Adopter Series: Please, Don’t Go to the Dog Park
Try typing “dog parks” into the Google search bar. Odds are, you’ll get tons of suggestions for parks near you. In 2013, there were an estimated 1,200 dog parks in operation around the US, and that number is only rising, with an increase of nearly 40% between then and 2020.
Dog parks are widely accepted as positive places for dogs to exercise, socialize, and bond with their owners. So, it might surprise you to learn that Laurie – along with various other dog behavior experts – doesn’t recommend bringing your pup to the dog park. Many pet owners don’t understand the risks that come with dog parks, so let’s talk about why we don’t like dog parks and how you can find other ways to enrich your dog’s life.
Why We Don’t Like Dog Parks
There is a common misconception that dogs, and especially puppies, benefit from socializing in a dog park. Far from making your dog more comfortable with others, unregulated dog parks are more likely to have the opposite effect. Add on the health and safety concerns, and the risks of going to a dog park outweigh the supposed benefits.
Behavioral Issues
According to a 2022 survey of more than 1,000 dog owners across the US, 1 in 7 dog owners reported that their dog was attacked in a dog park. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to gamble with those odds.
It can be hard to tell when playing between dogs goes too far. Some pet parents may not notice the way these two dogs have stiff tails and bodies, are baring their teeth, and how the brown dog has his muzzle wrinkled and his commissures pushed forward in an agonistic pucker.
Witnessing or being involved in a dog fight can be traumatic, causing once-social pups to become ambivalent toward their peers. For puppies during their sensitive period of development, these experiences can be catastrophic, causing a lifelong fear of other dogs and leading to reactive behavior. There are a number of reasons that dog parks are a breeding ground for conflict, including:
Irresponsible Owners
In the previously mentioned survey, 26% of respondents thought other dog owners were irresponsible with their dogs in public. Some owners simply don’t watch their dogs while at the dog park, choosing instead to chat with other pet parents or to scroll Twitter. Without their owners paying attention, dogs might bully – or be bullied by – their peers. This can lead to behavioral struggles for all dogs involved.
Misunderstanding Dog Body Language
It seems like understanding dogs’ body language is fairly intuitive, but there is a lot that flies under the radar when owners don’t take the time to intentionally learn about it. In Dog Body Language 101, we discuss the little-known ways that dogs communicate through subtle body movements, like lip licking, yawning, and the whale eye. Many pet parents simply don’t recognize these cues in the chaos of the dog park. As a result, dogs’ warning signs go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Dog Sociality Differences
It may seem like dogs are social butterflies, but not every dog is up to regularly interacting with strangers. In fact, dog sociability exists on a sliding scale:
Dog Social: These dogs are generally happy and comfortable when meeting new dogs. You can think of them as the ideal candidate for a dog park.
Dog Tolerant: These dogs don’t necessarily love to meet strangers, but they have a tolerant disposition that allows them to be neutral in the presence of new dogs.
Dog Selective: These dogs can be friendly with other dogs, but they’re highly selective about who they associate with. Dogs that don’t fit their preferences could elicit reactive behaviors like barking and lunging.
Dog Aggressive: These dogs are not comfortable with any other dogs, regardless of the other dog’s body language or temperament.
While dog parks can be great for the small population of dog social pups, like the ones shown here, they’re not the best environment for the other three types of dogs.
Dog sociability exists on a spectrum. Mismatched sociability levels, like when a dog tolerant pup is mistaken for being dog social, can lead to frustration and conflict between dogs.
Dog parks are unpredictable, high-arousal environments. There are often lots of dogs packed into a small space with little supervision when it comes to play style and duration. Even in the absence of dog fights, this environment can lead dogs to pick up nasty habits, like struggling to keep calm when encountering new dogs on-leash.
Health and Safety
As if the behavioral risks weren’t enough, dog parks also leave pups vulnerable to a number of health and safety risks. Because dog parks are unregulated, big and small dogs are often not separated and proof of vaccination is not required to enter. Bigger dogs can accidentally hurt small dogs, and even the smallest bites can lead to illness if the pup is unvaccinated.
Alternatives to Dog Parks
If you’re a dog owner in a big city with a limited amount of outdoor space, this news about dog parks may come as a big blow. I understand how hard it is to be a pet owner in our urbanized society, but there are ways to provide enrichment without the harmful environment of a dog park.
Training Classes
If you want your dog or puppy to meet other dogs in a safe environment, training classes are great. On top of letting your pup meet appropriate playmates in an environment that is supervised by dog behavior experts, this can also give your pup opportunities to learn new skills. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation, so these experiences can be really beneficial.
You don’t have to brave treacherous hikes to spend quality time with your pup (but if that’s your thing, more power to you!). There’s tons of ways to provide enrichment from home or in your neighborhood.
At-Home Enrichment
Once you and your pup have learned some new tricks in class, you can practice them together at home. Practicing new tricks, using interactive and puzzle toys, and playing interactive games allows your dog to use their brain, which can be just as tiring as running around outside.
Solo Time in Nature
You’re one of the most important things in your dog’s life, so finding ways to connect with your dog outside is often more rewarding than connecting with stranger dogs in a dog park. Try going on long walks, allowing your dog to sniff whatever they’d like.
Don’t ever let your dog run off-leash in on-leash areas. It’s against the law, and you never know the temperament of other on-leash dogs around you. However, off-leash time outdoors is very important. So, finding a safe, fenced area to let your dog run around without other dogs present can be super beneficial. Websites like Sniffspot can help with finding private, fenced areas to rent near you.
You can strengthen your relationship outside the confines of a dog park, and your dog will thank you for it in the long run.
If your recently adopted dog is struggling with behavioral issues after going to dog parks, or you’re struggling to meet your dog’s needs, please be sure to reach out to myself, Laurie Lawless, another Certified Behavior Consultant, or Veterinary Behaviorist for help!
