By Ranger Brandy Hanusosky

KEEP FIDO SAFE

You may not realize how much the hot temperatures and sun can affect your dog. Please keep the following in mind to make sure your dog stays safe this summer: 

• Never leave your dog in the car, even with the windows down. The temperature inside a car can rise to more than 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. 
• Take fresh water with you and offer it to your dog often. 
• When outside for prolonged periods of activity, apply sunscreen to the tips of your dog’s ears, the skin around the lips and the tip of the nose.
• Be cautious on shady, but humid days as well; make sure your dog doesn’t overexert itself and make time for play breaks.
• For an adventurous day or an extended trip, pack a pet first-aid kit including: tweezers for tick   removal, styptic powder to stop bleeding, hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, and bandages. Include any medication(s) your dog may need.
   

DOG OWNER ETIQUETTE 

Individuals who demonstrate good etiquette will improve their own experience and help promote a sense of cooperation and community with other park visitors.

• Only let your dog greet a stranger and/or their dog if they ask, and keep the encounter brief. The same rule applies if you see another dog and owner approaching. Ask first and respect the other’s response.
• Keep your dog close to you and stay alert to others. Your leash should be short enough to prevent your dog from contacting or jumping on other passersby.
• Be aware of other people’s feelings. If your dog does something to upset someone (jumping up, nipping, barking) apologize to them and take measures to prevent the situation from recurring.  

PARK RULES

Dogs must be controlled at all times on a leash unless they are visiting an approved dog park/play area (Park Rule 12.2). Remote training collars are not an acceptable substitution for a physical leash. This is to protect your pet from unwanted attention or aggression from another dog.

• Canine Meadow Dog Park has separate rules and policies posted. Dog owners have a responsibility to follow park rules and manage their pets’ behavior for their own safety and that of other park visitors.
• Dog waste must be picked up immediately by the handler and placed in a proper garbage receptacle (Park Rule 12.3). Mutt mitts are provided at parking areas/trailheads.
• Ohio law requires all dogs three months or older to be licensed and to display the license tag on the dog’s collar. A license is a lost dog’s ticket home. 
• Dog bites to other dogs or people shall be reported immediately to the Lake Metroparks Rangers at 440-354-3434. Handlers must provide their dog’s name, license number and veterinarian’s name to a ranger upon request. Dog owners are responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dog, per state law.
• Mistreatment of or abandoning animals within the confines of the parks are violations of Park Rule 12.5 and 12.6 respectively.