Yo What’s Up

Introduction to dog park etiquette

Yo what’s up is a greeting we give each other in Philly and it is one used by our dogs as well.  What would happen if your dog said “Yo what’s up?” and the other dog said “ None of ya business”.  This could be a real problem if you don’t know what signs to look for to keep this from happening.  We all want our dogs to have fun at the dog park but it is impossible to know if our dogs will like the others at the dog park so we need to know the rules of engagement. 

1. Know your dog:  Does your dog like other dogs? Seems simple but not everyone who brings their dog to the dog park knows this answer so it is important to start by introducing your dog to several different dogs individually first, then in small groups.

2. What is your dog’s playing style?  Does your dog play rough, is your dog laid back, is your dog a silent player, or does your dog play loud? These are things you need to know before bringing your dog to the dog park. If you know your dogs style of play you will be able to tell if he meets a dog he does not like his energy/posture will change and so will his style of “play”. He might be wagging his tail but instead of being low or parallel with his body it is high and stiff or so low it is almost tucked under him. If your dog starts to yawn or slowly lick his lips these are signs of being uneasy or unsure of the other dog. These signs will alert you and say hey maybe your dog doesn’t like this dog or doesn’t like the way the dog approached him.
3. How does your dog approach group play?  Does he run right in and join the crowd or does he run around the outside of the group marking and smelling around before joining the crowd? This will matter because most dog parks are not set up to properly introduce dogs to one another so if your dog likes to run the perimeter and is in the gate ready to enter the dog park he will not be happy when a group of dogs rush him as soon as he walks in.  What if you went to a dance club to meet friends and they know you love to dance so instead of walking in and having a drink or watching the crowd with your friends you are rushed by a group of strangers and brought straight to the dance floor. Wouldn’t that make you feel a little uncomfortable? That is exactly how a dog feels when he would rather “smell” the crowd and instead a group of strange dogs rush him and take him straight to the “play yard”
4. Check yourself:  If you are feeling nervous Don’t go into the dog park, this feeling will resonate to the whole crowd of dogs and put your dog at risk. Be confident you already know your dog and his playing style, you have already asked yourself all the questions and now you are ready to take your dog to the dog park. Don’t hang out in the holding area walk into the dog park and push through any dogs that are playing the “greeting” role.  This will make your dog feel more comfortable and he will feed off your confident energy. Don’t bring food with you to the dog park this could draw a crowd to you and stir up fights.  If you want to bring a toy with you make it a neutral one so if another dog goes after it while your dog is going for it, it will not be a issue, because it is not important to your dog.  For example if you know your dog has a favorite ball and every time you play with this ball with another dog there your dog gets the ball and plays “keep away with it” from the other dog that wouldn’t be a good ball to bring to the dog park.

5. Interrupt play frequently: This is especially important because the excitement or arousal level is already super high and you don’t want the play to turn into something else because the dogs are highly excited or aroused.

When you get to the dog park look at your dog’s body is he happy or excited? Is he barking or whining to get into the dog park?  Before you enter the dog park make sure your dog is calm, no whining or barking, make sure his tail is in a neutral position Not tucked or high and stiff.  If he is acting a little nervous sit outside the dog park on a bench and let your dog get used to the sounds and smells and watch to see if his body language changes, and relaxes. If he relaxes go in but if after 10 minutes he is still nervous, leave the park and come again a different day.  Do this for a few days until your dog is comfortable. That way when he does go into the park it will be fun for him.