Dog parks

[kokopup]

I'm not that familiar with the dog parks in various cities but the one that I have been to has 3 separate areas for dogs. They have small, medium and large dog areas and each one is around 2 acres and heavly wooded with benchs scattered around. I mentioned in another post about Koko freaking on her first visit, I guess because of the smells without any dogs being present. I plan to take her back on a weekend when there may be other dogs around. We normally go to a very large dog event every year so she is very socialize around other dogs. I have several woods areas, other than my own, that we go to often. I usually let her off leash at one of our state parks after we are deep in the woods. We run into an ocassional Hiker or Mountain Biker but there is never a problem because she loves everybody. Most of the Mountain Bikers know her by name since she is a fixture at all of our races. All of the areas that I go are patroled so hunting is not one of my concerns.

[Cataholic]

I should have specified, this is a no hunting zone.

As for Jasper being well behaved, he is an oddity amongst dogs, I fear. With next to no training, he walks without a Leash about 95 % of the time. I have had people stop us on the street to comment. Odd, really. So, yes, he is well behaved enough not to roll in manure if I tell him not to.

[sasvermont]

I took Prue to the dog park today. Every time I visit it's different. Today was odd and the dogs were not friendly. I had to correct a few dogs while their owners were standing there like dumb bunnies. I make Prue behave herself when she is dealing with other dogs. I don't allow her to gang up on any one dog - something that happens from time to time in any dog park. I don't want to see anyone get hurt, so I try to make them chill out before the event ends up being ugly.

It was so bad today, that Prue kept trying to get me to pick her up.... to get away from the mean doggies. I don't understand why people think it's ok for their dog to bite the crap out of another dog. I am not talking about playing roughly, I am talking about biting and growling like they mean it.

Prue is not the only dog that gets picked on .... but is often the one that the puppies play with, since she is still puppy like and likes to play like one!!!! She is usually sweet with the puppies too.

I have had some good visits to the park too, when people take care of watching their dogs and make sure they behave nicely.

Don't get me started on the people who bring the children to the park, and let them roam too!

[Freedom]

I am glad to hear that you've had some positive visits at the park. That is wonderful for Prue to socialize and play!

Sorry today wasn't a good group. Sigh.

[Asiel]

I envy you so much. we have no dog parks around at all. None in other towns either. Council is just now looking into the possibilty of trying to start one but it would be a 45 minute drive from here.

About your dog eating horse manure--absolutely gross but absolutely harmless . According to our vets all dogs are attracted to manure and will eat it. Seems they're only looking for missing enzymes they need .Mine always ate a good snack of horse manure everytime we went to the barn and while I hated it I never tried to stop them since my vet advised me to let them have it. Most people with horses on the street have dogs that eat it also.

[luvofallhorses]

I personally won't take any dogs I have to a dog park, but that's just me.

[Taz_Zoee]

Since Zoee is not here for three weeks, I took Taggart to the dog park today. Something I normally don't do because I can't handle both dogs with Zoee's leash reactivity.

Taggart had a blast!! This park I have only had one bad experience at. Zoee and another dog got into it and the other owner made me feel like it was all my dogs fault. We left shortly after that. But usually all owners are very attentive to their dog(s) or don't mind if another owner steps in to correct their dog. Today this little Pit Bull puppy that looks like it was mixed with English Bulldog was being ganged up on. One dog was biting his neck (not hard at all) and then other dogs were mounting him. Taggart saw that and decided to join in. I don't think so! He was very good and stopped when I told him to.
Our dog park also has a separate area for small dogs. And if someone brings their small dog on the big dog side they'd better be ready for that dog to get ran over. Taggart and several other dogs were running full speed all around the field.

Don't be discouraged by a bad visit. I was hesitant to return after Zoee's incident. But decided if I saw that dog there (because I'd seen it several times before) we just wouldn't go in.

I love dog parks and wish I could go more often! I am going to try to figure out a way I can take Taggart more even after Zoee comes home.