How To Nail Your Dog Park Visits Like A Champ

The freedom of running off-leash at the dog park might be a slice of heaven for your pup – or it might be their worst nightmare. And one of the main reasons why they might hide the next time you take them out to the park? They might not have nailed their dog park etiquette quite yet.

So here’s all the planning and prep you need to do before heading to your local dog park – and how to plan ahead for a “missing dog” situation in case your buddy gets spooked, startled, or up to some shenanigans. Let’s go!

Check your local dog park requirements, rules and fees

Socializing your dog to different people, places, and pets is an important step in their growth. But it’s important that they learn how to behave around others – so others can also learn how to behave around them.

So before bringing your buddy to the local dog park, find out what’s required of you and your pup.

• Some parks are free, while others require a membership or one-time fee.
• Many parks require that your dog be licensed, collared, and vaccinated, too.
• Scope out the park in advance, without your dog.
  • Are there separate areas for small and large dogs? Some parks feature obstacle courses, which are great for agility training.
  • Is there a pond or pool for water play? (Great for hot summer days!)
  • Is there a double gate to provide safe entry and exit?
  • Does the park provide doggie waste bags and a disposal bin? Or do you need to bring your own bags and pack out waste?

Most parks post signs with rules. But the most important rule is that you are responsible for your dog and your dog’s behavior. Paying attention to your dog during the entire visit is the #1 rule of dog park etiquette. 

💡We’d also recommend you keep an eye out for your park’s fences. Ideally, they should be well-secured – to discourage your dog from running off and making an escape.

(Or following a bird, squirrel, or female dog in heat across them!)

Because it doesn’t matter how much of a good boy or good girl your dog is – or how much you’ve trained them.

• Even the best-trained, most docile dogs can end up running away due to their “flight” instinct – and especially so around other dogs!
• There’s also nothing stopping your dog from jumping the fence, digging under it – or just stepping over it, if they’re big enough.

💡It’s why responsible dog parents around the world – just like you – are strapping GPS trackers to their buddies’ collars.

Because once you’ve got your trusty Tractive GPS set up, you can now track your dog:

• In real-time,
• Over an unlimited range,
• Even in the dark,
• And even while on vacation (or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription)

All with just a glance at your phone.

Discover Tractive GPS

Is your dog in the right condition to visit a park?

Before making your visit, it’s important to decide if this activity is right for your dog. The weather, your dog’s age, and your dog’s condition may help you make the call.

Because in general, it’s better to avoid visiting the dog park if your buddy is:

Under 12 weeks old

Not only are small puppies vulnerable to being injured during rough play with larger dogs, but they’re also not fully vaccinated. This makes the little guys susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases that can be transmitted by other dogs.

Depending on your dog’s lifestyle and overall health, you may want to wait until they are 18 weeks old before visiting a dog park. (I.e., when they’ve gotten all their shots.) If in doubt, check with your veterinarian. 

In heat or pregnant

When hormones are high, you may end up dealing with some unwanted attention by bringing your female dog to the park. The mating instinct is extremely powerful and you may end up with an unwanted litter of pups! So it’s good dog park etiquette to keep female dogs in heat at home as well as pregnant dogs.

💡Being in heat – or having sniffed out a female in heat – are prime reasons why dogs end up running away from home. (Or just away from you in general.)

So besides avoiding contact with other dogs:

• Do your best to keep yours occupied at home – including getting them enough exercise
• Check with your vet whether getting yours spayed or neutered is an option.

All these steps can help prevent an unplanned canine pregnancy and ensure you’re doing your part as a responsible dog parent.

⚠️But in an emergency, like if yours has bolted the leash or fence and has now disappeared…

Just hit “LIVE” on your Tractive device – and follow your dog’s every step as they make their every step.

LIVE Track Your Dog

Sick

You wouldn’t go to office or to meet your friends while sick, right? So the same applies to your dog. Generally, it’s better to keep a sick dog at home while they get better. (Helping you avoid spreading their germs to other dogs.)

Because if your buddy is showing signs of contagious illnesses, like say, kennel cough, it might end up spreading to other dogs through:

• Airborne droplets
• Shared water bowls
• Skin to skin contact – like touching noses

Which is why, sadly, dog parks can be a prime spot for spreading this illness.

