Tips for a Safe and Fun Visit to the Dog Park

One of my favorite things to do is take my dog to our local dog park and let him run free. Bailey absolutely loves it, as he likes to run, chase dogs, and playfully tease dogs to get them to chase him. He is one fast little guy, and it's amazing to see him racing around the fenced in area with two or three dogs chasing after him. His ears are pulled flat back against his head, and he just looks like one lean running machine. When Bailey is not running, he enjoys sniffing other dogs, chasing balls that are being thrown, and just chilling with other local pups.

I figured the dog park would be a great spot to take Bailey when I saw how much he liked being around other dogs. Since he also might be part Dobe, I really wanted to reinforce socialization with him so that he would be a friendly boy and not scare people. However, I had my concerns before visiting the park. Even now, after visiting for quite awhile, there are still times when I have concerns. Hopefully, these tips will prepare you for a safe and fun visit to your own dog park:

• Do your research. Most dog parks have a website, or at least a few web pages on a community site, that indicate park rules. Check these rules before you go to make sure you are doing everything correctly. The rules are in place to protect you, your dog, and all visitors at the park. I was surprised by some of the rules I read about my park. Things I wouldn't have thought of were included that later made sense.
• Visit the park by yourself first. It's always good to get a lay of the land before you go with your dog. You can observe the dog behavior, how people interact, and how the park in general works. I didn't understand the purpose of the gated area before you got in to the actual park  until I saw someone enter, close the door from outside the park, take the leash off the dog, and then go to open to door going directly in to the park. All the dogs ran to the park gate and were waiting to meet their new playmate. It was almost impossible to open that gate to get into the park. Having a 2-gate entrance made much more sense after seeing the greeting crew!
• Bring water and a dish with you. While some parks have communal dog bowls and doggie water fountains, not all might include these amenities. You also might not want your dog drinking from a communal bowl, as not all the dogs at the park will have had their proper vaccinations, and some might be sick. However, you may find out, as I did, that you can't control where your dog drinks. I bring water and a bowl with me, but Bailey sometimes follows the pack to the communal bowl area and starts slurping down water before I know what's happening. He's up to date on all his shots, so I don't worry too much. Oh, and bring water for yourself, too. Some parks don't have a water area that you would want to drink from.
• Avoid bringing food at all costs! The first time I visited our dog park, I read the rules and saw that both dog treats and human food were prohibited. I thought that was a little strict, but I followed the rules. During one of my visits, I saw the reason for the rule, when someone else didn't follow it. McDonald's fries, hamburgers, and pop were carefully unpacked on a bench after the dog ran off, and the owner was immediately surrounded by 5 or more other dogs wanting food. Trying to eat was out of the question, so the person had to leave his dog in the park while he went outside the fence to eat his food. I save the treats for when we are back in the car. I prefer to treat a little later than being surrounded or risk causing a fight.
• Your dog's mess is your mess. As much as you hope it won't happen, your dog will have to stop to do his duty at some point while you are at the park. When that occurs, it is strongly advised that you have doggie doo poop bags on hand. Picking up your dog's waste will prevent both people and dogs from walking in it. While some locations may have bags on hand, it's always smart to come prepared, just in case. There are enough dog products for picking up poo that you are sure to find something that works for you.
• Fetch toys will get great use. When you are at a dog park, bringing fetch toys will make you the most popular person in the area. Even if your dog is a once-in-awhile player, you are guaranteed to find at least one dog who will be your best friend if you keep throwing a ball or frisbee until your arm falls off.
• Don't over-extend your welcome. If you start to notice your dog getting tired or getting picked on by another dog, it's time to leave. You want the dog park experience to be a positive one. If you also start to see everyone else leaving, it might be a good time to go.

If you go to the dog park with the mindset of having fun, while still keeping a watchful eye on your pup, you will have a great time. Just like any activity, you need to make sure you know what your dog is up to. Knowing that, and following the above tips, should provide fun experiences at your dog park time and time again.