Wouldn't it be great if your dog could talk to you? No more guessing if they're hungry, need to go out or want a little affection. He could say, "I'm not feeling well," and you could take him to the vet before waiting until things get more serious. She could tell you she's ready to head to the dog park to play with friends. Thankfully, the Denver, CO area is a great place for dogs. You'll find it here no matter what your four-legged friend needs.
Your pet may be unable to tell you what they want or need with words, but they communicate how they're feeling - we have to pay attention. Your dog's eyes, mouth, tail and overall body language can give clues about what's going on with your furry friend. It's especially important to understand your pet's language when you plan to be around other dogs. Here are three things to pay close attention to:
- The eyes. If your dog's eyes are bigger than usual, it could be that they may feel stressed, frightened or aggressive. Smaller eyes could also indicate a sign of fear or stress. However, if their eyes look squinted, it might signify physical discomfort. Where your dog looks also is telling. Looking directly into another dog's eyes is a sign of aggression. If your dog has a bone or toy and glares at you out of the corner of his eye (so the eye appears primarily white), this is a signal to back off.
- Lip service. You can tell when a dog is feeling aggressive because they typically pull its lips back and display its teeth. They may even wrinkle their nose in a snarl. This is different from the grin some dogs will display when feeling submissive. The accompanying body language is also a big clue when reading your dog's mood.
- Tall tails. Some people might be surprised to learn a tail wag isn't always a sign of friendliness. A relaxed dog typically holds their seat in a natural position. If they're extremely happy, they may wag it from side to side or in a circular motion, and it's usually pretty forceful. However, a dog that's guarding something may also wag his tail. This type of wag is usually more rigid, and the body language will be stiff and tense.
When your pooch is asking for some time outdoors, you can head to one of these great dog-friendly parks in the Denver area:
- Cheesman Park has an open green space perfect for a game of frisbee.
- Washington Park's 155 acres include a flower garden, lakes and numerous pathways. Remember that your furry friend will need to be on a leash.
- Sloan's Lake Park has a 2.6-mile walking trail (keep Fido on a leash) and a lake for boating and fishing on its 177 acres.
If you and your furry pal are both in need of some refreshment, head to one of these pet-friendly spots:
- At both Call to Arms Brewing Company and Reverence Brewing Company, leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.
- Try out Little Man Ice Cream or Bonnie Brae Ice Cream for a sweet snack for you and your best friend.
- Need something bigger? Grab one of the dog-friendly tables outside at Illegal Burger or Hopdoddy Burger Bar.
Finally, if your pooch is begging for some time with friends, head to one of the numerous dog parks in the Denver area:
- Kennedy Dog Park has three acres for your pooch to explore. It's fully fenced and has a separate area for dogs that need a calmer environment.
- Railyard Dog Park has a great central location, separate areas for high-energy and low-energy pooches, and lighting for evening visits.
- Lowry Dog Park near Lowry Airforce Base offers lots of space for working off some energy. There aren't separate spaces, but plenty of room to run.
When you head home after a full day of fun, the last thing you want to have to do is clean up the yard after your pet (especially since you've already done that at the dog park). Let us take care of your dog's business. You can schedule our services online or by phone at (303) 963-9434. We scoop poop in Denver, CO, so you don’t have to.