Why shouldn't I take my dog to a dog park?

They are not for every dog. Many dogs aren’t comfortable being in groups of unfamiliar dogs. Even if it’s fenced, dogs should still have some basic training before partaking. Contrary to popular opinion, dogs don’t always “work it out”. We need to help them, and dog parks aren’t the best place to do this. Dog parks tend to be small areas with little else for dogs to focus on except other dogs. Encountering groups of other dogs all focused on you can be overwhelming and frightening for a socially unskilled dog, especially a young one. If your dog isn’t socially skilled or mature, letting them run free in a dog park could lead to behaviour problems. Your dog could be intimidated or bullied by other dogs and your dog, unsure how to respond, could start acting defensively or bullying other dogs, too. There are dogs who just shouldn’t go to a dog park unless it’s empty or they arrange to meet friends there for some play time. Dogs who shouldn’t be at the dog park: fearful or shy under the age of 2 females in heat easily over-aroused dog “selective” resource guarders fence runners (or jumpers) prone to barrier frustration like “fence fighting” any with a bite history old dogs and/or those experiencing physical or structural pain should be protected from the rambunctious activity at a dog park. Many dogs who aren’t comfortable in a dog park can experience trauma which may not be detected by their owners but will impact their future behaviour especially if they’re young and still maturing.