Thank goodness it's Friday! Welcome back to Audriana's Corner! I'm Audriana and it's great to bark with all of you again this week! I hope you all had a wonderful week! My week was busy as always! Mama and I were chatting the other day and she told me that as soon as the weather gets a little warmer we can start going to the dog park! As far as I know, I have not been to the dog park before so I am looking forward to going so I can run and play without being leashed! Mama told me that there are rules that need to be followed while at the dog park, so I did some research (well, mama did the research for me) and here are some of the most common dog park rules:
Dog Park Etiquette
Dog park trips offer dog parents and their pups a great opportunity to bond, socialize, and run off some pent-up energy, but with all that fun comes responsibility. Dog park rules and regulations are there to ensure the safety and fun of all its visitors. No matter what type of dog park you go to, knowing and following its rules will help keep you and your dog safe.
Types of Dog Parks
Most dog parks are designed for dogs to play, run, and enjoy the company of other pups. Dog parks should always include a fenced-in area to keep dogs safely contained while off-leash. Additional amenities usually include some form of shade (or trees for shade), benches for pet parents to rest and supervise, water for when pups get thirsty and a pooper-scooper station, complete with empty bags and a receptacle, to help keep the park neat and under control as well. Some dog parks have leashed and off-leash areas. Leashed areas mean dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and off-leash areas are where you can safely release your dog in an enclosed area to run and play. Larger dog parks may even separate dogs according to size (or weight), providing large-breed dogs with an area to play without intimidating or harming smaller dogs.
Rules of the Outing
Each city, town or county establishes its own rules for their local dog parks. These rules are usually displayed on the fence or gate of the dog park and should be followed at all times. If you do not see these rules posted at the entrance, it might be wise to do an online search for the dog park you are visiting to see if the city website has any special rules listed. REMEMBER: Pet parents are responsible for their animals. Take responsibility for your dogs' behavior at all times. Make sure your dog is properly socialized and non-aggressive toward strangers and the dogs they are playing with. Now on to some of the most common dog park rules:
Pick Up After Your Dog
If your dog does his business, be prepared to scoop, bag, and dispose of his waste properly. Leaving messes isn't just unsightly, it's unsanitary.
Make Sure Your Dog is Vaccinated
All dogs visiting the dog park must be up to date on vaccinations. Also, dogs in heat should be left home. Do not bring a female dog in heat to the dog park; her presence can create fights and distractions for the other dogs.
Don't Bring Food Into the Dog Park (including dog treats)
Leave your picnic lunch outside. Other dogs may not have good manners around people enjoying a meal and can act aggressively toward you if they pick up the scent of the food you are eating. If your dog does his business or performs a command and usually gets a treat for it be sure to give him verbal praise and a good pet to reassure him that he still did a good job to reinforce the good behavior. Dog treats aren't the only special reward dogs are seeking from their pet parents.
No Small Children, Toddlers, or Infants
Small children, toddlers and even infants (in strollers) can be easily knocked over by overly rambunctious dogs. Strange dogs may be unfamiliar with kids, putting children at risk for bad experiences or injuries that leave the pet parent responsible.
Keep Your Leash With You
Even in off-leash parks, keep your dog's leash with you at all times. You may need to quickly remove your dog from an unpleasant or aggressive dog visiting the park. While you can bring your own dog toys like tennis balls or Frisbees, make sure that no other dogs will be competing for them. Much like toddlers, untrained dogs can throw a bit of a tantrum if they have to share their favorite toy.
Always Have A Collar On Your Dog
While it is recommended to keep a collar on your dog at all times anyway and dog parks are enclosed areas, there is still the chance of your dog racing for the exit. You can help keep him safe by being sure he always has his collar with up-to-date tags on.
Interacting With Other Dogs
One of the benefits of taking your dog to the dog park is to let him interact and play with other dogs. While this is a fun and exciting treat for you and him both, it is important to exercise certain cautions to ensure that all dogs and dog parents are safe. Before letting your dog play with any other dogs, it is important to meet the parent of the other dog. Ask them about their furry little friend to see if it is okay for the two dogs to play. Not all dogs get along with other dogs, or they might be a bit too rough with dogs of a certain size. Also, some pet parents may just be looking for an outing to share alone with their pooch and aren't looking for a play date at this time; be sure to respect their wishes as there are probably plenty of other dogs and parents that are willing to let the two dogs become the best of pals.
How to Stay Safe
Keep your dog safe during dog park trips doesn't require you to be a helicopter parent (like my mama can be) and hover over them the entire time, but it also isn't without some universal ground rules. For example, don't bring puppies or young dogs under four months old to a dog park. Puppies this young still need to finish their vaccinations and may be at risk for contracting illnesses from other dogs. Play with your puppy at home until they are old enough to play with the big dogs and this goes without saying but pay attention to your dog at all times. Dog park trips should be about time spent with your dog, not catching up with friends or hunched over your phone the entire time. Problems happen if pet parents aren't paying attention to their dogs, and when they least expect it. Keep your dog safe by being a watchful pet parent.
Dog park trips are a fun way to bond with your dog, just follow the park rules so everyone can play together happily and safely.
That's all I have for now. I hope you all have a great Friday and weekend and I will bark with you all again next week!