Run free, run safe

Dog runs or parks - public, fenced areas set aside for off-leash play - offer dogs the chance to meet others and burn off some energy.

Many dogs love the action at an offleash park, but these spots aren't for all dogs.

But not all dogs are well-suited to the often rough play of a dog park. To get some tips on dog parks, we turned to Dr. Melissa Bain, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Because of disease concerns, dog parks should be off-limits to puppies less than 6 months of age, and to dogs who are extremely old, chronically ill or otherwise immune-compromised. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian.

Not even a healthy dog can just be thrown into a dog park. Your pet should be friendly with other dogs and with people. If your dog acts out in fear or aggression with other dogs, new environments, new people or when in a confined area, then your dog is not ready for the dog park - and may never be.

Many dogs don't mean to be aggressive, but they will often provoke fights or fearfulness from other dogs with overly aggressive and unrelenting play. These are likely dogs who were not properly socialized as puppies and never learned to read another dog's "leave me alone" cues. Hormones can also play a role, and that's why it's usually best for dog-park play to be among spayed and neutered animals.

"Not even a healthy dog can just be thrown into a dog park. Your pet should be friendly with other dogs and with people..."

Even if your dog is relaxed and comfortable in new situations and is good with other dogs, you must be sure your dog will come when called before you take him to a dog park so you can extricate him from a potentially unsafe situation.

Get the scoop on the local dog park by going without your dog at first. Find out the busiest part of the day (usually right after normal work hours and on weekends), the slowest (usually early mornings and mid-afternoons), and whether any aggressive dogs frequent the park. Visit at about the time you'll usually be there and observe who else and what other dogs are regulars at that time. Your first concern is your dog's well-being and safety, and protecting him from any aggressive dogs who may visit the park is a must.

Look at the park's design as well. Parks should have a double entry, so you can go to the first gate and unleash him while watching for the right moment to enter the main park so your dog doesn't get mugged. And since even well-meaning large dogs can hurt small dogs, it's best to find a park with a separate area for smaller dogs if you want your little guy to run.

You'll also want a park with good basic rules and an engaged group of users who enforce those rules, such as children under complete supervision by an adult (little kids can be easily injured by roughhousing dogs), a limit on the number of dogs a single person can bring in (no one can manage a dozen dogs at once) and, of course, a strict policy of immediate poop pickups.

If your dog is ready and the park seems wellmanaged, then it's time to take your dog. Try taking your dog to the park in the least busy time of day. Letting your dog become adjusted to the surroundings with few dogs around him will help keep him from getting overwhelmed in a situation where the dog is thrown in the park with numerous others at the busiest time of day.

Watch your dog at all times. It's poor dogpark etiquette - not to mention unsafe - to spend your time reading or talking to other dog owners while your dog is unsupervised. Don't allow your dog to bully or be bullied. If you see a problem developing with your dog, the safest course is usually to take him home.

One of the best parts of using a dog park is getting to hang out with others who love dogs as much as you do. Since many dog parks are maintained, policed and improved by those who use them, get active and join your dog park's association. It'll make going even more fun for you and your dog.