dogs at risk of unwanted diseases and pregnancies.
• Bring a dog that hasn’t been socialised or is anxious around other dogs. A dog park can be a lively place, so if your dog isn’t used to it they might lash out or become distressed. Puppy school is a great way to introduce your puppy to other dogs in a safe environment.
• Bring a dog that doesn’t play well with others. Your dog might be lovely towards you but if they are aggressive or overbearing they are bound to stir trouble in the dog park.
• Don’t bring food as this might cause tension between dogs. This is because dogs can get aggressive when protecting their food.
• Pick up a small dog when they are frightened. The dog chasing yours might jump at you, knocking you over, or even bite you.

If you’d like to start going to a dog park but you are struggling with your dog’s behaviour, we offer dog obedience services at our Cranbourne veterinary clinic. If you have any questions or want to book an appointment, please call us on (03) 5995 3444.