Dog Parks - Yes Or No?

[ellejaytee]

What is the consensus on dog parks? Our malamute got expelled from doggy day care for barking (after at least 10 sessions where noise from him was never an issue). There are a couple of off leash dog parks in our area, but I'm hesitant to try them out because not every person takes a friendly dog to them. He has had an off lead little fluffy dog run across a busy road to bark in his face and try to pull rank over him, the owner hurried from around the corner and was horrified to see her little dog trying to take on a 30kg mal, LOL!

I know our boy misses doggy playtime, we do have a couple of friends with appropriate sized dogs he could play with, it's just a matter of getting it organised...but I wondered if a dog park was a good idea. Just worried I guess that another dog will start a scrap, and the big dog will get the blame. He is also not used to children, but I'd hope little kids wouldn't be running around in the off lead area?! He gets very excited when he sees other dogs, he just wants to play!

[Ci]

I have always gone to off leash parks with my lot, past or present.

You get know the parks in your area and as you frequent them you get to know who goes.

Maybe keep your on a lead at first or go when the park is empty til you get use to it.

Are you meaning an average off leash park or a dedicated to dogs, dog park?

I guess there is no real difference if it's only off leash in your area as that's where all the dogs would go anyway.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Ci

[Kirislin]

definite no from me. I dont know what I'd do if I could not take them to the off leash park around the corner from me. I dont fancy going to dedicated dog parks.

I had to edit my comment. I misread it. No, I dont fancy dog parks at all but off leash parks, yes my dogs and I love our local one. I'd be wary of going to one I didn't know though.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Kirislin

[denali]

I only go to dog parks (like the enclosed fenced kind) at obscure times of the day when there are either no dogs or people like me with dogs that don't care for others.

I avoid "dog o'clock" which is before work, and the evening from 5. It gets so busy and dangerous IMO.

Off leash areas like parks and beaches i do go to often though :)

[Kirislin]

I'm the same with the off leash park near me, I generally dont go on weekends or after about 4pm weekdays

[LisaCC]

No from me too. I only go when they are empty for free running/training or with a specific person I know and their dog.

[Isabel964]

So sorry your dog got expelled. Sounds like not a nice thing. Hey I am a big fan of off-leash parks and have been for 30 years. When you know one to be good, then that's great. Sometimes you gotta try a few. Dog beaches are also wonderful, especially in summer. Socialisation is very important. Good dogs parks tend to be the ones with responsible dog owners. Before you know the park, use caution. I fully expect some dogs do behave badly some times - they are dogs. I watch carefully. With experience you can sense when another dog may be a potential threat. I've had dogs for all my life and never had a major issue. I did go to a fenced dog park near my house once and I'll never go again - it didn't feel right.

I find if a dog does behaves badly the owner tends to be absolutely horrified and really apologetic. I'll talk to them and give them some advice if they ask. Sometimes you might come across a younger person who has their hands full with a dog, they are in over their head because they chose a breed they don't understand or something like that - and really appreciate advice. I also find owners of dogs whose behaviour is a bit unpredictable, will leash their dog when others attend the area. And yes, sometimes you find pigheaded unapologetic dog owners - but its really rare in my experience.

If the park near you is a bit dodgy and/or you're not comfortable, then do what others do and go in off-peak times if you can. A bad experience can be very bad and traumatic for your dog and you. So you always need to be on the watch for a problem. Keep your dogs near you, always have your eyes on your dog. Never have a conversation with someone and sight of your dog. Talk the people at the park and get a feel for it through them too.

Ask around to find good ones in your area and surrounding areas. Sometimes on some weekends I'll drive 40 minutes to a great park, or a dog beach. If you can't go every day, or every few days, once a week or fortnight for excellent socialisation is still good.

[Isabel964]

Snook makes a good point. I think that offleash parks do tend to have dogs offleash that owners can control, where-as maybe some fenced parks tend to have dogs that aren't well behaved because the fence stops them running off rather than being able to recall their dog on command.

[Mim]

I only go if they are empty and leave as soon as somebody else shows up.

I can control my own dogs but I can't control other people's and there are too many irresponsible owners around.

[dididog]

If by dog park you mean fenced in area specifically designated for dogs then no, never use them. Mainly because I don't like the idea of them but also because there is no point for me, I live within walking distance of two awesome offlead parks. I go to one almost everyday and the other one a few times a fortnight so I know them both really well and which times or dogs to avoid. Obviously there's been a few minor disagreements between dogs, that's inevitable but as of yet the negatives don't outweigh the positives of letting her offlead (of which there are many).

Keep in mind though that a lot of people who walk in offlead parks aren't going there to play with other dogs and just want to exercise their own dog in peace. I know that I get annoyed when somebody walks right over to us when we are the only other people in a huge park so their dog can play with mine so make sure the feeling's mutual before you let your dog go up to another. That's probably the most common problem I have at offlead parks, people whose dogs like other dogs so much that they will ignore their owner and run up to other dogs to play. Doesn't bother me too much, my girl is friendly and isn't fussed by rude/obnoxious dogs but I personally wouldn't be letting my dog offlead if she did that, it's asking for trouble.

[Two Best Dogs!]

I'll walk past a fenced off lead park cause it's great practice at ignoring dogs/getting her accustomed to dogs again.

I'll never go in an off lead park. Too many dogs of too many sizes of unknown obedience. Most of the dogs have no manners (friendly yes but also jumping on dogs, taking toys, shouldering other dogs over) and I've seen fights happen when walking past. Add in people throwing food about ... Woah no.

