Dog parks
- Thread starter GennyB
- Start date
That's all so true. I will never subject our dogs to uncontrolled socialization since there are too many irresponsible owners out there and we have a ton of threads here to prove it.
I have let our dogs off leash at training since I know that all of the owners have to be attentive to what their dogs are doing and if they aren't, the trainer is going to be on top of it. I have also mingled them in big crowds at dog shows since all of the dogs are controlled or if they're off leash, it's in the ring. Not saying that I haven't heard of a little spat here or there but it's nipped in the bud right away.
I have let our dogs off leash at training since I know that all of the owners have to be attentive to what their dogs are doing and if they aren't, the trainer is going to be on top of it. I have also mingled them in big crowds at dog shows since all of the dogs are controlled or if they're off leash, it's in the ring. Not saying that I haven't heard of a little spat here or there but it's nipped in the bud right away.
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
It is frustrating to not have the luxury of a fenced yard or even a private area to exercise dogs. I miss the large fenced yard ( and doggie door) we had to give up a couple of months ago…and the guys miss it more than me…no doubt.
At this point a dog park/common area for dogs is the only option we have to get the boys out too cut loose.
A lot of the things mentioned in the article are common exposures anywhere you take a dog.
Parks/Public areas overall can be land mines of not just "dogs created" issues...but human created issues and irresponsible, inattentive owners.
We used to walk our boys in various places around the West Bank New Orleans area....and just about every time.... came across dog messes..some people are just slobs...people with dogs off leash.....dogs on leash that weren't under control. Our dogs are trained to step behind us when we are coming up on other dogs.
Our vet there warned us to avoid a common public open air walking path(not a dog park)....it was known to be an area that dogs picked up all kinds of odd health issues.
The way we work with dog parks...what works for us and has for well over a year now...and might help others who are in similar circumstances:
Our phones are put away....we don't even look at them when we have the guys out. I have lost my cool over people who are looking at their phone over watching what the dog is doing (have the same issue with parents who are locked in on a phone over being honed in on kids.)
Check Google...see what the reviews for the park are like. Many now days have Facebook pages with information about the park and some sort of contact person for the dog park.
If you don't think you can trust your dog...then don't do it. We aren't using the dog park for Bam, our youngest right now with some behavior issues that cropped up.....I don't trust him...or me. Better safe than sorry.
We never go right into a new dog park with the boys. First we walk the area to check to see if it is clean. As we do this....we look for holes that could be tripping hazards, scrapes of toys and trash that have been left.
If there are dogs in the area, we watch the owners, we talk to them...from outside the fenced area...with the boys on lead. We watch how the dogs inside respond to our dogs outside.
We make sure the dogs inside are well behaved and under the owners' control.
We don't go into a dog park that has more than one owner(or a couple) and we don't go in if there are more than two dogs inside..... period.
We don't take them off lead until we know the enviroment is a positive one.
Once off lead we are moving with them..not sitting on a bench or hanging out on the side.
We don't let them "go wild" inside the dog park. The still have to obey commands and we work with them IN the park to keep them in that frame of mind.
We don't let them roughhouse with other dogs, we don't let them roughhouse with each other if there are other dogs in the park area.
We don't get out toys if there are other dogs in the park...nor do we take in treats. If someone has toys out or treats...we don't go in. If they get out toys or treats...we leave.
We have.... on many occasions pulled up and realized...nope...not today.....it was obvious the owners either weren't paying attention to their dogs..or the dogs were out of control. We have gone into the area without our guys...and mingled with the other owners and dogs to see how the dog reacted to us.
The upside to using the same park regularly, you get to know other regulars and we all look our for each other and our dogs. We get to know the dogs also.
Our dogs are on a vaccination regimen since we use doggie day care and travel with them so much. They are up to date and they are healthy. If we think for any reason they aren't feeling well, then we do the same thing we did with our kids...we keep them home, in our yard.
Nope..it isn't the perfect way to get dogs out...but sometimes......it's the only option.....well..the other option is not having them...but...can't imagine my life without my boys.
At this point a dog park/common area for dogs is the only option we have to get the boys out too cut loose.
A lot of the things mentioned in the article are common exposures anywhere you take a dog.
Parks/Public areas overall can be land mines of not just "dogs created" issues...but human created issues and irresponsible, inattentive owners.
We used to walk our boys in various places around the West Bank New Orleans area....and just about every time.... came across dog messes..some people are just slobs...people with dogs off leash.....dogs on leash that weren't under control. Our dogs are trained to step behind us when we are coming up on other dogs.
