Dog Park Buddies
Making friends is fun, and making friends with people who feel the same way we do about dogs is double plus fun, but take care how friendly you get at the dog park.
Don’t start spilling personal details to your new friends, or you risk making your first impressions an awkward one for them. If you do make friends, don’t get too cliquey — this isn’t high school — always leave room for new friends. Don’t let a conversation take your attention away from your dog. We know that eye contact is an important part of human interaction, but your dog’s safety takes precedence at the dog park. If another caretaker is trying to monopolize your attention, politely state that you really need to watch your dog and move to another place in the park. Remember, this is your dog’s time. You can take time to socialize after you have gotten your dog back on his leash later.
And no matter how nice your friends at the dog park are, never ask anyone to “keep an eye” on your dog while you run to do something; not even for a few minutes; not even to go to the bathroom. Doing so is an accident in the making.
Before You Leave the Dog Park
Do your part to keep the dog park nice for everyone by always picking up your dog’s waste, and refilling any holes your dog has dug. You want the dog park to remain in tip-top shape — both for you and your four-legged friends.
