Henry, a 1-year-old West Highland White Terrier, cools off at Capehart Dog Park in San Diego.
Credit: Stephanie Grasmick | ©Stephanie Grasmick
As a responsible pet parent, you likely know the official rules of your local off-leash dog park: Be current on vaccinations, fill any holes your dog digs and pick up any "presents" he leaves behind. However, there is also unwritten dog park etiquette that helps ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for human and canine alike. So sit, stay and read on for the five things you should never bring to the dog park:
Food: This applies to both the human and canine variety. Whether it's Fido's favorite treat or a quick lunch for you, bringing food into the dog park is one of the best ways to go from zero to anarchy in a matter of seconds. And don't think you can hide those morsels in your pocket--with a sense of smell that is 100,000 times greater than that of a human, they'll find it every time. After all, they don't have bomb-sniffing humans, do they? (http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=12)
Your own toys: Of course, bringing your dog's personal toys to the dog park is fine--as long as neither of you wants to see them again. The beauty of the dog park is the communal atmosphere, so expect to see plenty of sharing, but don't expect to see Rover politely return Fluffy's ball when it's time for her to go home.
Small kids: A dog park may seem like an ideal place to let your two-legged charges run loose as well, but even the friendliest medium- to large-sized dog can knock a toddler to the ground with so much as an enthusiastic greeting, causing inevitable conflict between parent and pet owner. Kid parks outnumber dog parks by at least 100 to 1, so for everyone's safety and peace of mind, keep at least one hand on your tots when they're in canine territory.
Food: This applies to both the human and canine variety. Whether it's Fido's favorite treat or a quick lunch for you, bringing food into the dog park is one of the best ways to go from zero to anarchy in a matter of seconds. And don't think you can hide those morsels in your pocket--with a sense of smell that is 100,000 times greater than that of a human, they'll find it every time. After all, they don't have bomb-sniffing humans, do they? (http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=12)
Your own toys: Of course, bringing your dog's personal toys to the dog park is fine--as long as neither of you wants to see them again. The beauty of the dog park is the communal atmosphere, so expect to see plenty of sharing, but don't expect to see Rover politely return Fluffy's ball when it's time for her to go home.
Small kids: A dog park may seem like an ideal place to let your two-legged charges run loose as well, but even the friendliest medium- to large-sized dog can knock a toddler to the ground with so much as an enthusiastic greeting, causing inevitable conflict between parent and pet owner. Kid parks outnumber dog parks by at least 100 to 1, so for everyone's safety and peace of mind, keep at least one hand on your tots when they're in canine territory.
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