Dog Park Etiquette: Appropriate Behaviour for Dogs and People

The dog park can be a fun place for dogs to interact with each other and explore some of their natural instincts, but it's also a place where accidents and unpleasant experiences have the potential taint yours or your dog's view of this activity. Proper dog park etiquette is key to making the park a safe place for everyone.

Dog parks are an excellent environment to let your dog get additional exercise, socialize, and explore. The best dog parks are the ones with a respectful community of pets and people.

Taking your dog to the dog park for the first time? These tips and general considerations will help you make the experience safer and more fun for everyone.

Finding the Right Dog Park for You

We'll get into both the well-known and the lesser-known rules of the dog park, but first, consider the type of dog park that would best suit you and your dog.

Most people have a favourite local dog park, but every park has a different layout and amenities, and it's own unique culture. Make sure you are going to a park that best suits yours and your dog's needs.

Finding the right dog park sometimes takes some shopping around. Check out a few parks to make sure that it has the space, security, and amenities that will enhance both yours and your dog's off-leash experience.

Things like water fountains and bathrooms are a plus for you and will allow you to enjoy longer trips to the dog park.

Or you may prefer a more diverse terrain, offering walking trails, lakes, and open fields so that your dog can participate in a variety of experiences.

For dogs that are new to the dog park and those still practicing their off-leash skills, you might consider a fenced dog park. This allows you to practice your dog's off-leash skills without the risk of him getting lost or running into traffic.

Check out a few parks to help you find the one that will be safest, and the most fun for your and your dog.

Dog Park Etiquette Basics

When we talk about dog parks, we often think of off-leash dog parks. The rules we'll dive into are mostly specific to these types of parks, but even parks and walking trails that allow dogs on a leash still require certain etiquette to keep it a safe and welcoming place for all who use it.

Being a good dog park patron requires a little bit of common sense and a lot of courtesy. To help you show respect to your dog park and other dog owners who share the privilege of having these safe play areas for dogs and people, we broke down dog park etiquette into two categories:

• • Dog park etiquette for doggy behaviour
  • Dog park etiquette for people behaviour

Dog Park Etiquette for Doggy Behaviour

Some of these rules may seem obvious; some are even posted at the park, so you don't forget. Here are 10 rules that you and your dog should follow when you go to the dog park:

1. Pick up after your dog (and yourself)

This is the most obvious rule, but sometimes it gets forgotten. Don't forget your poop bags (bring more than one, just in case), but if you do, many dog parks offer complimentary poop bags.

Many cities in Canada have by-laws prohibiting leaving your pet's poop behind for someone else to pick up or step on (yuck!), or worse, for a dog to roll in or eat (double yuck!). If you get caught, you could be stuck with a hefty fine. How much are you willing to pay to get out of picking up after your dog?

Pro Tip:

If you do forget your poop bags or run out, don't be afraid to ask a fellow pet owner for a spare. Most dog owners bring extras and will gladly donate a bag if it means you can clean up your dog's poop. Just pay it forward buy bringing extra next time, just in case someone else needs a helping hand.

Make sure you pick up after yourself, too. If you bring a coffee, make sure that the coffee cup ends up in the proper bin or bring it back home with you to dispose of it. Wrappers and debris from human snacks can be irresistible to a curious pup and could be very dangerous if ingested. 

2. Bring a Leash

Even if you're at an off-leash dog park, you should carry a leash with you. This will come in handy if your dog is unwilling to leave, or if he needs to be removed from a stressful situation.

Remember that dog parks may be off-leash, but the parking lot and trails may not be. Observe areas with leash requirements for the safety of your dog and others.

3. Vaccinated Dogs Only

Many dog parks state a requirement for pets to be appropriately vaccinated to prevent the spread of transmissible diseases. Some vaccinations, like rabies, may even be required by law. This will keep your dog and other dogs safe, and protect your pup if he meets some wildlife friends or finds some roadkill that looks tasty. 

It's also recommended not to take a sick dog to the dog park. If your dog is feeling under the weather, it's safer for him and other dogs to stay home and allow your dog to recover.

4. Collar and ID, Please

Speaking of vaccinations, your dog should be wearing a collar with up-to-date rabies tags, city licenses, and personal ID.

The collar allows you to wrangle up your pet in an emergency, and his ID tags will be essential should he get lost or run into a city bylaw officer.

5. Practice Good Recall

Dogs at off-leash parks need to have good recall skills. You may need to call your dog back to you from a distance, so make sure he knows your vocal commands.

