12/29/2025
Looks fun, until it isn't.
Dog parks aren’t something I generally encourage.
They add a lot of pressure, reduce choice, and rely heavily on humans noticing early changes and that last part is the concern.
There’s a lot happening inside a dog park.
Social dynamics at their best, and sometimes at their worst. Interactions that started well can fall apart, often while people are still scrolling on their phones.
I know life is busy. It’s getting busier for everyone.
But dog parks aren’t a place to disengage. We need to lift our eyes, watch the dogs, and notice what’s actually happening.
We also need to recognise when it’s time to leave.
• Have the dynamics shifted after new dogs entered?
• Is another dog insisting on interaction when yours is clearly saying they want out?
• Has your dog’s arousal increased to a point where they have stopped responding?
• Is someone dismissing escalating behaviour with “it’s okay, he’s friendly”?
That’s your cue to go.
It doesn’t matter if they’ve only had 23 minutes instead of 30.
It doesn’t matter if their favourite playmate just arrived.
Knowing when to leave is crucial.
