Here in San Diego, there is no shortage of dog parks or dog beaches where we can all enjoy a day out with our families and pets.
Dog parks can be benefit both pets and their families, but dog parks might not be the right place for everyone.
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One of the most important things to remember is that a dog park cannot be a substitute for a walk. It is never a good idea to take an excited dog to the dog park.Your dog might mean well but be so excited about running around that other dogs start to chase him/her and your dog suddenly turns into the prey object for other dogs.
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Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered and never take a female dog in heat to a dog park.
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Do not keep your dog on a leash at the dog park. When you approach an area where majority of dogs are running free and playing off leash, and you walk in with your dog on the leash, it doesn’t give your dog a chance to freely an calmly greet the other dogs that are approaching him/her. This can cause your dog to get agitated and feel vulnerable which can quickly escalate into an unpleasant situation.
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Don’t ever let your guard down! I cannot emphasize this enough. A dog park or a dog beach can be a great place for you to socialize as well, but you never know the temperaments of other dog playing with your pet. Always be vigilant for all signs of distress or uncertainty in your pets behavior.
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If your dog does not have proper social skills yet, a dog park is not the best place to start social training. It is better to start off with short walks with other dogs that are known to you.
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There are a lot of diseases and parasites in a dog park. Older dogs and adult puppies who have been immunized can mostly handle most of it. For puppies that have not yet completed their vaccinations, can easily pick up anything from parvo to giardia, that their young bodies are not yet able to handle. Puppies under 12 weeks or those who have not yet been fully immunized against common diseases need to be kept away from such large social settings.
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Lastly, don’t forget to pick up after your dog!
Hope you all have a pleasant trip to the dog parks and our beautiful dog beaches!
