Taking your dog to the park is a fun opportunity for your dog to socialize while roaming free. (It’s a good opportunity for you to socialize and make new friends as well!) Unfortunately, some dogs are not experienced with playing nicely. The good news is that you don’t have to write off an off-leash dog park if your dog isn’t ready for the adventure. Getting your dog ready for a day out can be accomplished with a little training and careful selection of the right park that fits your needs.
Looking For a Dog Park
The best way to find the right dog park for your friend to socialize safely is to evaluate the features of each park you are considering.
- Separate Play Areas
Dog parks that separate play areas according to size create a safer play environment. Dogs of all sizes like to wrestle as part of a play session, and big dogs that try to wrestle with small dogs may accidentally cause harm.
- Private Parks
There are members-only parks available that maintain a safer environment than public parks. Members have to go through an application process in order to gain access to the park, and temperament testing tends to be part of this application process. Professionals will evaluate the temperament of a dog before animals are allowed to play off-leash to eliminate the risk that pets will hurt other dogs.
People who discover that their dogs are not ready for off-leash dog parks may have the option to enroll their pet in manners training. Initially getting stalled at the temperament testing portion of the application process does not necessarily mean that a dog will never be allowed in an off-leash park.
- Rules and Regulations
Free play in an off-leash park is fun for dogs, but you should look for a park that enforces rules that are intended to keep all dogs safe and comfortable. Parks that are being monitored by attendants provide an added barrier of safety. You may not feel comfortable with the prospect of having to ask someone else to get their dog under control, and on-site attendants eliminate the need for you to confront someone when you don’t feel that your dog is safe.
Understanding Normal Dog Park Behavior
You may worry about whether your dog is acting appropriately at a dog park, or you may be concerned that other dogs are playing too rough. The following behaviors are normal when dogs socialize:
- Wrestling
- Chasing
- Growling
- Bouncing or pouncing
However, some dogs are not interested in rough play. If your dog does not enjoy this type of play, do not be afraid to ask dog owners to call their dogs away. Be sure to train your dog to understand what to do when you call him away as well. Your dog may enjoy rough play, but you will have to be prepared to call him away if other dogs do not.
Is Your Dog Ready?
Now that you’ve gone through the process of training your dog to act appropriately at an off-leash dog park, how can you be sure that he’s really ready? Choosing a park that does behavior testing before a dog is allowed to roam freely is an ideal option. Not only does such a park ensure that your dog is ready for the experience, but a park that makes sure that dogs can handle the situation keeps your dog safe.
Image Source: Wikipedia Creative Commons
