Do you know your Dog Park Etiquette?

The dog park can be a terrific place to take your dog and enjoy some fun. It can also become a nightmare for you and your dog. What determines what perspective will be your reality?

In a word, it is etiquette. If you understand the rules of dog park etiquette, and if others in the park understand and follow these rules as well, then everyone will have a good experience. If you neglect etiquette, and others do as well, then your experience will be poor.

Understanding etiquette and its part in creating a positive dog park culture in our community. When a community of dog owners and dog lovers band together with education, peer pressure, and cooperation, the result will include a long-lasting dog park and a wonderful asset in the Bondurant community.

So, let’s look at some basics of dog park etiquette.

Some of these points are posted to be enforced in the Pawtocka Dog Park rules, but others are general practices for harmony and safety within the dog park.

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Read the Dog Park Rules before entering. Most people try to follow the rules in any establishment they enter; however, in a fast-paced world, it's easy to forget to pause and read the signs. The Pawtocka Dog Park rules are posted at the gate entrance. It is important to take a moment and read the full list of dog park rules so that you are familiar with all of them. The Pawtocka Dog Park rules are also posted on the City of Bondurant’s website.
Maintain control of your dog. Your dog should have basic training before entering the park. When inside the dog park, your dog needs to know you are in charge. This is key when they are playing with their other canine pals.
Pause before you enter. The Pawtocka Dog Park has a double-gated entrance. Don’t rush through both gates. Survey the scene before choosing your entry gate and before entering the second gate. If there are a lot of dogs swarming around the second gate, wait a few minutes. A pause will allow other pooches to get used to your dog, and they will not be as hyper when you go in. Also, if someone else is exiting with their dog before you enter, wait for them to close the inside gate before you enter the outside gate. Entering the park is not a time to be distracted by talking on your cell phone or reading a text message. Stay alert, and put your phone away until you are through the gates.
Close and latch the gates. There are double gates at the entrance to the Pawtocka Dog Park. Don’t be so distracted by your own dogs’ excitement, the other dogs, or people that you do not properly close and latch the gates behind you. The double gate system is to prevent off-leash dogs from escaping the park. Be sure the latches on all gates are all the way down before opening the next one. Keeping gates closed is how we all protect each other’s dogs as a dog-loving community. Note: Report any problems you encounter with the gates or gate latches at 515-967-2418 so that we can get it repaired swiftly.
Pay Attention. Once inside the dog park, it is your job to keep an eye on your dog, not other humans. It is fun to socialize with other dog owners using the park, but always be aware of what your dog is doing and where he or she is going. If you see trouble brewing, call your dog back. Turn off your cell phone or put it away if it is a distraction. Keeping a constant eye on your dog will also let you see where they poop so that you can scoop it.
Pick up the poop. The etiquette with all dog parks is that owners should be alert and responsible for picking up any poop left by their dogs. However, if you come across a pile that is not from your dog, good etiquette is to pick that up as well. Dog feces can spread disease to humans and dogs, and it can also attract rats. Most importantly, it is no fun to go to the dog park and come home with a peculiar smell on your shoe. So, stay alert, and scoop the poop.
Bring and use your own waste bags. There are waste bags provided for free at the dog park, but consider these as a backup option for when you run out. There can be times when the dispensers are empty, so it is always a good habit to bring your own bags and use those first before using the ones provided in the park. Encouraging people to bring their own bags also removes the excuses for not picking up after their dog if the dispensers happen to be empty during a visit.
Read the signals. Not only should your dog play well with others if you plan to take him or her to the park, but you need to be able to interpret canine behavior too. Dogs at play have relaxed ears and wagging tails and will put their front end down and rump in the air. If their ears are pinned back, and their pupils are so small, you can see the whites of their eyes that are not a dog at play. A dog that is ready to fight will be tense, hold its head high, and will lean forward. Their ears will point up or forward too. While growls are common in play, snarling with lips curled back is not. If you see danger signs like this, distract the dogs with a toy or a loud clap or make a loud noise. Using a loud SHHHHH sound can also work.
If a fight breaks out, know what to do. Dog fights can happen in a dog park despite anyone's best efforts. Make sure you know what to do: Stay calm and give it a moment. Most doggie duels end as quickly as they started. Do not shout at the dog or scream, as this can add to the tension and make matters worse. If they go at it for more than a few seconds, toss the end of a leash between them or use a long stick to push them apart. Don't step in with your hands or body. If they’re still fighting after about 3 seconds, you and the other owner should approach the dogs from the rear. Gently grab their back legs at the top of the leg and lift them up like a wheelbarrow, then start moving back. Don't reach for the collar. Your dog could bite you by reflex. Once apart, leash them immediately, get them to another part of the park, and let them calm down. It might be a good idea for one or both of the dogs to be taken away for the day.
