Dog Park Etiquette

Taking your dog to the park can be a favorite activity for both you and Fido! Fresh air, fun exercise, and a chance to work off your pup’s energy are all great reasons to head to your nearest play area.

A well-designed dog park benefits its guests physically and mentally. If it’s an off-leash park, your pet has the chance to run and play with other friendly dogs. Just like with little children, these interactions teach them important things, like social skills and sharing. It also keeps them healthy.

But whether you’re an expert at local dog park visits or you’ve never been to one before, there are some written and unwritten rules to know. Not following them can result in getting banned from the park or, worse, a human or dog getting injured.

Before you head to your next fun adventure with your pup, be sure you know these dog park rules and etiquette. It could save you from a dangerous or embarrassing encounter. Even better, you and Fido could make new friends!

Start With Some Dog Park Rules

Rules at a dog park are different  than etiquette. Think about it like the rules in a classroom versus a student’s manners. You can get in trouble for breaking the rules, but manners are recommended.

Every dog park has its own rules, so you should never go to a random park without looking into its requirements first. Usually, the park will have a website that clearly states the rules that must be followed. If not, you can glance at them on the posted sign by the entrance, then come back with your dog later.

These rules are created with the safety of the humans and canines enjoying the park in mind. Breaking them can be dangerous to you and those around you. As a general guide, these are normal and expected rules you’ll see in most dog parks:

• Vaccination expectations: For everyone’s safety and the park’s legal protection, your pup will need to be up-to-date on their vaccinations and have protection from parasites. 

The most important vaccines to ensure Fido has before socializing with other dogs are rabies, distemper, and kennel cough. Flea and tick meds and intestinal parasite control are also essential. These precautions keep your dog from the dangers of these pests and prevent them from passing parasites to other animals in the park.

However, depending on the area the park is in, the vaccination rules could include anything that’s a common risk in that location. Canine influenza vaccines and leptospirosis are examples of geographic-specific requirements.

Off-leash obedience: Training your dog how to behave when he or she is off the leash is a must. If you ask yourself, “Should I take my dog to the dog park?” and you know your pup tends to run off whenever they can, it’s probably not a good idea.

Dog parks have rules about when it’s okay to let your dog off their leash and when it’s not. For instance, your pup must be on a leash when they get out of the car all the way until they are in the enclosed fence that’s designated as “off-leash.” 

You might think it’s “silly,” since Fido is so well-mannered and would never dream of running away! But imagine the skittish dog who is already in the park and how he or she might react to Fido running straight at them (in their eyes). 

This rule helps give all the other dogs a chance to acclimate to the newbie (your pup). It also prevents accidents if an off-leash dog happens to run off in front of a car.

Clean-up rules: You must clean up after your pet. This isn’t simply for good manners. It prevents the spread of parasites that grow in fecal matter. 

Stick to size-appropriate play areas. Dog parks will usually have two play areas: one for small dogs and one for large breeds. To keep all the dogs safe, it’s important that you stick to the one intended for your dog’s size.

Even if the other playground has “better” toys or more room, and you know your pup gets along with everyone, stay in the right area. You don’t know how the other dogs will react to yours. Big dogs can see small dogs as prey or hurt them accidentally when they’re playing.

These rules are made for everyone’s safety. You may disagree with one or more of them, but you should still abide by them.

Dog Park Etiquette

You have the rules down pat and you’re prepared to head out to the nearest dog park for the day! Now, it’s time for some dog park tips so you know the etiquette that’s expected from you and Fido from other pet owners.

Leash etiquette: Before you remove the leash and let Fido run free, follow some basic manners. First, keep Fido in the holding pen before the entrance to the off-leash area. Make sure he’s calm and isn’t displaying any aggressive behavior toward the other dogs already in the park.

Being calm is important, too. A dog that enters the park wound-up and hyper gets the other dogs riled up. This increases the chance of aggressive behavior occurring in at least one pup and spreading to others.

When you know your pup is ready to play (excited, not aggressive), remove the leash

before you enter the off-leash area. Leashes are usually prohibited in this space for a reason. 

When an unknown dog comes up to a leashed canine, the leashed dog feels threatened and tends to react aggressively. If they aren’t leashed, they can walk away and avoid the perceived threat.

Altered or unaltered: It’s not a “rule” that your dog has to be altered (fixed) before they enter the dog park. But you do need to be aware that when they are unaltered, it can cause problems.

