Courtesy
counts at the dog park.
Pet lovers know firsthand how dogs need frequent outdoor
exercise and free play. Local pet parks offer such opportunities, particularly
for those who do not have large, enclosed yards in which to play with their
canine companions. Still, unleashed play includes certain guidelines of
courtesy, for dogs and their handlers.
Dog parks are popular
across the United States.
According to
Animal Planet,
only three states may still not offer public dog parks. These include
Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Perhaps these states have already added
pet-friendly parks, or they may do so soon.
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| Adapted by this user from public domain image. All rights reserved. |
What etiquette
expectations come into play at the dog park?
Common courtesy is king, even at pet exercise parks.
Consider these 10 tips for dog park politeness.
1. Make sure your
pooch is up-to-date on all immunizations.
Before allowing a pet to play with unknown dogs, a
considerate owner will make certain that animal is current on all shots, deworming
treatments, and other medical requirements.
2. Tag your dog
before leaving home.
Each canine should be collared, with identification tags and
proof of local registration, if required. Rabies and shot tags can be helpful as
well, eliminating possible confusion and conflict among humans, if dogs should
interact too closely with others.
3. Let pups stay
behind.
Younger dogs may not be ready for rambunctious play with
others at the pet park. Senior and special-needs dogs may face greater risks as
well. Owners should weigh the merits of taking such animals to a public pet
park.
Also, don’t bring small children to the dog park, especially
when it is crowded. Youngsters may not understand proper personal boundaries,
as dogs romp together.
4. Take no more than
a pair of pets at a time.
Although the dog park offers free play, considerate handlers
must be ready to step in quickly, if needed. A human with too many pets in tow
may be overwhelmed at such moments and unable to manage the animals, when they
need it.
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5. Avoid hormonal
headaches.
Intact males and unsprayed females in heat do not belong at
the dog park. This sounds like common sense, but plenty of pet owners seem to
overlook such a caution and courtesy.
6. Read the rules,
and follow them.
Public dog parks often post lists of their rules. Popular
instructions include parking in appropriate areas, keeping the gates latched,
not bringing food into the dog park, refraining from smoking, and exercising
consideration for others.
7. Keep your dog leashed until he is inside the
park and settled.
It’s unwise, unsafe, and downright rude to allow dogs to run
untethered from a vehicle into the pet park. Polite canine handlers escort
their pet charges on leashes into the park, unfastening them only after they
have surveyed their surroundings inside the sealed perimeter of the facility.
Certainly, dogs may only be unfastened in off-leash parks.
8. Mind your own mutt
at the dog park.
Recess at the pet park is not the time for a long chat or a
conference call on your cell phone. Dogs can tangle quickly during
rough-and-tumble play, so owners need to pay attention to their pets. Stop a
bullying dog immediately to prevent excessive aggression or fighting.
9. Save treats and
favorite toys for later.
As pack animals, dogs tend to be social creatures. They will
sniff and search and size one another up quickly. A pet with a prized
possession or yummy treats may become a target for aggression. Practical and
polite pet handlers will keep biscuits, bones, balls, and other goodies in the
car or at home to reduce such conflict at the dog park.
10. Clean up after
your own pet.
Most pet parks offer disposable baggies and trash
receptacles for this purpose. Leaving dog droppings behind in the pet park is
considered a universal faux pas.
Courtesy reigns at the best dog parks, particularly when
regular attendees and visitors look out for one another and their pets. When humans
and hounds don’t follow the basic do’s and don’ts, the fur may fly and tempers
be unleashed.
Image:
Adapted from public domain
