Things to Consider when Visiting a Dog Park

Before you enter the gates at a local dog park, make sure you're prepared - not only bringing a few items but being mentally prepared.

You should adopt a few ideas before entering the gates with your dog. Know that the majority of people attending are intelligent enough to bring a "social" dog to the park. However, a few people are not aware that their full-blooded pit bull may be VERY aggressive towards other dogs, and they also may not be aware that dogs fighting each other isn't a "good thing." This is the worst case scenario and I have seen it a few times in many dog parks. Now, some dogs just won't get a long and the majority of owners will fix the problem with swift reprimands. It's very common and usually isn't a problem.

Now that the worst part of the dog park has been talked about - let's talk about the real reason you want to take your dog to the dog park. 95% of the time the dogs get along great and they run, jump and bite each other which is a good thing as long as they aren't yelping. Don't confuse dogs biting each other as mean spirited unless one of them is yelping.

There are a few items you should bring to the dog park and the first one is a bottle of water - especially if it's hot out. In some dog parks they have fountains inside the gates and some have fountains outside the gates. If your park has a fountain outside the park, bring a bottle of water and let your dog drink from the stream of water as you pour it every once in a while. (This prevents you from having to take it out of the gates all the time) If you want to be every dog and owners friend.....bring a big bottle and a bowl and let all dogs drink from it. This is a GREAT thing to do if it is your first time. Inevitable, you will be greeted and thanked by most of the other owners. It's a good way to meet people.

Also, bring treats - only give them to your dog and your dog only. Do this to get your dogs attention and to help guide them away from the park when you want to leave.

Some breeds of dogs you may be weary of should you see them in the dog park such as a Great Dane. The Great Dane breed is often a curious and playful breed but not aggressive like you would think. I have seen Pit Bulls, German Shepard's, Austrailian Shepard's and even a Border Collie force a Great Dane into submission. Of course you have to watch out of full blooded Pit Bulls but generally, they are fairly tame and playful. Doberman pinschers are similar to Great Dane's as they are not as aggressive as you would think. Watch out for dachshund's as you wouldn't think of them to be very aggressive however, they can be very territorial and bite with severe force. Jack Russell Terriers is the most annoying dog in the dog park as you will see if you are lucky enough to see one at a dog park. They will taunt and carry on with every dog in the park and they seem to do it all at once.

Lastly, get to know the other dogs' names if you plan to be a frequent visitor to the park. This is important because if a dog is being vicious to another dog - you can help out by calling it's name and telling it to stop. You will notice other owners helping you out should your dog become aggressive with another animal.

These are a few ideas to bring with you to the dog park whether it's your first time or a seasoned visitor.