Search online or go there without the dog to see if there are any rules posted. Here are the rules to our closest dog park, I think they make sense to me:
City of Fullerton - Park Rules

 

Search online or go there without the dog to see if there are any rules posted. Here are the rules to our closest dog park, I think they make sense to me:
City of Fullerton - Park Rules

I wonder why they restrict the different collars? I understand spike collars, but the others?

 

I go to the dog park maybe 4 days out of the week now and both Mav and myself love it. I've been to maybe 4 different dog parks and my local one is the best because of the other owners, who are completely responsible and are always keeping an eye on their dogs. However, I'm sure you'll encounter a few times where an owner just lets their dog loose and just goes about the rest of the time looking at their phone or doing something else, not watching their dog.

Just make sure your dog is being polite. Not harassing other dogs by constantly trying to hump (yes I've seen Mav even get humped by female dogs a few times) or her getting in their face if the other dog doesn't like it.

#1 advice: if you got a bad feeling about another dog, act upon it by leaving.

At my local park we have what we call the "weekend warriors", and that's when there can be some trouble dogs; aggressiveness, dominance issues, etc. Try to get to know the regulars and they'll let you know which dogs have had issues at the park and which ones to avoid. The advice from my fellow owners has helped me avoid bad situations a handful of times.

Alot of users here are against dog parks, with good reason, but in my personal opinion, the benefits far outweigh the negatives as long as you're aware of the other dogs there. Mav got bit at the dog park we go to months ago and wasn't phased by it, he wanted to play with his friends 10min after the incident happened. I run into the owner of the other dog (who is a known aggressive dog) a few times and just move over to the small dog side when I see her, or if I stay on the big dog side she doesn't come in. Why she keeps bringing him is beyond me, but it's a terrible lack of respect for the rules and the other owners there who have spoken to her about it.

 

Max and I have been going to our local dog park since he was about 6 or 7 months old. Max loves it and always gets a lot of exercise. However, we only go once a week, or less.

The reason we only go occasionally is because there can be problems with other dogs. Sometimes people bring aggressive dogs. Max has received minor bites at least three times. Often, the owners of the aggressive dogs are the least responsible--they do not keep a good eye on their dogs or monitor their behavior.

Now we go at the time of day a particular group of dogs is there. I know the group, and Max knows the dogs. However, you never know who will show up. If I see a suspect dog, we leave.

On the other hand, dog park provides great socialization and exercise, which is why we still go sometimes.

 

Dog parks can be a blessing for dogs who really need to run loose and stretch their legs. I've been going to them off and on for years. But they can cause problems, too.

The biggest issues I've seen are when they are crowded. I tend to go to a certain dog park early in the morning, after I drop off my daughter at school. The dogs and owners are pretty much the same small group of people at that time of day. In the afternoon and closer to 5 or after it gets very crowded, and you can feel the stress level go up. I just don't go in.

I can't remember how old Milla is**, but she's still pretty young I think. The most important thing for you I think is to hover a lot. Stay near her, so if she gets into real trouble you can leash her and walk out (don't pick her up). And like Dezy says, get to know the regulars there. They'll fill you in, and they want to know about your dog as well. I have found talking to the owners to be one of the best parts of the dog park.

** Just looked at your ticker--Is Milla done with all her shots? If not, don't go near the dog park yet. I'd suggest waiting a week or so after finishing the vaccs before taking her in. And be aware that not all adult dogs like puppies...some can be very intolerant and get quite pushy.

 

Our dog park is nice because it's only for residents of our town. You have to pay a fee, show proof of vaccinations and registraion, and they give you a key card for entry.

I would say, the key things...always pick up after your dog, always watch your dog and the other dogs there and be aware of what' s going on.

Ask the other owners if there is anything you should be aware of. Let them know if your dog has any quirks that might be triggers. For instance, Rocket loves to play hard. He's not in the least aggressive, but some dogs don't like hyper puppies, so I always explain that he's a pup and likes to run and wrestle, and ask if their dogs will will be OK with that, and offer to come back another time if they do, since they were there first, etc.