10 things to consider at the dog park

1. Walk your dog before you to go the park.
I don’t think I’ve ever done this, but it’s a goal of mine. I believe in walking my dog every day. But when I’m lazy, I bring him to the park so he can run around while I just stand there throwing a ball. Sure, it tires my mutt out eventually, but all it’s really doing is increasing his excitement. Nothing can replace the value of a walk, the bond it creates between owner and dog and the mental and physical challenges of it. If I walk Ace first, he will drain more energy and the park can be treated as a reward. It’s not a good idea to introduce a high-energy or anxious dog to a group of dogs, because a fight is more likely to start when other dogs feed off of that same energy.

2. Remain a leader to your dog at all times.
After you walk your dog, have him sit calmly before you open the gate and enter the park. This will enforce that you are in charge. Once your dog is calm, let him in to have some fun. But just because you’re at the park doesn’t mean everything you’ve been working should be forgotten. Practice some basic obedience like stay. Have him sit before someone pets him or before he gets a toy. These basic ideas will go a long way in training your dog and enforcing your leadership.

3. Don’t get your dog too excited.
When you get in the car, don’t get your dog too excited by saying over and over, “Are we going to the park? Should we go to the park? Huh, huh?” It’s best to stay calm and not encourage unwanted behavior like barking and anxious crying, spinning in circles, etc. I think we’re all guilty of this, partly because we think it’s cute when our dogs get excited. But, it’s not cute when you have other people in the car and your dog is barking and crying just because you’re in the car. Your dog won’t understand why you encouraged it one day and scolded him the next.

4. Don’t call your dog if you know he’s not going to listen.
Have you been that owner who’s called her dog when it’s time to leave but then had to chase him down because he’s not ready to go home? Well, don’t do that. You should never tell your dog to come unless you are able to enforce it. When you call him and he runs the other way, he is learning that obeying you is optional. Plus, if you chase him, he’s going to have a great time. So, unless your dog is well trained and listens every time, practice the recall when he’s on a leash and there aren’t too many distractions.

5. Don’t hand out dog treats without asking.
Some people are trying to get their dogs to lose weight. Some dogs have restricted diets. Some will fight over food. Ask the owner before you give just any treat to any dog. It’s probably best to just leave the treats at home.

6. Be aware of your dog at all times.
Don’t enter the park and then began chatting with others, totally ignoring your dog. Know what he is up to 100 percent of the time. That means get off the cell phone.

7. Don’t hold your small dog.
If your small dog is fearful or acting aggressive, don’t pick him up. If he’s scared, this reinforces his fear, because you are telling him he has something to be scared about. Instead, encourage him to play. If your little dog is aggressive, you probably shouldn’t be at the park in the first place, but your dog isn’t going to learn to socialize by you standing there and holding him. Arrange a playtime with just one or two other dogs, and build from there. And, make sure to walk him before getting to the park so he can burn some of that extra energy first. Then he will be relaxed and more likely to play.

8. Keep an eye on your children.
I see too many people bring their young kids and babies to the dog park while they are busy chatting away with their friends. Well, you don’t know what other people’s dogs will do, so make sure you are keeping your kids safe.

9. Be aware of other people and dogs.
I say this because my boyfriend and my mutt were so involved with an intense game of fetch one time that my boyfriend smoked another dog in the face with a ball, hard. This was pretty funny because it was a big dog and the dog was fine. But he could’ve hurt a child or a small dog. I’ve had to dodge a few tennis balls myself.

10. Remember the obvious.
Don’t bring an aggressive dog, a dog in heat, a sick or injured dog or an unvaccinated dog to the park. Pick up after your dog and bring extra bags. Bring extra water, especially in the winter when the public water might be turned off.