Discover Swansboro Municipal Dog Park: A Hidden Gem for Dog Lovers
Many people are surprised to find out that Swansboro has its own dedicated dog park. The Swansboro Municipal Dog Park, located at 830 Main Street Ext. near the tennis courts, offers a great space for your furry friends to run and play. With walking trails around it, it’s the perfect spot for an outing with your dog. Before your first trip, be sure to stop by the office to fill out the necessary paperwork to register your dog.
If you decide to take advantage of the Swansboro Municipal Dog Park, or any other dog park for that matter, here are a few tips to keep everyone happy and healthy.
Make Sure Your Dog Is Up To Date On Vaccinations
This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. All dogs visiting the dog park should be up-to-date on their rabies shot and other required local vaccines. There are a few additional vaccines you may want to discuss with your vet if you frequent dog parks, doggy daycare, or other dog socials. A dog who hasn't been vaccinated is susceptible to disease, and it’s not worth the risk.
While you may want to get your new puppy started with socialization, dog parks are not the best place for that. Let your new puppy get acclimated to the world with other adventures around town first.
Pick Up After Your Pup
Again, this seems obvious, but it's important to emphasize. The park provides bags and trash cans in case you forget. They make it simple so the park can stay clean. Leaving waste not only causes the park to stink, but diseases and parasites can also be transmitted this way. And let’s not forget you or your dog may step in it… or worse, you may have one of those dogs that likes to roll in it.
Side Note: There is no water available at the Swansboro Dog Park, but you can bring a bowl along with a water bottle or two.
Watch After Your Dog
Keep a watchful eye on your dog. This will keep you and your dogs safe. You know their behaviors and can tell if they are uncomfortable, fearful, annoyed, or acting in a peculiar way. Supervision is necessary in case of any sort of aggression breakout. And I think this goes without saying, but NEVER leave your dog in the park without you. If you have to run back to the car, take your furry friend along.
Be Prepared to Get Dirty
This goes for you and your dog. It's not the smartest thing to wear your nice dress clothes to the dog park. When you first arrive, the greeting committee will be at the gate. This may leave you and your pooch slobbered, furry, and/or dirty.
I always wore specific shoes just for the park. Swansboro doesn’t really have much grass; it’s mostly dirt and leaves.
Explore Beyond the Dog Park
Even if dog parks aren’t your scene, Swansboro Municipal Park has several short trails, both paved and unpaved. We often go to the soccer fields to work on obedience training; the distractions from the playground are an added bonus. (IYKYK)