Dog park safety tips
Playing with friends, exploring new sights and sounds, and running to their hearts content—it’s no wonder our dogs love the dog park! Dogs crave the social interaction, mental stimulation and physical exertion the dog park has to offer.
However, when so much exuberant canine chaos is corralled into a limited space, some problems may end up infringing on the fun. Here’s what you can do to keep your pup’s visits to the dog park healthy and safe.
• Check in with your veterinarian. Make sure your dog can handle the rollicking fun. For example, puppies are not only at risk for infection, they may also find this form of socialization overwhelming. Meanwhile, elderly, arthritic dogs may not appreciate being barreled into by their younger, rowdier counterparts.
• Keep vaccines up-to-date. Protect against common diseases like distemper and Bordetella (kennel cough), which spread easily from dog to dog, and leptospirosis, which may be found in the park’s water features like ponds or creeks.
• Use routine parasite preventives. Stop fleas, ticks and intestinal worms from following your dog home from the park.
• Avoid rush hour. Your dog only needs a handful of friends to have fun. A crowded park is more likely to lead to injury.
• Limit treats and toys. This can avoid conflict with the other park patrons who may love to snatch these from your dog.
• Bring plenty of water. A bottle and a collapsible water bowl can keep your dog hydrated through their playful exertions.
• Mind your dog’s manners. In all the excitement, your dog may forget themselves and become a nuisance to their friends with pushy play or undesirable behaviors. Be prepared to leash your dog and redirect their attention to a new activity.
• Always supervise. Catch a problematic situation before it escalates.
Prepare for your dog park outing by purchasing parasite preventives at Shop myVCA.
