EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — If your dog turns into a bundle of zoomies the second you mention “the dog park,” you’re not alone — and a little planning can make the outing a lot more fun for everyone.

During this week’s “Bark on ARC” segment, meet Little Debbie, a small, energetic rescue dog.

Little Debbie is a mixed breed; she has some Chihuahua in her and plenty of pep.

AJ Bethel, a spokesperson for the Humane Society of El Paso, shared tips for taking excited dogs — especially newly rescued ones — to the dog park.

One approach: not rushing straight into the action.

“Especially right when you rescue a dog, it may not be the best to take them to the dog park right away,” Bethel said.

Instead, Bethel suggested easing into it by standing outside the park with the dog on a leash so they can get used to the sights and sounds, or until they’re calm around other dogs.

At the same time, Bethel noted that every dog and every park situation is different.

Bethel said it can help to look at the dogs already inside the park, and if the dogs in the park are also excited and it seems like a good match, “then that’s totally okay too.”

Bark on ARC: Meet Little Debbie, a Chihuahua mix with a lot of pep

Another key tip: use the separate areas many dog parks have for different sizes.

Bethel warned that if a dog is “doing zoomies all over the place,” smaller dogs could get overwhelmed.

Bethel recommended keeping bigger dogs on “the big-dog side” and little dogs on “the little-dog side,” while keeping an eye out for bigger dogs that might get overly excited around smaller ones.

Beyond exercise, Bethel said dog parks can also be a great way to bond with your dog — particularly rescue dogs that enjoy meeting new four-legged friends.

“Play with a different friend like every single day,” said Bethel, adding that dog parks can be a “really, really great tool to get their energy out,” especially for people who live in smaller places.

Dog parks can also be handy for dogs that love fetch, particularly if there isn’t a big yard at home where your dog can run.

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