Dog parks are an amazing place to visit with your Lhasa Apso. In a dog park, your dog will have the freedom to run, play, socialize with other dogs and also learn a thing or two on the way. However, visiting a dog park does not mean sitting on the bench and letting your dog do whatever he/she pleases. There are certain things you must be aware of before you take your Lhasa Apso to a dog park filled with unknown people and dogs.
How should your Lhasa Apso behave at the dog park? Your Lhasa Apso’s behavior comes mainly from you and the way you taught them to behave. Your Lhasa Apso should know it is not nice to jump onto complete strangers, mark on them or annoy large dog breeds. To achieve the perfect behavior for the dog park, you must teach your Lhasa Apso to listen to you, them how to respond to you and follow your commands.
At times, it is better for your Lhasa Apso to play with you, than it is to play with a dog that does not seem to really enjoy their company at all. While there is a chance your Lhasa Apso does not know how to properly behave, there is an even higher chance a random dog does not know either.
(Also, check out answers to related questions you may have at the end of this article)
If you want to experience relaxing visits to the dog park, it is on you. Prepare your dog, continually observe, and make sure they are well behaved at all times. Don’t be one of those owners who sit on the bench staring at their smartphone while their dog runs all over the park unattended.
Dog Park Rules Everyone Should Follow
Every dog park located in a city or a town has its own rules. These rules are important to read and follow in order to keep the peace and healthy environment for the dogs who come to the dog park, even their owners. You are the one responsible for your Lhasa Apso, so make sure you select a suitable dog park.
Here are a couple of rules that will ensure the dog park you go to with your Lhasa Apso is actually safe:
- All dogs in the dog park have to be vaccinated. Don’t take your dog to the park if they are not vaccinated. Doing so might result in various health problems for your Lhasa Apso.
- Always pick up after your Lhasa Apso has done their business, be ready to scoop, bag and dispose of it right away. Leaving a mess in a dog park is unsanitary, but also very rude to those who just arrived at the park right after you. No one likes stepping in dog poop or have their dog roll in it in the dog park.
- If your Lhasa Apso is in heat, they should be left at home. Taking your Lhasa Apso to the dog park while they are in heat is dangerous. Her presence alone can become a distraction and soon escalate into a fight between other male dogs around her. Worst case scenario, your Lhasa Apso will end up hurt.
- Do not eat any food in the dog park. You can bring some treats for your Lhasa Apso if you really want (I don’t as other dogs can get aggressive), but you should never bring food for you. Certain dogs in the dog park might not know how to behave around people eating. They might get aggressive and jumpy.
- No toddlers or little kids in the dog park. Yes, kids and dogs are an adorable sight, but it is not really safe in the dog park. You do not want a kid getting knocked over by other dogs.
- Do not bring your Lhasa Apso to the dog park if they are having health problems. No one should be taking their dog to the dog park if their dog is having health problems. Doing so puts other dogs at the risk of getting sick as well and also lowers the chances your Lhasa Apso will get any better too.
- Your Lhasa Apso must always have their collar on. Maybe your Lhasa Apso is one of those dogs who always race for the exit door – just for that reason, make sure your Lhasa Apso has their collar on with up to date tags on it.
- It does not matter if the dog park you are visiting with your Lhasa Apso is an off-leash park or not – you should always keep your leash ready and with you. The leash is something you need in case unpleasant and rather aggressive dogs end up visiting the park as well.
- You can bring your own dog toys, but be careful! Certain dogs might end up competing for the toys you brought with you and these situations can often escalate into a problem. Just like children, some dogs will want the toy of your Lhasa Apso and they will do anything just to get it.
Did you know? It is best to give treats to your Lhasa Apso AFTER you are done with the dog park adventure. While it might be tempting to bring some treats to the dog park, keep in mind some dogs might want to have a bite of that treat as well. For safety reasons, it is best to keep the treats after you are done with the dog park trip.
Interaction With Other Dogs
One of the biggest benefits of bringing your Lhasa Apso to the dog park is, of course, interaction and play with other dogs. Watching your Lhasa Apso run around and play with other dogs can be fun and very exciting, but there are many things to look at before letting them do so. It takes a lot more than just bringing your Lhasa Apso to the park and letting them play. You must know how to react in certain situations and always make sure your dog and you are safe.
Each time you see another, unknown dog approach your Lhasa Apso, talk to their owner and get to know more about their furry companion. Some dogs might seem very cute and easily approachable, but even the cutest dogs out there can be very aggressive and disobeying. There are also owners who bring their dogs to the dog park just to have some alone time, respect that and always ask before letting your Lhasa Apso run and start playing with them. Even if you feel like petting a certain dog, make sure you always ask. Not all dogs react positively to strangers and most of them will actually be very suspicious at first.
