Dog Park Etiquette

[Kobi'sDaisy]

We have a 13 wk Vizsla puppy and a fully fenced dog park a block away from our house. I was wondering what the "rules" are for these sort of parks (newbie to all things dog ownership) as we would love to be able to take him down there for a romp and train with more distractions. I'm thinking he would be way to young if there were other dogs around? We usually walk around there to socialise without going in (met a lovely Vizsla and Wei there). Was thinking we might try and go down during the day (one of us is usually home during the day). Any ideas or help would be great

thanks!!

[jackie_a1]

There is usually no etiquette at a dog park hence why I don't go to them.

But seeing as you posted for advice most owners go there and let their dogs off and give them no supervision or discipline they use it as a let the dogs wear themselves out before they get home, so most owners aren't even paying attention to their dogs. If there are several sections i.e a small dog area and a big dog, put your dog with the small dogs if it's his first time. An aggressive maltese bite is less to a puppy then a staffords and that's the truth.

Try to talk to the owners suss them out. You might be lucky and find some well informed educated responsible owners who may be regulars who you feel comfortable letting your dogs play with. Don't go peak hour it might over whelm your little one and in an unrestrained park situation may escalate.

I like the idea of dog parks I just refuse to attend :p

[corvus]

IMO the key thing with a puppy is to keep them on leash so they can't bolt. Chances are they will want to at some point. I like to crouch with them on a short leash somewhere reasonably quiet and let other dogs approach. If they come on too strong, the puppy can shelter under my legs and it's not hard to hold the other dog at bay. And if it becomes necessary to lift the puppy up, you can pull them up into your lap and stand up and that's unlikely to trigger one of those dogs that gets all over excited when you pick up a dog in front of them.

I would keep it short and sweet at first.

[Isabel964]

Dog parks are great in my experience and I've been a dog owner all my life and I'm in my mid 40's.

You need to be wary of other dogs, some are not as well behaved as others - but usually in my experience they are fine. Some dogs won't get on, but that is the same as with people. Our dogs need to be obedient and we should be watching all the time - we can tell when a dog is going to go our dog, or if our dog is getting shiity. So as long as people are caring and responsible, and as long as you realise there are no guarantees, just keep your eyes open and watch your dog carefully. Since your is a little one, go during a quiet period, or if you see people with dogs a similar age, if they go at the same time each day, you could go then too :p I bet you will meet some lovely people and dogs there.

I tend to walk the perimeter of the park with my dogs, and I'll stop if they start to have a play with some dogs and if the owner is there, I'll stop and have a chat too. Sometimes I know my girls want some interactions with other dogs and then I will walk to the middle of the park, or to where-ever the bulk of the dog owners have gathered and that is where there is the most dog with dog interactions.

Be aware of people with dogs on leash, who never let them off leash. They 'may' not be well socialised and if your dog approaches a dog on a leash your dog may be attacked. This is not always the case, but I am very careful to ensure that my dogs will not approach another dog that is on-leash. Not without asking if that dog is ok - usually there is a reason a dog is on-leash in an off-leash park.

Remember to relax and have a calm demeanor about you - if you get anxious, your puppy may pick up on that.

Of course it goes without saying, to always make sure you have doggy poo bags so you can pick up after your dog

Edited March 21, 2011 by Sky

[daisygirl]

Our dog park is really lovely and we havent had any problems so dont let other people put you off.

Its a good start if you have been past already and seen how the other dogs interact. When I first took my five month old down in the middle of last year I actually sat on the ground and she used me as a shelter to go out and explore and then come back. She now loves the dog park and cant wait to get in there and have a run. Maybe try and pick a time with only a couple of other dogs of a similar size and start of for small amounts of time ie five minutes.

If you think the other dogs are too big and boisterous then easy enough to leave and continue on your normal walk.

In regards to etiquette, I dont normally stand and chat with the other humans but move around the park, depending on where my dog is. Remember to keep a good eye on them if they stop and do their business because number one rule is to pickup their mess. Otherwise let them have fun and let them be dogs.

If your local dog park doesnt have nice owners and dogs then sometimes it worth a drive once a week or so to another park until you find one you like. We quite often go to a park a bit further away because they have a beach which is good fun for them as well.

