Before Visiting the Dog Park

 

While the idea of having a safe place for dogs to roam and play seems great in theory, unfortunately, the reality is not so simple. Visiting the dog parks can contribute to long-term behavioral issues that are difficult to solve.

You may often hear that socialization is important, especially during the first few months of puppyhood – and it is! BUT we need to ensure that we properly socialize our dogs. Well-controlled, stress-free interactions are essential for proper socialization. Because there are so many variables when visiting the dog park, it is extremely difficult for us to ensure that our dog has a positive experience each time. Negative experiences can have long-term effects. Due to these scary situations, your dog can lose confidence rather than gain it, which is the exact opposite of what we’re aiming for with socialization.

“But all the dogs at the dog park are friendly!” Even in this case, we are not informed about the behavioral history of every dog at the park. Each dog is an individual and will have different play styles, levels of stamina, and preferences. If the park is full, it is unlikely your pup will be a good match for every other visitor that day. Incompatible play behaviors can escalate to dangerous arguments between dogs and extremely stressful situations for their guardians.

Another side effect to remember is how your dog will respond to seeing other dogs in the future. Some dogs have a great time at the dog park and get excited to see and interact with other dogs. While this behavior is endearing, it can be a big problem when your dog is walking on leash with you in the future. Leash frustration can occur when your dog really wants to say hello to another dog across the block, but is hindered by their leash. You might experience pulling, whining, barking, or growling as a result. Plus, running up to strange dogs is one way to get seriously injured if that strange dog decides to defend themselves against a fast-approaching possible threat.

Keeping this in mind, here are some tips for navigating dog parks if you decide to go:

• Scope out your local dog park ahead of time. See if there are proper rest areas, ways to block line of sight with other dogs in case of intense situations, and double gates for entry and exit safety.
• Take note of the busiest times – and try to AVOID THEM at all costs.
• Train your dog well BEFORE visiting the park. Strong recalls are essential for any off-leash activities.
• Leave high value toys at home to avoid any resource guarding incidents.
• Plan outings with existing dog friends during low activity hours to ensure positive experiences.
• Learn about appropriate play behavior and interrupt your dog’s playtime if necessary.
• Research dog body language to know when your dog feels uncomfortable, and step in before the situation escalates.
• Be ready to leave the park at your dog’s discretion, not your own.

 

Speak with your trainer to see if dog parks are a good choice for your dog, and stay tuned to read about great alternatives for socialization activities! We’re just a phone call away: (786) 299-1552