Dog parks can be a whole lot of fun this time of year, but they come with risks.  Before you load up your pup for a trip to the dog park, please read this short article and plan ahead.  

Dogs' preferences and behaviors change over the years.  Give some thought to whether a dog park is right for your dog in his or her current life stage.  Younger dogs might need a bit more training before hitting the dog park scene.  In particular, recall skills can come in very  handy for dealing with stimulating dog park situations.  Older dogs might prefer the more quiet surroundings of home.  At a minimum, dog park candidates should be current on vaccinations and spayed or neutered.  If you're not confident your dog will thrive in a dog park environment, consider fun alternatives such as a play date at a friend's house or an organized leash walk with others.

If you've decided a dog park makes sense for your pup, be sure to pick the right park.  A good dog park will be well fenced and double gated.  Ideally, the park will offer shade and a separate enclosure for small dogs.  Check for a source for clean water and poop bags.  Also consider whether trees, benches, or tables pose a collision risk for a high speed greyhound.  For more information, see the Association for Professional Dog Trainers downloadable guide to selecting a dog park. 

Once you find a dog park that looks right, spend some time there without your pooch to get a sense for what it is like.  Just one dog that shouldn't be there can dramatically change a dog park's atmosphere.  And you can't really count on the humans being smart enough to use the small dog enclosure for their small dogs.  Come back later armed with a sense for how the humans and dogs interact at that particular location. 

When the big day finally comes and you're ready to take your pup to the dog park, please consider just a few more tips:

• Always check the park's rules and follow them. 
• Carry a small bag or backpack with a doggie emergency kit just in case something doesn't go as planned.  The Humane Society has some great tips for what to include such as a muzzle, Benadryl, bandages, and a small blanket.  Whatever you include, make sure you know how to use it. 
• Know the address and phone number for the nearest emergency vet, perhaps even program the address into your phone's navigation app.  Accidents and bites can happen and you want to know where to go to get your pup patched up if you have to. 
• Know the symptoms and first aid for heat stroke.  Greyhounds can really get going and will likely not have the good sense to slow down when they are getting too hot.  Limit intense activity to times when the temperature is below 80 degrees. 
• When you're in the park, always carry your phone and leash in your hand.  Don't leave them on a table out of reach as you might need to leash up for a quick exit when Dumb and and his dog Dumber show up. 
• Take a quick walk around the park to identify any new obstacles and to check for wet or muddy areas that might be slick.  Make sure your dog knows if someone moved the picnic table into the best running path.  If the grass is wet from rain or a broken sprinkler, maybe go for a nice on leash walk down the street rather than a full speed run in the park.  
• Evaluate any disease risks carefully.  Standing water can contain all kinds of unhealthy parasites.  So can a snack from the dog park poop buffet.  Make sure your pup passes on these goodies. 
• Keep in touch with the local news regarding dog flu and any other communicable diseases that might be spread at a dog park.  If dog flu is going around and your pup isn't vaccinated, leashed walks away from other dogs are your best option.

Risk and fun tend to go together, but a little preplanning can help keep your pup safe and happy in the dog park!