Spring is in less than two months and I’m sure you and your dog are eager to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Many cities and towns in Connecticut have dog parks where owners bring their pups to frolic and socialize with other dogs. If you are considering bringing your dog to a dog park for the first time, there are some considerations to take into account before doing so. Training, health, and safety should be a top priority when visiting the dog park for the first time.
Check out our dog park safety tips.
Make sure your dog is ready to go to the dog park.
It is always important to make sure your dog is mentally and physically ready to be exposed to several other dogs. If you have a reactive dog, dog parks are never a good idea. Other non-reactive dogs may want to interact with your dog which can lead to problems such as fighting and biting. You should also refrain from bringing young puppies or inexperienced dogs to dog parks as they may find the strangers, noise, and other dogs to be too much.
Only bring your dog to the dog park if they have had their vaccinations.
Any place where dogs are together can run the threat of disease spreading. Most city and town dog parks require dogs to have their vaccinations up to date. The vaccines may include Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Lepto, and Bordetella. Some dog parks also require the dogs that play there to get a negative fecal test to make sure they will not transmit parasites to other dogs. Having the correct vaccination series for puppies is especially important as they are more susceptible to catching viruses and diseases.
Your dog should participate in basic training before heading to the dog park.
Though romping and running through the dog park might be natural to your dog, they should still know the basic commands like come, sit, and stay in case of emergency. A dog that is having a ton of fun running around with its friends may not want to come back to its owner. It may also be impossible to get a leash back on a dog that is loose in the dog park. The Perfect Pup offers several different options for dog training. We have dog and puppy classes. If our dog park safety tips weren’t enough to convince you to check out your local dog park, check out our puppy and dog day camps.