If your dog is new to dog parks, PLAN your first visit for a day and time when the park is not too busy. The park is busiest on weekdays after 4:00 p.m., and on weekends. UNLEASH your dog inside the double gate before entering the park. A leashed dog may feel vulnerable and can display fear biting and aggression. If you keep your dog leashed in the park because you think it will be aggressive with other dogs, or because it won’t come when called, consider obedience or socialization training before coming to the park. CLOSE both gates behind you. Close one gate before opening the other. Don’t linger at the gate, creating congestion and blocking others from entering and exiting. Please call your dog AWAY FROM THE GATED ENTRANCE when “new” dogs first enter the park. Dogs are territorial, and the boundaries or edges of a territory can be points for aggression. The chances for conflict are reduced once the dogs are inside the territory. NO FOOD in the park—not for humans, not for animals. The park is specifically for dogs, who may beg, steal or fight for food. If you want to have a picnic, there are many other nice “human” parks. WATCH your dog at all times. If your dog is humping other dogs or displays other repeated dominant behavior, call it off and try to redirect its behavior. If your dog is experiencing dominant behavior from another dog, try moving away and letting its owner know. Don’t wait until a dog fight occurs. REMOVE prong collars, choke chains, and spiked collars from your dog before entering the park. DISTINGUISH between play and aggression. Some dogs like to play rough, others don’t. If your dog likes to play rough, be conscious that other dogs or their owners may not appreciate it. You may want to arrange “play dates” with dogs with similar play styles. A dog that is REPEATEDLY AGGRESSIVE towards other dogs or people should stop coming to the dog park. The park may not be a good place to resolve behavior issues. Seek help from an animal behaviorist or trainer. Park rules require that aggressive dogs be removed. Be aware that DOG FIGHTS may occur. If your dog is in a fight, don’t try to break it up by grabbing the other dog’s muzzle or collar or pulling at your dog’s muzzle, because you may get bitten. While there is no safe way to break up a dog fight, some methods include throwing water on the dogs to surprise them, or each owner grabbing his/her own dog by its hindquarters and pulling it away. Owners are responsible for INJURIES OR DAMAGE caused by their dogs. If your dog is injured or causes an injury, you should exchange contact information with the other dog’s owner. You enter and use the park at your own risk. If you are concerned about the risk of injury to your small dog, try to visit the park during off-times. If you bring SMALL CHILDREN, watch them carefully. Running/playing dogs can knock down small children and large adults. Children should not run, scream, chase, or tease the dogs because frightened dogs may become aggressive. After heavy rains, the park can be very muddy. Hoses are not provided for washing off muddy dogs, so consider bringing extra towels. TEACH children to always ASK if they may approach and pet someone else’s dog. It is a good habit to learn and use not only in the dog park, but in all situations involving dogs. Even dogs with good temperaments may not be comfortable with strangers suddenly reaching to touch them. Also, a dog with a health condition may be sensitive on certain parts of his or her body.