💡So make sure to get the green light from your vet first before heading out with your buddy – only once they’ve 100% recovered.

Read more: Why You’ve Got Dog Coughing & Gagging Its Head Off

Is sensitive to the heat or cold

Dogs can go into infinite zoomies while off-leash at a park – which is bad news if it’s a hot day outside. Keep a close eye on your buddy to ensure they don’t overheat, else they may be at risk for heat stroke, which can be life-threatening, if left unchecked. Watch out for signs like panting, drooling, and drinking an excessive amount of water.

Brachycephalic dog breeds – like Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs – may also be extra-sensitive to the warmth and more likely to overheat. So it’s best limiting their outdoors time when the sun’s out.

Also be mindful of your outdoor time during cold weather. Most dogs can tolerate chilly temperatures, but once the thermometer dips below freezing (32 degrees F or 0 degrees C), it’s best to keep most dogs indoors. Small dogs in particular lack the body mass to retain heat in cold weather. 

Read more:

• Dogs And Heat: How To Keep Dogs Cool In Summer
• Dogs & Cold Weather: How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?

How to prep your buddy for a dog park visit

A trip to the dog park is a feast for your dog’s senses and a chance for them to make new friends. But for some dogs, being surrounded by strange people, smells, and dogs can be very stressful.

You know your dog’s personality best – are they ready for the full dog park experience, or do they need a gradual introduction?

Refresh your dog’s basic training

Having a well-trained dog is the ultimate in dog park etiquette. When your dog is well trained, it means they trust you and have confidence in your leadership.

So it’s always good to revisit basic obedience commands like “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Drop it” – all of which can come in handy when you’re both outdoors.

• If your dog is a little rusty on these basic commands, practice for a few weeks at home to reinforce the training before visiting the dog park.
• Once your dog is in the distracting environment of the dog park, your training will pay off and be a shining example of good dog park etiquette.

We’d also strongly recommend you train your dog to come when called (known as recall). If your dog reliably comes when called, you can avoid unpleasant situations like fights, bullying, and escapes at the dog park. As a bonus, you won’t need to play “catch me if you can” when it’s time to go home!

⚠️ Just remember: some dogs’ recall goes right out the window when they’re sufficiently motivated! (Like if they’ve sniffed out a bird or a squirrel – or a female in heat.)

So if you’ve been calling and calling your dog’s name and they’ve still disappeared…

Hit LIVE & Get Tracking

Monitor your dog’s body language

As your dog starts interacting with other pooches at the dog park, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for whether everyone’s getting along. You can easily read a dog’s body language to determine if they are playful, upset, or angry.

Here’s what to look for:

• Playful dogs spin around, bounce, and display a relaxed “play grin.” A “play bow” with the rump held high and front elbows on the ground is a good sign that a pooch is in a joyous mood during a dog play session!
• Anxious or upset dogs hold their tails low or between the legs and their ears may be pinned back. These dogs are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, so take them home and try visiting again on a less-busy day.
• Angry dogs are tense, with the head held high and ears pointing forward. They may snarl with the lips curled back. This dog is not displaying good dog park etiquette! Call your pup to your side and go home if you see this type of behavior in your dog or another pet.  

Supervise your dog at all times

You may be tempted to scroll through social media or chat with other pet parents at the dog park. But instead, we’d highly recommend you pay attention to your dog at all times.

• Situations can change quickly during dog play, especially when the dog park is crowded with off-leash dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
• It’s also 100% okay for you to run and play with your dog at the park. Remember, interacting with you is your dog’s favorite thing to do! 

What should I bring to a dog park?

Just like any outing, it’s important to plan ahead and bring the right gear for a successful dog park visit. We’d recommend you carry along:

• Water and a collapsible bowl so your buddy can stay hydrated. You’ll reduce the risk of your dog catching kennel cough or other diseases that can be transmitted at communal drinking facilities.
• Dog waste bags to pick up after your buddy after they do their business.
• Avoid bringing treats, toys, or food! You’ll attract the attention of all the dogs in the park, which can lead to some disagreements over who gets the treats. Rather, leave these at home or in your car and only offer them to your dog after you both leave.

How to ensure a safe dog park visit

On your first few visits to the dog park, plan to stay for a very short time.

