ASK THE VET
dr. mary kinser
Simple tips to make dog park visits safe and enjoyable Dog parks can provide a wonderful opportunity for exercise and socialization for your dog. The following tips will help ensure a positive experience. Before you go • Your dog should be healthy. If he or she hasn’t been to the veterinarian in a while, it is a good idea to get a checkup. • Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations, including rabies, DHLPP, and Bordetella. Depending on your dog’s lifestyle, you may also wish to have him or her vaccinated for Lyme disease. • Administer proper heartworm, intestinal parasite and flea and tick preventives. • Puppies that have not completed their
full series of vaccinations should be socialized with other dogs elsewhere (puppy class, friends’ and neighbors’ dogs) until they are fully vaccinated. • Avoid dog parks for intact male dogs and females in heat. • Your dog should know and obey basic commands, especially recall (“come”) and sit/stay. • Scope out the park ahead of time without your dog so you get a feel for what to expect. Is there a separate area for large and small dogs? Are dogs getting along? Is there shade available? Are waste bags provided? • Bring along water for yourself and your dog if there isn’t any readily available, and avoid the hottest parts of the day, or skip it altogether if it’s too hot. Once you’re there • Observe for a minute or two before turning your dog loose to make sure dogs are playing nicely, and there aren’t any conflicts.
• Keep a close eye on your dog and be ready to intervene if a conflict arises. Keep your leash with you and be ready to move your dog to another part of the park or out of the park if the situation escalates. • If a fight does occur, sometimes simply making loud noises will interrupt a fight. If a hose is available, spray the dogs with water. If not, it’s best for the owners of both dogs to separate the dogs at the same time. Avoid grabbing the collar and instead pull your dog backward by the back legs (up near the hips). Put the leash on and call it quits for the day. A dog park can be a great experience if you keep basic safety tips in mind. Mary Kinser, DVM, lives in Greenville with her husband, two children, two dogs, two cats, a horse, a goat, and several barn cats and chickens. She has a special interest in canine and feline dentistry at Rogue Valley Veterinary Hospital.
Rogue Valley Veterinary Hospital • Wellness Exams • Dentistry • Diagnostics • Specialty & General Surgery • Intensive Care
• Spay & Neuter • Radiology • Physical Rehabilitation • Dog Training • Boarding • Dog Daycare You can get more expert advice in Dr. Comrie’s “Ask the Vet” column.
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