Our vet there warned us to avoid a common public open air walking path(not a dog park)....it was known to be an area that dogs picked up all kinds of odd health issues.
The way we work with dog parks...what works for us and has for well over a year now...and might help others who are in similar circumstances:
Our phones are put away....we don't even look at them when we have the guys out. I have lost my cool over people who are looking at their phone over watching what the dog is doing (have the same issue with parents who are locked in on a phone over being honed in on kids.)
Check Google...see what the reviews for the park are like. Many now days have Facebook pages with information about the park and some sort of contact person for the dog park.
If you don't think you can trust your dog...then don't do it. We aren't using the dog park for Bam, our youngest right now with some behavior issues that cropped up.....I don't trust him...or me. Better safe than sorry.
We never go right into a new dog park with the boys. First we walk the area to check to see if it is clean. As we do this....we look for holes that could be tripping hazards, scrapes of toys and trash that have been left.
If there are dogs in the area, we watch the owners, we talk to them...from outside the fenced area...with the boys on lead. We watch how the dogs inside respond to our dogs outside.
We make sure the dogs inside are well behaved and under the owners' control.
We don't go into a dog park that has more than one owner(or a couple) and we don't go in if there are more than two dogs inside..... period.
We don't take them off lead until we know the enviroment is a positive one.
Once off lead we are moving with them..not sitting on a bench or hanging out on the side.
We don't let them "go wild" inside the dog park. The still have to obey commands and we work with them IN the park to keep them in that frame of mind.
We don't let them roughhouse with other dogs, we don't let them roughhouse with each other if there are other dogs in the park area.
We don't get out toys if there are other dogs in the park...nor do we take in treats. If someone has toys out or treats...we don't go in. If they get out toys or treats...we leave.
We have.... on many occasions pulled up and realized...nope...not today.....it was obvious the owners either weren't paying attention to their dogs..or the dogs were out of control. We have gone into the area without our guys...and mingled with the other owners and dogs to see how the dog reacted to us.
The upside to using the same park regularly, you get to know other regulars and we all look our for each other and our dogs. We get to know the dogs also.
Our dogs are on a vaccination regimen since we use doggie day care and travel with them so much. They are up to date and they are healthy. If we think for any reason they aren't feeling well, then we do the same thing we did with our kids...we keep them home, in our yard.
Nope..it isn't the perfect way to get dogs out...but sometimes......it's the only option.....well..the other option is not having them...but...can't imagine my life without my boys.
We don't have a large yard. Our backyard is only about 1/2 acre but it is fenced. I am lucky enough to have a son that lives on a 200 acre farm bordered by a creek on one side and a river on another. We go there at least once a week for a good run and a swim weather permitting.
And I totally get that. Not everyone lives out on acreage. Easy for me to say that I would never go to a dog park when I have 10 acres for my dogs to run on. Sometimes I think exercising a doberman on a leash would take forever to expel that energy! I often think about living in a subdivision with only a small backyard. And not fenced to boot. I know my dogs really enjoy a flat out run. And we enjoy watching it! I would probably be more tempted to allow that freedom in a dog park if not for our property. But I would have to be the only one there! LOL Or I would have to find some other outlet. Some kind of open field or something. I just don't trust a dog park with a lot of dogs in it and people who don't supervise.
Options besides back yard and dog parks:
1. Soccer fields/complex- I like to go early in morn when nobody is there. You can see and catch potential situations hundreds of yards away.
2. Baseball/softball fields- Use to go here when he was younger and out of control. These fields are usually fenced in and prevent from running off.
3. State Fairgrounds- wide open but have to be very careful because people leave all kinds of stuff on the ground.
4. Trails/hikes- used to do this and he loved wandering the woods but acquired a tick and encountered some weird crack heads so promised the wife would not go back there.
All in all, the soccer and baseball fields worked out really well, just have to get up early to be alone.
1. Soccer fields/complex- I like to go early in morn when nobody is there. You can see and catch potential situations hundreds of yards away.
2. Baseball/softball fields- Use to go here when he was younger and out of control. These fields are usually fenced in and prevent from running off.
3. State Fairgrounds- wide open but have to be very careful because people leave all kinds of stuff on the ground.
4. Trails/hikes- used to do this and he loved wandering the woods but acquired a tick and encountered some weird crack heads so promised the wife would not go back there.
All in all, the soccer and baseball fields worked out really well, just have to get up early to be alone.