Even our on lead parks are basically off lead dogs monopolising the park and I can't tell from looking if a dog is actually under control ("friendly" and running up in everyone's faces is not under control), a polite greeter, aggressive or a bully.

It's just too risky in my books :/ our local on lead creek is okay but I have to go at really weird hours and I turn around and go if someone's dog is off lead.

For actual dog socialisation I have obedience classes and various preapproved dogs. Controlled meets without the risk of a strange dog running over and jumping on everyone and upsetting everything.

Now this Kapala park where we can book it for ourselves...different story! Guaranteed no other dogs =awesome play time!

Edited September 6, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[silentchild]

I'd never go into a fenced dog park.

However I do go to my local off leash park which has a walking track around it which means people are constantly moving instead of just standing and letting dogs play. It's next to a road too so people have to be able to control their dogs (tho not all do!!).

I used to be very worried about it but have relaxed considerably - we only go during quiet times of the day and it's great to walk around, Breeze will run and say hi to any friendly dogs we pass, have a little play if they are up to it, and keep moving on. It also helps if I can read approaching dogs - oh this one is friendly, this one doesn't want to be bothered, this one wants to play. A great recall is a must - if either mine or the other dog looks uncomfortable in the slightest I always recall my girl immediately before anything bad happens.

Edited September 6, 2015 by silentchild

[aliwake]

I love going to the dog park. I have a very social lab who enjoys playing with other dogs, and I'm lucky to have a small park with a good group of responsible owners nearby. You definitely need to be wary of new dogs and there can be some very sucky owners out there, but just being careful and aware if new dogs arrive is sufficient.

You need to find the right park though.

[Poodle wrangler]

Get your dog used to kids, if you like to go to dog parks at busier times.

Most dog parks have kids in them, ime.

There was agility equipment at one park I went to. Only the kids climbed and used it, not the dogs :)

Dogs often find kids scary with their quick, unpredictable movements.

Screaming and running, too.

You don't want a biting incident with a kid.

Your dog will be put down or declared a dangerous dog.

[aussielover]

Fenced dog parks are usually awful. I find them too small, smelly &full of dog crap and people stand around talking not supervising their dogs.

Large off leash areas are better as you can generally have your own space and the dogs tend to be under better control.

[Simply Grand]

I use fenced dog parks and have with my three since they were all puppies. I find the benefits of the exercise and stimulation they get, as well as exposure to things they wouldn't necessarily have been exposed to much otherwise, like all variety of dog, kids, prams, wheel chairs etc, have outweighed the risks for us.

HOWEVER I am careful about which parks I go to, they are definitely not all created equal. I definitely want enough space to steer clear of other dogs if need be, I want to be able to walk in without being accosted by other dogs, and won't go in if there are other dogs waiting at the gate (there often are), I get to know the people and the dogs and learn who my dogs are ok with and who they might not be.

It also depends on the temperament of the dogs and you as an owner. Not all dogs are comfortable in the environment and using a dog park to "socialise" a dog that doesn't enjoy being there is a disaster in the making. It's also important for owners to be very observant about what their and other dogs are doing and to be confident enough to step in if you see trouble might be brewing, and to stay calm because if owners panic dogs will too.

Yes, there will be children running around in the off leash area, my Aussie Shepherd loooooves kids but until recently has been too rough and had a tendency to jump,on them if allowed so until I got her reliably trained not to jump I was constantly ready to put her on lead when kids came in. I'm still careful with her when she's excited so she sometimes stays on lead for a while until we've walked a bit and gotten some excitement out. And that works ok for her because she is comfortable with other dogs approaching her when on lead, BUT not all dogs are so you have to think about that.

Lastly, a really good recall is essential, even in a fenced park. If you can get your dog to come to you whenever you want or need them to you can avoid all sorts of trouble.

[Steph M]

Not for everyone, but we are pro dog park here.

The one we go to is huge and generally populated with regulars who have done the trip since 8 weeks and dogs and people know what's expected of them.

Rosie loves other dogs, Gus enjoys them but likes the people more. We have met kids, wheelchairs and all sorts of silly hats and rain gear at our park and I credit a lot of Gus's take anything in his stride attitude to people he's met at the park, training we have done under distraction there and Rosie has gained lots and lots of confidence there.

We have had maybe two or three crummy experiences but in almost 3 years that's a win. Never anything major either. Owners are generally pretty good and apologetic and you tend to not see the offender off lead again. People are happy to tell you if their dog doesn't like puppies or is old and cranky and I just ask my idiots to leave them be and we all remain drama free.

Also in Summer the happiest thing ever is seeing a bunch of happy dogs wallowing in the creek together with no bickering. It makes me happy, the dogs love it and we all get to chat to people and dogs we might not normally connect with.

[Two Best Dogs!]

Oh I forgotten to add! For dog socialising and play dates we also go to best friends and pet barn so maybe you can do that ? Since sounds like you want to keep socialising. I've had minimal problems with those places so maybe there is similar near you

Also kicked out for barking is weird...

[CHA]

I'd be questioning WHY he got expelled from doggy day care a little more. It sounds, to me, like his behaviour was inappropriate and that's why they banned him. If this is so, you may have some behavioural issues to deal with before letting him loose in a dog park, which would be a similar situation to the doggy daycare.

Simply barking should surely not be a reason to ban a dog from daycare?

[Ivory & Beau]

I only go if they are empty and leave as soon as somebody else shows up.

I can control my own dogs but I can't control other people's and there are too many irresponsible owners around.

Same here. I keep to the edges and keep my dogs away. Ivy could possibly fight if she was put on the spot but she isn't naturally aggressive.