New to owning an adorable little doggo? Lucky you! The fun and joy that you will bring into each other’s lives is a wonderful thing. However, if this is your first dog, you may find that you are a little inexperienced in the ways of ownership, and this is often shown when at the local dog park.
The dog park can be a tricky place to navigate with a new pup, but with a little advice you and your new pal can have an awesome time down there without too many dramas.
Here are four dog park etiquette tips for you and your pooch to follow.
- Clean up after your pup
Nobody wants to do it, but we have to do it. Regardless, this is a major requirement of most dog parks and, in most councils, failure to do so will result in a fine. You have to do your part to ensure each dog and its owner can enjoy the park without inadvertently picking up after your dog. All you have to do is take a couple of doggie doo bags with you on every walk in case they are out at the park. It’s always a good idea to take your own anyway as your dog might need to go on the way down to the park.
- Vaccinate your dog
There are three core vaccines dogs require in Australia to protect them and other dogs from illness. These are:
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
Additionally, you may want to check with your vet regarding what other vaccinations your dog should receive. If you are worried about the price of vaccinations, the right pet insurance quote can often cover the cost.
- Keep unspayed and unneutered dogs away from other pets
Female dogs in heat can be the catalyst of some unwanted dog park behaviour, and this is especially so if there are unneutered male dogs present. Typically, unneutered males should not be taken to the dog park, but you cannot be sure if other owners will follow this notion. If an unneutered male scents a female puppy, they could become aggressive and start a fight, or create a situation in which you will find a litter of puppies a few months down the track.
- Train your dog before heading to the park
Dogs absolutely love going to the dog park. They get to see their pals, make new friends and do what they love doing most: rolling around and frollicking in the sun. However, this can make some dogs a bit too pumped up, which can result in behaviour like aggression, rough play and resource guarding. Not only is this bad behaviour for your dog to learn early on, but it might actually reflect poorly on you as an owner. You don’t want other owners shunning you from the local dog park because your jack russell pup got a bit too rowdy the first time you ever went there!
You have to be aware of your dog’s behaviour and remove them from a situation in which they might get a little too aggressive. If your pup won’t control themselves at the park, the best thing to do is to put on the leash and take off for the day. Next time, see if they are ready to play nicely, otherwise you may have to look into further training to ensure a fun time is had by both you and your cheeky little friend.
Have an awesome time
These are four simple pets tips for ensuring that you and your new doggo will have a great time at the local park. Have fun, but be cautious, as new dogs are unsure of the ways of the canine world and can cause unexpected chaos.