Maybe we’re a little biased, but at Dan’s Pet Care, we think Long Island is one of the best places you can live with your dog. With so many dog parks, natural areas, beaches and trails, Long Island gives you access to the big city nearby while making it easy to get outdoors with your pet.

However, if you’ve ever visited a dog park, you know that not everyone there is a responsible visitor. You’ll know if you ever encounter one of “those people” at the dog park–they have the potential to ruin the experience for everyone else.

How can you keep from accidentally becoming a problem yourself? Let’s take a look at a few preparatory steps you can take to raise the bar at your local dog park and ensure that everyone involved has a good time.

Getting your dog ready to visit a Long Island dog park

Nassau and Suffolk counties have so many great dog parks to visit–you’re probably excited to check them out! But before you even get in the car, there are some important steps you should take to make your visit successful.

Make sure your dog is up-to-date on shots and preventatives

Your dog will encounter many other dogs and people at the dog park. If they’re not up to date on shots and preventative medications, they could end up spreading disease or contracting it from someone else’s pet. The AKC recommends the following shots as “core,” or indispensable vaccines for all dogs:

• Parvovirus

• Rabies

• Canine Hepatitis

• Distemper

Other vaccines may be more important if your dog will be around lots of other dogs or playing outdoors a lot. These include:

• Bordetella

• Lyme

• Leptospirosis

Of course, your dog will definitely be exposed to many other dogs and outdoor disease vectors at the park. You’ll also want to make sure your dog’s flea, tick and heartworm prevention is fully up to date. Otherwise, a trip to the dog park could end up costing more than you anticipated in vet bills.

Pack all the supplies you’ll need

Some dog parks supply water fountains, poop bags, trash cans, and even toys. Many will offer seating for owners and shade to protect you from rain or sun. However, it’s important to come prepared, just in case. Water fountains often get shut off during certain months of the year, and the park’s supply of poop bags can always run dry. Consider bringing the following essentials along with you:

• Water and a bowl

• Poop bags and a receptacle for them, just in case

• A leash

• Seating and/or rain gear, depending on weather

• Your dog’s ID tags and proof of vaccinations

• Cloths or wipes to clean mud off your dog

Make sure your dog is ready for the experience

If your dog isn’t properly socialized, visiting the dog park could be dangerous. And if your dog has a traumatic experience, it could also make training harder for you both down the road. Be honest with yourself about how your dog behaves around strange people and strange dogs. If your dog isn’t ready, invest in proper training first.

Research the specific dog park you’ll be visiting

Not all dog parks offer a similar experience. Some have separate fenced areas for big and small dogs to help with safety concerns. Some dog parks have terrain that helps keep your dog’s feet dry, while others have ground cover that gets messy after it rains. A little research before you visit will keep you from being disappointed once you arrive. 

Decide who’s coming with you–and who’s staying home

If you have both a large dog and a small dog, it might be worthwhile to visit the dog park separately. Since they might belong in two different enclosed areas of the park, it could be hard for you to monitor both of them.

Also, you might want to think twice about bringing kids to the dog park. There may not be a lot of kid-friendly activities to keep them entertained, and you can’t be sure that another visitor won’t bring an aggressive or anxious dog to the park.

Give your dog the gift of more exercise and companionship!

If you regularly visit dog parks with your dog, you’re probably looking to keep them healthy, socialized, and happy. If your schedule is too packed these days to visit the park as often as you’d like, Dan’s Pet Care can help. Our highly trained professionals are on hand to provide dog walking, pet sitting, and a full array of pet care services in the Long Island and Brooklyn area. If your dog isn’t quite ready to hit the dog park yet, we can also provide the training they need. Call Dan’s Pet Care today at (516) 551-1613 and let us handle all of your pet care needs.