{"id":1592,"date":"2017-05-08T12:29:12","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T12:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=1592"},"modified":"2017-05-24T21:13:46","modified_gmt":"2017-05-24T21:13:46","slug":"taking-your-dog-to-a-dog-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/taking-your-dog-to-a-dog-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Your Dog To A Dog Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tips for Taking Your Dog to a Dog Park<\/h1>\n

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Spending an afternoon at the dog park is great for providing your dog with exercise while allowing him to socialize with other dogs. While the experience can and should be fun, it can also be a challenge if your pup’s bad manners are allowed to go unchecked. Here are some basics for a fun, trouble-free time at the dog park.<\/p>\n

Is My Dog a Good Fit for an Off-Leash Park?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Before you can even think about heading to an off-leash park, you need to make sure your dog will be safe in that environment. Well-trained, socialized dogs with no resource-guarding issues are ideal candidates for an off-leash experience at a dog park<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with this rule:\u00a0 Don’t take puppies to the park.\u00a0<\/strong>They can be hard to control. People find them cute, but older dogs often think they\u2019re a pain. Plus, those who haven\u2019t yet had all their shots can be exposed to diseases. Wait until your pup is 6 months old before you go. The dog park is not a place to learn socialization, but it’s a good place to be social once they’ve learned.<\/p>\n

Here is a quick, short list that will guide you on when you should not<\/u> go to the dog park.\u00a0 Don\u2019t go if your furry buddy:<\/p>\n

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  • Isn\u2019t vaccinated or doesn’t have flea and tick protection, or is not feeling well<\/li>\n
  • Isn’t spayed or neutered<\/li>\n
  • Is what the ASPCA calls a “dog dork.” These are dogs that just don’t know how to interact, no matter how hard they try. Other canines may find them just as annoying as puppies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    See how your dog behaves on leash.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Barking, pulling, whining, and lunging are all inappropriate ways to respond when your dog sees another dog on a leash. He must be non-reactive and calm when he sees or is approached by another dog.\u00a0 When leashed dogs meet, there should be no jumping on each other or intensity, just calm sniffing.
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