Dog Park Guidelines

Dog Park Guidelines

Dog parks can be doggy heaven or it can be your dog's worst nightmare. This list of guidelines are set to ensure a happy and healthy Boxer Meetup for everyone. The same rules can be found at most dog parks we visit each month.

A reminder will be given if any of these guidelines are not met. After fair warning, and continual refusal, you will be asked to leave the dog park and membership with the Atlanta Boxer Meetup Group will be revoked.

• Owners are responsible and liable for their dogs. Stay with dog at all times and monitor behavior. Keep dog's leash in-hand while in the park so that you can immediately leash and remove a problem dog (aggression, mounting, etc.) from the park. Never leave your dog unsupervised in the park. If you leave, take your dog with you.
  
  
• No aggressive dogs. At the first sign of aggression please remove your dog from the dog park. If your dog begins to get aroused divert his/her attention before it escalates and if necessary leave the dog park.
  
  
• Dogs that show fear aggression (attacking other dogs because they mistakenly believe the other dog will attack them) should not be forced to play in parks with unfamiliar dogs. It will increase the fear and aggression. Some dogs are not suited for dog park playing, or need some work before introducing them to a group.
  
  
• Know the signs of aggression. There is a difference between rough play and fighting. Although difficult to define on certain breeds, the conflicted or overly confident dogs' ears are usually up and/or forward. They face and stare directly at the other dog or human with whom they are interacting. Eye contact is sustained hard and direct. Their brow is furrowed. The tail carriage is likely to be high up and arched over the rump. The (hackles) fur along their back stands up like a ridge and the chest and stance is forward. Dogs with shorter tails might be straight and wagging stiffly. Once the dogs have separated themselves take yours away. If you suspect damage has been done to you or your dog exchange vital information with all involved parties as you leave to get vet care.
  
  
• If your dog consistently harasses other dogs or people by intimidating, mounting, or annoying another dog, correct that behavior immediately. If it continues please take your dog out of the dog park at least for a short time out.
  
  
• Do not keep your dog on a leash inside dog parks. If you need to keep your dog on leash, you should, for your dog's own safety and comfort, not bring him or her into the park. Being kept on leash with other dogs that are not on-leash triggers aggression and creates tension and stress between the dogs.
  
  
• Don't bring dogs that are ill into the dog park.
  
  
• Prong collars and head collars (Halti, Gentle Leader, etc.) should be removed before you let your dog loose in the park. Other dogs can get their teeth caught in the collar when playing and panic when stuck, causing injury to themselves and the dog wearing the collar. Dogs have suffered broken jaws and others have choked to death before they were able to be freed.
  
  
• Clean up after your dog. It's very unpleasant - not mention unhealthy - for dogs to play in a field liberally dotted with droppings. Most parks have plastic bags (if not, some members carry bags) and covered buckets to deposit the poop. If you notice that a dog has pooped and the owner seems unaware of it, point it out to them.
  
  
• Bring your children into the dog park at their/your own risk. However we recommend that children under 8 years of age not be permitted in the dog park but if you choose to please, for their safety, keep children under your supervision and within arms reach at all times.