Dog parks are a great way for your dog to get some serious exercise and to interact with other dogs. Every community has its rules and guidelines, and dog parks are communities, too. Each will have its own set of guidelines, rules, and qualifications for entry. When you’re getting ready to take your dog to the dog park, here are a few dog park etiquette tips to keep in mind:

1. Study canine body language.
2. Train your dog.
3. Make sure your pup is in good health.
4. Know and follow the rules.
5. Go for a walk before the dog park.
6. Bring water for you and your dog.
7. Save the human snacks for later.
8. Give other dogs and people space.
9. Keep an eye on your dog.
10. Pick up after your dog.
11. Don’t let your pup be a bully.
12. Leave the dog park if your pup is timid, scared, or being intimidated.

1. Study Canine Body Language

Dogs communicate differently from humans. When your dog is interacting with people and other dogs, it’s important for you to understand dog behavior and to be able to monitor their body language.

Study canine body language and learn the behaviors indicating anxiety or potential aggression specific to your dog. Understanding these types of dog body language and keeping an eye out for them can help keep your trip to the dog park a positive one.

This allows you to be more aware of your dog’s comfort level and the level of comfort for the other pups. It will help you determine whether dogs are playing or fighting and help you avoid fights, bites, and other situations that could be dangerous. Plus, you’ll be able to proactively monitor your dog, and you may even be able to watch them start a new dog friendship.

2. Train Your Dog

Before you visit the dog park, make sure your dog is good at recall commands, sharing, and other commands to keep them from putting themselves or others into dangerous or uncomfortable situations.

A lack of training and socialization, poor recall skills, and more are some signs you shouldn’t take your dog to the dog park. You need to know that your dog will be able to interact well with other dogs and that you can call them back to you when needed.

If your puppy is still in training or you simply need a refresher, you may want to hire a trainer or find good puppy training classes. This will make your time at the dog park more fun for you and your dog, and ensure it stays a fun and happy experience for you both.

3. Make Sure Your Pup is in Good Health

Always, always, always keep your dog up-to-date on shots, vet visits, and vaccinations. This way, your dog will stay healthy and happy throughout their lifetime, and you will not run the risk of harming other pets. This is essential when your dog will be interacting with other dogs and is one of the ways to be a responsible dog owner.

Plus, a lot of the best dog parks, doggie daycares, dog boarding facilities, etc. will require proof of up-to-date vaccinations before memberships or entry to them are granted. Not only does this help protect your dog, but it also protects other dogs in the dog park, too. If your puppy is younger than four months old, it’s usually best for them to avoid dog parks until they are older and big enough for them.

4. Know and Follow the Rules

Every dog park will have their own list of rules for using the dog park. Make sure you look up the rules for a dog park you’re interested in before you go, and make sure you follow them when you get there.

This will also help you evaluate a new dog park. And, if there are memberships required, you’ll know what you need to do in order for you and your dog to be granted entry. Not all dog parks require memberships, but some of them do, especially those with special features or those located in specific communities.

It’s important for you to know what you’re getting into before you go. And if the dog park you want to visit requires a membership and you don’t have one yet, visit another dog park until your membership is approved for the dog park(s) you want.

5. Go for a Walk Before the Dog Park

Go for a regular walk, and then go to the dog park as a special treat. This way, your dog will not be hyperactive and annoying to other dogs and owners. The dog park is a great way for your dog to release extra energy, but you do still want them to be relatively in control of their exuberance.

A quick walk beforehand can allow your dog to release some of that initial pent-up energy, go to the bathroom if needed, and then fully enjoy the dog park. They’ll be excited, but it will be slightly more manageable this way and will put them in a better place for interacting well with other dogs at the park.

If you can, you can also try to play fetch alone, so you do not have to worry about your dog becoming over-excited or over-stimulated during the visit. This depends on individual dogs and what they respond to best, and can be a way to help calm a hyper dog if they’re starting to get out of hand, before letting them go back to playing with other dogs. After you get home, your dog will be more than happy to get some food, have a drink of water, and take a nap peacefully on the couch.

6. Bring Water for You and Your Dog

Many different dog parks offer water fountains for you and your dog. However, some don’t, and sometimes, water fountains are out of service or down for maintenance. Plus, if there are shared water bowls that don’t look good, having your own water as a backup can help you avoid the risks of dogs using public water bowls.