Not all dogs enjoy the dog park. I actually have two older dogs that I know are not good around others so we keep them leashed and my husband takes them for a separate walk so if it turns out your dog is one of those that doesnt like the leashfree park then thats fine, I am sure they will still enjoy your company doing other things

[Danois]

I'd be cautious at 13 weeks using a dog park - not because of the interactions between dogs but because your dog would not be fully vaccinated yet (and then still need to wait after the last vax).

Organise the socialisation for the yards of friends etc and their trusted dogs.

Edited March 21, 2011 by Danois

[poodlefan]

Go to your local dog park a few times, stay outside and watch.

Dog parks differ. Some have their own unofficial rules that are enforced by users. Others are free for alls and one user can make it hell for others.

Warning signs to watch our for include:

* any new dog entering is mugged by others at the gate

* owners congregating and paying little or no attention to dogs

* big packs forming and belting around with no intervention from owners

* lots of rough play

* any words like "let the dogs sort themselves out"

* several dogs chasing others into fences or ganging up on one other

* smaller dogs being bullied with no intervention by owners

I'd be wary of taking a pup. You cannot control other users or their dogs and your pup could have bad experiences or be hurt.

Personally I'd be joining a dog training club and allowing your pup to socialise there.

Edited March 21, 2011 by poodlefan

[monique.c]

I agree with most of the advice already said here.

I think dog parks can be great, the one I go to is lovely, we all know each others dogs (the regulars) and the dogs generally play nicely, most owners will step in if their dog is getting over excited or out of hand. One time a bigger, older dog went for my 7 month old Golden Retriever the minute we stepped through the gate and his owner separated them, apologised to me and left. Sometimes there are scuffles between a couple of dogs and the owners always step in and diffuse the problem and most of the time the owners of the dogs involved leave straight away.

Our park is big enough that if people want to play fetch to do training with their dogs there is enough room and generally the other dogs leave them alone as it is more fun to play with each other.

If my dog goes up to someone and their dog that I don't know or that is a bit away from the main area I always go up and check if they want me to call him off or if he is alright to play with their dog. I think the main issue is keeping an eye on your dog at all times, even if you are talking to other people, I have a couple of 'friends' now at the dog park but I am always keeping an eye on Snowy too, ready for poo duty and also making sure he is ok and not annoying anyone else as he is 7 months old and wants to play with everyone and some dogs don't appreciate that...

[Scarlett Dog]

There is usually no etiquette at a dog park hence why I don't go to them.

Amen to that.

[Bully]

Dog Park Etiquette :p

[Bully]

There is usually no etiquette at a dog park hence why I don't go to them.

Amen to that.

Same here. Pele hates going to the fenced dog park that we have in our area. She's been mugged by so many out of control dogs, who's owners aren't even watching them :p We only went to use the agility equipment, but then there were kids playing on it and people sitting on it We prefer unfenced parks. That way the dogs tend to be trained and under effective control and the owners are more likely to be watching their dogs

[Red Fox]

There is usually no etiquette at a dog park hence why I don't go to them.

Amen to that.

Yep. My advice would be don't ....just don't.

At 13 weeks your pup is right here;

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=117592

K9 Pro:

• Period of fear 12-16 Weeks

The puppy will spook very easily in this period, & frightening experiences can have a lasting effect on the puppy.

In this period, we don't allow children to carry or pick up puppies, nor play with them without close supervision. People are told to socialise the hell out of their pups, I dont subscribe to that idea at all, see this thread on my views to socialsiation http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...79&hl=drive

We try not to allow the pup in contact with dogs we don't know that are gentle with pups. A puppy subjected to an attack by another dog in this period will most likely suffer from fear aggression its whole life.

[Staff'n'Toller]

Go to your local dog park a few times, stay outside and watch.

Dog parks differ. Some have their own unofficial rules that are enforced by users. Others are free for alls and one user can make it hell for others.

Warning signs to watch our for include:

* any new dog entering is mugged by others at the gate

* owners congregating and paying little or no attention to dogs

* big packs forming and belting around with no intervention from owners

* lots of rough play

* any words like "let the dogs sort themselves out"

* several dogs chasing others into fences or ganging up on one other

* smaller dogs being bullied with no intervention by owners

I'd be wary of taking a pup. You cannot control other users or their dogs and your pup could have bad experiences or be hurt.

Personally I'd be joining a dog training club and allowing your pup to socialise there.