Think carefully before taking a puppy to the dog park. Puppies can be hard to control. People at the park find them cute, but other dogs consider them a pain. The Pawtocka Dog Park does allow you to bring your puppy after it is four months old. However, that may not be the best situation for all dogs. It is recommended by most vets to wait until they are six months old before taking them to a dog park, as in most cases, puppies have not had all their shots until then, and they can be at risk for diseases. The dog park is not a place to learn socialization for new pups; it is a place to improve their socialization once they have learned. It might be better for them to go to a dog social manners class before bringing them to the Dog Park. Puppies often have a lot of energy; some can create problems by going after older dogs who may not have the patience for that.
Don’t take young children to the dog park. The Pawtocka Dog Park has a restriction on children under the age of 10 being allowed inside the enclosure. Most dog parks have an imposed age limit on children for safety. Respect this rule. Recognize that although no one may approach you or say anything, the presence of young children inside the dog park will keep other dog owners away as they do not want to risk their dog injuring a child. The park was designed to be an off-leash environment for dogs to play and exercise. There are playgrounds for children in many of the parks in the City. In fact, there is one within 300 yards of the Pawtocka Dog Park. The safety issue is very real. In a 2017 study by the Center for Disease Control, they found that 55.6 percent of dog bite fatalities occurred in children under the age of 10. The American Humane Association reports that the figure is as high as 70%. If your child is over the age of 10 and younger than age 15, they can be inside the enclosure under guardian supervision. Always be alert to what they are doing and supervise them at all times. Do not permit running, rough-housing or loud playing. Most importantly, children should not be climbing on the agility equipment, jumping over the jump bars, or digging in the dirt that covers the tunnels. Instruct children to encourage their dogs to use the agility equipment for training purposes but not to play on themselves. Do not let children bring food or treats into the park, and certainly do not allow them to give food to any dogs in the park. It is important to teach them to ask permission from other dog owners before approaching or petting a dog. Overall, please teach them to respect the dog park environment. Encourage them to pick up litter if they find it, and place it in the appropriate trash cans, for example.
Don’t take a bad-mannered dog to the dog park. The ASPCA has a term for some dogs, which is “dog dorks.” These are dogs that don’t know how to interact with other dogs, no matter how hard you try. Other canines find them just as annoying as puppies. Dog Dorks can often cause fights by nipping, playing dominance games by biting other dogs in the necks or legs, or preventing dog owners to not using the park as they are afraid the dork dog will hurt theirs. If your dog behaves like this, then recognize he or she is a dog dork and does not need to be off leash in the dog park. If your dog has these behavior problems, you might consider having them take a Social Manners class. It also would be advisable to have your veterinarian examine them to make sure it is not an undetected physical condition causing your dog to be aggressive. Some examples of physical conditions that could cause aggression in dogs are tumors, bone fractures, internal injuries, thyroid problems or arthritis.
Know where to dispose of dog waste. The Pawtocka Dog Park has receptacles marked as dog waste only. Do not throw dog waste into any other container, as those are for regular trash only.
Take off the leash. Sometimes owners of dogs new to a dog park will insist on keeping their dogs on a leash while in the enclosure. This is not a wise choice. Dogs on a leash can sometimes become a target or challenges for other dogs. Plus, your dog can feel your emotions through the leash and may respond defensively to other dogs approaching them. Quite often, keeping your dog on a leash can result in a fight. Let your dog off the leash as soon as you are through the second gate. Other dogs will approach them and usually sniff their rear. They will chase each other around. This is normal. Learn canine behavior, and watch to see if tails are wagging and the other signs of play. There are only a few legitimate reasons for using a leash inside the off-leash environment. Some exceptions for using a leash inside the enclosure are: you are training your dog on agility equipment. Once you are done training them or moving away from the equipment, remove the leash. You are leashing them to de-escalate a situation with another dog and remove them from the park. You are leaving and are leashing them up before exiting. It is preferred that you get used to conditioning your dog to meet you at the exit gate and then put their leash on before leaving. That way, you are not walking across the main area of the dog park with a dog on a leash.
Small dog caution. While small dogs are allowed inside the large dog section, it can put them in danger. Some breeds of dogs have a strong prey drive and can easily see a small dog as prey. It only takes a second for a serious injury to occur. If you choose to enter the large dog area with a small dog, please be aware of this danger. Don’t walk your small dog on a leash through the large dog area on your way to the small dog section. Take the Linear Path to the small dog entrance if you want them to play in that section. Walking a leashed small dog through the large dog area can create any or all of the problems noted above under ‘Take off the leash”.
