How to Play Safe at the Dog Park
Dogs that live within city limits aren’t always presented with many opportunities to run off-leash and enjoy themselves safely. Before you take advantage of this new facility, we wanted to highlight some important considerations for dog owners to keep you and your dog safe and able to fully enjoy the experience.
Dog parks are areas where a high volume of dogs can interact closely for a significant period of time. This can be a very enjoyable experience for you and your dog. There are several important steps dog owners should take before going to the dog park to make sure your dog is able to use the park in a safe manner.
Step 1: Scoop your poop! Intestinal parasites are a common problem in spaces that are inhabited by many dogs. Having a yearly fecal exam performed by your veterinarian can detect any intestinal parasites your dog may be harboring. Keeping your dog on a monthly de-worming product such as Heartgard will help protect them from common parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. The easiest way to keep this problem under control is to make sure you are picking up after your dog while in the park. This will help avoid contamination of the environment with unwanted parasites.
Step 2: Keep current on your dog’s vaccinations. Kennel Cough and Distemper are two common respiratory diseases that can easily transfer from one dog to another. Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Distemper vaccinations are important tools in controlling the severity of these diseases. They may not always provide 100% protection against getting the disease, but will help greatly lessen the severity of symptoms. Dogs are also susceptible to other viruses such as Parvo. Parvo can be shed in the stool prior to a dog becoming sick and may live in the environment for up to 5 years! Parvo vaccine is given in combination with the Distemper vaccine. Canine influenza is another contagious viral disease that has popped up in several areas of the United States over the last few years. There is a vaccine available to help protect your dog against canine influenza. Lastly, many dogs like to swim or may drink water from a natural water source while they are at a dog park. Water can harbor a bacteria known as Leptospira, which is infectious to both dogs and humans. There is a yearly Leptospirosis vaccination available from your veterinarian to help prevent infection with this harmful bacteria. It’s best to have vaccinations completed at least 2 weeks prior to visiting the dog park for protection, if you have a puppy make sure all puppy shots have been performed at least 2 weeks prior to visiting the dog park for the first time.
Step 3: Use a year round Flea and Tick preventative. There is a high load of fleas in the environment around Auburn. Fleas can move from one dog to another easily in a dog park situation. Keeping your dog on a monthly preventative product such as Frontline or Nexgard can help reduce the risk of your dog carrying these pests home, and you having to deal with an infestation. It can take up to three months to completely eliminate fleas from your home!
Step 4: Have fun! Dog parks are great areas for social interaction, both for you and your dog. Many dogs enjoy playing with others, and dog parks can bring community members together to socialize as well. Dog parks are wonderful tools to satisfy your dog’s exercise and socialization needs. If your dog does not get along well with others, or becomes scared in unfamiliar situations, this can turn into a very stressful environment for him/her. Dogs that are stressed or scared may react in ways that you cannot predict leading to an unsafe situation for you, your dog, and others. You know your dog best, evaluate whether this environment will be beneficial or detrimental to your dog’s mental health.
Again, we are thrilled the city of Auburn has decided to create this facility, we want to encourage everyone to utilize and enjoy the dog park to the fullest extent. Following the simple steps outlined above will help make the dog park a safe, fun environment for every dog and every person using it.
Dogs that live within city limits aren’t always presented with many opportunities to run off-leash and enjoy themselves safely. Before you take advantage of this new facility, we wanted to highlight some important considerations for dog owners to keep you and your dog safe and able to fully enjoy the experience.
Dog parks are areas where a high volume of dogs can interact closely for a significant period of time. This can be a very enjoyable experience for you and your dog. There are several important steps dog owners should take before going to the dog park to make sure your dog is able to use the park in a safe manner.
Step 1: Scoop your poop! Intestinal parasites are a common problem in spaces that are inhabited by many dogs. Having a yearly fecal exam performed by your veterinarian can detect any intestinal parasites your dog may be harboring. Keeping your dog on a monthly de-worming product such as Heartgard will help protect them from common parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. The easiest way to keep this problem under control is to make sure you are picking up after your dog while in the park. This will help avoid contamination of the environment with unwanted parasites.
Step 2: Keep current on your dog’s vaccinations. Kennel Cough and Distemper are two common respiratory diseases that can easily transfer from one dog to another. Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and Distemper vaccinations are important tools in controlling the severity of these diseases. They may not always provide 100% protection against getting the disease, but will help greatly lessen the severity of symptoms. Dogs are also susceptible to other viruses such as Parvo. Parvo can be shed in the stool prior to a dog becoming sick and may live in the environment for up to 5 years! Parvo vaccine is given in combination with the Distemper vaccine. Canine influenza is another contagious viral disease that has popped up in several areas of the United States over the last few years. There is a vaccine available to help protect your dog against canine influenza. Lastly, many dogs like to swim or may drink water from a natural water source while they are at a dog park. Water can harbor a bacteria known as Leptospira, which is infectious to both dogs and humans. There is a yearly Leptospirosis vaccination available from your veterinarian to help prevent infection with this harmful bacteria. It’s best to have vaccinations completed at least 2 weeks prior to visiting the dog park for protection, if you have a puppy make sure all puppy shots have been performed at least 2 weeks prior to visiting the dog park for the first time.
Step 3: Use a year round Flea and Tick preventative. There is a high load of fleas in the environment around Auburn. Fleas can move from one dog to another easily in a dog park situation. Keeping your dog on a monthly preventative product such as Frontline or Nexgard can help reduce the risk of your dog carrying these pests home, and you having to deal with an infestation. It can take up to three months to completely eliminate fleas from your home!
Step 4: Have fun! Dog parks are great areas for social interaction, both for you and your dog. Many dogs enjoy playing with others, and dog parks can bring community members together to socialize as well. Dog parks are wonderful tools to satisfy your dog’s exercise and socialization needs. If your dog does not get along well with others, or becomes scared in unfamiliar situations, this can turn into a very stressful environment for him/her. Dogs that are stressed or scared may react in ways that you cannot predict leading to an unsafe situation for you, your dog, and others. You know your dog best, evaluate whether this environment will be beneficial or detrimental to your dog’s mental health.
Again, we are thrilled the city of Auburn has decided to create this facility, we want to encourage everyone to utilize and enjoy the dog park to the fullest extent. Following the simple steps outlined above will help make the dog park a safe, fun environment for every dog and every person using it.