University of Wisconsin students, instead of drinking your election, fall and midterm sorrows away, try the great cool-weather activity of walking through one of Dane County’s 10 dog parks. Even if you do not have a dog, the scenery, the outdoors and wild mutts will be enough to make your visit enjoyable.

I recommend Indian Lake Park as your first stop. It is a place where dogs can run free off the leash, but it’s also a Madisonian hiker destination. There are small, rolling hills and a beautiful lake at the center of it all. After you hit my favorite spot, you can visit Viking Village in Stoughton, Prairie Moraine Park in Verona and Token Creek Park in DeForest. Before you start exploring, I must make you aware of the dynamics of the dog park. Although it may seem strange at first, you will grow accustomed to the atmosphere and not be seen as an outsider.

Know your pet

The link that bonds the humans at a dog park is forged by the dogs. Not surprisingly, you can expect questions about your canine buddy: breed, age, ownership history, health history, temperament. If you don’t have ready answers for this interrogation, you may be regarded with a bit of suspicion. On the other hand, if your answers include the word “rescue” you could find yourself on the highest of pedestals.

Know the pets of others

If you aren’t an avid breeder and don’t spend your free time Googling cute puppies with strange names, it can’t hurt to brush up on dog breeds. The ability to recognize breeds will earn you a ton of credibility in the dog-park community.

There will be dog poop

When you walk into a dog park you will immediately notice a container full of plastic bags. You will soon see that the plastic bags are used for picking up dog waste. A few stalwart park attendees are opposed to pricking up waste, rationalizing that nobody follows wild dogs and picks up their poop. Your poodle is not a wild animal and the small enclosure of the dog park does not provide enough space to let every dog contribute to the ecosystem. Plus, one afternoon spent cleaning your shoes should be enough to remove all doubt about the importance of the dog bags.

Don’t bother with the owners

Outside the dog park, owners are essential. They feed and discipline their loyal pals. They are in charge. Inside the dog park, the roles are reversed. The dog is the prime focus, and the owner is the thing that follows behind. The dog leads you where it likes. You will begin to recognize your new role when you realize that every person there knows your dog and nobody asks about you. As you pass by, other owners will immediately bend over to pet your pal. They will notice a recent grooming or a slight limp. You will remain in the shadows, carrying poop in a bag.

Dogs jump

As domesticated as our friendly pets might be, they are still animals. Dress appropriately because your dog will not care that your new white capris are covered in mud or slobber. Your dog will fail to grasp that the path it chooses for you is far too muddy for your TOMS shoes. Your dog certainly won’t understand your unpleasant reaction when canine excitement for the dog park leads to an unexpected expression of love for your leg. Be aware of your dog’s unusual habits and expect the thrill of the dog park to exacerbate those habits.

Support the park

The final piece of the dog-park puzzle is the most important: Dog parks are public entities. Pay for your dog permits! It’s humiliating to get caught without a dog license, and the fine will exceed the cost of the license. The fee is small when weighed against the blissfully-zonked dog who sleeps the afternoons away after runs in the dog park.

So get out there, dog lovers! Before you know it, winter will be here and only the brave (and slightly crazy) will venture outdoors to walk their dogs.