Are dog parks a play paradise for canines? Well, like kids at the playground, the dog park experience depends on how well a dog listens and how confident you are at reading dog body language. Off-leash dog parks can feel like a safe haven for dogs to run without inhibition but when there are other guests, it’s important to keep common dog park etiquette in mind.
If you haven’t heard of these dog park rules, don’t panic. These rules are things visitors discover over time. There is always something new to learn, depending on the park you’re visiting. And while there typically isn’t someone enforcing these rules at the gate, they exist as an unspoken agreement to ensure that dogs (and human visitors) stay safe.
Here are our expert tips for navigating a dog park safely and responsibly with your dog or the dog you’re watching.
1. Research Your Dog Park’s Amenities
In the case of dog parks, proximity is not always your best friend. You may find a park that’s five miles further more suitable because it’s got less foot traffic or has a separate small dog area. When scouting for the right park, you want to make sure that:
- The park is the appropriate size. Parks that are too small and crowded increases the risk of fights or scuffles.
- There are secure fences and areas of separation. Separate areas for different size dogs can help prevent anxiety or stress.
- Trash cans are available. Bring your own poop bags and scoop poop to avoid the spread of diseases.
- Your dog has access to clean water. You can also bring your own water as weather conditions may affect water availability.
Pro-tip: If you’re bringing a dog that isn’t yours, get permission and keep your trip short. Dog parks with a new guardian and new dogs is a very stimulating, potentially exhausting environment.
2. Check-In With Your Dog Before Entering
The best way to scout if a dog will be okay in the park is to walk around the park fence. Watch for reactive behaviors like lunging, staring, and tugging. These may be signs that your dog’s energy could be explosive and too much for dogs already in the park.
Anxious behaviors such as a tucked tail, pinned back ears, and whale eyes may also indicate that a dog is overwhelmed. In this case, we recommend not going into the park and sticking to a walk instead.
A dog park isn’t for every dog. Just because your childhood dog or a friend’s dog loved the park doesn’t mean it’s the best place to take them. It’s always best to softly check-in with your dog (or their pet parent, if you are just watching them) before entering the park.
3. Be Confident in Your Dog’s Recall
When there are a lot of dogs at the park — or if you have more than one — you’ll want to make sure you still can get your dog’s attention. This will help avoid situations like dog fights or dogs running away.
A solid recall is your best bet but you can also lean into other cues such as:
Sometimes these cues are easier for getting your dog’s attention and lowering their arousal. You can also teach them “break” which means a momentary pause before resuming play. These can be more reliable than “come” because you aren’t indicating to your dog that the fun is over.
4. Be a Good Neighbor
Now you’re at the park and ready to let loose — or not. Even though your dog is running around and enjoying themselves, you should still be vigilantly observing their behavior. To keep dogs safe, we recommend dog parents and guardians to:
- Stay off your phone so you can see when your dog is pooping, digging, or resource guarding
- Pick up after your dog when they do their business
- Practice recall and play breaks to reduce overstimulation
- Avoid treats and toys to reduce risk of possessive behavior
- Remove your dog immediately if there are any signs of aggression or behavioral escalation
- Keep an eye on other dogs and their body language so you know when to call off your dog
- Bring less than five dogs per person, or no more than you can manage if an incident occurs
5. Know When to Skip the Park
Sometimes you won’t know a park is a bad idea until you get there but there are also reasons to avoid the dog park even if you had plans to visit.
- Dog in heat: A dog in heat is a recipe for disaster at a dog park as a dog’s pheromones trigger overexcited behavior in male dogs.
- Disproportionate ratio of people to dogs: Skip the park if you feel overwhelmed by the number of dogs.
- High energy and loud noises: A combination of non-stop barking and loud noises can stress dogs out and make the park less enjoyable.
Are Dog Parks Worth It?
The pros of bringing a dog to a park include:
- Exercise and mental stimulation so your dog can engage in better behaviors
- Socialization, where your dog learns how to react to different types of dogs
- Training reinforcement so your dog learns to listen in high distraction environments
- Community building and getting to know your neighborhood dogs, especially during volunteer hours
The cons of a dog park, however, can negate the benefits:
- Dog parks may spread parasites, such as canine flu or giardia
- Unvaccinated dogs are at a higher risk of contracting diseases
- Dog fights may cause injuries which also result in long-term reactive or anxious behaviors
- A study shows more introverted dogs do not actually exercise at parks, leading to more sedentary behaviors in dogs and humans
The best way for dogs to learn how to be dogs is through your guidance, not at dog parks. However a well maintained dog park with a close-knit community can be an energy saver. You can learn a lot when it comes to socializing and exercising your dog at your local dog park. However the high energy and density of dogs can outweigh the pros if you are bringing more dogs than you can handle—or if you are unfamiliar with subtle dog facial expressions and healthy socialization behaviors.
Ultimately whether a dog park is worth it depends on your dog, your confidence in communicating with them, and the behavior of other attendees. If you happen to be a dog sitter or stand-in guardian, make sure to get the dog parent’s permission ahead of time. You might even want to get a list of the dog’s background and behavioral cues to help avoid dog-on-dog conflicts.
Lastly, if you love your dog park, consider volunteering to help maintain the space. Many off-leash dog parks stay beautiful because they have dedicated volunteers to help keep the place safe and how dogs love it.