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Careful with baseball fields. We have been kicked off of them before. The owners don't like the idea of dogs tearing up the grass or pooping on them. Cant say I blame them even though we always pick ours up.
When we lived in town we would go to rundown tennis courts in public parks. Worked perfect, especially in the winter. Just watch their pads as they slowly toughen up. Of course if anyone ever wanted to play we would leave (no one ever did).
When we lived in town we would go to rundown tennis courts in public parks. Worked perfect, especially in the winter. Just watch their pads as they slowly toughen up. Of course if anyone ever wanted to play we would leave (no one ever did).
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
Dog parks aren't the ideal situation------but they can be a safe option------ provided the owners take the time to make sure it is a safe environment.
Color me green with envy....I'd like to have a place like that FOR ME to get out of town!!!
It's like having that nightmare hulk of a cross fit trainer/Drill Sargent...who is always yelling
"ONE MORE!! GIVE ME ONE MORE YOU SLACKER!! PICK UP YOUR PACE..MOVE....MOVE...MOVE!!!!!!"
DH has taken to calling the boys Hans and Franz ---of ----"We are here to PUMP...YOU..UP" Saturday Night Live fame.
You have to get inventive in the way you work out with them......and you have to be willing to move fast....and have your head on a swivel.
UGH...been here...done this...and amazingly...this kinda two legged vermin...not afraid of big bad dobermans. Our worst encounter with this kind was in a rest area.....don't know what the dude was on...but he wanted to helps us walk the boys
Thank goodness DH is built like a Bama Tide center...and carries....and the fact the guy was so looped...it didn't take much to switch direction and get away from him.
Color me green with envy....I'd like to have a place like that FOR ME to get out of town!!!
It's like having that nightmare hulk of a cross fit trainer/Drill Sargent...who is always yelling
"ONE MORE!! GIVE ME ONE MORE YOU SLACKER!! PICK UP YOUR PACE..MOVE....MOVE...MOVE!!!!!!"
DH has taken to calling the boys Hans and Franz ---of ----"We are here to PUMP...YOU..UP" Saturday Night Live fame.
You have to get inventive in the way you work out with them......and you have to be willing to move fast....and have your head on a swivel.
UGH...been here...done this...and amazingly...this kinda two legged vermin...not afraid of big bad dobermans. Our worst encounter with this kind was in a rest area.....don't know what the dude was on...but he wanted to helps us walk the boys
Thank goodness DH is built like a Bama Tide center...and carries....and the fact the guy was so looped...it didn't take much to switch direction and get away from him.
HakuTheDoberman
Notable member
I have a small backyard but it’s not fenced. So we take him to run at the soccer Felid by our house. With an ecollar incase of emergency and we go at around 10-11 at night so no ones up. This morning my boyfriend was walking Haku and a man standing on his front lawn with his dog (he lived right by the field) asked him “are you the one letting your dog off leash In the field?” He answered yes and told him he better stop or we will be talking to the cops.
it’s sad cause if our boy was a “cute small dog” this man would probably say nothing about it.
so ya.. that’s annoying
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
Probably. Stinks this guy didn't note the dog was well behaved...or that there was no need to be rude and threaten your BF with the cops.
Gonna guess also... he didn't "just suddenly notice" your BF and Haku...so no doubt he knew the dog wasn't out of control.....world is just full of butt holes who are bad dog owners and make it harder for good dog owners who have to deal with kind of aggravated neighbor.
We just find it easier to put them on long leads when we go out to open spaces like this and we stay off to the side of the playing area. They can still whiz back and forth..have a little freedom...and we can keep up better with the hectic pace.
Recently found out one of the areas where we walk our guys has cameras along the path(to thwart property vandalism) ...had a laugh about that.
Wasn't surprised..I just assume if I am outside my house anywhere now days, there's a camera somewhere watching.....we used a yard cam to bust some idigit that was letting his dog crap in our front yard just about every night...right next to where my husband's truck was parked. DH stepped in it couple mornings in a row...second time....that night we were waiting for the dipsh!t. Think he mighta crapped himself when DH got out of the pick up just as the guy stopped to let his dog do the dirty deed.
Yep...guys like that nimrod...make us all look bad.
Well that’s pretty asinine!!
Like Haku and boyfriend are causing some kind of conflict out there.
Ya know? I would go out there anyway and when the police show up, explain to him the need and want on what we are doing and then bust out some obedience commands to impress/show the officer how bad ass Haku is.
A good looking, well trained Doberman can win over minds especially law enforcement.