Bring a healthy dog. Do not bring your dog to the dog park if it has not been vaccinated or does not have flea and tick protection. Do not bring an ill dog or a female dog that is in heat. Bringing an ill dog with a contagious condition can spread their condition to other dogs. Also, a dog recovering from an injury, non-contagious illness, or surgery can be aggressive to other dogs. They can also be at risk of getting further injury from running or playing too roughly with other dogs. If you have any doubts about your dog's condition of health, it is recommended you consult with your Veterinarian before bringing them to the dog park.
Help create a positive dog park culture. It only takes one renegade to spoil a park for other users. The best dog parks are those whose users band together to create a sense of community, who use education, peer pressure, and, when necessary, call in the appropriate authorities to help regulate those who won’t follow the rules of etiquette and common sense. Know the rules and always be willing to insist others follow them. However, always take a friendly approach to addressing problems. Not every rule breaker is doing it intentionally. Take a kind and friendly approach when you see someone not following the rules, and help bring about understanding in a civilized manner.
If you see something, say something. If you are at the Pawtocka Dog Park and see a problem with the fence line, the gates, the agility equipment, the water fountain, the benches, the signs, the waste station, or anything else, take a minute to notify the City ay 515-967-2418 so that they can be aware of it and remedy the situation. If you see something or come up with an idea that you think might be an improvement to the park, take a moment to send an email to info@cityofbondurant.com, and pass along your suggestions. We are always open to new ideas to improve the dog park, and if we agree with your assessment, and if we have the budget and it is not in conflict with our goal of safety or the City Ordinances, we will probably make the improvement a reality. We might survey the idea among our community in some cases, depending on the type of improvement suggested before we take action. However, suggestions are always welcome.
Take a polite approach. If you see someone not following the rules, approach them politely with positive phrases. Here are some examples of ways you might address this: “Excuse me, but perhaps you didn’t realize that this side of the park is for dogs under 30 pounds…Your Lab is really handsome; I bet he’d love to play with the Golden Retriever on the other side of the fence.” “Hey, that sandwich looks tasty – and there’s a St. Bernard headed this way who’s eyeing it with great interest. It might be safer if you finished eating it outside the fence and then brought your dog back in to play. Food is not permitted inside the enclosure...” “Looks like your dog did his business. That looks like a big one. Do you need a bag?” or “I’ve been in here for an hour waiting got my dog to poop. I wish mine were as prompt as yours. I have an extra bag here if you need one...” “What a cute baby! If she were mine, I’d be worried about having her in the park here with all these energetic dogs. I’ve read some pretty scary stories about dogs grabbing babies out of adults’ arms – I’d hate to see your little girl get hurt! And actually, the park rules say kids should be 10 years or older to be in here…”
Treat other dog owners like they belong in your family. The best way to build a good, positive dog park culture is to treat other dog owners like they are part of your own family of dog lovers. Be respectful, educate when needed, and help each other out. If someone needs to use the restroom, offer to keep an eye on their dog for them. If you see an owner's dog do his or her business when they are not looking in that direction, let them know. Be friendly to other dog owners when entering, exiting, and while inside the enclosure. Some people visiting will be regulars, and others will be coming there for the first time. Make everyone welcome. We all share a common interest and love for dogs.
Visitors without dogs. You might encounter visitors to the dog park who are there without a dog and do not own one themselves. Answer questions they might have about dogs and be friendly to them. Introduce them to your dog. They might become future dog owners and rescue a canine in need.
Special Events at Pawtocka Dog Park. Throughout the year, there may be special events held in the park. Be respectful and cooperate with them, please. Special events benefit the park and dogs within the community.
Park Closure Events. The park could be closed temporarily for a maintenance day or closed for the winter season. Maintenance days are when work is done that could impact the safety of the dogs while repairs or upgrades are in progress.
Prohibited Events. There are events that are not permitted inside the dog park at any time. These would be events that violate the Pawtocka Dog Park Rules or City Ordinances. All events held in the park require approval from the Bondurant Parks and Recreation Department before they can be scheduled and held. If you would like to hold an event in the dog park, we request that you submit a Special Event Packet. Be aware that certain types of events may not be approved of.
Winter protocol. In the wintertime in Iowa, we get snow. Sometimes a lot of it. To that point, the park will not be open for use during the winter months.
Be willing to call the authorities. If inappropriate actions by others are putting you, other park visitors, or your dog at risk and the other dog owner or visitor to the park is not receptive to education, and perhaps becomes argumentative or hostile, be willing to leave the dog park and call the authorities. If you don’t know, and can’t get the offending person’s name, try to get a license plate number or write down a detailed description of the offender and call the non-emergency number posted on the entry sign. Be responsible enough to report the situation so others do not have to experience an unsafe environment. As unpleasant as these types of instances can be, it is all part of creating a positive and safe dog park culture.