Bark parks

[Boxermomma]

Dog parks: Good or bad?

What are your reasonings behind this?

I will post my POV after seeing a number of opinions and address others opinions in my argument. I will say, though, that I take my dog to a dog park near me.

Forgive me if this was already a debate topic.

[BellFounder]

Nice idea in theory, probably not so good in practice. However its a basic consideration when you buy a dog to make sure you have somewhere you can allow them to play off-leash and exercise properly so perhaps they're the best a bad situation can offer for some city dogs? I'm undecided.

[TribalRats]

You might enjoy reading this thread. http://www.globalpaw.com/showthread.php?t=4650 (Dog Parks: Yes or No)

[shandoggy1]

Well, I'm kind of on the fence with this one as well although I just walked in minutes ago from the dog park near me where my dog was having a grand old time . I haven't been there in a few months because Cai got Kennel cough and then had worms, the worms I'm thinking came more from him eating horse and goose poop and whatever else he shouldn't eat than the dogs but who knows. I also stay away from the dog park on the weekends because of the number of dogs and the idiotic uneducated owners who they are with. I have seen too many altercation's with intact males not getting along and the owners thinking it is funny. However, just today my 8 month old ACD was playing fine with a male golden and a male lab who were both intact and all went well. For the most part though I walk the trails near the dog park and just get lost in the woods, I usually don't hang around the actual dog park to much anymore. It has made a difference in my boy as far as socializing and I am happy we went as much as we did while he was young .

[Rip's Girl]

No dog parks for us, for three reasons.
1.) I have a very small dog. While he is great with other dogs, I don't trust other dogs, especially larger ones that have never met him before, not to hurt him. A rambunctious Great Dane can squash a Papillon even if they are just trying to be friendly.
2.) I have a dog who, although very friendly, is picked on by other dogs. Border Collies have a different and slightly intimidating way of communicating, and I'm sure that non-herding dogs interpret my BC's behavior as threatening or irritating. I don't want to subject him to being picked on because of that, especially because he is still a puppy and the last thing I (a novice handler) need in a performance/show dog is dog-aggression or fear issues.
3.) Above all else, I avoid dog parks because of the irresponsible owners. People don't hesitate to bring dog-aggressive dogs to the park. Sometimes it is a man with a grotesquely swollen ego, just wanting to show off his "badass" dog by letting it rip into innocent ones. Other times it is a completely ignorant idiot who thinks their dog attacking others is "cute" or "just playing". I can control a pack of dogs by myself with a firm tone and some body language, the dogs really are not the problem. I just never want to deal with the owners, who spoil things for everyone.

If there is an idiot-free dog park somewhere, please send me the address. I'd love to go.

As far as my opinion of them goes, I believe it depends on the park and the dog in question. If a dog is sound and can handle the rough play and threatening behavior that will undoubtedly come up at a dog park (it is a rather unnatural situation for many dogs) then go for it. However, I think that the majority of "friendly" pet dogs should stay out of dog parks until they are well trained.

[RIo&Nickysmommy]

I agree with the above poster. No Dog parks for me. In theory they are good but to many people do not have control over their dogs. Also at times I know one Dog Park when I lived in Vegas people would bring dogs their just to watch them fight with others. (Sick) In my old apartment complex we had a dog walking area and everyone was supposed to pick up after their dogs they even had scoopers and bags for you to use. Well my dog was young and got very sick from it so I keep my dog out dog community area's.
I think a dog park needs somone to truly monitor it to make it a success.
Rio&Nickysmommy

[Boxermomma]

Okay. My dog and I both love going to our local dog park. That being said, I only go at a certain time everyday. I go when I know that only about two or three other owners are there with their dogs. These are the people and the dogs that I feel comfortable around and comfortable having my dog around.

A dog with ANY agression issues what-so-ever should not be at a dog park. I understand if some owners want to attempt to socialize dogs with aggressive pasts, but a dog park is NOT the place to do it.

My Dog who is well socialized and has nice manners isn't going to automatically know that another Dog doesn't want him to sniff a toy they are sniffing or sticks his head into the bowl their drinking water out of.

If owners are well-educated and alert about their dogs, a Dog park can be a nice place. Like everything else- do your homework first. Learn about pack behavior and learn what times responsible owners go.

I watch my dog LIKE a hawk. Even though he has been playing with the same few dogs for months.

If a new owner comes, I try to educate them abouot how boxers play. Not many people know and interpret their play as aggression or bullying.

To go to a dog park, owners should be more than well educated on different styles of play, signs of issues (when to step in BEFORE something happens), and they should know when it is wise to just leave the dog park.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

It's funny 'cause I always just assumed all dog parks had a seperate area for the little ones! We don't have them in my area at all, but I went with my aunt to one in SF they visited regularly, with their Lab and Lab X. My Aunt said that they all really enjoyed going there, and the irresponsible owners were kind of pushed-out eventually by the responsible regulars. In other words, when irresponsible owners came, they were educated or sent away somehow, was the impression I got.

