7 Safety Tips For The Dog Park

Does your canine companion excitedly jump around after hearing the word “park?” That’s a great indication that the dog park is one of your dog’s favorite spots! Your four-legged friend can both enjoy and benefit from interacting and playing with other pooches. The socialization will benefit Fido, both mentally and physically. However, you will have to take some precautions to keep your furry buddy safe. Here, a local veterinarian provides seven safety tips for the dog park. 

Identification

Be sure your pup is microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. You can never be too cautious!

Preventative Care

Stay up-to-date with Fido’s parasite control and vaccinations. We can’t emphasize this enough! Dog parks have the potential to be hot spots for heartworms, which are spread from dog to dog by mosquitos. Your dog may also pick up fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Talk to your vet for more information.

Training

Train Fido to obey simple commands, such as Sit, Stay, Heel, and Come before taking him to the park. This isn’t just a matter of petiquette: it’s also important for safety reasons.

Water

Lots of dog parks have spigots or faucets. Other parks even have fountains for pups to play in. But, you should always have water available for Fido. Always keep a couple of gallons in your car. That way, if there is no water available at the park, your adorable pet can still stay hydrated.

Discretion

Dogs are quite jealous and competitive with each other. You may want to try working on your buddy’s training at the park, but be cautious. If Fido’s buddies notice the dog biscuits you have, you might find yourself surrounded by hungry pooches.

Playmates

Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that every dog at the park will be well-behaved. Watch out for aggressive dogs, and/or female pups in heat. This mix can create a lot of bickering and tension, especially among canines that aren’t fixed.

Time It Right

As we move into fall, remember that the hottest part of the year is gone. But, you’ll still have to watch the temperature. When it’s hot, don’t bring your furry buddy to the park in the middle of the day. Go when it’s cooler, like in the mornings or evenings.

If you’d like more information about safety at the dog park, contact your local pet clinic!