Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Know dog park etiquette: Never say this 1 thing to other pet parents

Mary Johnson
By

Whether you have a tiny chihuahua or a massive Great Dane, your dog needs plenty of exercise to stay mentally and physically fit. Playing indoor games, taking your dog for regular walks in the neighborhood, and providing interactive toys to keep them intellectually stimulated are all fantastic ways to ensure that all of your pooch’s needs are being met. But it’s always a good idea to change things up a bit. Regular visits to your local dog park give your pup much-needed socialization with other dogs – and their pet parents – but there are a few things you should know about dog park etiquette before you take Fido to a shared space. 

A couple walks a small beige dog in the park.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The dos and don’ts of dog park etiquette

While dog parks may differ slightly by location, they have several things in common. According to the American Kennel Club, your local dog park should have a fenced area where your dog can safely explore his surroundings off-leash. You’ll typically also find a shaded area where pups and their pet parents can relax after a vigorous play session, and you’ll often find benches or picnic tables where you can sit while your dog plays. 

Recommended Videos

However, just like you keep an eye on your kids at the playground, you should also monitor your dog while you’re at the park. Here are our favorite tips on how to enjoy your outing – and advice on what not to do.  

Do: Spend time socializing your dog beforehand

Your pup should be well-trained and follow basic commands before you ever set foot in your local dog park. While you can’t control someone else’s pet, you are responsible for your pup’s behavior. We suggest making sure your fur baby knows how to interact with other dogs in a friendly, non-aggressive manner before exposing him to strange dogs. 

Don’t: Treat the dog park like a people park

Although you may find a picnic table or comfortable bench at your local dog park, please refrain from eating your lunch there. Many dogs have been trained using treats, so if a stranger’s dog smells your bag of snacks, he may think you’re trying to teach him a new command and crowd your dog in search of a treat. In some cases, this can even lead to aggression between your dog and someone else’s pup. Not only that, but some dogs have food allergies. Even if your dog can safely nibble a bite of your peanut butter sandwich, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for another dog. 

A leashed dog stands in the grass at a dog park.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do: Bring your own supplies

Many dog parks provide a water fountain so parched pups can refresh after playtime, but we recommend bringing your own water and a collapsible bowl just in case. Similarly, you may find a dispenser of poop collection bags and a waste receptacle, but we suggest taking a few of your own bags in case the park’s poop cleaning station supplies haven’t been refilled lately. Some dog parks prohibit toys and treats, so make sure you check your park’s rules before bringing Fido’s favorite tennis ball or a snack pack.  

Don’t: Let your dog run wild 

Depending on the location of your dog park, you and your pooch may be expected to adhere to community or city guidelines. You’ll find a list of rules posted at the entrance to most parks – when in doubt, look them up online – and you should read them carefully. Don’t allow your pup to roam off-leash in leashed areas. Make sure to keep your leash on hand at all times, even while your pup is playing in an off-leash area. Remember that you are responsible for your dog at all times. Even if other pet parents are present, you can’t rely on them to monitor your pup. 

Do: Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated

Not everyone’s dog is up-to-date on his shots, so the best way to ensure your dog’s safety is to stay on top of his vaccination schedule. Parasitic infections like roundworms, hookworms, giardia, coccidia, and whipworms are easily communicable, so you should take your pooch to the vet immediately if he shows any symptoms of gastrointestinal distress after a visit to the dog park. 

Don’t: Tell other pet parents, “He’s friendly!” 

Perhaps most importantly of all: even if your dog is the sweetest, friendliest pooch you’ve ever met, you should never tell other pet parents that he’s friendly, especially in an off-leash area. Just because your dog is friendly and docile at home does not mean his good manners will extend to his behavior at the dog park. Additionally, claiming that your dog is friendly serves as unspoken permission for other people to approach your dog. While some dogs may greet strangers with a wagging tail, others display fearful aggression, which can lead to snarling, snapping, and even biting. 

A leashed beagle runs in a dog park.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Playdates at the dog park are a fantastic way to spend time with your pup. That being said, you should always adhere to your park’s rules, pay attention to your dog at all times, and leave immediately if he begins to display signs of anxiety or aggression. Your dog is counting on you to keep him safe, and if you’re ever in doubt, it’s better to play at home. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Understanding husky language: Posture, tail wagging, ears, and other body clues
Here's how to understand what your husky is communicating
A husky jumps happily through the snow

Famous for their energy, tantrums, and professional opera skills, Siberian huskies are truly something else. Honestly, they can be hard to keep up with. Understanding husky language is a lot more straightforward. From playful postures to misleading tail wags, we’ll review them all. Before you know it, it’ll feel as if you’re reading your dog’s mind.
It’s important to remember to look over their whole body — and not one feature alone — when determining their mood or desires. The same behavior can have multiple meanings, so you’ll need to know how to read their body language from nose to tail. Ready to dive in?

Are huskies aggressive? What kind of behavior can I expect when bringing home a husky?
While huskies are well known for their expressive facial markings, they’re typically not as angry as they look. These sled dogs are incredibly social and unlikely to show unprovoked aggression, though combative behaviors can occur with dogs of any breed. Fear is a leading cause of aggression that can affect any breed with equal likelihood, though an individual dog’s personality will give you a better idea of what to expect.
The American Kennel Club notes that huskies are especially playful, open to strangers, and highly adaptable, so you’re bound to have a pup who’s more excited to say hello than to fight. You can thank this breed’s history as team sled dogs for its agreeableness in a variety of homes and situations. They’re even known to be friendly and gentle with children, though some huskies don’t know their own size (or strength) and can easily knock over smaller kids. It happens!

Read more
Video: Genius dog figures out a way to beat the summer heat
Plus the best ways to keep your dog cool in the hot summer months
A dog sits on a couch under a fan

As the blistering heat continues this summer, people and pets are turning to all sorts of cooling methods to keep the days bearable. You may have discovered a few hacks for maintaining a reasonable temperature (more on those later), but this little guy has another idea for how to cool down a dog: a good old-fashioned fan. Watch as the dog genius in this video decides to take matters into his own paws to get the exact temperature he needs.

The TikTok starts out with a pup laying in his crate with the text "Smart dog gets too hot so he adjusts the fan." He easily pushes the door open and walks over to a fan previously off-screen. Fido jumps up and uses his paws to push the cooling device a little bit, thereby making sure the air blows directly on his little home. Of course, he returns to his crate, now with the cooling breeze, and closes the door behind him (like a little gentleman). That's why the caption states: He understood the assignment. Comments agreed with Mr. O remarking, "Too cute." It's certainly one of the cutest — and cleverest — things we've seen in a while.

Read more
Where to put a dog crate in your house depends on these important factors
Know exactly where to place a dog crate to keep your pet safe, secure, and happy at home
Dog looking through black dog crate

Dogs like to sleep in so many places: in your bed, in their own bed, on a sunny spot on the floor, and in their dog crate, to name a few. But that's not the only thing a crate is helpful for. It can keep your canine friend out of mischief and give you peace of mind when you're out of the house. A dog crate should ideally be a place of security and comfort for your pup (and it can be even better if you personalize it for their own unique needs). Of course, this raises the question of where to put a dog crate.

Have you been Googling something like, "Where to put dog crate?" We've got you covered! Always remember that a dog crate is supposed to create a safe space for your pet, while also assisting in their training, so the way you utilize that space in your home is essential for both of you.

Read more