Connecticut Dog Park Do’s and Don’ts

August 30th, 2008 categories: Pets & People

This is an article I wrote for Our Companions News, a publication of Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary.

With dog parks popping up all over the state, you’ve probably thought once or twice about bringing your dog to one. Or, if you’re like Marie Joyner, Our Companions’ Canine Operations Director and lead trainer, you’ve already been to a dog park and have some concerns about making the experience a safe and pleasurable one for your pet.

Playing off leash would seem like heaven to most dogs. Indeed, for some dogs a dog park is the one place they can run, chase, tackle, nip, pee and sniff rears without correction. For dogs who are confident, socialized and enjoy playing with other dogs, the dog park is fun.

Dog parks work when all the dogs at the park get along well, are supervised and are having fun. But for dogs who lack confidence or don’t know proper manners, the dog park can be a frightening place. And for bullies, the dog park is a fight waiting to happen.

According to Marie, some dogs shouldn’t go to a dog park.

Bossy dogs. If your dog never backs down over a toy or has to control situations, your dog will probably try to bully all the other dogs. And if one of the other dogs at the dog park isn’t agreeable, you could have a fight on your hands.

Puppies under 6 months. For your puppy’s safety, don’t bring him/her to the park.

People- or Dog-Aggressive Dogs. There are people and dogs in the park, so if your dog has ever had an issue with either, do everyone a favor and don’t go.

Resource Guarders/Dogs who guard things. You can’t control what other people bring into the dog park, including toys and food.

Highly fearful dogs. Highly fearful dogs probably won’t have a lot of fun at the dog park because they are afraid of new situations, people or dogs.

Un-neutered/un-spayed dogs.Intact dogs are highly unpredictable and sometimes more aggressive than neutered/spayed dogs.

Sick/injured/unvaccinated dogs. You don’t want to pass along any communicable diseases to other dogs. Also, injured dogs are more likely to be aggressive towards other dogs because they are in pain or are more sensitive to pain because of their injury.

Under-socialized dogs. The dog park is not the place to find out how your dog acts around other dogs. More appropriate locations would be in an obedience class or at dog daycare.

Going to the Dog Park

If you think your dog is up for a visit to a park, Marie has some suggestions to make your time at the dog park safe and enjoyable.

• Manage your dog’s interactions with other dogs. Play time should be mutual, with both dogs taking part. Improper or worrisome behaviors would include extreme submissiveness, mounting and bullying. Don’t be afraid to call your dog back to you if play is getting too rough. In fact, the dog park is a good place to practice your recall with your dog so your dog doesn’t think the only time you call him/her is when you’re leaving.

• Once inside, call your dog away from the entrance gate when another dog is coming in. Entering the park is the most stressful time for a dog, made even more so when the new dog is surrounded by other dogs.

• If your dog gets really excited when you visit the dog park, try walking around the park or the parking lot with your dog on leash first until he/she calms down.

• Pay Attention. Your time at the park is your dog’s opportunity to socialize, not yours. You need to keep your eyes on your dog at all times to ensure he/she isn’t under stress or in any danger.

• Listen to Your Dog. If your dog is hanging around you or not interacting with the other dogs, it’s time to go. Your dog may be tired or just doesn’t feel like being there any more.

• Don’t Bring the Kids. Not only is it dangerous for children to be in a dog park, you will likely be more concerned about your children than about your dog and may miss signs of trouble.

• Most importantly, know your dog and general dog behavior. Can you differentiate between real dog aggression and play? Can you recognize when your dog is anxious? Do you know how to safely intervene in a dog fight? Often it is the owner’s actions or lack thereof that cause a minor incident to turn into a dangerous situation.

Not All Dog Parks Are the Same

Before making a trip to the dog park with your dog, visit the park by yourself. Are there posted rules and are people observing the rules? Is the park supervised? How many dogs are in the park and are they getting along? Is there an area for little dogs and one for big dogs?

Marie strongly recommends going to a dog park that is supervised over one that is not. Without supervision, it’s up to the individual dog owners to enforce the rules.

The Dog Park is Not Like Day Care

There is one final point Marie makes about dog parks— they are not like dog daycare.

At daycare, dogs are excited when they enter and when they are playing. But throughout their time there, they have time-outs, where the dogs are allowed to calm down. There are not new dogs constantly coming and going to stir things up repeatedly.

In contrast, the constant flow of dogs coming and going keeps the excitement level very high in dog parks. Dogs at dog parks do not learn to calm down.