Dog Parks: 10 Reasons Not To Take Your Older Dog

Recently I was talking with a neighbor who mentioned that her daughter takes “Muffin” to one of the dog parks in our area several times a week and the dog is always battling diarrhea issues.  This prompted me to look into these recreational parks for dogs a little more.

She was asking for help on getting her dog’s stool regulated. I gave her my recommendations for dog food and supplements. I also told her to touch base with me later to let me know how her dog was doing.

When I seen her again three weeks later she explained that she changed the food and added the supplements, but her dog’s soft stool issues were off and on. This dog is only 6 months old and eating top of the line foods and receiving some great supplements.

I’m Not Bashing Doggy Parks or Day Cares

I think the idea of taking your dog to a large fenced in area where they can romp, roll and run around like a nut with other dogs, is great. Yet on the other hand many dog owners are oblivious as to what is going on with their dog, what’s the leash is removed.

Here’s 10 Reasons To Avoid Dog Parks

1. You can’t read the body language of your dog or other dogs.
2. You assume that your dog is going to behave the same way as he does when he’s at home with you.
3. Your dog doesn’t listen or come when you call him.
4. You get distracted when you start talking with other dog owners and forget to watch what is going on with your dog.
5. Your dog is fearful of other dogs.
6. Dog(s) are not vaccinated.
7. Your dog is aggressive towards people and other dogs.
8. You think that your dog being amongst a lot of other dogs will cure his behavioral issues.
9. Your dog is sick with diarrhea or vomiting.
10. Your dog eats everything and anything.

Make Sure Your Own Dog Is Healthy Before Socializing with Other Dogs

If you enjoy taking your dog to these recreational parks, my advice is to make sure that your own is healthy before hand.  Don’t go if your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea.  You can learn more about the causes and how to treat diarrhea here.

I can’t recommend enough that you start giving your dog a good daily multivitamin on a regular basis to help build his immunity.  Just like a good multivitamin works for you; they also work for your dog.  It’s vital that you maintain your dog’s immune system if you’re dog is going to frequent any place where there’s lots of other dogs.  You do that with good food and supplements.

It really boils down to the dog owner using common sense and closely monitoring their own dog. But again, I DO NOT RECOMMEND taking an older dog to a dog park if the dog is feeling under the weather.

Instead take your old friend for a walk on a nice trail and allow him to get that sniffer going!  She’ll enjoy that just as much, or maybe more.