For well-trained, well-socialized dogs, the dog park can be a fun and safe place to make friends and burn off energy. However, a dog park is only as good as the behavior of the dogs’ owners. One reckless, lazy, or inattentive owner and an unsupervised dog can lead to tragedy.
The only way to safely take your dog to play at the dog park is to go check it out ahead of time without your dog. Ask yourself the following questions before you come back with your pup.
- Are there separate fenced areas for big and small dogs?
- Does the park have a poop problem?
- Are there any aggressive dogs?
- Do the owners seem to be paying more attention to their phones than their dogs?
- Is there adequate fencing?
- Is my dog well-trained?
- Am I sure my dog won’t become overwhelmed or aggressive?
The answers to these questions will help you determine whether or not you have a good feeling about a certain park and whether your dog is ready. Keep reading to learn more about why it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the dog park.
Why the Dog Park Can Be Risky
No matter how clean and safe a dog park seems to be, you can never be 100% safe. There is always some element of risk involved. At any moment, the wrong owner and dog could arrive, creating the following potential problems.
The Risk of Being Exposed to Diseases
Even if a dog park is well-maintained, with so many dogs going to the bathroom in one enclosed space, the risk of disease is unavoidable. Parks may have signs posted stating that vaccinations are required, but there’s no park employee checking vaccination records. The best way to keep your own dog safe is to make sure they are current on their dog vaccinations.
Dog flu shots do exist, but they might not always be effective due to the virus’s frequent mutations. Some other vaccinations that are recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association include:
- Rabies
- Bordetella
- Parvo
- Leptospirosis
You may not be able to control the behavior of other people who don’t mind exposing their dogs and your dog to disease. Unfortunately, when it comes to dog parks, you can only make sure your own dog is vaccinated.
The Risk of Dog Bites and Fights
If you have a small dog, it’s best to avoid dog parks that do not have separate fenced enclosures for dogs of different sizes. A dog park I frequent has three separate enclosures for small, medium, and large dogs. I have dogs of vastly different sizes, so I can only bring one dog per trip unless another adult comes with me.
Even the sweetest big dogs sometimes don’t know their own strength, as anyone who has ever had a Saint Bernard paw come straight at their face during a missed handshake knows. A nice dog that weighs 130 pounds can cause a lot of damage without meaning to.
Dogs can also be unpredictable. A dog that is usually agreeable can become aggressive if they are provoked or under stress. Owners can also be unpredictable. Someone who knows their dog is aggressive may decide they are going to visit the dog park anyway. If you or your dog were injured due to another dog owner’s negligence, you can visit link here for more information.
Before You Visit a Dog Park
Any time you plan to take your dog to the dog park, keep in mind that it’s not the kind of park you visit to relax and catch up on a good book. The only way to stay safe at a dog park is to be alert and mindful of your surroundings at all times.
If you see another dog showing signs of agitation or aggression, it’s time to intervene and remove your dog from the situation. It’s better to come back another day than it is to risk losing your pet to a disease or dog attack.
By Gareth Reynolds