Dog friendly businesses are great venues where people can take their pets to socialize and interact with other dogs and people. Visits to these places provide mental and physical stimulation, and countless studies have shown that active dogs are healthier. Proper etiquette in these settings will keep your dog safe and give them a positive experience.
What rules should a group play business establish to keep my dog safe?
The most successful dog friendly businesses have rules and employees or volunteers who ensure the rules are followed.
- Dogs must be currently licensed or have a current rabies certificate. Some businesses will accept a rabies titer in lieu of a rabies certificate. A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies in the blood and determines whether a pet has developed sufficient immunity to the rabies virus. It never hurts to ask the business owner or manager if they are willing to accept a positive rabies titer in lieu of revaccination.
- No babies, toddlers, or small children allowed in the dog park. Communities may set different age limits, but 7 is a reasonable minimum age for children. Smaller, younger children are just too vulnerable to injury even from friendly dogs who are off-leash and get excited or are not trained well.
- Owners must always pick up after their dogs - no exceptions. Good parks have well-maintained waste stations and keep poop-bag dispensers well-stocked.
- No female dogs in heat are permitted. Dogs “in season” should not visit group play businesses. Their presence can upset other dogs, cause fights, and create distractions.
- No aggressive dogs are allowed. Dog parks and other play group businesses are not the appropriate place for an owner to try to modify their dogs’ aggressive behavior. Dogs who have demonstrated aggression to dogs or humans should not be allowed to return to the park. A dog not considered aggressive at home may growl, snarl, or even bite when in a public place or in a group play situation. If these behaviors should unexpectedly occur, the owners should be responsible and immediately remove their dog from the situation.
- Owners must be attentive to their dogs. Much of the inappropriate group play behavior could be avoided if humans are paying attention and intervene before canine behavior escalates out of control. Owners must be responsible and manage their dog’s behavior to ensure safety and prevent negative experiences for others.
- All gear, except for a collar with a quick-release buckle, should be removed from dogs before they enter group play. Harnesses, choke chains, pinch collars, and head halters pose special risks to the dogs wearing them and any dog who might become entangled in them while playing.
What etiquette should pet owners follow to ensure successful group play?
Whether your dog is inexperienced or experienced in group play situations, there are certain principles of group play etiquette that will ensure a fun, positive visit.
- Assess whether your dog is healthy enough to engage in a group play environment. Check that vaccinations or titers proving immunity are up to date before visiting. Dogs on immunosuppressive medications should not be involved in group play, as they are more susceptible to infectious diseases.
- Observe the park before entering. If this is your first time visiting a new park, leave your dog at home. When you arrive, simply observe the behavior of dogs and their owners who are already there. Look for signage that has clear and direct rules. Check the park’s fencing and grounds for potential hazards. If you are comfortable with what you see and hear, start with a short visit during less busy times to gradually acclimate your dog.
- Always supervise your dog. Avoid distractions like your phone or conversations.
- Recognize signs of stress or aggression in dogs, such as flattened ears, lunging, growling, cowering, hiding, raised hackles, or tucked tails.
- Be prepared to leave immediately if the situation becomes unsafe or your dog seems uncomfortable.
- Bring your own water and a bowl to avoid shared water sources.
- Only bring dogs with reliable recall and basic obedience skills. Dogs who have not been properly socialized are a safety risk.
- Don’t bring puppies under 4 months old or dogs with health issues. It is not advised to bring puppies under 4 months of age into larger-scale pet-friendly businesses such as dog parks and doggie daycare, as their immune systems are not yet matured. Until then, limit meetings to small groups and quiet animals that you know are healthy.
- Keep small dogs in designated small-dog areas if available. Large and small dogs often have different play styles and different breeds have distinct personality traits which can factor in as well. Big dogs can unintentionally end up injuring a smaller pup because they just aren’t aware that there’s a little guy running around with them.
- If you choose to bring toys along, choose wisely. Toys with clothlike surfaces can harbor infectious pathogens in the fibers and can transmit illness. Choose toys with hard, smooth surfaces. Be mindful of the size of the toy and size of the dog(s) playing with that toy to avoid choking incidents. Keep in mind that toys can create competition between dogs and competitive behavior can escalate to aggressive behavior.
When businesses partner with pet owners and other community members to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment, dogs can experience the mental and physical stimulation that contributes to living their best life.
Learn more in my book Naturally Healthy Dogs: Unleashed!
