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Playing It Safe at the Dog Park

When you want to allow your dog to run with other dogs and enjoy some time off-leash, you probably think nothing of taking him to a local dog park. Our tips will help both you and your dog stay safe at the dog park.

Party time at the dog park.

Dealing with other dogs

Probably the biggest danger at a dog park is the fact that you are dealing with sometimes unpredictable animals, all of whom have teeth. And then there's the dogs. (chuckle)

As a responsible dog owner, you would probably never take a dog with a history of biting to a dog park. Unfortunately, not all dog owners have that much sense. To be fair, each dog that bites has a "first bite" at one point or another. By that I mean that a dog who has never bitten before may choose you or your dog for his first victim. As the old adage goes, any dog with teeth can bite.

If there are unfamiliar dogs at the park when you approach, you might want to spend a little time with your dog outside the fence to see how the other dogs react. If you don't see any signs of aggression, it's probably safe to enter the pen. Signs of aggression include bared teeth, raised hackles, and a forward-leaning stance. Dogs, particularly males, may also try to assert dominance by "wiping" their feet on the ground.

Watch how your dog reacts to the dogs inside the fence. If your dog puffs himself up and tries to show dominance, you may want to defer your visit until some of the other dogs leave. If your dog shows submission, he or she will likely do well. Submissive actions include rolling over to expose the belly, licking the other dog's chin or lips, and assuming a backwards-leaning stance.

In the best of all possible circumstances, your dog and the dogs inside the fence will assume a "play bow" where they lean forward and stretch out their front legs while raising their rear ends. This means, "Yeah! You're here! Let's get this party started!"

Dealing with other people

Dog parks can be a great place to make new friends with the coolest people in the world – people who love dogs! However, you may also meet people who either can't or won't control their dogs and their children at the park.

As you establish a schedule for taking your dog to the park (every day after work, every Saturday afternoon, or whatever) you will likely begin to recognize several "regulars" who come to the park at the same time. If there is a particularly obnoxious dog owner who shares your visit time, you might try approaching him or her as a group.

It's never a good idea to challenge anyone on your own for personal safety reasons. Try to keep the conversation civil, and criticize the objectionable behavior, not the person. If possible, refer the person to any posted rules and point out how his behavior (or that of his kids or dog) affects you and your dog.

A special note about kids

Many dogs have a very high prey drive, meaning that they will chase whatever squeaks and moves quickly. And what do small children do? They run and squeak…a lot. If your dog has a high prey drive, you'll need to be sure he doesn't knock anyone over.

Never assume that a child who lives with a dog will know how your dog needs to be treated. If a child wants to pet or hug your dog, spend some time teaching him the right way to do it. Most parents won't mind if you spend a teaching moment with their child, but they will mind if you correct the kid, so be proactive. When a child approaches your dog, you might say something like, "Do you like my dog? Let me show you what she likes." Take the child's hand and show him or her how to gently pet your dog. If you wait until after the child begins pulling tails or terrorizing your dog, then you'll have to get the parent involved in correcting the child to keep yourself out of trouble.

Check out the environment

Just because an area has been designated as a dog park doesn't necessarily mean it will be safe for you or your dog. Check out the physical environment every time you enter the park. Depending on how well the area is tended, things may or may not have changed since last time you were there. Fences may have developed escape points, something toxic may have been spilled, or weather conditions may have changed the landscape.

If there is water on the property, and it's wintertime, you'll want to make note of whether or not the surface is fully frozen before your dog decides to go skating and instead falls through. Or, if you're counting on there being a drinking water source, make sure its surface has not frozen over.

Check the general terrain for holes that can cause sprained ankles or sharp objects that might damage your dog's feet. Take a moment to walk around the park and look for things that may have spilled or that someone might have thrown over the fence. You really don't want your dog eating someone else's trash or getting cut on broken glass.

As you check out the area, don't forget to check the integrity of the fence. Make sure there are no sneak points where your dog can get out. Also, check any gates to see what provisions there are to prevent escapes as people enter and exit. Well-laid out parks will have double gates. One of the gates should always be closed and secured before the next one is opened.

If you find problems with the physical environment at the park, make sure you report it to the proper authorities so it can be repaired. Even better, see if you can volunteer to help maintain the park, either by providing materials, labor or cold hard cash.