Is there anything better than watching your dog zooming around the dog park with their canine best friends? It’s wonderful to see your puppy get along with other dogs, but don’t forget to put safety first! Make sure to consider these risks when you take your pup to social hour at the dog park.
- Getting injured by other dogs: Your puppy may be the friendliest creature alive, but that doesn’t mean all other dogs will love them. Any dogs, but especially small dogs, are at risk of getting injured if play escalates to fighting. Small dogs can also easily be injured by rambunctious large dogs who don’t actually intend to cause harm. If your pup gets injured or attacked while interacting with other dogs, this could lead to anxiety or fear of other dogs in the future.
- Contracting infectious disease: Not everyone keeps their pet up to date on vaccines and heartworm prevention, and not all infectious diseases are prevented by these important measures. Your pet could pick up an infectious disease like canine influenza or a parasite like Giardia or fleas while at the dog park. Keep up on your pet’s wellness care and bring your own water bowl to minimize this risk.
- Getting overheated: Your puppy’s play session may lead to overheating if it’s a particularly warm day, they have a thick coat, they’re brachycephalic (flat-faced) or they have an underlying health condition. Make sure to limit time at the dog park on really hot days and seek out shady areas. It’s also a great idea to bring your own water and water bowl.
- Escaping from the dog park: If someone leaves the gate open or your puppy is an acrobat, they may escape the dog park. This puts them at risk of getting lost or injured. Look for dog parks with a double gate entry. Keep your pet on a leash if they like to escape. And make sure your microchip information is up to date in case your puppy finds their way out.
- Ingesting toxic substances: Other people can create a risk for your puppy if they bring toxic substances, such as chocolate or marijuana, into the dog park. Make sure your pup isn’t getting into the dog park trash or picking up foreign objects in their mouth. If you see your pup consume something foreign at the dog park, it’s best to have them evaluated by a veterinarian to potentially induce vomiting and determine if any other precautionary steps are needed.
Dog parks offer great opportunities for socialization, but they may not be a good fit for all dogs. Speak with your VCA care team if you have questions about dog park safety.
