Did you know that March 30th is Take A Walk In The Park Day? It’s probably safe to say that many of our canine patients would be more than happy to help celebrate! Actually, taking Fido to the park regularly is both fun and beneficial for him. A Norwalk, CA vet offers a few ‘pointers’ on this below.

P  reventative Care

Dog parks can be hot spots for certain parasites, especially heartworms. Make sure that your furry best friend is current on his vaccines and parasite prevention. Fido should also be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags. We recommend keeping copies of your pup’s paperwork on hand, in case you need them. Put some in your glove box, or snap photos of them and keep them on your phone.

Off-Leash

Off-leash parks are great in that they allow Fido to run and play unrestricted. However, you’ll need to screen your furry pal’s potential playmates. Unfortunately, not all dogs are going to play nice. Don’t let your canine pal go off-leash if you see pups acting aggressive and/or bullying other pooches.

Training

A dog park isn’t a bad place to work on or just refresh Fido’s training. It’s important for your pooch to obey you no matter what type of distractions are around. However, don’t expect to hold your four-legged friend’s attention for very long. A few minutes should be plenty.

Competition

Be very discreet with toys and treats. If Fido’s friends realize that you have the goodies, they may start to crowd around you, hoping you’ll share. This could lead to a bit of a doggy ruckus!

Benefits

Even if your dog has a yard to patrol, he’ll still benefit from a change of scenery. Our canine companions love to sniff at new grass! Fido will also enjoy just being able to interact with other dogs, and running and playing with them. Of course, going to the park doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s also something you can enjoy. This is a great time to meet up with a friend, or just relax and soak up some sun while your pet has fun. One thing dogs are great at is getting us to (literally) stop and smell the roses. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Norwalk, CA veterinary clinic, we’re happy to help!