6 Super Safety Tips for the Dog Park!

In this article by Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, we offer 6 awesome safety tips for taking your lovable pooch to the dog park!

by Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, veterinary behavior consultant 
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1. Visit your Veterinarian. Your dog should be current on vaccinations and flea and intestinal parasite preventatives before running around with other dogs at the dog park. Before a dog park visit it is also a great time to talk about your dog's temperament and whether he's ready to engage with other pets and people in an off-leash environment. 

2. Know Commands. You need to be able to control your dog if a problematic situation arises. Make sure your dog knows some basic obedience commands - "Come", "sit", "stay", and "leave it" - in order to get him out of trouble. 

3. Find the right spot. You want to find the dog park that's just right for you and your dog. Ideally it should have: 
> adequate room for dogs to run 
> secure fences 
> a double gate for entry 
> a seperate area for small dogs 
> a safe, sheltered area
> a source of drinking water
> posted rules of conduct. 

If you visit a park and it's too congested or you see overly assertive or aggressive dogs or owners who aren't watching their dogs, keep looking. 

4. Be prepared. Take these essentials with you: 
> bags for cleaning up messes
> drinking water, in case the park doesn't have a source
> toys unless your dog guards them
> a leash
> a cell phone in case you need assistance. 

It's also a good idea to take something to break up an aggressive situation between dogs, such as a vet-recommended animal deterrent spray or compressed-air horn. 

5. Be watchful. When you first arrive, wait until no other dogs are at the gate. One it's clear, you can take your dog off the leash and let him run through the gate. Watch your dog, but also keep an eye out for overly excited or aggressive dogs near him. If your dog starts acting fearful or overwhelmed, use a basic command in an upbeat voice to call him back. Also, don't hesitate to call animal control if a dog is acting inappropriately and the owner isn't being attentive. 

6. Known when to intervene. Playful dogs bounce around, wag their tails and have relaxed postures and facial expressions. Be watchful for signs of aggression - growling, a stiff posture, raised hackles and tail, a closed mouth or a stronger focus. Don't yell if your dog and another dog start growling at each other, because that could trigger a fight. Instead, use a basic command to call your dog back to you and move to another spot. If a fight does break out, don't grab your dogs collar- you could get hurt. Instead, use your deterrent spray, a horn, or a water hose to break up the dogs. 

                                                                           Article was provided by dvm360.com

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