Dog Park Safety Tips

Going to the dog park is entertaining, but it can also be hazardous. Before entering the park, make sure to follow these safety protocols.

  • Visit the park at off-peak hours. It’s more fun to visit the park while there are less dogs around, because it tends to prevent any unwanted dog conduct. Visit early in the morning, late in the evening, or during the day while most people are at work. If the park is too busy, leave early or don’t visit.

  • Check to see if the dog understands basic commands. Teaching the dog simple commands like “wait” and “come” is one of the easiest ways to train them for an outing to an off-leash dog park. You never know whether you’ll need your dog to keep a distance from another dog to get out of a messy situation fast. On hikes, make the dog do “sits” and “downs,” as well as a recall (“come”) signal. Tell “come” and then sprint backwards from your dog, rewarding him with treats when he hits you. Transition these commands to be performed in a variety of settings, including on and off leash, and with and without food incentives. To put your talents to the test, join in a community dog training program. Group lessons are excellent for training the dog to listen in the presence of obstacles and other pets. To teach the puppy, use positive reinforcement. A clicker and a clicker training book are recommended. You press your clicker and praise your dog with treats any time he or she obeys a command correctly.

  • If you’re dreaming of bringing toys, think twice. Toys will have something for dogs to resource patrol, such as “my, mine, mine!” Toys can never be brought to the dog park, according to some dog behaviorists. Bring extra toys if you wish to bring toys so that there isn’t just one exclusive gift.

  • Check that your dog is in good health. When your dog is ill or in heat, it is important that you should not take them to the dog park. In high-traffic environments like dog parks, kennels, and doggy daycares, illness spreads easily, so your pup must be safe.

  • Vaccines for your dog must be current. The required vaccines are included in this category. We also suggest providing vaccines that are not required but might just shield your dog from hazards such as polluted water.

  • Choose the Best Dog Park. Choose a dog park with stable fences, a double-gated entrance, and posted codes of behaviour. As a safety measure, pick a park that has different facilities for big and small dogs.

  • Keep a close eye on your dog. Do not email, surf the internet, listen, or have long conversations with other people. Keep an eye on the dog to make sure there isn’t something that allows you to detach the dogs (like mounting or other disrespectful behavior) or to leave.

  • Get that poop! Many dog owners disregard the idea of ethical dog ownership! Dog poop winds up on shoes and feet, which track it through cars and houses. Worse, feces has the potential to spread disease. In general, dog owners who do not clean up their dog’s feces make it difficult for conscientious dog owners; in many cases, these doo-doo violators are the reason why otherwise decent dog owners and their pets are barred from such venues. Pick up discarded dog litter, give the guy who didn’t pick up his dog’s feces one of your poop bags, and still vacuum up the dog’s droppings.

Concord, California is blessed to have many amazing dog parks for your fur baby.  Here’s a list of our favorites:

  • Heather Farm Dog Park
  • Highlands Ranch Dog Park
  • Martinez Dog Park
  • Pinole Dog Park
  • Alameda Dog Park
  • Linda Ave Dog Park
  • Ohlone Dog Park
  • Paso Nogal Park
  • Rincon Hill Dog Park

All of these dog parks are located just a short distance from our location in downtown Walnut Creek, Spaulding Concrete on Locust Street!