Dog parks have their benefits. They can be great places for your hound to release energy, and to provide them with environmental enrichment in the way of new sights, sounds and smells. But they can also be a place of concern if not approached in a cautious manner.
Our preference is for other forms of environmental enrichment and stimulation over off-leash dog parks. This is particularly true if you are working with a hound with a history of reactivity, or one who is nervous or cautious with new experiences. A busy dog park may be too overwhelming of an experience for them.
We understand that for owners of hounds living in apartments or small units, visiting a dog park for “zoomies” is often common practice. If you do plan to visit a dog park with your hound, we strongly advocate for safe off-leash practices.
Please remember that Greyhounds are sighthounds, a breed known for their love of chasing and running. They should only be off-lead in fully fenced areas.
Here are a few questions to consider before taking your hound to an off-leash dog park:
- Is your hound new to companion life? Are they still learning their new routine and adjusting to a new environment? Dog parks may be overwhelming for hounds new to pet life.
- Does your hound have any history of injuries to consider before an off leash run?
- Have you practiced slow introductions with both Greyhounds and other breeds? Do this before taking your hound to an off-leash dog park.
Tips for keeping your hound and other hounds/dogs safe at dog parks:
- Muzzle up! Hounds are legally required to wear muzzles when they are off lead in NSW. This is unless they have passed their Greenhound assessment and are exempt from wearing muzzles. Greyhound Rescue recommend hounds to wear muzzles when greeting new dogs for the first time. Please note, this refers to NSW and you should check your local laws if based elsewhere.
- Work on recall with your hound before taking them to an off-leash area
- Only allow your hound off-lead in a fully fenced area
- Avoid dog parks that are very busy
- Stick to socialising with smaller groups of other hounds/dogs
- Look into allowing your hound off-lead in a private area such as a friend or family members backyard. You can also look into hiring private locations, such as Sniffspace.
- Study up on dog behaviour and body language to help you understand how they communicate. This will help you to understand if everyone is enjoying themselves, or if you need to remove your hound from a situation.
Dog parks can be a positive experience, but they won’t be suitable for all dogs – and that’s ok! If you feel that a dog park isn’t the right place for your hound, trust your instincts! A walk around the block with lots of places to sniff may be just what they need.
If you’re looking for some alternative ways to entertain your hound, check out this article for nine boredom busting ideas.