Dog Parks

Many dog owners (and even more dogs) love to visit dog parks for fun, exercise and socialization.  Having experienced dog parks for the first time over the past year I have learned some tips and tricks to share with you.

Be a responsible owner

This isnt a time for you to go sit in the shade and zone out.  You need to watch your dog.  Make sure everyone is playing nice and discipline your dog if necessary.

Pick up waste.  Dog parks can get really gross with all the traffic if waste is just left on the ground and nobody wants it on the bottom of our shoes.  Speaking of shoes, wear them, not sandals, just in case.

At the same time, dont hover. Chance are, your dog is way more excited than you to be at a dog park and probably faster than you.  Hopefully your dog has basic obedience skills but realize that they wont always be on their best behavior with all the excitement happening at the park.  Let dogs sniff each other.  It is ok to let your dog interact naturally with other dogs even though it's not how we would act.

Socialize.  There are not just dogs at dog parks.  Meet other owners, especially if your dogs like to play together.  Check out this parody video about some of the people you meet at dog parks.  Just don't turn into any of them.

The 6 People You See at Every Dog Park -- powered by Cracked.com