Taking your dog to the park is meant to be a fun, social experience, but in some unfortunate cases, these outings can end in disaster. You might have heard about dog fights or uncooperative pet parents absolutely ruining what is meant to be a rewarding and interactive day out.
So how do you protect yourself and your fur friend from a negative encounter at the dog park? You don’t have to look any further than these six red flags.
1. Stressed Dogs
Dog fights are unpleasant and can lead to devastating injuries. It’s something that no pet owner wants to experience. Dog parks are busy places, so spotting unwanted or bad behaviors is the first step in protecting yourself and your canine companion. Always assess the general behavior of the dogs at the park.
If you notice a pooch with raised hair, ears pinned, and avoidant behavior, it could be a sign of stress and agitation. Stressed dogs are reactive dogs, acting more on fear than rationale. Pet parents who don’t understand the symptoms of stress in their pets might force their dogs to engage, making the situation much worse. In this instance, it is better to remove your pet and return on a day when animals are more social and relaxed.
For dog owners looking to boost their pets’ confidence: avoid dog parks until your dog is comfortable around other animals. During training, take them to other places with less activity, such as a neighborhood park or a friend’s house.
2. Mounting
An overexcited dog that is mounting or jumping on others will create agitation. Mounting or placing their head on the shoulder of another dog with stiff body language can be a sign of dominance. It could indicate that your pooch doesn’t have any social skills and doesn’t know how to respectfully play with other pets. If your dog is too exuberant, always step in and get them to relax. Dogs can be excited and energetic, but when they don’t respect other people and animals, it can lead to fights. Remember that red flags are not only attributed to other animals but could be triggered by your dog’s behavior, too. Ensuring that your dog doesn’t mount or attempt to dominate other dogs is key to staying safe at a park.
3. Guarding Behaviors
Many pet parents are unaware of their dog’s guarding behaviors, and you’ll see it at the park. Some dogs will stand around water bowls, remain close to their owners, or hold on to toys. They don’t do this because they’re bored, but because they’re in guard mode. Resource guarding is when a dog protects something it fears will be taken away. They won’t play with other animals, and this is a clear indication that you and your pet should keep your distance or leave the park.
Guarding behavior that is not corrected will lead to aggression or a fight, even if another dog curiously approaches. Knowing when it’s safe to approach a dog can prevent problems. Some of the signs to look for in resource guarding include a stiff tail and body, flat ears, and a fixation on the object or person they’re targeting.
4. Insecure Fencing
Providing your dog with a safe and secure enclosure is of the utmost importance when they’re in a very active environment. If you go to the dog park and notice that the fencing is toppling or compromised in certain areas, it’s best to leave and report it. The last thing you want to deal with is chasing your dog around the field or risking them running into a busy road.
Always check the fencing at the park to ensure that it is secure enough to keep pets inside. This includes a look at the entry and exit points. Does the entry have a slot or mechanism to lock it, and are there any holes in the fencing that pets could escape through? You’ll want to take your fur friend to an enclosed park, not a large open area with very little maintenance or containment.
5. Size Discrepancies Between Dogs
When you visit the park and notice a group of large dogs running, jumping, and playing wildly, this could be a problem for little breeds. If you have a small dog, it’s best to think twice before joining a group of larger pets. Small dogs are prone to injuries in an active group of bigger animals.
Dog breeds such as Yorkies, Jack Russell Terriers, and Mini Poodles should be protected from the weight and force of large dogs. Smaller breeds can get trampled or run over, leading to strains, sprains, and possible fractures. The active nature of this environment also makes it hard to stop dogs from running and roughing it out with one another. By the time you try to intervene to prevent an injury, it could be too late.
Only visit dog parks with separate, designated sections for large and small dogs. That way, you can ensure that your pooch plays with a dog equal in size.
6. Inattentive Pet Owners
Dog parks are for socializing your pets and enjoying your time out, but also for observation. Even though these parks are meant for playtime off-lead, it doesn’t mean that owners should simply allow their dogs to take over. Some people release their dogs only to stare at their phones rather than monitor and manage their pets where necessary. In addition to inattention, you have over-controlling pet parents. Dogs that appear anxious and stressed might be reprimanded or forced to interact with people and animals. This increases stress and anxiety in dogs, heightening the risk of aggressive behavior.
How to Stay Safe at a Dog Park
Use your judgment when visiting dog parks. Listen to your gut if the environment feels hectic or unsafe. Determine whether there are any reported incidents or complaints and understand good dog etiquette. If you aren’t comfortable with the idea of your little dog romping with the big breeds, some parks have separate areas and entrances for small and large dogs.
The next step is to ensure that the park is maintained, and the fencing is not damaged to prevent pets from escaping. When it comes to spotting red flags at dog parks, always keep an eye on the behavior of the dogs and their handlers. Understand how to introduce your pooch to other animals and pay close attention to behavior. Most importantly, relax and have fun because your dog will pick up on your energy.
