Whether you and your dog are new to dog parks or have visited dozens of them, it is important to know and follow basic dog park etiquette. These rules make dog parks fun and enjoyable for all who visit.
- Never leave your dog unattended. If you need to run to the car, go to the bathroom, etc. bring your dog with you. Don’t make other dog park guests responsible for your pet.
- Always clean up after your dog. Most dog parks offer poop bags and trash bins, but it’s always a good idea to bring a few backups.
- Have a valid license and current shots. You should only ever bring healthy, licensed and vaccinated dogs to any dog park.
- All dogs must be at least four months old. Everyone loves puppies, but if they are less that four months old they haven’t had then necessary shots that allow them to play safely with other animals.
- Limit the number of dogs you bring to the park. Bringing more dogs than you can handle is never a good idea. One or two is usually plenty for one person to maintain. (Some parks may only allow one dog per person.)
- Respect the on-leash and off-leash boundaries. This is respectful to other dog park visitors, but it is also safer for the dogs. Some leashed dogs can feel threatened by unleashed dogs, so be sure to pay attention to the designated off-leash areas.
- Close the door and gate… every time! Whenever you enter or exit a dog park, or fenced areas within them, be sure to close the door behind you. You certainly don’t want your dog to escape or be responsible for letting someone else’s get out.
- Don’t ignore any aggression. If your dog becomes unruly or starts to play too rough, leash the dog and leave immediately. If you notice another dog getting aggressive, notify the owner immediately.
- Supervise your children too. Some dogs at the park may not be used to mingling with children, so if you must bring them to a dog park supervise them closely around other dogs. Some dog parks have minimum age requirements to enter.
- Do not smoke or eat at the dog park. Dog parks do a great job of keeping their grounds clean, so don’t litter it with food wrappers and cigarette butts. Food is certainly tempting and sometimes dangerous to dogs, so it’s best to keep food out of the park completely.
- Observe the specific rules posted at the dog park. Each dog park has its own set of regulations and requirements, so be sure to review them when you get there or visit their website before your visit.
More Dog Park Etiquette Resources
While we’ve included some basic rules and guidelines above, here are some additional Dog Park Etiquette resources from other websites.
Brush Up on Your Dog Park Etiquette
This article is by Cynthia Kopkowski for the Washington Post.
Dog Park Etiquette
This article is by Sophia Yin for the Huffington Post.
Dog Parks and Basic Bark Park Etiquette
This article is by Krista Mifflin for About.com.
Dog Park Do’s & Don’ts
This article from APDT.com is a great list of important Do’s and Don’ts when visiting any dog park.
Dog Park Body Language
This is another great resource from the APDT.com that lists different types of dog behavior and what it means. This information will help keep you know when your dog is playing too rough and keep your dog safe from other dogs.
Dog Park Tips
ADPT.com also offers another list of Dog Park Tips that will help you prepare for trips to the dog park. This list talks about why you shouldn’t bring your cellphone to the park and reminds you to call your dog back to you periodically.
Animal Planet’s Dog Park Etiquette Quiz
If you’re totally new to dog parks, here is an interactive quiz to test your new knowledge!
