Rules for visiting the dog walking area

A walk in the dog walking area opens up wonderful opportunities for owners and their pets: strengthen friendships, socialize, throw out the accumulated energy. But all this fun must be approached with responsibility. There are dog walking rules in place to ensure the safety of all visitors. No matter what type of playground you choose for a walk, knowing and following the rules of behavior will help you protect yourself and your dog.

Types of dog walking areas

Most dog walking areas are designed for your pet to play, run, and socialize with other dogs. All sites must have a fenced area for the safe walking of animals without a leash and a muzzle. Additional amenities include shaded areas (including those created with green spaces), benches for owners, and water for pets. A dog shovel complete with spare bags and a container will help keep the area clean.

The playgrounds may have areas for leashed and off-leash dogs. First, keep your pet on a leash at all times. In off-leash areas, you can let your dog run around or play in a fenced area. Larger runways even have separate areas for dogs of various sizes, where large breed dogs can play without offending or scaring their little counterparts.

Walking rules

Each city has its own rules on the dog run. These rules are usually posted at the entrance and must be strictly observed. If at the entrance you did not notice the rules, you can search for information on the site site or on the city website. The most common rules of conduct in dog walking areas are:

Owners are responsible for their animals. Always monitor your dog’s behavior. Make sure she is well socialized and not aggressive towards strangers and other dogs.

1. Clean up after your dog. Grab the dustpan and bags and clean up after her when she’s done her chores. Leaving your pet behind is not only unsightly, but also unhygienic.
2. The dog must have the necessary vaccinations. All animals visiting the dog run must have age-appropriate vaccinations.
3. It is forbidden to walk dogs during estrus. You should not bring a bitch into the estrus period, as this will attract other dogs and may lead to a fight.
4. Food cannot be brought into the dog run area. Leave your picnic supplies outside the site. It is possible that other dogs do not know how to behave well in the presence of chewing people and may become aggressive when smelling food. If your dog has done a task or a command that usually gets him a treat, praise and pet him to reinforce the good behavior. After all, a treat is not the only way to reward a pet.
5. Small children are not allowed. Toddlers can be easily knocked down by very active animals. Strange dogs may be unfamiliar with children, exposing them to additional danger. Remember that parents are responsible for the risk of harm to the child.
6. Take a leash with you. Even if it’s an off-leash dog park, always take a leash with you. You may need to quickly remove your pet from some obnoxious or aggressive dog.
7. When you throw a toy like a tennis ball or Frisbee to your dog, make sure that other dogs don’t get in your way. An untrained dog may have an outburst of anger if someone tampers with its toy.
8. Always walk your dog with a collar. It is recommended not to remove the collar at all, although the walking area may be fenced off, there is a risk that the animal will run to the exit. You will keep your pet safe if it always has an identification tag on it.

Interaction with other dogs

One of the benefits of visiting a dog run is that it gives your dog the opportunity to socialize and play with other dogs. This is fun and interesting for him and for you, but you need to remember to take precautions to keep other animals and their owners safe. Before you let your dog play with another dog, you need to meet with its owner. Ask him about the pet to make sure your four-legged friends can play together. Not all pets get along with each other, some may be too rude with relatives of a certain size. In addition, some owners may seek privacy while walking with a pet, and their desire should be respected, especially since there are probably many other dogs and their owners on the site who are not against their pets making friends.

When introducing dogs, it’s best to keep them on a leash and let them sniff each other. This will allow you to control their movements if necessary. If a fight breaks out, never try to separate the animals, because you may get hurt yourself. That’s why it’s best to keep your dog on a leash and control the process until you’re sure your pets have become best friends.

It is also important to ask permission to pet someone else’s dog, especially if you have children with you. Some animals react differently to men and women, people of a certain age, skin color, hairstyles (including facial hair), smell, and so on. Do not be offended if you are forbidden to touch someone else’s dog: perhaps the owner is trying to create the most comfortable conditions for his pet during a walk.

Dog walking activities

In some areas, in addition to the open space for running, there are equipment for activities, such as an obstacle course. You must strictly follow the rules of being on the site so that your dog and all other visitors are happy and safe. Some dog walking areas have water bodies. Make sure your dog has no contraindications for swimming. Swimming is a great opportunity to exercise and cool off on warm summer days. Even if your pet is a good swimmer, it will be better for him to stay close to the shore at all times and get out of the water at your command. There is nothing worse than diving for your playful dog when you are not at all ready for it.

How to ensure safety

To ensure the safety of your pet while walking on the dog run, it is not at all necessary to be an unnecessarily restless owner – it is enough to follow the basic rules. For example, do not bring a pet under four months of age to the dog run. Not all puppies at this age are fully vaccinated and can become infected from other dogs. Play with him at home until he is old enough to play with larger dogs. 

Of course, pay attention to the dog. Walking on the dog run is an opportunity to spend time with your pet, not meet friends or get stuck on the phone. Problems happen, as a rule, completely unexpectedly, when the owners do not pay enough attention to their charges. Protect your pet by becoming a considerate owner.

Remember that treats should not be offered to your dog during a walk on the dog run, but after. Of course, you want to treat your dog or feed him during a walk, but still do it at home to avoid a fight between dogs.

Of course, safety should be observed both on the way to the site and on the way back. If you live far away from a dog run, don’t disregard the rules for transporting animals. Use dog carriers or special seat belts.

A dog run is a great way to strengthen your friendship with your pet, but following the rules will keep you and your dog safe and happy.