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Off-Leash Dog Play Supervision: Monitoring Dogs Well-Being with different Substrates

Paw, surface-temperature, and ingestion checks to run during off-leash play across the school's different surfaces.

Purpose

Paw and surface checks to run during off-leash play. Our school has a mix of surfaces, and some paws are sensitive to unfamiliar textures. Three checks, three responses: paw health, surface temperature, and ingestion.

Paw Check

  • Watch for limping, paw-lifting, or a dog walking slowly on a certain surface.
  • Check between the pads for sores or redness.
  • Found something? Contact a senior team member. They decide how to adjust the dog's routine.

Surface Temperature Check

  • Check outdoor surface temperature during warmer months. Paws burn easily.
  • Hand test: press a flat hand on the surface for a few moments. Uncomfortable for you? Too hot for paws.
  • Keep dogs in shade during extreme heat.
  • Keep turf and other surfaces cool: spray down with water, or move shade structures, several times a day.

Ingestion Check

  • Watch for a dog eating flooring material: pea gravel, mulch, rubber.
  • This is not minor. It can cause significant health issues.
  • Bring it to a senior staff member or manager immediately.
  • Document it clearly in the kennel system.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I contact a senior team member about a paw issue?

Any time you spot a sore, redness, limping, or a dog favoring a surface. Don't wait to see if it clears up on its own.

What if I can't tell whether a surface is too hot?

Use the hand test. Flat hand on the surface for a few moments; if it's uncomfortable for you, it's too hot for the dog.

How often should surfaces get cooled down in extreme heat?

Several times a day: spray turf and other surfaces with water, or move shade structures, as needed to keep dogs out of direct heat.

Can ingestion of flooring material wait until the end of a shift?

No. Flag it to a senior staff member or manager right away and document it in the kennel system.

Who to Ask

Paw irritation, surface heat concerns, and any ingestion go to a senior team member or manager the moment you notice them, not at the end of the shift.