This is especially true for female dogs in heat. Male dogs will follow an unaltered female around, sniffing and irritating her. One of two things will happen: The female will get angry and aggressive, or the dogs will mate. 

Unless you are prepared to handle the puppies that come with this, keep your unaltered dog close by when you’re at a dog park.

Take control: No matter how big or small your dog is, they might think they’re the alpha in the area. This should never be true because you are the alpha.

When your dog is around other animals, you need to have absolute control at all times. Train Fido to come when called by using a word that’s not commonly used in the dog park. 

If you already know that your dog is aggressive or scared around other animals, let the other dog parents know that you’re trying to socialize them. That gives them the chance to decide if they want to take the chances with their pup around yours.

You might think it’s a good idea to reward Fido for good behavior in the park, but giving treats is actually not dog park etiquette. It can cause jealousy and conflict if the other animals see a treat and don’t get one.

Resting versus attention: There are a lot of people who take their dogs to the park and then ignore them. You may see other owners sitting on the bench, playing on their phones. The dangers of this can’t be stressed enough.

Even if you’re not playing with Fido directly, it’s still crucial that you pay attention to them at all times. Your furry companion relies on you to keep them safe and out of trouble. 

Sometimes, all it takes is seconds before trouble happens. Another dog might be eyeing up yours for some action. Or your pup might be the instigator. No matter what, if you’re paying attention, you can catch the problem before it happens and gets ugly.

If you’re not watching, you might miss when your dog poops, too. Since it’s a rule to clean up after your pup’s mess, this needs to be taken care of, which means you have to pay attention.

These basic tips of etiquette in the dog park will help you and your four-legged companion get along with everyone, no matter which park you go to.

Smart Tips for Dog Park Fun

Rules and manners help ensure your dog gets to play at the park and come back another day! But once you’re there, what do you do to encourage your pup to socialize and have a good time?

These tips can help you set your pup up for success at the playground:

Know when they’ve had enough: If you and your dog are new to a park, be prepared to see the “regulars” already there. If it’s a local area, there are probably dogs and their owners who come around the same time throughout the week.

These dogs are already familiar with each other and have a pack mentality. Your dog is the outsider and is going to have to work his way into the pack. 

This might mean a bunch of dogs sniff Fido down when you first get there. It’s normal! As long as Fido is okay with it, he’ll quickly become part of the gang.

But your pup is like your child and no matter how much you want them to fit in, sometimes, it just doesn’t happen. Instead of forcing it, recognize the signs that your pup isn’t having the good time you’d planned and you should try again another day.

These include obvious signs like Fido refuses to leave your side and becomes aggressive if other dogs come around. Your pup plays just fine until another dog comes by. These are behaviors that occur when Fido doesn’t fit in. Trying to make a dog get along with the others can be a dangerous thing.

Prepare for the weather: Chances are, you’re not going to head to the dog park on a cold and snowy day. If you do, make sure you plan on ways to keep yourself and your pup warm. Sweaters and snow boots are a smart idea. 

No matter the weather, dogs have to stay hydrated. If you plan on staying for a while, bring a bowl and water. Treats and food should be avoided unless you know the other dogs and trust that there won’t be a conflict. 

Hot weather can be hazardous, too. Even if you keep Fido hydrated, the scorching pavement isn’t good for his paws. There are lots of dog boots that are the perfect protection against sharp rocks and debris and the hot ground. Consider investing in a pair of Walkee Paws shoes before your next dog park visit.

Avoid problem situations: For everyone to have a great time, sometimes it just takes a little common sense from the humans.

Problem situations should be avoided, such as keeping puppies under 12 to 16 weeks out of the park. This is a smart idea since these young pups aren’t ready to be around other dogs until they’re fully vaccinated.

Don’t bring your little ones with you to the park, either. It sounds fun because they can run off their energy playing with Fido, but now your attention is distracted. Not all dogs at the park are kid-friendly. Dogs that are nervous around children could become aggressive. 

While you probably want to bring toys to help make the day run smoother, it’s not a good idea to bring Fido’s favorites. Dogs usually guard their treats and toys and can get aggressive if they feel like another animal is a threat to their possessions. 

Keep in mind that if your dog usually becomes defensive of their toys, a park where it’s common to see dogs playing with balls and Frisbees could pose a problem.

From dog rules to basic etiquette and manners, there is a lot to remember before going to the park! But when you train your pup (and yourself) to have fun responsibly, the dog park adventure is something you can both look forward to, no matter where you go!