Dog Park Etiquette

[ptero]

My puppy is four months old and she just finished all her boosters, so now it's safe for her to be around all other dogs. I haven't taken her to the dog park yet. To be honest, I'm a little scared of them. She has been going to weekly puppy playtime sessions so she's well socialized and she's not aggressive at all. Any tips on how to approach the dog park? Just walk in and let 'em loose or is there and unspoken (or maybe a spoken) etiquette to them?

[Christie M]

In reality, I don't think there really is any formal etiquette. I don't want to say that every visit to any dog part is a bad thing. I think that every situation needs to be interpreted before putting a dog into it. A few dogs, playing well could be awesome. My general rule is "If there's no blood, its OK." But a free for all with out of control, inappropriate dogs...that could be a disaster.

[Dutchringgirl]

I have a love/hate relationships with dog parks. They are a good idea but the dog thinks its his territory so be careful. Many people have the free for all that Christie spoke of, let their dogs do what ever, and that may mean come running full force at your puppy and freak her out. People dont think. I do take Thalie there and thats when I love it, she runs free but has good manners, I keep her at a reasonable distance from me but I know she wont charge another dog and just wants to go play in the water. I took Sadie there (7 months old ) and stayed far off to the side and a dog came charging across the field , wanting to play , but Saide took it as a threat and hackles were up and she growled and got really defensive.

I would keep her on a leash and just be careful and think about the dog that is coming full force to play with your pup.

[Sugars Mom]

I think dog parks are there for the opportunity for the dogs to meet and play with other dogs, run around and have fun, and learn and use dog manners. If they don't play with other dogs, they may not learn that. The key is for it to be a positive experience and I think the ettiquite would be that if your dog is not showing good dog manners, the other dogs will correct them in dog language and they will learn, or you can take the opportunity to correct your dog yourself. Unfortunately, if the other dog owners are not responsible enough to do the same, or have dogs without manners, your puppy could have a bad experience. I think that is what you may be scared of, and I don't blame you. My suggestion is to find a place that has dogs with manners, weather you have to scope out the dog park to see what dogs are there when you go, or find a group of nice dogs for yours to play with. I've been lucky and found some in my neighbourhood park when Sugar was your pups age and its been super great for her. Her best "boyfriend" is an Austrailian Shepherd, and she is also friends with a couple yellow labs, and some little fluffy type dogs that she plays with regularly.Because of this regular contact, she is well socialized and very friendly with other dogs. All the best with your pup. Follow your gut!

[ptero]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll take her, but I'll keep her on a leash at first to see how it goes. I have one of those expansion leashes that goes up to 16 feet. I never use it, but it might be perfect for that. She's still not great at coming every time I call her anyway. I'd hate for her to get into trouble and not be able to do anything about it because she's too far away.

[Choochi]

I've spent a good few hours a day every day in dog parks professionally for years and I'm really not a fan of them, they tend to be magnets for irresponsible dog owners. Yes there is a need for them and they can be great spaces when used properly and responsibly, but you need to be aware that there is a real possibility of your dog getting attacked, possibly seriously injured, which could result in life long behavioural issues. A dog does NOT need to go to a dog park. You can always set up your own meet ups with dogs and owners who you know and trust. A dog does NOT need to have dog friends. I've seen quite a few dogs ruined for life with aggression and fear issues because their owners thought they were doing their dog a favour by brining them to a dog park. I do know of dogs that have been killed in dog parks, although this mostly applies to small breeds. Don't assume that every dog in the park is friendly and has a responsible owner with them. Generally it is against park rules to bring in aggressive dogs, but some people simply don't care or they're in complete denial.

I wouldn't bring your dog in on a leash. That would only add to her anxiety, would make her a possible target, and would add fuel to the fire of any possible existing tension between strange dogs meeting for the first time. By all means, bring a long line (never a flexi leash, that could easily injure another dog) and let her drag it, but don't restrain her with a leash while she's trying to figure out how to interact with the other dogs. Bring treats and reward her for coming to you when called, do it often, it will help you train a very reliable recall which can be very handy if things ever go wrong.

I would scope out the situation before entering the park. Go at the least busy time so she can get used to the area, you can do some off leash training with her, and she can interact with a few dogs instead of walking into a hectic pack of 50 dogs and their absent minded latte sipping owners. You can always leave for a few minutes and go for a walk on leash then come back once things have settled down. If at any time you feel your dog is being bullied, speak up or leave. There is a good chance that being new to dogs and being worried you may over react to normal rough play, but you also won't have the knowledge and experience to know when that rough play has escalated to a point of being a risk. I would rather see you play it safe.

