A Sunday afternoon spent at the park with your pet pal is one of life’s simple pleasures. But letting your dog loose in a leash-free park can be a little daunting if you’re doing it for the first time. Here’s our best advice on how to make your park experience a barkin’ good time.
It Starts At Home
Obedience becomes even more important when you place your pet in more stimulating environments like parks. That’s why it’s essential to develop a training bond with your dog and invest time in establishing their basic commands like sit, stay and come. Training your dog to ignore distractions and focus attention on you will be time well spent when moving into the busyness of a dog-park.
Dip A Paw In First
Preparation really is key here. Give your dog the chance to acquaint themselves with the park, by taking a few walks on-leash in the vicinity of the leash-free area. Exposing them to the sights, smells and sounds of the environment is important in gauging how they’ll respond. It’s also best to have your first few visits when the park is ‘off-peak’, early in the day or during the week.
With only a few other dogs to contend with, your pup will be able to gradually adjust to their new play-space. If you’d like to be more cautious, try fitting your dog with a body harness and attaching a long training leash. Mostly you can simply let the training leash trail on the ground, but this can help you feel secure that you can react quickly and effectively should an emergency present itself.
Keep Both Eyes Open
Things can change quickly when so many curious, excitable pets are in close proximity, so it’s crucial to constantly be on the look-out for potential distractions that could unsettle your pup. It’s perfectly natural for dogs to want to interact with each other, but if you feel someone’s pet may be genuinely aggressive towards yours identify the owner and clarify whether you should be concerned.
Often, this is excellent ‘lead-by-example’ behaviour as it reminds other owners to also be vigilant and watch their dog for any signs of upset. Most importantly, recognise your own furry friend’s triggers – are they friendly barking, or are they yelping, baring teeth, or taking up an aggressive stance? If they are exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviour, it’s likely a sign that they need to be removed from the park temporarily.
Ultimately, a perfect park experience depends on a mixture of prior preparation and remaining aware of your surroundings once you’ve arrived. Make the time to set up good habits early, and your pup will be rewarded with a doggie social network beyond their wildest dreams!