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My name is Georgia and I absolutely love the dog park! My sister Charlotte does as well, but she is not nearly as vocal about it. When it is clear that we are about to head out to the park, I will spin around, yip hysterically, and whine in Mom’s ear during the whole care ride to the park. I think it makes her drive a lot faster!
Now, some dogs are a little leary of dog parks, like my sister Charlotte. But this is mainly due to the other dogs. She is not as trusting as I am. And, there are some things to watch out for like over-aggressive butt sniffers and ball thieves. But, overall, I pretty much love all the dog parks we have visited. Keep reading and I will give you an insider’s view of the pros and cons and how to have fun.
Why Dogs Love Dog Parks: Unleashing the Good, the Bad, and the Squirrely!
I love the dog park because I can run my little legs off and chase balls for hours, or until Mom’s arm gets tired. My sister, Charlotte loves to chase balls as well. But sometimes she gets really engaged with eating grass, especially if it is lush, long, and green.
Yet, it’s not all wags and licks in doggy paradise. I’ve come to realize that dog parks have their drawbacks too like that annoying moment when another dog steals my favorite ball. Or, some over zealous male youngster won’t stop sniffing my butt! One time I was mowed down by a much bigger dog while I am just minding my own business.
At the end of the day, dog parks are a fenced-in melting pot of personalities, both dog and human. They’re social clubs, exercise yards, and potential gladiator arenas all wrapped up in one.
Our Mom is very selective about where she takes us. If the other owners do not mind their dogs or if we encounter aggressive dogs, we get loaded back into the car and Mom drives us somewhere else.
The Pros of Paws at the Park
Freedom to Roam
I love to run and explore! I can race clear across the entire dog park to join a group of dogs chasing balls. Or, I might run around and check out all of the bushes, trees, and other dogs without getting all tangled up in a leash.
Better than Walks on a Leash
We love walking around the neighborhood and local parks with Mom. We know she needs the exercise, so we do our part. And we get a chance to smell things and get caught up on the daily news.
However, it is so much better at the dog park! We don’t have to march right next to Mom. We can run around like crazy and Mom can still get her exercise. So, it is a win for everyone!
Social Skills Masterclass
Ah, the mingling mosh pit of mutts! Dog parks serve up a smorgasbord of socialization, where I get to perfect my play bows and refine my ruff-housing etiquette. It’s my go-to for gabbing with the gang and sniffing out new sidekicks. Trust me, navigating the nose-to-tail network is a skill that keeps my social calendar just as busy as my human’s.
Cons: The Not-So-Paw-sitive Aspects
Dog parks aren’t always the tail-wagging utopias we imagine. There are a few muddy splotches on the otherwise spotless reputation of these canine playgrounds.
The Muddy Paws Dilemma
Ever gone to a dog to a park after a rainstorm? I certainly have, and I’ve come to expect the inevitable. I am not fond of getting wet, and Mom especially seems to hate the water and mud we track into the car. Yet, it can be kinda fun at times.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree: Conflicts
Let’s face it, some pups just don’t play nice. I’ve seen more than a few park squabbles that turned a relaxing afternoon into a ruff one. Whether it’s over a prized stick or the best spot to sniff, dog personalities can clash, and not all owners are as vigilant as they should be. It can be a little stressful, but Mom always intervenes.
Staying Safe
Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid!
Mom sometimes gets concerned about the water at the dog fountain. As long as it is flowing and not all muddy and backed up, she usually lets us drink from it. She also makes sure we have been to the dog doctor recently to get little needle sticks in our butts. She says it keeps us healthy, because other dogs can be sick and they can make us sick.
Leash Laws
Mom always keeps us on the leash until we get into the park, and she gets really annoyed if other owners don’t. I think this is because my sister will growl, bark, and lunge if she is on a leash and an off-leash dog charges toward her. She gets scared because the leash restricts her and she can’t run away. I have heard Mom yell more than once, “It is the law!” This seems to make the other owners grumpy, but I know our Mom is always right.
But once we are all inside the park, all of our leashes come off and we all get along pretty well.
Final Howls: Weighing Up the Dog Park Life
In case you haven’t noticed by now, I am just crazy about dog parks. I love the freedom to zip around untethered. I go into my happy dance just thinking about it. But, it’s not all tail-wags and butt-sniffs; there are a few growls to consider too.
The Pros:
- Exercise: I’m talking about the sprint-like-you-stole-a-sausage kind of run. A fenced-in dog park means I can go full greyhound without my Mom fretting.
- Social Pup-arazzi: I’ve sniffed more butts and made more friends than a politician at a rally. Social skills? Check.
- New Sniffs: A dog’s gotta smell! New environments are a lot of fun for my snout and lets me practice my deep breathing exercises.
- Relaxing: All that sniffing and running and exploring makes me happy and ready for my afternoon nap.
The Cons:
- Rough Play: Not all dogs play nice. Sometimes a fur-friend is more of a fur-foe.
- Maintenance Matters: A park that’s not kept up is like finding a splintered bone that’s lost its flavor and is dangerous to chew on.
- Health Hazards: Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to germs and parasites, sadly.
My sister and I are medium-sized dogs, and we can usually hold our own. But, we can feel a bit intimated by large dogs who want to play-fight but don’t realize how much bigger they are. Even the smaller dogs can be annoying if they chase and nip at us.
We appreciate parks that do not have foxtails that can get into our paws and ears. And we really dislike parks with things we can trip over like trash piles or deep cracks in the ground. I almost broke a leg once stepping into crevice. Boy, did that through me for a loop!
Poop bags are a big plus to help keep our paws clean. And, because I get thirsty, I really appreciate a clean drink of water. One time the dog fountain was plugged up with mud, and I panted all the way home until I could get to my water dish.
To Sum it All Up:
Fenced dog parks that are maintained, clean, and have all of the amentities are loads of fun. When the other dogs are polite and have all of their butt needle sticks done, it is even better. We can run freely, not get bowled over, sick, and Mom worries a lot less.
Just gotta sniff out the right spots, dodge the occasional grump, and find a place Mom likes too. Happy tails and trails! 🐾
Deanna Euritt is a dedicated dog enthusiast with over three decades of experience in raising and training a diverse range of dogs, including many rescue pups. Her practical expertise is rooted in real-life experiences, where she has successfully navigated the challenges of nurturing rescue dogs into confident, well-adjusted companions. Residing in Northern California, Deanna’s days are filled with adventures along trails and beaches with her beloved dogs, Charlotte and Georgia. In her writing, she offers insightful, compassionate advice to fellow dog lovers, leveraging her extensive personal journey in the world of dog care and training. Visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn and FlipBoard (+ icon below) See our full story — About Us.
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