Taking your pooch to the dog park is the perfect way to spend a weekend morning! Your dog gets to romp with other canine companions and you get to meet some neighbors and fellow dog lovers. But there are some canine etiquette rules every dog owner should follow to guarantee the best experience.
Here are a few tips for polite dog park use:
- Observe the weight restrictions of the dog park. For instance, if the dog park is for dogs 25 pounds and under, don’t bring your Mastiff in, even if you think he’s the sweetest dog on the planet.
- Always pick up after your dog. It's your responsibility as the owner to clean up after your pet.
- Leave the gates closed. Most dog parks have a double-gate system. Be conscientious of locking both gates as you enter and exit so that your dog and other dogs don’t have access out of the park on their own.
- Remove your dog if s/he becomes aggressive. A little playful nipping is okay, in most instances. However, if your dog isn't playing nicely, you should take him/her out of the mix and come back to the park when and if your dog is ready to play non-aggressively with the other pooches.
Follow these guidelines and you and your dog will have a great time! 