• Stay just long enough to get a feel for your dog’s interest level, the other dogs in the park, and pick up on the park’s overall vibe.
• Once you become a regular at the park, you’ll find that 30- to 60-minute play sessions at the dog park are enough to tire out your dog. 

Then…

Be respectful of other dogs & dog parents

Dogs of similar sizes and temperaments may play well together. Your dog may instantly run off to play with others, or you may need to formally introduce your dog to a new friend.

• Just make sure to check with other dog parents first to make sure they are okay with a doggie play date. 
• Always ask before petting someone else’s dog. We’re not kidding – don’t skip this step! Not every dog (or dog parent) wants to be approached and some anxiety-prone dogs might bark or even bite if you touch them out of nowhere.
• Barking is okay at the dog park. As long as your dog is playing with others (or with you) in a positive manner and is exhibiting good dog park etiquette, allow the play to continue. 

Stop your dog from bullying other dogs

A bully is no fun to be around – for people or for dogs. Remove your dog from any situation where your dog (or other dogs) exhibits bullying behavior. 

• Bullies are pushy, aggressive, and overly rambunctious. They may employ dominance behaviors such as placing their paws and head on the shoulders of other dogs, excessive mounting, or pinning other dogs to the ground. 
• If your dog tends to be a bully, the dog park is not the place to teach them good dog park etiquette. Leave the dog park so you don’t put other people or dogs at risk.
• Work on basic obedience training at home or get help from a professional to get rid of any bullying behavior. 

Remove an uncomfortable dog

Shy dogs may not enjoy the commotion of a dog park, and you’ll know it by their body language. Instead, shy dogs may benefit from socializing with one or two other dogs in the neighborhood for a few weeks before tackling the dog park.

• Avoid visiting during busy periods, like Sunday afternoons, if your dog needs a quiet introduction to the dog park.  
• By watching your dog’s body language, you’ll know when they are ready to leave the dog park. If your dog comes to stand by your side or at the gate, they are giving you a not-so-subtle hint that they are ready to go home.

Watch out for any “danger zones” you come across

Depending on how close the dog park is to any crowded city areas or even woodland, you might come across some less-than-pleasant objects in your environment. Including areas with:

• Poisonous plants, including mushrooms, which can be toxic to dogs
• Animal traps, which can injure your dog if they get a paw stuck in it
• Poison bait, which can make your dog very sick if they bite or lick it
• Wild animals
• Sharp objects
• And anything else you’d rather not have your dog run into while outdoors

💡But if you’ve invested in a Tractive device, you can report a “danger” in your environment – which then gets broadcast to fellow pet parents in your area!

Just head to your Tractive mobile app and get sharing right away.

So you can both keep your dog safe – and do your part as a responsible dog parent.

Mark Out A Danger Zone

Ready to make the dog park your buddy’s favorite place?

Regularly dropping by your local dog park is a great way to help your buddy exercise and hang out with other dogs and people. All of which can help them learn to behave – and help others learn how to behave around them.

So here are our top tips to ensure you have a fun, safe dog park visit – every time:

• Avoid taking your dog to the park if they’re under 12 weeks, in heat, sick, or sensitive to the weather.
• Double down on your dog’s basic obedience training – especially their recall and if you notice any “bullying” behaviors, like dominance or mounting.
• Monitor your buddy’s body language while around other dogs. You want to ensure no one’s getting aggressive or anxious around each other.

• Always supervise your dog to prevent an accident or a runaway attempt.
• Carry along water and a collapsible water bowl to the park. Avoid carrying toys or treats, as this might end up attracting the attention of every other dog around!
• Be respectful of other dogs and dog parents. Always check before interacting or touching another dog.
• Watch out for the signs your dog wants to go home, like sidling along to you and sticking to your side.

And most importantly…

• Plan ahead for a “runaway dog” situation – like if your buddy’s sniffed out a female in heat, gotten chased off by another dog, or is locked-on to a squirrel scampering away into the distance.

💡And with a Tractive GPS attached to their collar, you can rest easy knowing you’ll never lose your dog again.

Always know where your dog is

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.

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Want an expert’s take on what counts as proper dog park etiquette? Here’s a video from Saro Dog Training to help you get started:

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.