Anyone who has a dog and lives in an apartment (or doesn't have much yard) will tell you that going to the dog park can have it's pros and cons. The pros are that your dog gets exercise and also gets to socialize with other dogs and people. The cons are more stressful like: getting your dog to the park, being sure to bring everything you need, and making sure there aren't any scuffles with other dogs.

Today I took my dog to a new park and it made me realize that I should probably make a list of items to bring. Made me think of mothers remembering everything in a large diaper bag for their kids. Also, I noticed some behavior issues with some of the dogs as well as their owners. I decided to put together some dog park essentials and tips for ensuring a happy and safe experience at a dog park.