Dog Parks

[Sandy]

I think dog parks are great for dogs getting rid of excess energy, etc. Up until recently I was a huge fan, and really enjoyed the times we went. However, a couple of times ago, Toby was attacked by a Doberman who was toy possessive. Fortunately Toby hadn't had his hair cut then, and I am convinced his shaggy hair protected him from being injured. He was terrified, of course. We found out from another dog park user that after we left she muzzled her dog. Obviously if she had a muzzle with her, her dog had known issues. Grrrrr. Anyway, the next time we went there was a dog that wouldn't leave Toby's ears alone. It's owner was great at stopping it, but when he released his dog, it came right back at Toby. We went again last night, and I really feel like Toby is hesitant to play with other dogs now, as he headed for the people, laid on people's feet, etc. He did play a little, but there were a couple of dobermans there (not the same one), and clearly Toby was timid around them.


Dog parks can be wonderful, but these experiences have soured me. I wish I had another way of exercising him. Any thoughts?

[Chris & Boys]

Try to find a neighbor with a dog or a friend with a dog and get together for play dates. Try to find someone from DK in your area. I think when breeds get together, they tend to play together and leave other breeds alone. I live in MN, so there are a lot of parks with hockey rinks and they live the boards up all year round. I have gotten together with people there, since I do not have a fenced yard to let our dogs play. I am hoping to get Fozzy to be reliable off-leash so that he can play with the other dogs in the neighborhood so we don't have to go to parks.

I take Fozzy to the rinks alone sometimes, but all he does is sniff around for the other dogs & critters that also use the rink.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have had issues with dog parks too including people bringing dogs they know are sick. Neighborhood dogs were ok but not always available etc. Solution: get a second dog! I'm not joking it's just what I did.

[Adina P]

The older my dogs get the LESS I'm excited about dog parks. At 3, 4 and 14 ... none of mine get excited about the dog park because of the dogs there. Well sort of, but play with the others is not what they are into doing. They are into the smells, the abandoned toys and fetching. They couldn't care less about the other dogs there unless those dogs are bothering them. So for us, the chance to play with other dogs bit is a moot point. I haven't gone in a while and won't go while pregnant, but if we go in the future it's purely to give my dogs a chance for off leash fun. In the meantime I take Rosco, now and then, to a HUGE outdoor sports field that belongs to one of the colleges. It's perfectly maintained and usually empty depending on the time or season. Then he can run and fetch to his heart's delight and I don't have to worry about other bone headed dogs or whether or not the other dogs are healthy.

I like the idea of dog parks (I was on the committee that helped to establish ours) but I really think they are pretty much only a good place for very stable dogs young dogs...and most people think their dog is stable whether it is or not. Or they think 'they'll work it out' and go anyway. It's just far too frustrating for me to have to be on alert every time I go. I would totally make use of a puppy park if such a thing existed. Puppies get the most out of play, it seems. Then they turn into temperamental adults.

[Sandy]

That's what I'm finding - the older Toby gets (even though he's only 1 now), the less "needful" he is of the dog park. He is quite happy if we go and find it empty. When baseball season is over there is a fully fenced diamond near here that I think we will use instead. He can gallop around and I don't have to worry about other dogs.

Stella from this board and I live in walking distance from each other, so we sometimes arrange to be at the dog park at the same time. Last night, too, I found all the dogs were "clumping up" - the owners were all standing in one place, so the dogs were gathering too, and that's always trouble.

[Stella]

Hi Sandy!!

The last time we were at the dog park together THAT dog kept trying to mount Chase - he kept coming back and doing it again. Well, eventually Chase really had had enough and gave it to him. The dog ran away yelping, and I grabbed Chase and put him into the car until I could catch Hartley (!!). We haven't been back since as Chase began getting snippy with some of the other dogs on the way out. I don't want it to become a bad experience for him but don't think I'll go back that late in the day again - too busy.

On the other hand, you guys are always welcome to come for a play date to our back yard!! There is nearly always one of us at home - just come and knock on the door if you like. Or we should try and pre-arrange something for one day?

I tried that baseball diamond, but they had locked all of the gates last time I went there - very disappointing!!

[Sandy]

Locked gates - rats. I'll have to keep looking around the city.

[Nancy Sunderland]

I agree with Chris, I would seek out friendship with people (who live nearby), that have dog(s) that your doodle feels comfortable playing with and around. Depending on where you live, maybe there is a place you, (as a group of a few dog owners) could take your dogs for a walk, (or even just play in their back yard together). Some of my dogs favorite activities are joining us in the summer when someone invites us to a BBQ of some sort. 9 times out of 10, they have a dog too, and bonus, they clean up the scraps!

[GBK]

I agree with all regarding a freind or neighbor with friendly dogs to play at the dog parks. That is how our area group page here on doodlekisses works for most weekends :) Someone posts they will be at such and such dog park at a certain time and whoever can make a play date shows up to play. It has really worked out fantastic, and we have no worries about too rough play or dogs not getting along. Even my 4 year old has started to "play" again now that he knows all the pups are friendly and not a threat.

I also find if I walk the outer perimeter we have less problems with other dogs. Mine play and run with a few they like and each other and we never stand around with the gossipers and their unwatched dogs. Good Luck Sandy, hope it get's better for you :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We have play dates with my friends dogs, my parent's terrier and the wheaten terrier that lives next door. This works out very well. Peri also gets energy out at doggy daycare once a week. Those dogs are all friendly (go through temperment testing) plus someone watches them constantly. Good luck!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We still go to dog parks but my husband and I no longer go unless we can both go together to keep things in control.

When it's just Spud and I, we go to an empty school play yard ( no kids, he still jumps ) and play ball and frisbee to exercise him. The school yard is fenced with no other dogs or kids and he loves to just run. Might be an idea for you if there is one in your area.

[Sandy]

I always keep my eyes open for nice fenced areas! :) I know of one ball diamond nearby, and I might stick with that for now.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It's lonely, but it's exercise..