Good day everyone! This week’s blog is in partnership with Zesty Paws, a pet care company offering premium quality supplements and grooming products. Together, we’re here to talk about dog park mannerisms. Without further ado, here’s Zesty Paws!
While dog parks can be a sweet oasis for your furry friend, it’s essential to be aware of appropriate dog behavior, pet parent behavior, and common rules of park etiquette so you and your puppy can have a safe and fun time.
Here are five common etiquette rules to follow while at the dog park:
Make Sure Your Dog is Healthy
Your dog should be up-to-date on their vaccinations before you head to the park, and if your pup is less than 6 months old or has not yet been spayed/neutered, it’s best to wait to expose them to other dogs and the dog park. Also, any dogs that might be under the weather should wait until they’re feeling better before they come visit the park.
Take Charge of Your Furry Friend
Your dog should be responsive to basic cues so you can gain control of them if necessary and prevent any issues at the dog park. It’s also important that they’re pretty well-mannered. If your dog has a history of getting too excited, aggressive, fearful, or has some trouble playing nice with others, 1-1 play time in a different environment might be best for everyone. You can also try keeping your pup more even-keeled before they get to the park with a calming supplement.
Pay Attention to Your Pup and Other Pups
Even though your dog will have a blast with other pups at the park, their mischiefs can get out of hand in a flash. So, be sure to keep an eye on your dog at all times to know where they are and what they’re up to! In addition, try to learn who each dog’s pet parent is so if anything were to happen, you know who to go to! Lastly, it’s a great idea to keep their leash close by or in your hands in case you need to quickly remove them from a situation.
Leave Food and Treats at Home or in the Car
While it might be tempting to bring a snack for you and your dog, it’s best to not bring food and treats into the dog park so it doesn’t tempt other dogs. Also, a lot of parks have water fountains available but it’s never a bad idea to have a bowl and water as a backup in case the park doesn’t have any.
Know How to Handle a Scruff
If you notice another dog looks like they might want to tussle with your pup, try to get ahead of it by distracting them with toys or loud clapping. As much as we hope rough play never happens, if it does, give it a few moments at first to see if it ends quickly. If it doesn’t, try to use water or a long stick to push them apart so they can get back to being playful.
In conclusion, the dog park can be a great way to socialize your puppy and wear them out, but it’s very important to be aware of common dog park etiquette so everyone can have a great time! If you have any questions or comments about the do’s and don’ts at the dog park, feel free to reach out to us directly at (800) 940-1972 or bark@zestypaws.com.
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