By Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA
Reviewed by Stephanie Liff, DVM
There’s nothing quite like watching a pack of dogs frolicking together at the park. Spending time at the park helps keep a dog’s socialization skills in tip-top form and can wear out a busy dog in a way that walks around the block can’t touch.
Dog play at the park can look intense, but it shouldn’t be a lawless free-for-all. That’s why both dogs and pet parents need to abide by very important park rules to keep their time safe at both ends of the leash.
Helping your dog master these must-know dog training commands will ensure park playtime is fun and stress free.
Park Etiquette for Your Dog
Before heading to the park, consider the following questions to determine if park play is right for you and your dog.
Will your dog have fun?
It might come as a surprise to realize that not every dog enjoys spending time at the park. The best park dogs are well socialized, welcome interactions with other dogs, and understand how to play appropriately.
For safety reasons, puppies under 6 months of age shouldn’t visit parks for dogs. There are vaccination concerns for younger pups, and because puppies are still developing their social skills, a single bad experience with an inappropriate dog at the park might derail their socialization progress. And keep in mind that senior dogs with aches and pains might have aged out of rough play.
Is the park suitable?
When considering a park’s features, don’t forget about the patrons. The best parks for dogs are frequented by responsible pet parents who are willing to pick up poop and stay in tune to their dog’s park behavior.
Do you understand canine body language?
Dog play can be rowdy and is easy to misinterpret, which is why the human end of the leash should have a solid foundation in reading dog body language. Understanding the difference between play fighting and the real thing will prevent misunderstandings or dog fights.
Is your dog protected against parasites?
When dogs spend time outside, socializing with other dogs or playing where other animals have been, they can be exposed to potentially harmful parasites. In a recent study of 288 parks across the U.S., more than 80 percent of parks had at least one dog test positive for intestinal parasites. It’s incredibly important to keep your dog and others safe by ensuring he has adequate year-round protection from internal parasites like heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and tapeworm. Ask your veterinarian about a monthly chewable that will protect your dog against dangerous infections no matter the season.
And don’t forget about the hazards of external parasites like ticks and fleas. Talk to your veterinarian about a chewable tablet that protects against ticks and fleas.
Your pet should also be up-to-date on his vaccinations, based on your region’s requirements and the recommendations of your veterinarian.
Park Etiquette for Dogs: Must-Know Cues
The true test of basic manners training is taking obedience skills on the road and using them in the real world. That said, the park is one of the most distracting training environments possible when other dogs are around.
Before attempting training cues at the park, take the time to perfect them in and around your home so that your dog has a strong understanding of what’s being asked of him.
Keep in mind that dogs don’t always generalize their lessons to all locations, so a perfect sit in your yard might fall apart when introduced in the distraction-filled park.
But before you head to your neighborhood park, here are the top dog training commands you should work on with your dog.
Sit
The very first skill most new puppies learn is to sit, but getting dogs to perform this foundational behavior in exciting environments can be challenging.
The secret to success at the park is using it as access to real-life rewards, meaning that when your dog does respond to your “sit” cue his “treat” is getting to do what he wants. (If you don’t have any food treats with you, using real life rewards is a great alternative.)
When you arrive at the park, ask your dog to sit before going in. Ask him to do it again as you take off his leash. Any time your dog runs over to check in with you, praise him, ask for a quick “sit” and then release him to go back and play.
This simple behavior can help your dog hone his focus while brushing up on his impulse control in an action-packed environment.
Wait
Wait is a casual teach-as-you-go cue that fits perfectly in a park scenario. Not as formal as “stay,” a “wait” cue encourages your dog to hold whatever position he happens to be in for a few moments.
You can begin teaching it in the car the moment you arrive at the park. Before your dog gets out of the car, take hold of his leash so that there’s no slack in it. Say “wait,” then gently release the tension in the leash, pause for a moment and then release your dog out of the car with a cue like “free.”
You can add it to a “sit” cue when your dog checks in with you by asking for the sit, saying “wait,” and then releasing him to go play.
Polite Leash Walking
While it’s not necessarily a distinct command, teaching your dog to politely walk on a leash is an essential behavior to learn before heading to the park.
Most dogs who enjoy the park have a tough time controlling their excitement once they arrive, which usually results in an uncontrolled sprint. Allowing your dog to escalate to a state of extreme excitement on the way into the park can ramp up his nervous energy level to the point where he’s out of control by the time he gets inside.
The problem is that many dogs have learned that pulling works—they pull, we follow. The easiest way to help your dog understand that pulling is no longer an option is making it have the opposite effect. Instead of bringing your dog closer to the park, it actually makes him lose ground.
The moment your dog begins pulling, meaning the leash is in a straight line, walk backward and away from the park. It’s important that you don’t just turn around, as your dog might think you’re opting for a different route. The key to this exercise is showing your dog that pulling is taking him farther away from his goal.
The moment the leash goes slack begin walking toward the park again. You might have to back up several times in a row before your dog understands what’s going on, but don’t give up. In time, your dog will learn that a slack leash, not pulling, gets him where he wants to go.
Recall
The single most important cue for good park behavior is a solid recall. Without it, you might end up chasing your dog when it’s time to leave, which is a game most dogs can’t resist. Plus, a strong recall can keep your dog safe if a scuffle breaks out.
Before you can even consider using your recall word (such as “come” or “here”) in the dog park, you have to make sure that it’s reliable and consistent in other locations, and that your dog thinks coming when you call is a super-fun game.
Rather than initially trying a recall in the park when your dog isn’t paying attention, use it when your dog is already heading in your direction. When you see your dog coming toward you, kneel, say your recall word (which should be something other than your dog’s name), and praise your dog exuberantly as he gets closer. It’s a quick way to start cementing an important training cue in a chaotic environment.
Set your dog up for success by calling him to you when he’s not engaged in play with other dogs, then release him to go back and play with his friends. Calling him when he’s not distracted makes it easier for him to be successful, and releasing him immediately helps him understand that coming back to you doesn’t mean the end of the fun.
Finally, consider skipping your recall word when it’s time to leave the park. Rather than associating “come” or “here” with the signal that the fun is over, wait for a moment when your dog is close to you and leash him up.
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Toledo, United States.
