DOG
PARK ETIQUETTE
Please
Be Courteous
Here are some general
suggestions about how to get along well in a dog park.
- If your dog is in heat, leave her home.
- If your dog is aggressive or timid, it might be wise to
work on remedying these behaviors before bringing your dog to a dog park. As a
general rule, well-behaved, well-socialized dogs do best at a dog park. However, a
dog park can be a WONDERFUL place to socialize a dog, if you can stick with them, keep
them under control, comfort, and encourage them. Most parks have a special area for
small or timid dogs. Take advantage of that as a way to get your dog used to a dog
park or to learn to behave courteously and non-aggressively.
- Don't leave your dog on leash once inside the dog
park. Leashed dogs tend to be defensive, other dogs get confused and curious about
why this dog is leashed and they're free as a bird, and strange things can happen.
- Stick close to your dog the first time you bring him or
her to the park. They are likely to get really happy and excited and might not quite
understand what to do. Give them some freedom, but be close by for safety and
comfort until they're acclimated. By their 2nd trip, they usually "get it"
and start having the time of their life! Some dogs take longer; some adapt
immediately. Don't be over-protective -- but don't be negligent either. PAY
ATTENTION. Your dog will communicate their emotions to you.
- Again, PAY ATTENTION and know where your dog is and
what your dog is up to at all times. Some inconsiderate folks just let their dog
off leash, sit down to read the paper or start chatting with others and ignore what their
dog is doing. This leads to unsafe conditions, attacks, annoying of people or other
dogs, missed poops (see next item), accidents, escapes, injuries, and even a small dog
being carried off by an eagle or hawk.
- PLEASE, pick up after your dog. A PARK FILLED WITH POO IS FUN FOR FEW!! Most parks have poop bags available -- or start saving your
newspaper bags and bring them along. If you can't find your dog's deposit, pick up
one you CAN find that somebody else left behind. Unfortunately there's always poop
to be picked up. It's just plain RUDE to let your dog leave something behind.
And it's the number one complaint of non-dog owners who object to dog parks.
- Don't give treats to other dogs without permission.
That other dog may have allergies or be a vegetarian or might be in training and
thus only be allowed to have treats as rewards for certain behaviors. Just check
with the dog's human before treating a dog you don't know.
- Don't pick up or grab somebody else's dog without
permission. You might get bitten or you might inadvertently injure a dog who's
recovering from illness or surgery, etc.
- Don't bring puppies under about 10 weeks to a dog
park. They're just too young, unpredictable, and have too little impulse control.
You be the judge (see suggestion # 2 above).
- Don't bring small children (under 6 or so) to a
dog park. It's too easy for them to get injured. Also many dogs don't know how
to behave around small children. If your child is wonderful with your dog, it
doesn't mean their behavior will be appropriate with a strange dog.
- PLEASE THINK first and use your common sense. Dog parks are SO WONDERFUL and when we follow the
general rules of safety and courtesy, we can keep them open, make wonderful new friends
for ourselves and our dogs, and continue to have the time of our (and our dogs') lives !!
Got ideas for additional dog park etiquette suggestions? Please email me at info@coloradodogparks.com
