The dog park can be a great place for dogs to safely run and play together, burning off energy and making new friends.  Unfortunately, it can also be a recipe for disaster, with dog fights/attacks ranging from mild to fatal, so I've put together some quick tips to keep in mind if you're considering taking your pup to the dog park.  

Make sure your dog is suitable for the dog park  

If your dog is not all of these things, they shouldn’t go to the dog park:

• enjoys actively playing and engaging with other dogs

• knows how to play politely and can respectfully give and take cut-off signals during dog-dog interactions

• are friendly toward dogs and people

• reliably comes when called

If any of the following apply to your dog, the dog park is likely not a good fit for them:

• have injured another dog in a fight

• are new to you

• display aggressive behavior toward unfamiliar people

• display aggressive or reactive behavior toward unfamiliar dogs, such as aggressive barking, hackling, posturing, growling, or snapping

• doesn’t like running, wrestling, or playing with other dogs and gets upset with other dogs who try to initiate these things

• aggressively guard their toys, water, food, or human

• are scared of other dogs

• don’t come when called

supervise

You should know where your dog is at all times, what they're doing, and with whom.  Phones should be put away, and you should be walking around the dog park interacting with and actively watching your dog.  Anyone else at the dog park should quickly be able to recognize that you and your dog are together.   

make sure your dog is having fun

Is your dog actually having fun or are they behaving defensively when other dogs approach?  Are they seeking out playmates or avoiding the other dogs?  Are they running around happily or cowering behind your legs?  

If your dog isn't having fun, you shouldn't be at the dog park.  Not all dogs enjoy it, and many prefer a solo walk with their human instead.  

small dogs & puppies

Great care should be taken with small dogs and puppies at a dog park. I advise waiting until a dog is 6 months of age before taking them to a dog park, and they should have already been socialized with other puppies and dogs.

Small dogs should only be taken to dog parks with a separate small dog area, and they need to stay in that area. The risk of an accidental injury or a predatory attack from a larger dog is incredibly high for small breeds.

Keep in mind

• Not every dog will get along with your dog.  That’s okay.

• You don’t know the health or vaccination status of the other dogs. Many owners don’t pick up their dog’s waste, so puppies and immunocompromised dogs should not go to a dog park.

• You have no idea if the other dogs there are friendly or not. I know of many owners who take their known dog-aggressive dogs to the dog park.

• Watch your dog to make sure they're not being a bully and relentlessly targeting other dogs.

• Make sure your dog isn't being bullied.  

• If there's a dog there that your dog just isn't compatible with, leave and come back another time.  

• Don’t overdo it. Dogs, like young kids, can easily get overstimulated and out of control, leading to squabbles and fights. Leave before your dog is at this point. For some dogs this may be 20-30 minutes of play, for others a little longer. There’s no need to stay for hours. Leave while your dog is still having fun.