Dog parks can be a great resource for exercising, stimulating and socializing your newly fostered dog. Here are a few things the P4P Team would like you to consider before entering a dog park with your foster pup.
- Assume you cannot trust other people’s interpretation of their dog’s behavior. (“My dog is friendly and loves other dogs.”)
- Without proper introductions, there is no way to know how each dog will behave in these situations and should not be attempted without a P4P VIP present.
- Rescue dogs may not know warning signs from other dogs yet because they may not have been taught. They may take a warning as a threat and could react to defend themselves simply because they don’t understand.
- Keep in mind that rescue dogs may often be in defense drive, not social drive when it comes to other dogs (even if they are good with other dogs).
- Going for walks to introduce dogs always is best protocol. Walks are great!
- Exercise is ESSENTIAL to your foster pup’s well-being and behavior.
