Let’s Go to the Dog Park!
Article Date:
February 21, 2008
Dogs need exercise, especially in their first few years of life, in order to be well-behaved companions. We no longer live in areas where dogs come and go as they please, so exercising them can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Twin Cities has many wonderful dog parks where you can let your dog run off leash to play and romp to his heart’s content! Dog parks also help keep our dogs’ social skills up to par. There are more households that have dogs than those that don't and we run into people with dogs all the time. It’s imperative for dogs to be able to communicate and interact normally with members of their own species.
Dog Park Etiquette:
- Always clean up after your dog.
- Dogs under 25 pounds should only use dog parks that contain small dog areas – if a small dog slips and squeals while being chased by others, he may be perceived as a prey animal and could be attacked. Be your small dog’s advocate and keep safety first!
- Train your dog! Make sure your dog will come when called, sit to put his leash on, and not jump up on strangers. If your dog is lacking these skills, consider taking your dog through our Canine U Better Dog 1 class.
- Keep moving! Though it’s fine to chat with other dog parents, it’s good to walk around so your dog does not start to guard territory from new dogs who appear. This also helps your dog keep one eye on you at all times!
- Make sure your dog is safe around adults, children, and other dogs. If your dog is a danger to anyone, he should not be at the park. If your dog is possessive of toys or food, guide your dog away from the things he guards.
- Supervise your children at the dog park. Children should not be allowed to run at the park, as this may cause dogs to chase and nip or even bite them. Always have your kids ask for permission before petting a strange dog.
- Don’t punish someone else’s dog. If a strange dog jumps on you, turn away and ignore the dog. Do not feed strange dogs treats because they may guard food from your own dog.
- Consider your dog’s personality. Just like kids, some dogs are tough bullies and others are timid. Be sure your dog is truly having fun at the dog park and not spoiling anyone else’s good time, either.
- Never bring a dog in heat into the dog park. The best dog park dogs are spayed or neutered as they are less likely to roam or get into fights with others.
- Make sure your dog is healthy. Be sure he is up-to-date on his vaccinations and clear of any internal or external parasites.
Here are the Web sites for some dog parks in your area:
