Dog parks are great because they allow pets to exercise and socialize, but if you and your dog are new to this environment, it is important that you prepare. Proper etiquette and safety are a must, and the following tips will help you prepare your dog for the park:

Learn About Your Dog And Understand The Way They Communicate Through Body Language

Dogs can signal when they are happy, sad, fearful or angry, so you need to know your dog to detect these signs. You need to have a general understanding of the types of dogs your dog gets along with and the types of dogs that cause your dog to feel stressed. You may like the idea of a dog park, but your dog may not feel the same and not all dogs like socializing with other pets, so you need to be aware of your situation specifically. Your dog needs to be friendly and must like to socialize with other dogs while at the park.

Make Sure Your Dog Has An ID Tag

Every dog must wear a city license on his or her collar because city employees often check parks and will look out for this item. All dogs need to have a valid city license and an ID tag as per city regulations, and this will also allow people to identify your dog so that it can be returned to you if they get lost.

Make Sure Your Dog Has All Of Their Vaccinations

It is especially important for new puppies to have finished their full course of puppy vaccinations; otherwise, they should not visit a dog park. All other dogs must be up-to-date on all of their vaccinations, and if your dog is sick or very young, it is best to ask your vet about dog parks before attending one to confirm that they are ready.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Trained

You need to have control over your dog’s behaviour, and your dog must be able to follow basic commands like sit, stay, come and down. This is very important when your dog is off-leash, and you need to be confident that you can control the situation because this will allow you to call your dog and will prevent both dangerous and stressful situations.

Learn About Appropriate And Inappropriate Play Styles

This is a must so that you can stop inappropriate situations. Pinning, antagonizing other dogs, and excessive neck biting is examples of improper play styles that can lead to a fight, so you need to put a stop to it.

Suburban Dog Inc offers dog walking services, and our dog sitters go on group walks, so your dog will learn to socialize with other pets. Whether you are looking for a dog daycare or a dog park near me, we can help, so if you are in the Mississauga area and are interested in our rates, give us a call today!