Royals Bark at the Park: What It Is & How to Bring Your Pup

The “Bark at the Park” is a special event that’s hosted by the Kansas City Royals. On certain days, you can bring your furry friend to cheer on the team! Proceeds from this event go to a good cause, the local animal shelter. Of course, only well-behaved and sociable pups are allowed. If your trained dog loves to get out and about, though, this can be a great way for you to enjoy America’s favorite pastime and take your pup with you.

However, there are extra steps that you'll need to take to ensure that your dog is ready for this event. Here’s how it works!

How Does It Work?

You cannot just show up with your pup and expect the Royals Bark at the Park event to go well! You have to purchase the correct tickets and prepare your pup properly. First, you must purchase the special Bark at the Park package, which includes a ticket for you and one for your dog. These are available on the official Kansas City Royals website.

Your pup must be at least 6 months old and have up-to-date vaccinations. They should be well-socialized too. If your dog hasn’t been around others a lot, now isn’t a good time to try out crowds! They should be comfortable before you go.

Bring a copy of your dog’s vaccination record with you. Be prepared to sign a waiver stating that your pet is vaccinated. You may be able to fill out some of this beforehand. Check your email after purchasing tickets for the required forms.

While you’re at the event, be sure to clean up after your dog and keep them leashed at all times. Don’t allow them to walk into other people’s spaces or annoy other dogs during the event.

When Is Bark at the Park?

The yearly dates for this event change, and there are often several different days when you can take your pup to see a baseball game. Again, make sure you’re using the team’s official website. Otherwise, you may not find the canine-version tickets available.

You’ll probably have the chance to choose between multiple games. Be sure to take a look at the team’s full calendar each year to determine which day works best for you.

How to Keep Your Dog Comfortable and Safe

Events like this should be fun for everyone involved, so it’s important that you keep your dog safe and comfortable at the ballpark.

Not all dogs work well during these events. Ballparks can be crowded and loud and have lots of unfamiliar sights and smells. If your dog is easily stressed or frightened by loud noises or large crowds, this might not be the best outing for them. As we said, it’s important that your dog is well-socialized before you head to the ballpark.

Familiarity

Preferably, you should find ways to acclimate your dog to the sounds of baseball. Nothing beats the real thing, of course, but you can play noise and baseball game sounds at home to get your dog used to them. If your dog seems scared of these sounds when they’re recorded, their reaction to them in real life will likely be even worse! Familiarity makes canines more comfortable, though. Sometimes, introducing these sounds at home is enough to get your dog used to the action.

Leash Training

Now is also a good time to practice leash manners. If your dog doesn’t walk well on a leash, trying to control them at the ballpark may be a challenge. Your dog doesn’t necessarily have to master leash walking before you go. However, they do need to do very well.

It’s best to sit in the shade, on an aisle, and away from the speaker towers to help your dog stay more comfortable. You want to stay away from anything that might be too loud.

Regular Breaks

Don’t make your dog sit the entire game. It’s important to take them for potty breaks and regular walks to stretch their legs and get them away from the action for a bit. If you just want to sit and watch the whole game, don’t bring your dog!

Watch your dog for signs of stress and anxiety. If your dog is panting, yawning, or excessively licking, it’s important to step in before they become overwhelmed. Preferably, you should take your dog to a quiet place within the stadium to help them calm down. Sometimes, you may realize that your dog cannot handle the stadium, and you may need to leave early.

There’s no shame in leaving the game early if your dog is not having a good time. In fact, you should consider this as a contingency plan if your dog becomes stressed during the game.

What to Bring

There are several things that you need to bring to the ballpark to keep your dog safe and comfortable:

• Leash and collar: Your dog must stay controlled at all times, so a leash and collar are important. We recommend a non-retractable, 6-foot leash. Ensure your dog has their ID tag and rabies vaccination attached.
• Water bowl: Bring a portable water bowl and some water to keep your dog hydrated. These games can be very hot, and you don’t want your dog to become dehydrated.
• Waste bags: It’s important to clean up after your dog properly. Dispose of waste bags in designated containers.
• Ear protection: If you can get your dog to wear them, earmuffs can be a great way to muffle loud noises. Fireworks and crowd cheers can startle even the most well-behaved dogs.
• Portable shade: Depending on where you’re sitting, some way to provide shade for your pup is recommended. Umbrellas are common, but you can find many other contraptions too.
• Favorite toy: A familiar item from home can help your dog feel more secure in the loud, fast-paced environment of the ballpark.

Conclusion

Thanks to Royal Bark at the Park, you can enjoy a baseball game with your pup! However, you must purchase special tickets.

Purchasing the right ticket is only the beginning, though. Your dog should be well-socialized and completely vaccinated before you take them to one of these events. Ballparks can be extremely stressful for dogs, so it’s important that your pet is well-acquainted with being out in public.

You should also bring everything your dog needs to the ballgame. Typically, this means bringing a water bowl, a quality leash, and even ear protection. There’s no shame in leaving the game early if your dog is not having a good time. It’s better to cut the outing short than have a negative experience.

• See Also: Bark in the Park With the Durham Bulls

Featured Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock