Off-Leash Etiquette

So you’ve got a great new furry pal and you’re imagining yourself bounding across emerald green grass while your new dog lopes gracefully beside you. There’s no doubt that off-leash activity is fun and it may look easy. But as a new pet owner, it’s really important to get properly prepped in off-leash etiquette before hitting the grass with your new canine companion.

Part 1 in Off-Leash Etiquette: You and your New Dog.

Off-leash parks can be wonderful places for dogs and people.

Research has shown that while our dogs frolic, run and wrestle, neighbours and locals meet, greet, chat and even go on to build meaningful, life-long relationships. Dogs act as a natural social lubricant. Their warmth and easy companionship to rubs off on us and we are drawn to each other without pretension or judgement.

However, as with all happy relations, a successful off-leash park comes with agreed social etiquette; an etiquette that over time breeds good will and responsible behaviour from both owners and their dogs.

A good goal to set yourself and your dog for off-leash park behaviour might be this:

For both you and your dog to be respected,

well-like members of the off-leash community

Once you’ve established that, then the strategy for setting off leash behaviour is fairly straightforward. It should include:

· Research
· Training
· Familiarisation as an owner
· Familiarisation for your dog
· Preventative care

Five Must-Dos before hitting the Grass with your New Canine Companion:

1. RESEARCH

Before anything, it’s wise to jump on the internet, walk down to the local library or browse your local bookshop to read up on different off-leash park etiquette. One source of information is not enough. It’s best to read as widely as possible and then collate the most balanced and sensible into a workable program for both you and your dog. Some simple examples might include: commanding your dog to sit before removing the lead or remaining alert to the danger of dog packs forming. More on this next week!

2. PREVENTATIVE CARE

Ensure your dog is fully vaccinated and up to date with preventative health care before getting out and about in the community. Find a vet in the area and establish a good relationship with them. Have a chat to the staff about the local off-leash area while you’re there too. It’s likely they’ll have an inside understanding of what you and your dog might be able to expect.

3. TRAINING

Take your dog and yourself off to obedience classes well before introducing them to the off leash park. Even if your dog comes already “trained”, obedience classes will both help to establish a bond with your dog, while providing opportunities. A happy off-leash dog will be respectful, relaxed, and responding well to direction.

4. FAMILIARISATION (FOR OWNERS)

Take yourself to the off-leash park a few times without your dog first. Go at popular times (generally 6am – 8am and 5pm – 7pm weekdays). This will help give you a little understanding of the particular atmosphere that your closest off-leash park has. It can also be helpful to introduce yourself to a number of the dog owners (and their dog) and chat about the off-leash park, the dogs and the general expectations there. While there you can observe how others are with their dogs and see how the etiquette rules you’ve researched at home are being applied in practice.

5. FAMILIARISATION (FOR DOGS)

On your dog’s first visit to the park, it’s a good idea to take them through the non-off leash area on lead first. Take a walk, let them sniff the ground, meet a few dogs on lead and mark out some territory. You can also map out where doggy poo bag disposal units are (very important!) along with other facilities.

Find your closest dog friendly beach and park