* Watch your dog(s). Duh, this seems like common sense, but I have been to dog parks where owners are chatting or reading and barely glancing up at their dogs. Not every dog plays nicely with every other dog all the time. You have to be watching and stepping in when necessary.
* Eliminate possible fighting over toys by bringing several for sharing or none at all. The dog parks I have been to always had many toys around, but when we go to our local field, we bring a toy that we pick up if other dogs show up.
*Control your dog(s). Make sure your dog has good recall and overall manners. A good "sit" and "stay" is very handy in times of need. "Drop it" is great if your dog picks up something potentially harmful.
* Keep big dogs with big dogs and small dogs with small dogs. Obviously big dogs can easily overpower and hurt a small dog, even unintentionally, during play.
*Play with your dog(s). Walk around, throw a ball, run...get engaged with your dog during play. That's what this time is for!
*Ask your dog to "come" several times during play. I reward with a small food treat each time my dogs do this. It makes those times when you NEED your dog to come to you that much more likely to be successful...so practice it often when it's not a need.
* HAVE FUN!
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| Dog Park Fun |
Great information!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving,
Oskar & Pam
Sounds like common sence, but we have never been to a doggie park, cause we got like, as some say, 87 acres and all kinds of other dogs and othe animals surround our property. We think the peeps also need to learn proper social skills to interact properly with the other peeps there. we been just to the vet and some peeps there are just rude to other animals.
ReplyDeleteThanks, if we go, we now understand the rules
Your Furiends
Susie & Bites
Some great tips. It amazes me how folks don't pay attention to their dogs at the park!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, some people need to learn these common sense rules!! I see so many people being either way too overprotective of their pups or completely ignoring them or their behavior! Urg!! If I have to behave, well then, so should all the pups!! :-D Nice collection of tips!
ReplyDeletePeople don't even supervise their children, to some of them we're JUST dogs.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
SHE always watches us--we can't get away with anything!
Good advice! Thanks Murray!
ReplyDeleteWyatt
Great advice! Some people need a wake up call !
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy and Stanley
Excellent pointers Murray - it's 'cos of many of those neglected tips that mom and dad perfer to take us to either quite parks or very early when there aren't a lot of other dogs around.
ReplyDeleteWally & Sammy
Good post, Murray! I agree with you on the watching your dogs part most, sometimes I don't like some scary big dogs...
ReplyDeleteCotton
There is no controlling us when we are out, we bark at anyone and everything - it drives Mum mad, ha!
ReplyDeleteDip Bridge and Elliot x
We have found lost dogs so often and usually the owners are chit chatting or on their phones not paying attention. Some people. Have a terrific Thursday Murray.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Hey Murray, Jet here.
ReplyDeleteWell put... Perhaps your wise words should be laminated and posted at the parks!
Wez don't have dawg parks in the UK but when we go to the beach, there is alway'z uffer dawgs, and there Humoms are not w8atching dem..They come bouncing over, jump all over me and Mom, they nick my ball..I better stop now.. Have a great Thanksgiving :) xx00xx
ReplyDeleteMollie and Alfie