Like Haku and boyfriend are causing some kind of conflict out there.
Ya know? I would go out there anyway and when the police show up, explain to him the need and want on what we are doing and then bust out some obedience commands to impress/show the officer how bad ass Haku is.
A good looking, well trained Doberman can win over minds especially law enforcement.
Brioddy
Hot Topics Subscriber
I recently began working at a dog daycare which is essentially a structured dog park. I have mixed feelings about it. All the dogs are up to date on vaccines, spayed/neutered (a select few including Rio are allowed to come however), there are no treats or toys. There is always someone in supervising the dogs, and cleaning up after them right away. The indoor bays are sterile and there’s always a mop bucket on standby to clean up any pee or poo and every night the bays are thoroughly cleaned with bleach. There is play equipment the dogs like but don’t become possessive over, outside is mulch which is good for sanitary reasons but sucks for paws.
Many dogs get their energy out running around playing but the dynamic is always changing, it’s never the same exact dogs together every day. It causes a lot of stress trying to sort out a pecking order daily. Honestly I believe most of these dogs would be far happier being left at home, and having a dog walker come halfway throughout the day to give one on one time and let them play/go potty. But so many of the dogs owners believe that the daycare is just so much fun and the best thing for their dog, and it just isn’t the case for many of them. I’m also astounded at how few short haired dogs are dropped off with coats! It’s in the 20s-40s outside and the poor things are freezing. I’m constantly holding a little dog trying to warm them up and if I sit down I am mugged by leaning bodies.
I think I got a little off topic, I apologize. I totally feel for those that don’t have space to let their dogs free. I once lived at a house with Brinks and Odyssey where they always had to be tethered because there was no fence and it was in a neighborhood. They were miserable, the only off leash time they had was when I took them to the local sports complex into the football fields that were fenced. Now I am so fortunate to live in property where they can run and explore to their hearts content, but I do empathize with both humans and dogs where they cannot do that on a regular basis.
I also (schedule permitting) hike once a week and normally take Brinks, sometimes Rio. Although I have unwavering faith in the dogs to defend me, I always bring a gun. You never know who you will run into in the middle of nowhere, and how prepared they are with their intentions. Especially if you go alone! Which I do sometimes. I’m not going to let the possibilities of other people prevent me from doing what I enjoy, and the dogs love it so so much as well.
Many dogs get their energy out running around playing but the dynamic is always changing, it’s never the same exact dogs together every day. It causes a lot of stress trying to sort out a pecking order daily. Honestly I believe most of these dogs would be far happier being left at home, and having a dog walker come halfway throughout the day to give one on one time and let them play/go potty. But so many of the dogs owners believe that the daycare is just so much fun and the best thing for their dog, and it just isn’t the case for many of them. I’m also astounded at how few short haired dogs are dropped off with coats! It’s in the 20s-40s outside and the poor things are freezing. I’m constantly holding a little dog trying to warm them up and if I sit down I am mugged by leaning bodies.
I think I got a little off topic, I apologize. I totally feel for those that don’t have space to let their dogs free. I once lived at a house with Brinks and Odyssey where they always had to be tethered because there was no fence and it was in a neighborhood. They were miserable, the only off leash time they had was when I took them to the local sports complex into the football fields that were fenced. Now I am so fortunate to live in property where they can run and explore to their hearts content, but I do empathize with both humans and dogs where they cannot do that on a regular basis.
I also (schedule permitting) hike once a week and normally take Brinks, sometimes Rio. Although I have unwavering faith in the dogs to defend me, I always bring a gun. You never know who you will run into in the middle of nowhere, and how prepared they are with their intentions. Especially if you go alone! Which I do sometimes. I’m not going to let the possibilities of other people prevent me from doing what I enjoy, and the dogs love it so so much as well.
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
The facility will allow dogs to keep jackets on? That's great!
Both places we use won't allow dogs to have even collars on once they clear the door into the back kennel area.
Brioddy
Hot Topics Subscriber
It’s miserable for the poor dogs that don’t have coats! And remarkably they don’t get chewed on or ripped off. Dogs are also allowed (but not required) to wear collars which is convenient for us if we have to separate them quickly to disengage an altercation but I also worry that while playing they could become stuck. All of the dogs are beyond done by the end of the day and all their heads poke up hopefully when someone comes in (to start taking dogs out to their owners to go home) waiting for their name to be called. I took Rio for a meet and greet which is required for all dogs, basically you let the single dog out in the play area and one by one let the group of dogs out to see how they interact. He passed admirably but I still haven’t brought him with me because I wonder if he would enjoy it more than lounging at home. His first day will be Sunday which is a way slow day (the daycare is closed and it’s just boarding dogs that are there) to see how he likes it.