And just to be on the safe side, know where the nearest vet clinic is, what their hours are, and alternatively if there is an emergency clinic near by. Having a first aid kit in your car is great, but know how to use it, maybe take a pet first aid course. If it's a hot day, bring a bowl and a bottle of water for your dog, she will get thirsty. I don't like my dogs drinking from communal park bowls if there are any, they're a breeding ground for disease. Don't bring any toys that you will miss if they are lost or destroyed. Expect to be jumped on yourself by other dogs so don't wear white pants

[ptero]

Thanks for the response, Choochi. See, this is exactly what I was afraid of. Owning a dog is sort of like driving a car in the sense that, just because you are a responsible driver, that doesn't mean that anyone else is. You always have to cater to the lowest common denominator. After reading your response, maybe I'll just stick to letting her play with my friend's dogs for a while, at least until I am 100% sure that she will come when I call her. Thanks for the input.

[leih merigian]

Jill,

Choochi's reply was excellent.

Remember; it only takes one time, of your dog being attacked/bullied, or perceived by your dog to be attacked, to create life long issues.

In my experience, most (not all, but most) owners at these parks congregate with each other, paying no attention to the dogs, letting the dogs do what they will. Even when the owner stays with the dog(s), it's no guarantee of any kind of control. (I was badly bitten when my under control dog was attacked by another dog who was WITH IT'S OWNER, WHO DID NOTHING during the whole incident.)

Even if you try to stay away from the other dogs and clearly are engaged in working with/training your own dog, other dogs or owners won't respect your space. If you are in a dog park, you are giving everyone there, human or canine, free rein with your own space.

With some noodling, you can find other ways to exercise and socialize your dog safely.

It's nice that you're thinking ahead!

[Dutchringgirl]

I take my girls for walks in town and when Sadie sees another dog in town she is perfectly fine and dosnt pay any attention to the other dog, because the other dog is also in control and non threatening. I dont worry about Thalie at dog parks, she is 9 and very well behaved and if a dog comes at her she just looks at him like "yeah right!" but I dont want any problems with Sadie. At a park the dogs come running at her and she gets upset. Choochi, is right on the money, I know Choochi dosnt need me to say that but its true.

[Kristie E]

Amen! We have gone and gone frequently but mostly when the park was empty or near empty... Other people don't watch their dogs well enough to suit me most of the time ...

[Schlussdibusti]

Be very, very careful with dog parks! I like to socialize and expose my dogs to other dogs but only to dogs and their owners I know. Made one exception today, see the results below. This happened today to my Marco at the dog beach:





People might think 'why do you even go there?' Unfortunately, in this hot climate, a water activity is the only thing you can do around here to tire out a DS without risking a heat stroke. It is a 2 mile stretch of beach and one can usually keep a healthy distance between other dogs. But you pretty much are at the mercy of other dog owners when it comes to responsibility. This one was a pitbull mix, according to the owner a "nice one, bla bla". Unfortunately, the bully came out, he got serious and went for the "blood".

Marco has a positive attitude toward other dogs, curious, a little sniffing of each others butts. He is a good player. He has a Mali 'girlfriend' I let him play with. The owner is responsible, the Mali is a good player too. They never went "for it", never drew blood.

My frustration with Florida, the hot climate, the lack of working dog clubs, tracking areas, is getting bigger and bigger. I am seriously thinking of moving to a different state. May be I start a thread where you can make suggestions for the best place to move "to have it all" : low unemployment, low living and housing costs, woods and hiking trails, some body of water (lake, river), good working dog club, not too hot or cold.

[Sugars Mom]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. That really sucks. Hope he'll be ok.

Victoria BC is pretty nice to live except its expensive. Very dog friendly town, lots of places to hike, swim, not too hot or cold, etc. But you probably don't want to move to Canada, eh?

[Schlussdibusti]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. That really sucks. Hope he'll be ok.

I cleaned the wound with peroxide, gave him the homeopathic remedy Arnica and put on warm compresses with Calendula infusion every couple hours. Looks already much better!

Victoria BC is pretty nice to live except its expensive. Very dog friendly town, lots of places to hike, swim, not too hot or cold, etc. But you probably don't want to move to Canada, eh?

I like Canada very much! But imigration would be probably a huge hurdle. I am a German citizen.

[dutchringdog]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. That really sucks. Hope he'll be ok.

Victoria BC is pretty nice to live except its expensive. Very dog friendly town, lots of places to hike, swim, not too hot or cold, etc. But you probably don't want to move to Canada, eh?

Im sorry about his ear too . I would love to move to Canada, the best mountain bike down hill parks are there !

[Sugars Mom]

Well, if anyone plans to visit Victoria, let me know. I'd love to meet some DS dogs if you bring them along!

They (dogs) are also welcome in the mountain bike park here

[Schlussdibusti]

That sounds very tempting!

[Kristie E]

is there anything in particular we need to bring the dogs over the border?? I have a passport... lol... Gwen has one too but not Izar

[Sugars Mom]

I think just proof of up-to-date vaccinations is all that is needed to come across...maybe their dog licence?

[dutchringdog]

oohhhh that does sound tempting. I added Whistler to my Bucket list

Gwen has a passport! How cute!

[k9katet]

I got a health certificate but I don't think you need one. Rabies cert for sure.