Just in case, it’s always a good idea to bring water for you and your dog anytime you make a trip, even if it’s a short one to the dog park. Keeping essentials with you, including water, is one of the car safety tips for dogs that applies whether it’s a longer road trip with your dog or just a short trip in the car. This helps make sure that you and your dog have access to fresh water no matter what happens and ensures they won’t become overheated or uncomfortable while hanging out with their buddies at the dog park.

7. Save the Human Snacks for Later

Don’t bring your lunch or snacks to the dog park. Or, if you are bringing anything with you, leave it in the car and don’t bring it into the actual dog park. You know the behavior of your dog, but you can’t guarantee the behavior of other dogs at the park.

Other dogs could beg, bark, and try to get the food out of your hands. Even with guidelines and behavioral testing, some dogs can get aggressive over food, especially if they are hungry, still in training, still being socialized, etc. In a dog park environment, especially one that is busy, it’s better to just have a snack beforehand at home, wait until you go back to the car, or wait until you’re home to eat.

8. Give Other Dogs and People Space

Make sure you and your dog are respecting other people’s and other dogs’ boundaries. Some off-leash dog parks have a free-for-all kind of environment. Even so, it’s important to give other people and dogs some space, especially during entry and exit.

Make sure you and your dog are taking turns for entering and exiting the dog park and are not hovering around or blocking the entrances or exits. And, if there is a zone near the entrance where dogs are being unleashed for an off-leash dog park, make sure your dog is not running up on leashed dogs and getting in their space while their owners are trying to unleash them to let them roam freely.

9. Keep an Eye on Your Dog

Keep an eye on both your dog and your surroundings. This will keep your dog safe and the other dogs and owners around you. Make sure your dog is comfortable at all times and always within sight.

Although many dog parks are fenced in and secure, you should still make sure to watch over your dog. You’ll be amazed by what they can climb, dig through, or shimmy under when they feel uncomfortable, scared, or just bored.

10. Pick Up After Your Dog

It seems obvious, but not everyone does it. Keep plenty of waste bags with you and pick up after your dog. No one wants to smell it, step in it, or deal with it. Plus, you could risk a ban from the dog park for violating the community rules and guidelines by not picking up after your dog. Many dog parks have waste stations, but it’s always a good idea to have waste bags on hand as a backup in case the dog park you’re in doesn’t have a waste station or is out of bags at the moment.

11. Don’t Let Your Pup Be a Bully

Interactions between dogs can escalate quickly, especially if one dog is overwhelming another. If your dog is intimidating, harassing, or starting to be too rough with other dogs, end it quickly and definitively. Take your dog out of the situation temporarily or remove them from the park for the day, if necessary.

If it happens more than once, it is time to retrain your dog and work on socialization to make sure your dog is not trying to intimidate or bully other dogs. If your dog exhibits a behavioral trend of being a bully in the dog park, do not take them there until you’ve gone through training and socialization to stop the negative behavior.

Dog parks tend to demand a certain amount of decorum from owners and dogs who use them. Some dog parks are membership-only and require behavioral testing prior to granting membership. Make sure your dog is able to pass the test before letting them interact with other dogs.

12. Leave the Dog Park if Your Pup is Timid, Scared, or Being Intimidated

Dog parks can be great community resources and can offer good opportunities to continue to socialize your dog. They can also be a good step up when you’ve already done some work on helping a shy dog interact with other dogs and people.

For shy dogs, especially with the first couple of visits, try to time your visits to the dog park so you’re going during off-peak hours and avoiding the rush. This can help your dog get used to the dog park, slowly acclimate to other dogs and people, without getting overwhelmed.

However, regardless of whether your dog is shy or not, it’s important for them to be comfortable at the dog park. Sometimes, dogs, like people, don’t always get along, and all dogs can have off days or things that throw them off balance.

If your dog is nervous, uncomfortable, or just isn’t having a good time at the dog park, it is time to leave. At the first sign of anxiety, you should leash up and head home. They will appreciate being taken out of an awkward or uncomfortable situation, and you will be happy to avoid a possibly dangerous situation.

Good Dog Park Etiquette Keeps the Dog Park Safe and Fun For Your Dog

Visiting the dog park can be a great way to keep your dog from getting bored, let them run off some extra energy, and get some more opportunities to socialize with other dogs and people. Just make sure you follow the rules of the dog park, keep an eye on your dog, and follow these dog park etiquette tips to keep it a positive experience for all the dogs there, including yours.