With dog parks re-opening in Toronto after the Covid-19 shut down, I thought it would be a good time to re-post this blog.

So of course it goes without saying that you need to protect yourself with social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer and so on. But the general rules of thumb for your dog’s safety still remains the same.

What to consider before taking your dog to a dog park

Dog parks can be a great way to socialize your dog and have him burn off excess energy. It is great for physical exercise and mental health. As a former dog trainer, I highly recommend a visit to the dog park provided your pet is not fearful, timid or aggressive. If you have a newly adopted dog, wait until you get to know him well before his first visit to the park.   A dog park is definitely not the place for young puppies and I urge you not to take puppies to the dog park until they are at least 6 months go age.

If you decide to visit the park, to be safe you need to follow some simple but important guidelines! Here are 6 tips for you.

1. If it is your first visit to the park, it is a good idea to ask neighbours and other dog parents about the park and its reputation.    If this is your dog’s first time, it is best to avoid busy times such as weekends when too many dogs may be overwhelming.  For the first few visits plan to go during the week and at a quiet time of day.       

2. Your dog will be coming into contact with many other dogs, so ensure that his vaccines are up-to-date. 

3. You should have control of your dog at all times. This means he should have a good recall and come to you when called! If your dog does not reliably come to you when called, train him to do this before your first visit to the park. Keep this up by calling your dog back to you every now and then while he is in the park. 

4. It is a great place for humans to socialize and meet new friends as well. I have met a number of wonderful people during my days at the dog park. But (and this is important!) remember not to take your eyes off your dog!

Watch in case he eats something he shouldn’t, in case he poops and watch the other dogs too.

If you notice your dog feeling uncomfortable with any other dog, or see a bad situation brewing, you need to be there to diffuse the situation. How do you recognize a tense situation?  Watch the dogs body language carefully.  A dog that is tense holds his tail at half-mast or above spine level, sometimes with a rapid, stiff wag, or between his legs. His ears are often pinned back or forward, and his head held high. Dogs should have relaxed ears and relaxed wagging tails. More information on canine body language can be found here

5.Bring some water for your dog, especially in the heat of summer, but avoid having treats unless you want all the dogs hanging around you!

6. Before entering the park it is a good idea to hang out for a few minutes at the fence and watch the other dogs play. You’ll be able to tell if there are any dogs that you prefer to avoid.

I am a dog photographer and serve the Toronto and South Florida areas. I shot all of these photos of dogs at local dog parks in the Toronto area. In these pictures the dogs are definitely happy and having fun. But this may not always be the case, so please follow these important guidelines when taking your dogs to the park.

If you are interested in a dog or dog and family photo shoot, feel free to reach out for more information.

Check out this post about park life with dogs by Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography fetching portraits in Coppell and surrounding communities in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex.