Dog Park Etiquette

1. Pick up the poop. The “one more poop won’t matter” or even “it is on on the SIDE of the trail” is not an acceptable excuse. You likely did not forget the leash, attach bags to it.

2.One person’s interpretation of acceptable behavior in a dog is another’s perception of aggression. If your dog makes an noise that could be either a growl or a purr, do not say “Oh, he is only playing”. If the owner of the other dog is uncomfortable, put your dog on-leash and move away. I have seen dogs in a near frenzy, and its owner asks the other owner “Oh, is yours a puppy? male? shepherd mix? That is why my dog is growling, but it is no big deal.” It somehow makes the aggressiveness the responsibility of the other owner for actually have a puppy/male/shepherd mix.

3. Do not try to control other people’s dogs. Deal directly with the person responsible unless your dog is under imminent threat.

4. If you are at an off-leash park and another off-leash dog is not aggressive but makes you uncomfortable, just leave the park. If your dog is off-leash, the other dog can be as well.

5. Barking by itself may be annoying but is not necessarily threatening. If a dog is barking, move away. Don’t tell the owner to keep the dog quiet.

6. I once had a woman say that another dog that was digging at the park was “teaching” her dog to dig. It is unlikely that another dog’s bad -if unaggressive- behavior will teach your dog anything.

7. Your opinion about how someone could better train their dog is like many opinions, better kept to yourself unless solicited.

8. If you come upon a dog walker at the park, it is not cool to let your dog jump in and then proceed to talk on your cell while the walker referees your dog’s behavior. We are working and get paid to exercise our dogs, not yours.

9. Be aware also that although it may be a time for you to relax with your dog on a walk, walkers are working and may not be able to chat.