6. Dogs in Heat

Dogs giving off strong pheromones, like females in heat or un-neutered males, might not be right for the dog park. This can lead to fights or other less PG-13 activities. If you do bring pets with heightened hormones, make sure you keep a close eye on them to keep them safe.

7. The Dogs per Person Rule

Never go to the dog park with more dogs than you can handle alone. A good rule of thumb is to stick to one or two dogs per person. This allows you to keep a closer eye on your dog(s) and ensure that you can control them if they need to be recalled and leash.

Additionally, showing up with a small gang of dogs can be very intimidating to other dogs at the park. Even friendly dogs can provoke or frighten other dogs if they approach them incorrectly, and it's even riskier when a group of dogs approach together.

8. Don't Give Food to Strangers

You may bring along a few tasty dog treats for your dog to encourage good recall or reward for good behaviour, but remember that other dogs will figure this out pretty quickly.

A pocket full of dog treats can make you the most popular person at the dog park, which may sound fun, but resist feeding someone else's dog without asking. You never know what kind of allergies or health problems a dog might have, or worse, it could bring out food aggression. Always, always ask first!

Think of it this way: If you brought your human child to the playground, would you want a stranger offering them unknown food? Probably not, right? Best of intentions or not, it's rude and potentially dangerous.

Pro Tip:

Store your dog treats in a secure bag or treat pouch rather than loose in your pocket. This can help minimize the yummy scent and may attract less attention from other dogs at the park.

9. Sharing is Caring (When it Comes to Toys)

If you choose to bring a toy to the dog park, be prepared to share. In fact, be prepared to lose it entirely. Popular dog park toys, like tennis balls and frisbees, are a great activity, but your dog won't be the only one to chase down that toy.

Make sure your dog is comfortable sharing his toys, and avoid bringing anything that can't be easily replaced. Toys at the dog park get easily damaged, lost, or stolen by other playful pups. This means don't bring your dog's favourites.

10. Pre-Workout

This one may seem a bit odd, but it's highly recommended. Yes, the dog park is a great place to blow off steam and stimulate your dog, but overstimulated dogs can easily get aggressive or erratic.

If your dog has been cooped up all day while you were at work, then it's best to take a short walk, play in the yard, or do some training before you head to the park. This may prevent your dog from being a complete lunatic when the leash comes off.

People Etiquette at the Dog Park

Making sure your dog is well-behaved is important, but the rules apply to you, too! Fostering a safe and courteous dog park environment requires you to practice good dog park etiquette. Here are some mostly obvious dog park rules for people:

1. Follow the Rules

Every dog park and every city will have at least a few posted rules to help keep everyone safe and to warn you of any bylaws that apply.

These rules are there and enforced for everyone's safety, so it's important to respect them and other patrons of the dog park. If you find the rules too strict, like no toys or no treats, then this might not be the right dog park for your dog.

2. Pay Attention

The dog park is not a free dog daycare and is not designed for dogs to run wild and unsupervised. Get off your phone (your Instafam can wait!) and pay attention to your pet.

You are responsible for your dog's safety and behaviour, so keep them in sight at all times, and be prepared to recall them if they get too far from you, or start an unpleasant interaction with another dog or some wildlife.

3. Know Your Dog

This rule ties in with paying attention. Being able to recognize your dog's body language and behaviour will allow you to prevent dangerous situations and unwanted interactions. Familiarize yourself with common dog body language and make sure you understand your dog's comfort level.

An anxious dog may thrive in smaller groups or with a dog of his own size. Putting him in a situation that causes him anxiety may trigger his fight-or-flight responses.

4. No Kids Allowed

This is not a hard rule or a bylaw, but more of a suggestion. The dog park is a place for dogs to run and play with other dogs. Young children and loose dogs can quickly lead to disaster, so it's best not to bring young kids to the dog park unless they know how to behave around free-running animals.

Children don't recognize dog body language and often don't respect boundaries. When you are in an area with strange dogs, your child could easily get bitten, knocked down, or just frightened.

5. Ask to Pet

One of the best parts about going to the dog park is that you get to interact with other dogs, too, but wait! Just because you are a dog lover, doesn't mean that the dogs at the park are people lovers.

Even if a dog runs up to you, it's always safest to ask the owner if you can pet their dog. Getting handsy with a strange dog could lead to a bite or just frighten the inexperienced pooch.

That's a good rule to follow anywhere, by the way. Whether you are on a walk, at the park, in your vet's office, or at your local pet store - Ask before petting!

