How a Simple Visit to the Dog Park Reminded Us Why Kindness Matters

Dog Friendly Las Vegas was inspired, in part, by the challenges we’ve faced traveling with our pups. Finding a dog park in a new city can feel like a scavenger hunt. Medical help in an emergency? Even trickier. And while dog-friendly hotels are more common than ever, it still takes some work to find accommodations that truly welcome your dog with open arms — not just tolerate them.

We recently shared an article about dog park etiquette and local rules, but if you’re a dog parent who frequents these spaces, you know there’s a lot more to the experience than leash laws and vaccine confirmations. Dog parks are full of personalities — not just on four legs, but on two. Some pet parents are laser-focused on their dogs. Others are still learning how to read their pup’s behavior. And somewhere in between, friendships and quiet rivalries form among the regulars.

As we travel, we often find ourselves in unfamiliar parks, on the outside of tight-knit dog park crews. And that’s okay — it comes with the territory. This week, our Roadie and his mom have been spending their mornings at the dog park in Moab, Utah. Roadie’s dad is a Wildland Firefighter, and we came to spend time with him while he and his team worked tirelessly to protect the beautiful landscape and surrounding homes.

The park itself is lovely — clean, quiet, and ringed with gorgeous desert views. On several mornings, we had the whole place to ourselves. But one day, we arrived to find the park buzzing with energy. About ten dogs and nearly as many humans filled the space, part of a regular morning meet-up before the desert heat kicked in.

As newcomers, we were greeted with polite smiles but remained mostly on the periphery. Roadie, ever the social butterfly, ran right into the mix like he’d known these dogs forever. As for me? Well, humans don’t get to chase a ball and instantly become part of the pack.

One kind dog parent broke from the group to say hello, share their meeting schedule, and welcome us back any time. A few days later, on one of their usual meetup mornings, we returned. Despite my sleepy hesitation, we made it out the door and into the park early enough to catch the group again. This time, things were different. The dogs came over for snuggles and pets. Familiar faces offered friendly nods. And by the end of our visit, we were warmly invited to return anytime.

To someone who’s never traveled with a dog, this might sound small. But if you’ve been the outsider at a local dog park, you know what a difference that small gesture of inclusion makes. For us, it meant a lot.

So here’s our gentle reminder: while dog park rules matter, so does the way we treat each other inside the gates. The pups might be the stars of the show, but kindness from human to human goes a long way. Whether it’s a smile, a quick hello, or a simple “you’re welcome here,” we all help shape the vibe at the park.

Thank you to the thoughtful group at the Moab dog park — we won’t forget your welcome. And we’ll definitely be back when our travels bring us this way again.