How to Prevent Injury at the Dog Park
Basic Etiquette:
- Practice “Come" when called, “Sit”, and “Leave it” with your dog regularly
- Never bring a sick or hurting dog to the park - this can increase aggression
- Be polite and respectful when confronting an owner about their dog’s behavior
- Be willing to leave the park if your dog is being too rough
Pay Attention:
- Always keep a mindful eye on your dog
- Watch your dog’s body language and look for cues of stress or fearfulness
- Step in and give your dog a time-out before play gets rough
- When other dogs are fighting, call your dog quietly and keep out of the scuffle
When Dogs Fight:
- Stay Calm - many scuffles are loud arguments that resolve themselves quickly
- NEVER put yourself in the middle of a dog fight
- Do NOT reach for your dog’s collar - you could be bitten and seriously injured
If a fight gets serious, use the following techniques to break it apart:
Distract the dogs or confuse them temporarily
- Drench the dogs in water - aim for their mouths
- Toss a heavy blanket or jacket on top of their heads
- Use loud noises, such as shouting, clapping, or an air horn to get their attention
- Use a citronella or pepper spray, but beware of people affected downwind
Separate the dogs:
- Ideally two people are needed to separate two dogs
- When only one person is available, focus on the worst aggressor
- Use the “wheelbarrow method” to pull your dog away:
- Grab your dog’s hind legs
- Pull his legs upwards and away from the other dog
- Walk your dog backwards, keeping his front paws on the ground
- Turn away in a circle so your dog focuses on moving his front feet
- Carefully leash your dog once he is facing away from the other dog
- Use caution when handling your dog after a fight - lingering fear or pain can make dogs act aggressively towards you
Like a car accident, when anyone has been injured, exchange contact info and report it to us.