6. The Benefit of the Doubt

Not everyone knows the unspoken dog park etiquette that we've laid out in this article, so try not to jump to conclusions if you notice a person or their pet bending or breaking a rule.

It's easy to get frustrated when someone's actions, or lack of action, negatively affect your dog park experience but try to work it out like an adult.

Let's say you see someone leaving behind their dog's poop. Politely offer them a spare poop bag. They might have forgotten their poop bags at home and will be grateful that you were there to save the day. Confrontational interactions, arguments, and disrespect can lead to rising tension for everyone in the area and could even trigger some canine responses to this tense situation.

General Dog Park Safety

Now that you know how you and your dog should behave at the dog park, here are a few safety tips for first-time dog park goers:

1. Collars Only

Your dog may have some super cool gear, like the best dog harness or a stylish backpack, but just a collar is the recommended gear for the dog park.

All that extra gear could get damaged, or worse, your dog or another dog could get injured during a casual puppy wrestling match. It also gives other dogs something to grab onto when wrasslin' and could make your dog feel trapped or picked on. Take off any extra gear before you enter the dog park and leave just your dog's collar.

There is one exception to this rule, which is life jackets. If your dog park borders a body of water and your dog likes to swim, then a dog life jacket is recommended to keep them safe. 

2. Get the Lay of the Land

If this is your first time at a dog park, it's a good idea to get to know the area before you bring your dog. Pull up a map or do a quick walk of the perimeter of the park so that you can note any entrances/exits, bodies of water, and areas with dense trees that your dog could get lost in.

Some dog parks are adjacent to busy roads, private property, and areas that require your dog to be on a leash. If you know where they can't go, then you can recall them or guide them towards safer spots.

3. Respect the Gate

Many dog parks, both fenced and not, have a gate or physical boundary at the entrance. This area should be treated with respect. If an actual gate is present, make sure you close the gate behind you to prevent curious dogs from wandering out of the park.

Even if it's just an open boundary, it's best not to crowd the area. Clogging up this junction can lead to unwanted interactions with leashed pets or dogs that prefer to have more personal space.

4. First Aid

Accidents happen, and minor scrapes, bumps, or bug bites are bound to happen, too. Be prepared by bringing along a pet first aid kit. Leave it in the car or carry it in a backpack. It's one of those things that you'd rather have on hand just in case.

You might also want to bring along some clean-up gear. Your dog will get messy. Whether it's drool or mud, or something worse, having some Earthbath pet wipes, a Dirty Dog Shammy Towel, or a Baxter & Bella slicker brush can help to reduce the amount of dirt and debris that ends up in the car or follows you home.

Practice Common Sense

This might seem like a lot of rules, but dog park etiquette is based on plain old common sense. You probably follow these rules already, without even thinking, because you have common courtesy for those around you. 

If you've never taken your dog to the park before, make sure you familiarize yourself with these rules. Start small by picking days and times with less foot traffic to allow your dog to adjust to this new environment and community.

Just remember that the dog park is supposed to be a fun, respectful, and safe space for all dogs and people, not just you and your dog. Be a good dog parent and practice good dog park etiquette!

Dog Park Frequently Asked Questions 

What is dog park etiquette?

Dog park etiquette refers to the set of unwritten rules and guidelines that dog owners should follow when visiting a dog park to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for for everyone- both dogs and humans. 

Are there any specific rules I should be aware of at a dog park?

While rules may vary by location, common rules include keeping your dog on a leash until you enter the designated off-leash area, cleaning up after your dog, supervising your dog's behaviour, and preventing aggressive or overly dominant behaviour

Is it important to keep an eye on my dog at all times?

Yes, it's crucial to supervise your dog closely while at the dog park. This helps prevent conflicts and keeps your dog safe. Just like with rambunctious kids, dogs can easily slip out of sight or get into a potentially unsafe situation when they aren't being monitored.

Should I bring toys or treats to the dog park?

Bringing toys and treats can be a great way to reward good behaviour at the park, but it can also come with some risk. You'll need to consider if your dog is good at sharing, and be prepared to lose or damage the toys.

How can I help prevent conflicts between dogs at the park?

You can help prevent conflicts by understanding your dog's body language, recognizing signs of stress or aggression, and intervening early if a problem should occur. 

Should I clean up after my dog at the park?

Yes, cleaning up after your dog is a part of dog park etiquette. Always carry poop bags and promptly pick up and dispose of your dog's waste in designated bins.