Dog Park Safety Tips: How to Keep Your Pet Safe and Avoid an Emergency Situation

Dog parks are wonderful places for dogs and owners alike to connect with each other. They also provide safe spaces for animals to exercise and play. However, there are several things that you should be aware of before, during, and after your visit. In this article we will discuss safety tips you can follow to ensure your dog enjoys their time at the park and avoid injuries or an emergency.

Tips to Follow Before You Go

As you start preparing for a visit to the dog park, you should take the following things into consideration:

What is the Weather Like?

If it’s hot, cold, raining, etc., you should take the necessary precautions to make sure that your pet stays safe and hydrated. Sometimes, this may mean choosing an indoor park over an outdoor one if it’s too cold or too hot.

Just like humans, dogs can experience hypothermia or dehydration. If your pet experiences any of these, they will need to see an emergency vet right away. Take the weather into consideration before planning a trip to the park to avoid a trip to the vet.

What Age is Your Pup?

You should anticipate that there will be several dogs at any given park that are not vaccinated. So, if your dog is unvaccinated or is a puppy that has not been fully vaccinated, you probably want to restrict playtime to being between one dog or more if you know for sure that they are up to date on their shots. This is important to avoid your pup from getting diseases that can easily be passed from other pets if they are unvaccinated, such as distemper or parvovirus. Both are contagious and can be life-threatening.

Do I Have Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance can help reduce costs of medical treatments. You can never predict what can happen at a dog park, and it is best to be on the side of caution and be prepared in case something does happen. Pet care can be expensive in times of an emergency, but pet insurance can help cover some of those costs.

Is This Time Period Considered “Peak Time?”

You may want to go to the park when the park is not that busy and has less dogs and people there. A simple Google search can help you determine this at a particular park, but in general, earlier in the morning and later in the evening are the better times to go to dog parks since there are usually less visitors. This also reduces the risk of your dog being attacked or attacking another dog.

Am I Prepared to Comply with the Park’s Rules?

Each park has its own specific rules and regulations, typically relating to leashing, dog size, vaccinations, and collar requirements. Check the park’s website to ensure that you and your dog are ready to follow the rules before heading out the door.

Does my Dog Know Basic Commands?

You should have a good amount of control over your dog’s behavior—especially when it comes to more chaotic situations involving other dogs. For example, suppose two dogs rush towards yours and you want to get yours out of that scenario. If you say their name and then “come,” you’ll want your pet to listen to you.

This will help you to avoid emergency situations such as your dog getting into a fight with another dog or running too far from you and going somewhere they shouldn’t.

Is my Dog Healthy?

Other than being up to date with vaccines and other preventative treatment, you should also make sure that your dog is healthy (i.e., not experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, sneezing, coughing, etc.) before exposing them to other animals. You don’t want to risk spreading illness. Further, if your dog doesn’t seem to be in good spirits for whatever reason, a dog park likely isn’t the best place for them to be. If your dog is experiencing the symptoms listed above, contact an animal hospital to get them checked.

Do I Have Everything I Need?

In general, you should bring a well-packed bag full of water, bowls, treats, a first-aid kit, a leash, and poop bags. You may also want to pack towels if you anticipate the park will be wet or muddy. Make sure your dog drinks water so they avoid dehydration.

Tips to Follow When You Arrive

After you arrive at the dog park, you should ensure that you are following the tips below, so you can keep your pet safe and happy.

Watch Your Dog

You should be careful not to zone out and instead keep your constant attention on your dog. This will allow you to catch onto poor behavior right away and prevent emergencies or accidents.

In Tune with Your Dog

Just like people, dogs have their “breaking points.” When you notice that they are starting to wear out, it’s probably time to go because they may become aggressive or overly sensitive.

Picking Up All of Your Dog’s Poop

Responsible pet owners pick up after their animals, and you do not want to be the exception to that. Plus, cleaning up your dog’s excrement will help keep the park clean for everyone.

Tips to Follow After Dog Park

Once the play is over, you should make sure that your dog is afforded the opportunity to:

Rehydrate

You should have been offering plenty of fresh water to your pup while it was at the park, but you also want to provide even more water after.

Rest

Anytime your dog exerts a lot of energy, you should give it the time and space to rest and recharge.

Follow the Dog Park Safety Tips Above to Avoid Possible Injuries

Dog parks can be an excellent way for your dog to exercise and socialize with other pups. However, it is important to be prepared before taking your pet and pay close attention to them while at the park. By following these dog park safety tips, you and your pup will have a great trip to the dog park, and you can avoid injuries that can lead to possible emergencies.

If you have further questions on how to keep your pup safe at the dog park or if your pet is having an emergency, contact Emergency Veterinary Care Centers by calling one of our locations. We are always happy to help and care for your pet.