Below is a guest post from Stephanie of Associated Content. The original appears on the AC site, and when I read it, I knew I had to post it. These are all so true! Especially the kids part. I hate when people bring non-fur babies to the dog run.
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.
A leash: Though a must in most situations, a leash should never enter the dog park attached to a dog. Rather than keeping your pooch safe, being tethered to a leash can make your furry friend a sitting duck, unable to get away from dominant or aggressive dogs. Last year in San Diego, a Chihuahua/Yorkie mix was killed at Dusty Rhodes Dog Park when its leash kept it from evading an aggressive Husky. While the leash was obviously not to blame for the incident, it left the small dog open to attack.
An attitude: Your love for Lassie may be unconditional, but that doesn't mean she can do no wrong. Always keep an eye on your pup and be ready to intervene if playtime gets out of hand.
By following the rules--both written and implied--the dog park can be a great place for everyone who is lucky enough to be owned by a dog. Let the butt-sniffing begin!
Sources:
http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=12
http://www.metro-dog.com
http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/dogpark.html
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