The dog parks in Billings can provide you and your dog with a much-needed opportunity to work out the kinks after a long day at the office. However, from Billings to Boston, there is a basic etiquette that all dog park users should know and follow.Not only will these common sense courtesies help you and your pet enjoy your time at the park, it will make the dog park safer and more enjoyable for other dogs and dog owners as well.
Health and Safety
Before heading out to the dog park, be certain that your dog is wearing current tags and that his or her microchip has your current information programmed as well. Even if your dog is chipped, it’s important for him or her to be wearing current tags. Because if a Good Samaritan does pick up your dog, he or she can get a hold of you immediately.
It is also very important that your dog is current on all of his or her vaccinations before hitting the park, especially those for Rabies and heartworm. Often, the bite of another dog is not the most dangerous risk your dog can encounter at the dog park, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Leave No Trace
It seems that this should go without saying, but frankly it needs to be said: Pick up after your dog. No one else wants to do it, let alone step in it, and no one else should have to. Plus, immediate clean-up lessens the chance of a parasite or bacterial transfer from one dog to another.
Set a Good Example
Always supervise your dog while he or she is playing and interrupt any rough play before it escalates. Don’t allow your dog to be a bully or be bullied and be willing to leave the dog park if you feel your dog is acting up, the play is getting too rough, or if your dog is just not having fun.
On Command or On-Leash
Many dog owners may think the park is the ideal place to test their dog’s off-leash abilities. However, there is far too much risk for you and your dog, as well as other dogs and dog owners, for this to be true. Be absolutely certain that your dog will obey your verbal commands before allowing him or her to be off-leash at the dog park.
Use Your Common Sense
We all know that there are certain instincts in animals that cannot be suppressed, no matter how hard we try and regardless of how well trained your dog is. Don’t tempt fate by disregarding these basic considerations:
- Don’t take food or treats to the dog park. This goes for human food as well as dog food. Dogs can get territorial about food and even the most well-fed and well-trained dogs can find themselves at each other’s throat in the presence of a cheeseburger.
- Do not bring intact males or females in estrus to a dog park.
- Don’t take more dogs than you can handle (safely) on your own. If you have more than two dogs on your watch, you may want to bring a friend along to help your wrangle the potential mischief.
By helping your dog to mind his or her manners, the dog park can be an amazing place to play with our pups. Should you have any other questions regarding dog park etiquette, recommended vaccinations, behavior training, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
