Does your dog get super excited when he hears the word ‘park?’ Dog parks are very popular with our canine companions. The park may even be Fido’s favorite spot! Your pup will both enjoy and benefit from being able to interact and play with other pooches. However, you will need to take some precautions to keep your pet safe. A local vet offers some tips on this below.

Training

Make sure Fido obeys simple commands, like Sit, Stay, Come, and Heel. This is important for safety and petiquette.

Identification

Your canine buddy should also be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. You can never be too careful!

Preventative Care

We can’t overstate how important it is to keep up with your pup’s parasite control and vaccinations. Dog parks can be hot spots for heartworms, which are carried from dog to dog via mosquitos. Fido could also pick up fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Ask your vet for more information.

Water

Many dog parks have faucets or spigots. Some even have pet fountains for their furry guests to play in, which is of course adorable to watch. However, you should always bring water along for Fido. That way, if there is no water available, your canine buddy will still get the hydration he needs. Our tip? Get into the habit of keeping a gallon or two in your car.

Discretion

Our canine companions can get quite jealous and competitive with each other. You may want to try working on Fido’s training at the park or toss a ball or Frisbee for him. This is fine, but be careful. If your pet’s buddies notice those dog biscuits you brought, you may find yourself at the center of a doggy ruckus!

Playmates

Socializing is very important for Man’s Best Friend, both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that every pooch at the park will be gentle and well-behaved. Keep an eye out for aggressive pups, and/or female dogs in heat. That situation can create a lot of tension and bickering, especially among dogs that haven’t been fixed.

Time It Right

We’re moving into autumn now, and the hottest part of the year is behind us. However, you’ll still need to pay attention to temperatures. When it’s hot out, don’t bring Fido to the park in the middle of the day. Go in the mornings or evenings, when it’s cooler. Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local animal clinic, we are here to help!