I would love to have a fenced dog park with seperate areas for big/little dogs. I think it's a GREAT opportunity to educate other owners, and exercise dogs. I think I would be like some of you, though, where I choose a time of day when there aren't many other dogs, get to know the responsible owners so we can coordinate play times, and always observe outside the fence before letting Missie in. It sure doesn't take long to spot irresponsible owners and wild pooches! We don't have a backyard or other dogs for Missie to play in/with, so it would be excellent for us, and other owners in the same boat (like apartment dwellers).

To go to a dog park, owners should be more than well educated on different styles of play, signs of issues (when to step in BEFORE something happens), and they should know when it is wise to just leave the dog park.

I absolutely agree. As well as ensuring your pet is up to date on vaccinations, and altered (or unallowed to play with other dogs that aren't, obviously). Further preventative measures, like heartworm and parasite preventatives, would also be good.

[mulroony]

I LOVE my local dog park. Without it I would have never been able to introduce Shelby to nearly as many dogs as I have. I also wouldn't have 10 acres to let her stretch her legs as much as she needs. I don't think there is anywhere near by I can take her off leash, and fenced in areas are few and far between around her.

Not everyone there is the best owner, but they are trying. If someone's dog is being aggressive they usually remove it immediately, and if not you can report them and they will not be allowed back. It is pretty much the same people over and over again so that is not much worry. If there is a dog there I do not like I try to stay away from it and usually over that size of land it works just fine.

I can understand why you would not want to visit a dog par, but I think it has to go park by park. Ours is kind of self enforced b/c most of the people that use it are those that worked so hard to get it made in the first place.

[schnzrluv]

No dog parks for me. I have a small dog also, but she is a schnauzer so she thinks she's a great dane and is not afraid to stand up to a large dog. Because of this I worry about her saftey as well. I enjoy walks in the woods, and there are lots of county/state parks in my area that have rivers, streams, and lakes. Chloe has to be on a leash at these parks, but she has a great time playing in the water, and walking in the woods sniffing every inch of the trail. It has actually gotten to the point that when we enter her favorite park,(oddly the one my husband and I got married in) she goes crazy whinning and barking with excitement. I really enjoy going, and would not be happy at a park where my dog is running around and has to be watched like a hawk. I think I would be stressed and worried the whole time. However, I do understand that it is important to socialize a dog. I do it by frequently visiting friends and relatives that have dogs.

Lindsey

[mulroony]

I forgot to mention that the park by me has a seperate are for little dogs, but usually it is just used by people who do not their dog to mingle w/ everyone else for some reason. Usually the dogs that might get aggressive stay in there and everything is great.

[Pugdawg1]

I won't take mine to a dog park. I have zero trust in other people and the training and socializing of their dogs. Too many bad stories that I hear. My pugs are silly little creatures that with no good defenses. Even when little dogs and large dogs are kept separate.. doesn't mean there won't be some joker that thinks it's funny to throw his big dog with the little ones. Argh. I take my guys to a friends house to romp with their pugs, and we do our own thing as well, so they get out and have their fun, just not at a dog park.

[calgal]

I took my two Yorkies to a dog park only one time because the lady who has doggie play date every week decided we should meet at the park and bring our sack lunch. We went to the small dog side but ended up with two large dogs who weren't mean but their play was much too rough for our 6 tiny ones, and again like what was mentioned above, we were so afraid of disease, and since there was so much poop around it was too difficult finding a "clean" area for them, so we ended up going to a resturant that has a really big back yard with pic-nic tables. I think the parks are great for large dogs if they are not looking for a fight, because they generally have enough space for them to run. I think doggie play dates with the tiny ones is the way to go.

[britishbandit]

I agree with Rip Girl (reason #3 to be exact). There are 2 dog parks nearby that I know of, and stopped by one a while back, and wasn't impressed. There are just too many irresponisble dog owners out there. And even with mine being well trained, there are just too many instances that could go bad. My dogs do get to socialize with other dogs "on leash" and go to areas that I do allow them to run free without the threat of other dogs starting something. My 2 have good behaviour, and I'd hate to see them provoked into bad behaviour. If a smaller dog got aggressive with them and they for some reason showed aggression back, that small dog would end up on the bad end of that deal. You all probably know the best way to introduce new dogs is out of their territory, and on a leash to start with. I don't see it to be a good idea going to a park and letting masses of dogs loose that have never met before. I am sure some people do this with no problems, but I'm not prepared to take that chance.

[aspen]

dog owners at dog parks generally see dogs attacking each other as just dogs letting out their natural aggression. to reprimand them is to go against the laws of nature. they also never apologise if their dog jump on you or claw you. again, if you are in the dog park, you are willingly subjecting yourself to doggie laws. they even clap if their dog is humping yours because that show how friendly he/she is. this is just my pov.

my dog like dog parks, for about 2 minutes. after the initial sniffing, he's too bored to watch or join in the rough housing and group tackles. it looks fun to me, but he's just not into it.