8 Tips for a Great Day at Your Top Dog Park of Choice

Enclosed dog parks are excellent areas for giving your loyal companion a chance to roam freely and socialize with other dogs.

However, while they provide a great opportunity, it could also turn into a disaster if you’re unprepared.

So, we’ve compiled some tips that will ensure you’ll have a great day with your adorable furbaby at the top dog park of your choice.

Before visiting the top dog park of your choice

1) Train your dog with the basic commands first.

Dog parks are filled with stranger dogs that your pup might not appreciate dealing with.

Therefore, you need to make sure that your dog is well-trained before visiting a dog park, especially for emergencies. You want your dog to listen to you when you want them to calm down. This is regardless of whether they’re occupied with growling at another dog or not.

This is not only for you and your dog’s benefit but for the safety and assurance of the others at the dog park, too.

2) Make your Fido accustomed to a fenced/unfenced area before going to a dog park.

Dog parks are usually closed-in spaces that your precious pup might feel claustrophobic with, especially when the area is jam-packed. There’s also the issue of safety when the park is unfenced.

Getting your dog accustomed to such situations will make them more composed and well-behaved during your visit to the dog park.

One fenced area you can go visit before the dog park is a playground. Just make sure that your dog won’t be a danger to others, especially to children.

You can also try going to unfenced public parks if you’re thinking of visiting an unfenced dog park soon. Your dog listening to your commands 100% of the time is vital to keep them and other people safe.

3) Bring all the necessities your dog might need during your visit.

This would depend on your purpose of visiting, of course. However, a poop bag and water for your dog are two of the things you need to at least bring.

After all, you wouldn’t want the hassle of going back to your house just because you forgot to bring a poop bag for your pup.

Without your necessities, you might even need to cut the visit short, which would then defeat the purpose of visiting the park to let your precious Fido enjoy the world outside.

4) Practice your dog to behave well on a leash.

Going out usually means putting your dog on a leash. Even so, they might not like the thought of being restricted and be easily agitated during your visit.

But regardless of whether you’re off to an off-leash park or not, letting your pup get used to being on a leash while heeding your commands is a must-do preparation to make your visit hassle-free.

5) Get your pup familiar with the company of other dogs.

Everyone knows that dogs are very territorial creatures and that they get very defensive when meeting strangers.

However, dealing with a dog fight is the last thing you want during your relaxing visit to the dog park.

This is the reason why it’s vital to let your four-legged companion get used to strangers’ presence.

You and your pup would surely have a great day at the park since they won’t be making any fuss towards others.

During your visit to the park

6) Pay full attention to whatever your dog is doing in the park.

Watch any changes in the mood of your pup once you arrive at the dog park.

A sign of canine aggression towards strangers while you’re still at the entrance usually means that you’re going to have a hard time controlling your dog inside.

At that point, you can decide to postpone your visit for everybody’s safety.

But if you still decide to enter, make sure that you’re there to seriously watch over them in case of trouble.

You also have to observe any help that your precious pup might need. This may include getting them hydrated, cleaning their litter, or bailing them out of scary situations.

7) Make sure your dog is not being aggressively possessive.

Toys and treats can easily make some dogs possessive and aggressive.

Therefore, you have to make sure that your dog understands the concept of sharing. Furthermore, they should understand that it’s not good to steal other dogs’ toys or treats.

Both of you will less likely encounter any kind of trouble if your pup plays fairly and doesn’t easily start a fight.

Commands such as “leave it” and “come here” are very good for getting your dog out of trouble.

After visiting your top dog park

8) Praise your pup for good behavior.

Giving your dog pats, treats, and praises for behaving well the entire time is an excellent way to end your visit to your top dog park of choice.

You’re not only making your precious companion happy. In fact, you’re also motivating them to behave the same way the next time you go out.

All in all

It’s safe to say that your readiness and attentiveness determine how great your visit would be at your top dog park with your precious pup.

Make sure to consider the type of dog park you’re going to since an enclosed park offers different services.

Pay attention to the needs of your four-legged companion, prepare well, and enjoy the rest of your visit.