Explore tips for a safe and fun trip to an off-leash dog park.
Off-leash play can be incredibly fun for your dog, not to mention the added benefit of socialization they receive. But uncontrolled environments can be dangerous if you aren’t vigilant. We explore how you can manage off-leash play while still having a great time.
When taking your dog off-leash, you’ll want to be aware of a few things, such as:
It’s important that your dog has a good recall when letting them off-leash. Especially in a distraction-rich environment like a dog park. They should be especially good at “come,” “sit,” “leave it,” and “settle.”
Even if your dog has great recall, you aren’t totally in the clear. That’s because you’ll want to observe how other people’s dogs are doing. Why? Well, if another dog doesn’t listen to their owner, that may become dangerous if they go after your dog.
You should monitor your dog’s behavior always, but especially when they’re off leash. Uncontrolled environments—like a dog park or dog run—can create uncomfortable situations for dogs; you need to be able to read their reactions and respond accordingly. Not only that, but you should pay attention to how other dogs behave. If they’re getting aggressive or seemingly challenging other dogs, you should consider removing your dog from the situation lest a fight break out.
You should always closely supervise your dog when they’re off-leash. That means watching how they interact with others and intervening when necessary.
This comes down to knowing the rules and regulations of a given dog park or area and being respectful. Simple rules like picking up poop, keeping sick dogs at home, being aware of size or age restrictions, and controlling barking and humping help with a harmonious environment.
Not all dog parks have different areas for dogs of different sizes, and sometimes, people don’t follow the rules. The difference in size of dogs can be dangerous and lead to potential injuries even accidentally. Even if your dog is a gentle giant, be wary of letting them around small dogs they don’t know in a distraction-rich environment like a dog park.
Dog parks have a lot going on. They’re loud, full of smells, and usually have a ton of pups running around. That can cause dogs to get overstimulated, and sometimes, an overstimulated dog may engage in rough play, which can be seen as aggressive by other dogs or their owners.
Signs of overstimulation include over-grooming, nipping and jumping, inability to settle down, dilated pupils, and excessive drool. If you notice a change in your dog’s behavior and suspect they’re overstimulated (or suspect another dog at the park is), remove your dog from the space.
It should go without saying that if your dog is sick, they should stay home away from other dogs. Most illnesses can pass from dog to dog, so it's in your best interest to keep Fido at home for their health and the health of others. If you suspect a dog at the dog park is sick, take your dog home. Play time isn’t worth an under-the-weather pup.
If you want to take your dog off-leash, there are a few ways to do so safely.
We want our dogs to be social, but it’s important that they be the right age. Puppies younger than four months of age shouldn’t be socializing off-leash for one big reason: they haven’t been fully vaccinated. Once a dog is vaccinated, they can engage in play (but be aware of their size and the size of the adult dogs they’re playing with). On the other hand, geriatric dogs or dogs with injuries shouldn’t be taken off-leash due to the higher risk of injury.
For the safety of your dog and the safety of dogs around them, your dog should be up to date on vaccines. Rabies is an obvious one, but we also mean Parainfluenza, Parvo, Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Distemper.
It’s also important for your dog to have preventatives like flea, tick, heartworm, and broad-spectrum parasite prevention. After all, you never know what or who they will encounter. Better be safe than sorry.
Do ample research before taking your dog to a dog park. Read reviews, ask friends and neighbors, and visit the park yourself without your dog ahead of time. You should also ensure that the park is well-maintained, free of excess dog waste and muddy spaces, and that the fencing is intact. We recommend finding out which times are busy and working as best you can to avoid them, especially for your dog's first outing.
Dogs can be territorial and the last thing you want is dogs fighting over a toy or food that you’ve brought. That’s why it's important to leave toys at home and to encourage your dog not to engage with any toys they find at the dog park. Similarly, you can’t tell what a dog’s reaction to food (human or pet) may be or if there’s an allergy. Leave food and toys at home, but maybe leave a treat or two in your pocket to incentivize your dog to listen.
Don’t let things get too far. That means if you see a situation that could potentially go south, you should step in. You are ultimately in charge of and liable for your dog in these situations. It's not overreacting to stop something from occurring in the first place.
Have the necessities on hand in case your dog needs them, like a collapsible water bowl and water bottle, as well as a dog first aid kit. This first aid kit should include things like gauze, cotton balls, cleaning ointment, a muzzle, and tweezers. Having these on hand doesn’t mean you expect something bad to happen, but it ensures that if something does you have what you need to stay calm and address the situation.
As an owner, you should keep your dog on a leash until inside the designated area, supervise your dog at all times while at the park, clean up after them, and be aware of other dogs’ body language.
Your dog should know how to be around other dogs and be friendly, polite, and not show signs of aggression or excessive barking.
Yes! If you notice pacing, excessive barking or whining, panting, or over-grooming these could be signs that your dog is overwhelmed and should leave the dog park.
If you have a reactive dog, don’t bring them to the dog park. It’s an uncontrolled environment with many variables that can trigger your dog. Focus instead on training your reactive dog in a controlled setting.
No. While humping can be a part of normal play behavior, it’s not considered respectful and can cause a lot of discomfort or trigger potential conflict.
