Are you planning to take your canine companion to a doggy park this summer? Fido loves to run and play with his friends. Just be sure to keep both safety and petiquette in mind. A London, ON vet discusses taking your pooch to the park in this article.

Preparation

Before taking Fido on a play date, make sure that he is microchipped and wearing ID tags. Your pup should also be up to date on his vaccinations and parasite control. This is very important! You don’t want your furry friend picking up heartworms or other dangerous parasites. Keep copies of your pet’s paperwork with you, either in your glove box or on your phone.

Training

Just like people, dogs all have their own personalities. If Fido is aggressive towards other pooches, a doggy park may not be the best place for him. You’ll also want to make sure that your canine pal obeys basic commands, like Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down.

Bring Water

Fido can get hot and thirsty pretty quickly when he is running and playing with his friends. Bring water along for your canine buddy. You may want to get collapsible bowls or a doggy water bottle with an attached bowl. Many dog parks have faucets or fountains, but we recommend bringing water anyway, just in case they aren’t working.

Choose Your Pup’s Playmates Carefully

Before letting your four-legged buddy off his leash, spend a few minutes just observing the dogs that are already in the park. If you see pups that are bullying other dogs, pooches that haven’t been fixed, and/or female dogs in heat, you may want to take Fido for a walk instead, and come back another day.

Don’t Start A Food Fight

Many dog parks offer picnic benches, so people can sit and relax while their pets play. It’s not uncommon for folks to bring lunches or snacks along. If you do this, bring a food that doesn’t smell strongly. If you eat a cheeseburger, you may find yourself surrounded by a pack of dogs that are very, very interested in your food. This also applies to treats. If you want to give your furry pal a snack, be discreet. Otherwise, you could start a bit of a ruckus!

Is Fido due for exams, vaccinations, or parasite control? Call us, your London, ON vet clinic, today!