Dog Park 101: Follow These Tips for a Safe and Happy Playtime

Posted by Calvin on June 06, 2025

There’s nothing better than seeing how excited your dog is when you come home from school. 🥰 They want to spend as much time with you as possible, so a trip to the dog park? That might be a prime bonding activity. Follow these dog park tips to set your companion up for success:

1. Know your dog’s temperament. 

Brush up on your dog-reading skills to better understand what the dogs at the park are saying to each other. Remember, not everyone knows your dog like you do. Dog parks have a mix of dogs with different personalities and training levels. You never really know how other dogs will behave, so you gotta be in tune with your companion.

Make sure to keep small dogs in the small dog park and big dogs in the big dog park to help keep everyone safe. If your dog becomes nervous or scared, don’t force them to stay or interact with others—this shouldn’t be an overwhelming experience for them. It’s supposed to be fun!  

2. Scoop your dog’s poop. 

Many parks have poop bags and trash cans on deck, but not all. Do a little research on a park before you go—if it doesn’t have the goods, bring your own cleanup kit. Plastic bags are a must, and if you’re squeamish about scooping the poop, a small shovel comes in clutch every time. Pro tip: Bring a few extra bags—you’ll be an absolute legend for people who forgot theirs and might even make some new friends.  

3. Fix first. 

Before you hit the park, get your dog spayed or neutered. Trust us—it’ll make the day way less chaotic. Unneutered males can get pretty alpha, and unspayed females can cause a frenzy with the other dogs. You’ll also help prevent the animal overpopulation crisis. Check out this mind-blowing stat: One unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years. 😲 The last thing you’d want to do is add to the millions of homeless animals in the U.S.

4. Keep puppies at home. 

We know you’re excited to socialize your puppy, but don’t take them to the dog park before they’re four months old. They’re not fully vaxxed yet, which can put them and other dogs at risk. Plus, in a high-energy dog park, your puppy could be scared or even trampled by bigger dogs. 😨 No need to rush things—they can go to the dog park when old enough.

5. Take along water but not food. 

Some dog parks might have water bowls, but don’t count on it, especially on a hot day. Bring a water bottle and a little dish so your dog can stay hydrated. Watch your dog for signs of overheating (slowing down, panting or salivating a lot, vomiting or having diarrhea, looking for shade or water) and take action as needed to avoid heatstroke. Also, don’t bring food or treats into the park. Dogs who don’t like sharing can throw hands (or paws?) when food’s involved.

Keep a close eye on your dog and the dogs around them to spot potential problems quickly. If you see your dog or another dog starting to act aggressively or cause problems, it’s time to dip. Take them out of the park immediately and get help from a humane dog trainer or behaviorist who can help assess the problem and work with you and your dog to address it.

Is a dog park not really your companion’s thing, or do you live far away from one? That’s okay—there are plenty of other ways to socialize and enrich your dog! Try any of these:

1. Playdates

Set up one-on-one hangouts with a dog who your companion likes. 🐶 Even having human friends over can help get your dog used to different personalities and energy levels.

2. Walks

Take strolls through dog-friendly neighborhoods or trails where you’ll pass other dogs and humans—casual social exposure = chef’s kiss.

3. Yard Games

If you have a yard (or a friend who does), turn it into your personal pup playground. Add toys, tunnels, or a baby pool for bonus enrichment—you could even make an obstacle course. 😎

4. Toys and Puzzles

Mental stimulation should be a top priority. Toys and puzzles, like snuffle mats, make your dog work for their treats and keep their brain engaged.

5. Drives

Take your companion in the car to dog-friendly places or even just for a pup cup at the drive-through. Remember to NEVER leave them in a parked car alone—if you leave the car for something, be sure to have a leash to take them with you.

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Thinking about adding another companion to your family? Follow pop-rock duo Diva Bleach’s advice and adopt them, don’t buy them!