GUIDELINES
As America's love of dogs has grown, so has the popularity of leash-free dog parks.  
These parks provide open spaces for our four-legged friends to roam and socialize
while their owners get to meet and greet with other dog parents.

But as dog parents, it's our responsibility to keep these parks safe and fun.  Below
are a few guidelines that experts suggest you review and follow before taking your canine kids to a dog  park.

Obey The Posted Rules

This sounds like a no-brainer, but some people who visit dog parks live by the "Rules are made to be broken" motto.  Don't be one of them.  Rules are there to protect dogs and their owners.  They also insure that the park follows the legal mandates of the city or municipality in which it is located.  Worse case scenario, if people don't follow the rules, the park can be shut down.

Rules Begin At the Gate

Let others out before you go in.  Once inside, don't let your dog hang out in front of the gate.  "A dog entering the park should not have to face other dogs head on, which could lead to a confrontation and fight," says Dawn Hanna, owner of Oh
Behave Dog Training,

Immunized, Licensed Dogs Only

Make sure you dog's vaccinations are up to date.  Note the puppies younger than
four months have not yet had all their shots and are not allowed into most dog parks.  
Unvaccincated dogs could bring diseases, some fatal, to puppies and other dogs,
says Krista Miffin of About.com  Get your dog licensed and make sure he's wearing
his tags to prove it.  If your dog is caught without proper licensing, you will be fined.

Bring Only Healthy Dogs To The Park

Diseases can spread at the dog park faster than a greyhound can run a quarter mile.
 Tend to your sick dog at home and bring them out to socialize only when you get
clearance from your veterinarian.

Socialized Dogs Only, Please

Do not take a dog that has a history of aggression to a dog park.  Doing so puts
other people and their pets in danger and you will be financially liable for any injuries
or damages that may result.  Other dog owners depend on you to be responsible
enough to admit that your dog does not play well with other dogs.

The Whole Dog Journal suggests that dogs be reasonable confident and social.  
Dogs which are aggressive or scared have behaviors that are not appropriate for
dog parks.

Avoid Fights

If you dog exhibits any form of aggression, remove him from the park immediately.  
And be prepared to remove your dog if another dog becomes aggressive.  Do not
discipline someone else's dog and never, ever try to break up a fight by getting into
the middle of it.  Distraction is the best defense when breaking up a fight.  See
Aggressive Dogs.

Clean Up After Your Dog

Arm yourself with baggies on the way in.  Dog parks supply these bags for a reason.  
"We are all watching and we will talk behind your back the same way we talk about
people who don't wash their hands after using the restroom,"Hanna says.

People Food and Dog Treats

Dog parks are great places to socialize with other dog owners, but that should not be
considered an invitation to bring your lunch and eat it while your dogs are playing.  
Something as innocent as a dropped french fry can start a fight.  And as far as dog
treats go, some dogs are food aggressive and therefore no dog treats should be
allowed either.  If you want to give your dog a treat, do it in the car after he has had
his fun.

LeashYour Human Kids

OK, we're kidding about the leash, but keep the small kids at home.  The idea of
affection - chasing or hugging a dog too closely can scare an otherwise friendly dog
into aggression.

Don't Bring Female Dogs in Heat

This invites aggressiveness in male dogs and may lead to a fight and unplanned
puppies.

Don't Bring Too Many Dogs

Some parks limit the number of dogs you can bring at once.  But even if there are no
restrictions, use common sense.  Bring only the number of dogs you can handle.  
Three is usually the limit, Hanna advises.

Don't Bring Cats To The Dog Park

It's called a dog park for a reason.  You may love your other pets as much as you love your canine companion, but dog parks are for dogs.

Your Dog Should Obey When Called

Be prepared for the unexpected.  Your dog should come when you call and stay
beside you until you give the command that it's OK to go play again.  If not, keep him on a leash.  Better yet, keep him at home until he learns to he learns to obey your voice commands.

Be Responsible For Your Dog's Behavior

In addition to cleaning up after you dog, be responsible for whatever other mischief
he gets into.  If he knocks something over, pick it up.  If he digs holes, cover them up.  
If he starts drinking another dog's water, coax him toward his own water bowl.  You
get the idea.

Keep Your Dog in Sight At All Times

Your dog may be off his leash, but that doesn't mean the leash should be out of your hand.  Be ready to call and leash your dog at all times.

Know When It's Time To Leave

Dogs are like children.  When tired, they get cranky and can spoil the fun for
everyone.  If your dog starts exhibiting signs that he's had his fill of fun, it's time to call it a day.

"A good dog owner strives to be a good ambassador in all situation, "Hanna says.  
"A little courtesy, consideration and knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.

How to Greet Your New Canine Friend

So you’ve received permission from both the owner and the dog and you’re ready to greet a new canine friend. Here are some tips for doing so in a way that is non-threatening to the dog.

1. Turn your body sideways - While it is normal and acceptable for humans to greet each other face to face, polite dog greetings generally involve angling and arcing the body. Turning your body sideways will make you less intimidating to the dog.

2. Consider bending low – If a dog is nervous, he may feel more comfortable if you slowly crouch down (body still oriented sideways) and wait for him to approach you.

3. Avoid direct eye contact initially – Dog trainers get lots of practice using their peripheral field of vision. Direct, prolonged eye contact can be read as a challenge by both dogs and people. (Ever had a stranger stare at you? Awkward!) I usually practice “look aways,” which are a calming signal in canine body language. Glance at the dog, glance away in the opposite direction. I may occasionally use additional calming signals (actions which convey “I’m no threat to you!”) when greeting a particularly shy dog like licking my lips or yawning, particularly if the dog is offering these signals (mirroring the dog’s body language like this can help them relax substantially).

4. Do not reach toward the dog – Hold your hand at your side, lower than the dog’s head, with your palm facing up. Wait, and allow him to approach to sniff. If he is unsure about you, he may sniff your hand and quickly back away. Do not reach after him as he backs away.

5. Know where to touch the dog – Instinctively, people seem to want to pat dogs on the head. The trouble is, most dogs really don’t like this. Once the dog is actively seeking contact with you, sniffing your hand or perhaps nudging your hand with his nose or cheek, you may pet him.

You can ask the owner, “where does your dog like to be pet?” or try some of these places dogs commonly like to be gently touched: chest, shoulders, side of face, behind the ears. Move slowly, allowing the dog to see your movement and to move away from you if at any point he looks uncomfortable. If you notice any calming signals (look away, yawning, lip licking, scratching, etc.), give the dog a bit more space. If the dog is actively soliciting contact with you, you may be able to graduate to a butt scratch, which many dogs love! You may also, slowly, stand up and turn your body so that you are facing the dog more squarely. If this seems to make him nervous, either back off or turn your body away from the dog again.