Great post!!! Should be a sticky! :rolleyes:

[corvus]

Don't fear the fear period. My youngest was in a fear period for a year. They may learn what to fear during that period, but they also learn what not to fear. Carry treats for emergency counter-conditioning and take it very slow and steady. Both my current dogs found the dog park terrifying the first couple of times they went. Now they are so comfortable in it that it is quite educational to watch how they handle other dogs. IMO it's difficult to predict what puppies at that stage of their life will suddenly find frightening, so to me the important thing is to be prepared to deal with it. I always work them through it then and there. If they cry, struggle, or cower and don't recover right away, we get some distance and feed, then take a few steps forward and feed, and then do that until we're right up close to the object that caused the reaction and the puppy is comfortable checking it out.

I am dead serious when I say you can tell with my 18 month old dog now what he did not experience as a puppy. He reacts to it by barking at it, usually. Not just barking, but hyper vigilance, maybe over-reactions, and it takes work to get him through it. More work than it would have taken to expose him when he was a baby. If you plan to use dog parks, IMO view it as part of your socialisation regime. List all the things you see dogs and people do in the dog park and systematically isolate each one and expose your pup to it. If you see the slightest signs of fear, lots of happy voice, let the puppy move away if it wants to, and don't forget to use any reward your pup is into, preferably food because you can't beat a primary reinforcer. Scary noise? Well, look! A treat! And another! And keep doing it until they look comfortable again.

[Red Fox]

You can expose and neutralise your pup to plenty of things without ever entering a dog park. It's just not necessary IMO.

[BC4ME]

Be very aware that although dog parks look like a great place to socialise your young pup it can come at a price.

The others have posted some very good points and remember not everyone vaccinates or regularly worms their dogs. Not everyone picks up the dogs droppings either and your pup will be running around through this.

We've had several pups through our clinic after they had been to dog parks with a good bout of gastro, we've even had a broken leg or two from big dogs jumping on smaller one, we've had to suture bite wounds from fights etc.

In my opinion. Your local obedience club would be a better place to socialise and learn something while your there. A good dog club will ask for a vaccination certificate to be on the grounds. Why put your pet at risk if you don't have to.

[Miranda]

We prefer unfenced parks. That way the dogs tend to be trained and under effective control and the owners are more likely to be watching their dogs

Yes I completely agree. I take my dogs to a huge unfenced park where dogs are allowed off leash, but it's easy to avoid another dog if you choose to do so. I would never venture into one of those small fenced off areas, they're an accident waiting to happen IMO.

[Keira&Phoenix]

Everyone here has given fantastic advice.

At 13 weeks I would say avoid dog parks or as already mentioned only go when there are only a few dogs of approximately the same size of your dog and watch how they are interacting with the other dogs first. It only takes 1 boisterous dog to do seriouosly long term damage to your pup whether that is physical or psychological.

My trainers are big on socialisation to as many situations as possible by 16 weeks but they absolutely DO NOT recommend you go into a dog park until your dog is over 6 months or more. For this reason they hold a fanstastic free play group for members every week, one for puppies 8 - 16 weeks and one for adolescents 16 weeks to 12 months, it is great, the dogs get loads of socialisation but are watched carefully and kept under control by the people and by 3 -4 older dogs who act as sheriffs. The dogs learn to play politely and meanwhile do not get hurt. I am also able to use these play groups to practice recall which Phi is now fantastic at! I cannot recommend highly enough finding a controlled environment to take your pup to play in ie: obedience clubs etc.

Good luck your pup is gorgeous. We have a few Vizsla's in play group they are beautiful little things

Edited March 21, 2011 by Keira&Phoenix

[Mason_Gibbs]

We prefer unfenced parks. That way the dogs tend to be trained and under effective control and the owners are more likely to be watching their dogs

Yes I completely agree. I take my dogs to a huge unfenced park where dogs are allowed off leash, but it's easy to avoid another dog if you choose to do so. I would never venture into one of those small fenced off areas, they're an accident waiting to happen IMO.

I agree with this, I wont go to a fenced in dog park, I have taken my dog to the unfenced ones though since he was a young pup and he is used to all sorts of situations now and is well socialized and has good 'doggy' manners.

[corvus]

You can expose and neutralise your pup to plenty of things without ever entering a dog park. It's just not necessary IMO.

You certainly can. There is, however, nothing else like a dog park you can expose your dogs to that will enable you to walk into a dog park some time later and be sure your dog will be comfortable with it. If you intend to use dog parks, start early if you have the opportunity IMO.