Kira, a great dane, enjoys the sunset at Del Mar Dog Beach
San Diego is filled with dog friendly parks and beaches. From Balboa Park to Fiesta Island, our city has an incredible amount of outdoor recreation activities for you and your dog. But what do you need to know before taking Fido to the park?
First and foremost, make sure Fido is fully vaccinated. Puppies under the age of four months, who haven't received all of their vaccinations, should steer clear of dog friendly parks and beaches until they are fully protected. In addition, avoid the park if Fido is ill. Even if he isn't contagious, a sick dog is immune compromised and there are plenty of nasty contagions floating around dog parks and beaches that could make your pet ill.
Before you take your pooch to the park for the first time, make sure he is social enough to handle the dog park. Some dogs don't understand doggy communication all that well and can be a bit reactive when approached by a strange dog. Start by introducing your dog to a friend's dog. Make sure the dog you choose for the introduction is friendly and non aggressive. Allow the dog's to meet on leash at first. During the meeting, make sure neither leash is tense as this could tell Fido you're stressed about the encounter. Don't allow the dogs to circle as leashes could get tangled and, if the dog's got into a scuffle, separating them would be difficult. If the dogs do well, and there are no signs of aggression, off leash dog parks might be a good fit for you.
If you are planning a trip to an off leash park, make sure your dog has a reliable recall (i.e. comes when he's called). If you're dog doesn't listen around your neighborhood, expecting him to obey at an off leash park is out of the question. If he won't reliably come when called, take some time to work on your obedience skills before heading out to the park.
When heading out to the park, make sure you bring plenty of fresh water for both you and Fido, along with a collapsible bowl. Also, make sure you have plenty of waste bags, and make sure to use them! Always pick up after your pet to help keep our parks and beaches clean. In addition, resist the temptation to bring treats or favorite toys to the park. High value items can spark arguments between dogs so its best to leave them at home.
When entering the park or beach for the first time (assuming your dog has a reliable recall), if possible, remove your dog's leash before entering the park. If your dog is on leash, and quickly becomes surrounded by a group of dogs off leash, he or she can feel trapped and vulnerable. Even the friendliest of dogs can become aggressive if they feel tethered and trapped by the leash. If you are concerned your dog might not be ready for the off leash park and prefer to keep him leashed, avoid the dog parks altogether until you have worked to overcome your dog's issues. When at the park, always keep an eye on your dog. Ignoring your pet or leaving him alone in the park could result in injury or worse.
When appropriate precautions are taken, dog parks and beaches are a great way for dogs to socialize and get in some good exercise. Making sure to practice good dog park etiquette will ensure you and your dog have a fun and safe experience time and time again.
For more information on dog park etiquette or for help getting your non social pooch ready to mix and mingle with other dogs, contact the trainers of The Collared Scholar at 619-916-8710.
Comments