Dog parks can be a great place to take your dog. They can also be a nightmare if someone is there with an aggressive dog or is disrespectful. Ally Murdock is a professional dog trainer specializing in behavior modification. She gave us the rules every dog owner should follow at the dog park.
#1 – Don’t Crowd the Entrance
You and your dog should not stand at the entrance. Especially at vacuum style entrances (Two doors creating a small leashing area) don’t allow your dog to crowd new comers. It can be very scary for new comers and increases arousal in dogs that are already hyped up from being at the dog park.
#2 – Stop Bullying
Young male dogs will get bullied, especially if they aren’t neutered. Mild corrections [from the dog] are totally acceptable but if you notice your dog bulling or being bullied it is best to just leave the area instead of letting them “work it out”. Think of how you would handle your child getting bullied (or being a bully).
#3 – Leave Nervous Nelly Home
Fearful dogs do not belong in busy dog parks. Low points where there are very few other dogs is best. During work hours, usually between 10-11:30 AM and then 2-4:30 PM are good windows for more relaxed park outings.
#4 – Look for Fearful Behavior
If your dog acts like a target, they will become a target. This is an extension of the two rules above. In the animal world weakness is not tolerated. Even well-mannered friendly dogs will pick on a dog that is darting around, yelping with a tail between their legs. [Any of these signs means it is time to leave].
#5 – Remove the Third Wheel
Two is company, threes a crowd. Third wheeling is a very annoying thing for dogs to do, if your dog is trying to cut in where they aren’t wanted use your recall and move away. Start on a new path, zip away so your dog chases you. If your dog has an annoying tag along, do the same, move away find new friends.
#6 – Stop the Play Before it Escalates
If play is getting pretty rough talk to the play partner’s parent, ask if they wouldn’t mind holding their dog for a second and call your dog. Let the bullied party go, do they go right back? Or do they shake and go to find something else to do? If so move away from the crazy play partner. If not, great; let them keep playing.
#7 – Have a Recall
Dogs that get to go to parks should already have a decent recall and lots of practice under their belt. Call your dog multiple times while you are at the park when they are not busy, reward them by telling them to go and chasing a little. It creates a great cycle of come back to go again.
#8 – No Treats
Don’t bring treats to the dog park! Even the best of friends will fight over food, especially stinky high value treats. One dropped morsel could lead to a crazy fur flying scuffle between dogs that were previously playing.
#9 – Mind Your Dog’s Manners
Make sure your dog respects other people’s space, while the average dog park owner might not care that your dog jumps up, dogs are always learning. If it is ok and fun to jump on strangers at the park it must be fun to jump on strangers in the home, on walks, and off leash.
#10 – Don’t Ignore Your Dog at the Park
Going to the dog park is likely the coolest thing your dog gets to do (unless you play agility!) Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Dogs know when we are not paying attention, they are really good at watching us without us realizing, best on the planet in fact. If you are ignoring your dog, he may be doing things he shouldn’t. So keep an eye on him and play with him. That’s why you’re there, right?
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