How many people go to dog parks?

[pitc9]

Sierra and I make the 3 hour trip at least once a year to Findlay, OH for the PT meeting at the dog park. Other than that I've only had her to one other dog park. She gets plenty of play time at home with her brother Buddy. He can't go to the dog park, he has bad doggie manners.

[boomersooner]

We've never been to one, but I have driven by the big one here in Dallas by one of the bigger lakes....They have a separate one for small and large dogs, but every time I've gone by, it is so crowded, it scares me a little, because, I, too have heard vets talk about how they have to put pups back together again because some irresponsible pet owner had a dog who didn't need to be out there at the park. (whew, how's that for a run on sentence!!) I really liked the idea of the members only dog park. One could really be selective, that way.

[K9karen]

We started taking Logan last summer. There's a new park very near my house, but I still drive the 15 minutes to the one she's familiar with. We usually see the same people, plus newbies on Saturdays. If the weather is good, we also go on Sunday.

At first she kept to herself, sniffing the perimeter and purposely staying out of the way of running, barking dogs. Suddenly, she adapted to the melee and now picks out one dog around her size (the park is divided in two depending on weight) and follows it, but also runs with the pack! We are so excited and she seems to have a fantastic time! The people are great, take control over their dogs, pick up after themselves.

[Ginger's Mom]

I used to take Ginger all of the time, she loves the dog park, and most of our experiences have been very very pleasant. We don't go as often now that we have Taz, because Taz is not as well mannered. I have to be careful where and when I take him. He is basically good, but a there are times I just do not feel like dealing with him.

[Flatcoatluver]

We have a dog park on a huge park. I go to the park and hang out by the lake and let my dogs swim. I ONLY go to the dog park when there isn't any dogs in there. There is so many irresponsible owners that I have met, that bring there dogs to dog parks because they want to "fix" there dogs aggresion. Dog parks are not a way to fix aggresion IMO. It's not a risk I want to take. I have friends in my local dog club that we have meet ups in agility fields, and I let the dogs play with them.

[kokopup]

I had mentioned earlier that we didn't have a dog park and I always looked forward to Do dah day here. In all the years I have been going I don't recall anyone bring the type of dog that is known to be aggressive. All the dogs that come to this event are all well socialize non
aggressive breeds. I'm sure there might be isolated aggressive episodes but during our lengthy stays over the years I have never seen any fights or even a snarls. We have 1000's of dogs in a 10 block area and all really runs smooth.

I'm sure that at some dog parks owners bring unsocialize aggressive dogs. We are lucky that these owners stay away from Do Dah day.

[Giselle]

Nobody has ever deliberately brought a TRULY aggressive dog into our dog parks. HOWEVER, certain dogs (rambunctious adolescent Sporting breeds come to mind) can possess lackluster manners. When placed in a large, social setting, pack mentality kicks in. And when a dog snaps or growls at a rambunctious adolescent to warn it, that snap can initiate every dog around it. The same thing happens when young puppies are brought into the big dog areas. The puppies yip, the other dogs flood the puppy, and a mass attack ensues. It's disturbingly common.

Also, Kokopup, I believe the OP is referring to off-leash dog parks, where the dogs run uninhibited and socialize freely. Do Dah Day, while it looks very fun, seems like a completely on-leash parade VS. a traditional dog park.