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
Hopefully it will be a good day for both of you. I know we have been beyond blessed with the crews who work where our guys go.
It's also kinda like the dog park prep..LOL.....we do the research and grill the staff
tour the facilities.It is difficult to not have a private area...but there's always work arounds....we have found it means more work for us
but the guys are worth it.
All of our baseball, track and soccer fields as well as school play grounds are locked with signs stating No Dogs Allowed At Any Time. Dog parks are not safe either. I used to go at daybreak before anyone got there and would put a padlock on the gate behind me in case someone else showed up. Only then would I allow the twins to run and burn up energy. People got pissed over me locking the gate but I always apologized and explained it was for their and other dogs safety. I always left when people showed up but I asked them to please leash their dogs and move away from the gate while I leased and removed my two. Most idiots would just stand by the gate with off lead dogs when I requested them to give me safe space to remove my two.
Some made comments about not bringing aggressive dogs to the park.
That would piss me off because mine aren’t aggressive but they also don’t want to play with your ill mannered dogs.
These are the breakfast club people. Let your dog run loose, ignore them as you chat with friends, look at your phone, read the newspaper and never once look to see what is going on with your dog unless you hear a fight break out, then blame everyone else because your dog is too sweet and friendly to start a fight. Argh!!!!!!
jim g
Notable member
Yeah you gotta do what you gotta do. I live alone and the dog has free run of the house and a modest yard to
go to during the day. I take her to the park every day as soon as I get home but my opportunity to let her run free in the local public park is limited. She's just seven months now and even though she shows regular improvement with recall
she will still Break Bad every so often to go make friends with someone a hundred yards away.
It's amazing how quickly she can cover a hundred yards.
I take her to the local dog park usually once a week. She has to be socialized and being an only dog it's all I can do.
The good thing is she wants to make friends with every body and every dog she see's.
I want to keep it that way so I don't limit her exposure to other dogs & people.
go to during the day. I take her to the park every day as soon as I get home but my opportunity to let her run free in the local public park is limited. She's just seven months now and even though she shows regular improvement with recall
she will still Break Bad every so often to go make friends with someone a hundred yards away.
It's amazing how quickly she can cover a hundred yards.
I take her to the local dog park usually once a week. She has to be socialized and being an only dog it's all I can do.
The good thing is she wants to make friends with every body and every dog she see's.
I want to keep it that way so I don't limit her exposure to other dogs & people.
BamMoMoMommy
$ Forum Donor $
Ugh....words didn't make it from my brain to the keyboard stupid rainy day brain fog:
Gonna guess also... he didn't "just suddenly notice" your BF and Haku....he may even have surveillance cameras on the area.
I am feeling really lucky here.....we have have always been able to find dog parks that were kept clean and outside the occasional jerk...folks have been respectful and cooperative....since they wanted the same in return.
HA...I've done the same..but not to keep people out...to keep Bam in....he figured how to pop the latch on the gate of the park we use now...I never thought about doing it to keep others out...but uhhhh...light bulb moment....at least slow them down.
And it'll only get faster when she grows into her paws.
DH just told me.....possibly starting Mid Feb to middle of March...he'll be working nights. I foresee my need to get creative on ways to keep these to monster boys occupied via walks and yard exercise.
One adult sleeping...one adult up and moving with two four legged toddlers under foot..... in a 40 ft 5th wheel.....OMG..I think I'll just go ahead and have my nervous break down...now.
That should read
Gonna guess also... he didn't "just suddenly notice" your BF and Haku....he may even have surveillance cameras on the area.
I am feeling really lucky here.....we have have always been able to find dog parks that were kept clean and outside the occasional jerk...folks have been respectful and cooperative....since they wanted the same in return.
HA...I've done the same..but not to keep people out...to keep Bam in....he figured how to pop the latch on the gate of the park we use now...I never thought about doing it to keep others out...but uhhhh...light bulb moment....at least slow them down.
And it'll only get faster when she grows into her paws.
DH just told me.....possibly starting Mid Feb to middle of March...he'll be working nights. I foresee my need to get creative on ways to keep these to monster boys occupied via walks and yard exercise.
One adult sleeping...one adult up and moving with two four legged toddlers under foot..... in a 40 ft 5th wheel.....OMG..I think I'll just go ahead and have my nervous break down...now.
