Expert Tips to Get the Most Out of the Dog Park

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Ensure leash-reactive dogs are safe off-leash with training. Discourage barking, pulling, and lunging. Encourage calm, non-reactive behavior when encountering other dogs.

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See how your dog behaves on leash

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Introduce your dog to other dogs on leash first

Supervise introductions on leash, intervene if needed. Show control, encourage reliance on you at dog park. Avoid leaving decisions to the dog, ensure safety from reactive/aggressive dogs.

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Practice letting your dog off leash at home first

Teach sit/stays before off-leash freedom. Dog should be calm, stay until given permission. Mastered? Ready for outdoor adventures!

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Take your dog to a fenced-in area that isn’t necessarily a dog park

Ease into off-leash training at a fenced area like a playground or tennis court. Ensure dog has relieved themselves before starting.

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Make sure your dog is 100% reliable before advancing to unfenced parks.

Build basic commands at home before off-leash recall. Start with simpler tasks, progress to complex. Aim for 100% reliability for safety in unfenced parks.

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Stay off your phone and pay attention

Supervise dogs at the park for good manners and safety. Prevent bullying and fights by intervening when necessary, like watching over kids at a playground.

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Practice commands.

Regularly practice commands to avoid confusion. Recall and "leave it" vital for avoiding wildlife encounters. Keep your dog safe from potentially harmful animals.

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Make sure your dog isn’t resource guarding

Beware of toy and treat aggression. Ensure fair play and sharing. Teach "leave it" or "off" commands to prevent conflicts.

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Give rewards and praise before you leash up and leave

Reward dogs when they come, avoiding the perception of punishment. Delay leaving after recall to reinforce positive association with obeying commands.

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Manage your dog’s water intake

Ensure hydration for dogs, but monitor intake to prevent overdrinking. Beware of competition and hovering behavior around water bowls.

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Make sure your dog has other opportunities to exercise.

Ensure hydration for dogs, but monitor intake to prevent overdrinking. Beware of competition and hovering behavior around water bowls.

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