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WHAT HAPPENS AT THE DOG PARK, STAYS AT THE DOG PARK…
Lifesaving tips to prevent a ”RUFF” time!
By Katy Cable, The Weekly Runt
A 4 minute read
Can you guess one of thee most dangerous places you can take your dog? If you guessed the dog park, you are correct. I know firsthand. As a former organizer for several dog “meet-up” groups in So Cal, I typically attend many events every month. Plus in Long Beach, CA where I live, there are 14 off-leash dog parks, as well as the popular Rosie’s dog beach.
While it’s always fun to meet new friends and watch our fur babies play, disasters can and often do occur. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to visit a public dog park only to find there’s that ONE DOG with a delusional owner who ruins everyone’s time. I’m sure you’ve seen it. The owner is typically pre-occupied, glued to their social media or obliviously chatting on their cellphone. Meanwhile, their dog is stealing toys, humping any leg they can find, knocking over anything in their path and pooping with reckless abandon. Worst of all, their dog may be aggressive or ill and putting others in harm’s way. In order to best prepare yourself AND your dog, the following “Do’s and Don’ts” are a must-read before heading out with your furry friend
Dog Park Etiquette and Safety Tips:
Before You Go:
- Check first and avoid any dog beaches or parks that have closed recently due to unsanitary conditions. If it looks dangerous or unclean, go elsewhere. Be on the lookout for fallen tree branches, trash, and people failing to clean-up after their dogs. The beach can be littered with trash, debris and unhealthful water after severe storms, so I recommend checking with the health department and having a look around at the conditions before a visit.
- Before you actually enter the dog park, take a few minutes to observe how the dogs already there are behaving. If they are mostly milling around, fetching balls, or playfully chasing each other, it’s probably a safe environment for your dog. If play looks aggressive and it’s crowded with highly energetic dogs, try again another time.
- Don’t forget to bring your (fully-charged) cell phone. You will probably want to shoot some TikTok videos…
