8 things you should never do in dog park, veterinarians say
These useful tips can help keep the playing time for your puppy safe and pleasant.
Anyone with a canine companion knows that a trip to dog park can be the highest point of your pet day. This can not only be the ideal way for your puppy to socialize, exercise and take fresh airOutside the house, but it can also be also rewarding and relaxing for owners. However, if you are an active participant in the canine social circles of your community, there are a few errors that you want to avoid. Read more to see what veterinary things say you should never do at the dog park.
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1 Never visit during peak hours.
Dog parks have a way to become neighborhood hubs for animal owners. However, sometimes less can be more when it comes to ensuring a fun and safe experience for all those involved.
"Avoid going to dog park during the busiest hours - usually after working hours - and try to leave during leaves,"Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM,EXERCISE veterinarian and writer based in Florida with Notabully.org, saysBetter life. "More dogs mean a greater chance of conflict, and I regularly see dogs who need a laceration repair as a result of a dog park fight."
2 Never feed the dog treats of a stranger.
There is an undeniably deep shared joy between a dog and someone who has just given them a treat. Many companies inCities and neighborhoods adapted to dogs even got into the habit of providing pet snacks. However, experts warn that canine park may not be the best place to start distributing milk bones.
"Even if you do it with the best intentions in the world, first giving treats to other dogs without consulting their owners is a resounding non '', because you do not know if the dog has a strict diet, To a kind of food allergies, or the owners simply do not feel comfortable, "Sabrina Kong, DVM, aVeterinarian at Welovedoodles, recountBetter life. "You can feel tempted to do it, but avoid giving treats to other dogs at all costs, because it could do more harm than good on certain occasions."
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3 Never leave your dog near the stagnant water.
Whether just their nose or their body, some dogs don't like anything more than diving directly into the nearest body of water they see. It can be good when they play at home or cool during a walk on the beach. But if your local dog park has a lot of water puddles or a dubious community swimming pool, it could be a potential health risk for your pet.
"Water on the stagnant plane is already something that you should avoid with your dog. But stagnant water in dog park is exposed to dozens of dogs every day, which transforms it into a reproductive ground for a variety of bacteria, including leptospirosis - often called lepto, "says Phillips
"The leptospirosis is transmitted via dog urine and other animals, and many dog owners already know that dogs cannot resist" it advises.
4 Never bring an unvaccinated puppy.
Taking responsibility for a new dog can be a lot of work, especially when it is a puppy. Their first years required a lot of patient training, which includes the socialization that the dog park can possibly provide. However, experts warn that there is still an important part of the youth of a puppy which they must undergo before they can participate in the park game.
“When we get a new puppy, of course, we want to bring it to the park and let it enjoy the outdoors and play with friends. Unfortunately, however, some of the diseases we will vaccinate our dogs - the parvovirus being the worst offender - is potentially deadly for a puppy, "saidPatrik Holmboe, Chief veterinarian forPet.
"Parvovirus is captured via the dog eating contaminated excrement or other infected dog materials - and a dog park is unfortunately a first place to recover. So, until your puppy is fully vaccinated, usually about 12 At 16 weeks, keep the practical socialization limited to the dogs you know is vaccinated, ”he suggests.
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5 Never bring a potentially ill dog to the park.
The Covid-19 pandemic radically moved public opinion on the presentation of work or a meeting with sniffs. According to experts, the same rule should apply to your pets.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"Never bring your pet to a dog park or a social gathering for dogs if he does not feel 100%,"Amy Attas, VMD, a award -winning veterinarian with home practicePets, recountBetter life. "Certain respiratory infections and stomach upheavals can be infectious and contagious for other dogs. Even if the health problem is not contagious, rest is better than having a game date if your dog does not feel good."
6 Never lose the emphasis on what your dog does.
The dog park can be as fun for the parents of animals as the dogs themselves. But although the environment is generally friendly, things can take a tour in an instant, which makes your attention individual essential to keep everything safe.
"It is very easy to be distracted by other dogs and dog owners in dog park," explainsErika Barnes, founder and CEO ofPet. "You can find yourself watching another very cute puppy or chatting with another dog owner, but that means that you have removed your own dog's eyes. Dogs are like playful toddlers who love nothing More than causing trouble with other dogs. Try not to be distracted by things like your phone or other people, "she suggests.
And it's not justThe behavior of your own animal You have to worry while they are in public. "Never assume that everyone's dog is sympathetic,"veterinarian certified by the council Melissa M. Brock recountBetter life. "Even if your own dog is not aggressive, there is still a chance that they can enter an altercation with another dog while playing together in the park. A fight can easily occur if an owner does not appreciate How another owner manages his pet.
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7 Never forget to clean after your dog.
The taking of possession of a dog is delivered with a social contract to everyone that you will always clean after your walk and in public. Veterinarians emphasize that it is important to remember that this golden rule certainly applies to the canine park.
"Another advice obvious enough for most dog owners, but I have seen too many times - more than I should have, to be honest - is when the owners leave their dogs unattended and do not clean them, Which is extremely boring for other dogs and owners, "said Kong. "You must always monitor what your dog does in the park at any time and bring several bags to pick up your dog's poop."
8 Never go to dog park when it's too hot outside.
You wouldn't spend an afternoon exercising outside during a heat wave, right? As tempting as it can be after a day that has been locked in air conditioning, veterinarians say that it is still better to avoid the dog park during heat waves.
"A dog can be so excited to run with other dogs that he can overheat. This can be a deadly problem," warns Holmboe.
"Pay attention to your dog's amount of exercises and limit it if you see an excessive hacking or exhaustion. If the temperature is high in general, limit the duration of the park. Overheating is particularly deadly in dog breeds Brachycephalic, which are short - internal breeds such as carlins, bulldogs and tzus shih, "he says.