In case the owner of the dog refuses to let their dog play with your Lhasa Apso, or they tell you not to pet their dog, trust them. There is a reason for them to tell you ‘’no’’. Same as you would not like a random person petting your Lhasa Apso or having a random dog play with them, other owners also have the same mindset in their head, respect that.
Whenever you are in a situation of introducing a dog to your Lhasa Apso or vice versa, keep them on a leash and slowly let them sniff each other. The leash is something you need at that time simply because it will help you control your Lhasa Apso’s movements in case they become rough and aggressive. In case a fight breaks out, make sure you keep yourself away from the middle of it as it could cause you some injuries as well.
6 Great Tips For A Fun Time At The Dog Park
Everyone has their own way of dealing with their dog and their crazy ideas, but in reality, we all have the same plan in our heads upon getting to the dog park – We all want to keep it safe for us and our dogs. It is important to help those who are unaware of certain problems or rules at the dog park, let them know and do not hesitate to point out at the mistakes people do and you notice them. Be open for a talk and share your knowledge with those who are uncertain about what to do once they come to the dog park.
Here are my 6 tips that will help you make the dog park trips an amazing experience for you and your Lhasa Apso altogether:
- You are the one who is in charge, not your Lhasa Apso – Lhasa Apso can often act like they are the boss and they will do their best to ‘’soften’’ you up. Make sure your dog knows you are the alpha animal no matter what. When other dogs are around, your Lhasa Apso and their ‘’bossy’’ behavior will come out most likely. Showing them you are in charge will make the entire experience much easier to handle than it would if you let them do anything they please.
- Arriving at the dog park, pause before opening the gate – A Well designed dog parks usually feature double entrance with two gates opening in a different direction. Before you fully enter the park and let your Lhasa Apso run around, make sure you always pause and look around. Look at how many dogs are there, which type of dogs are there and take a moment to see how well they behave. Pausing at the time will not only give you a slight insight into the situation that goes on in the park itself but also give enough time for other dogs to get used to your Lhasa Apso.
- Pay attention to your dog – Once you arrive at the dog park, it is all on you, therefore, pay attention! Dog parks are a great way of getting some fresh air and providing your dog with necessary socialization with other dogs, but it is not a place for human socialization. You will see people talk in the dog parks, but they mostly talk about their dogs and pay attention to what they are doing. Pay attention to what is happening around your Lhasa Apso and be ready to call them back in case they do anything wrong.
- Never bring a puppy to the dog park – Puppies are adorable and everyone loves them, but you should never take a puppy to the dog park. Puppies are not easy to control and they have no experience when it comes to behaving at the dog park. While people love their puppies, most older dogs will find them to be very annoying and too hyperactive to handle. Socialization is important to the puppies, but the dog park is not a great way to start it at all.
- Know how to react if a fight breaks out – At times, there is simply nothing you can do to prevent a fight from breaking out. If this happens, make sure you give it a moment as most dog duels end rather quickly. However, if the fight goes on for more than a couple of seconds, try to squirt them with a water pistol or just use a long stick to push them away one from another. Make sure you do not use your body and hands to step in and try to fix up the situation, you will end up injured.
- Know when is the time to leave and go home – Dog parks are awesome and all, but you should also know when is the right time to leave and go home. As soon as you notice your Lhasa Apso no longer feels like being at the dog park, or you notice a rather dangerous dog entering the dog park – it might be the best idea to leave. You do not have to spend hours in the dog park to make it a great experience!
First time visit it to the dog park – If you have never taken your Lhasa Apso to the dog park, try to visit it first during non-peak hours. If there are other dogs at the dog park, there is a chance your Lhasa Apso will end up overwhelmed by it all. It is important to get them used to the environment and slowly introduce them to other dogs.
Related Questions
What age is enough for a puppy to be in order to visit the dog park? It is advisable you wait for the puppy to reach six months of age before you take them to the dog park. Puppies who are younger than six months have not gotten all their shots and they are easily exposed to various diseases. It is best to keep your puppy at home until they have the required vaccinations and health checkups.
Should I take my Lhasa Apso to the dog park if they are not spayed or neutered? There are many people who take their dogs to the dog park, even if they are not spayed or neutered. However, it is advisable you do not bring a dog to the dog park if they have not been spayed or neutered. Taking a dog who is not spayed or neutered to the dog park might result in unwanted dog pregnancy and even various injuries.
Should I train my Lhasa Apso at the dog park? No, dog parks are a great place for exercise and socialization between dogs, but they are hardly a great training ground. If your Lhasa Apso does not know how to behave at the dog park, you should probably train them in a more controlled environment before taking them to the dog park.