Minding Your Manners In A Park For Dogs

When you're visiting a park for dogs, it's always important that you mind your manners and your dog's manners too, at all times. Remember that dog parks are also used for recreation by people who don't bring animals. To some of these people your dog's presence could be seen as a nuisance if they don't behave themselves. If you or your dog are inconsiderate people may complain and you could be asked to leave the park.

While you are playing in a park for dogs, always make sure to obey all of the rules posted in the area. If off-leash play is permitted only during certain hours, keep your dog leashed according to the posted times. Hour restrictions are usually for the safety of others during crowded periods during the day. If the park has written rules about which areas dogs may be off-leash, and which areas that leashes are required, always be ready to leash your dog again according to the rules.

You should always clean up after your dog. Failure to clean up after your dog is among the highest reasons that a dog park changes signs to read no pets allowed. The pollution of dog waste makes an area dangerous to play in and contaminates ground water sources once it decays. If dog waste is left behind people will step in it and children may fall in it while playing. The last thing you want is a kid's skinned knee landing in a mess that your dog left behind. Cleaning up after your dog isn't just polite; it's a matter of safety for people and other dogs.

Everyone's dog has a favorite toy but these toys should not be brought to the dog park. If you do bring a toy to the park every other dog there may end up wanting that toy as well. While your intentions are good, this can cause chaos. You don't know how other dogs will react and toys can cause serious and potentially dangerous fights to break out in the park.

Everyone knows to clean up after your dog, but few people realize that part of minding your manners is to keep your dog clean and dry as well. Be prepared with a couple of towels to wipe your dog down. If your dog goes for a swim make sure you dry it off before it shakes water all over an innocent bystander. If your dog is soaked in mud, wipe her feet before you return to the paved path. People who don't have dogs will be judging you, and your dog, keeping Fido clean is a good way to ensure that everyone gets on well.

For more expert advice on how to manage your pet in a park for dogs, visit http://www.takeyourpet.com.au -- your one-stop shop for pet-friendly advice. Subscribe to the newsletter for the chance to win a FREE pet-friendly holiday!