Dog Park Woes

[sisu27]

My gawd I hate dog parks. I tried one once, many years ago with a recent rescue until I had his recall confirmed. I saw a lot of people standing around, smoking and drinking coffee while their dogs did whatever they pleased. I saw people bring little kids in. I saw a family come in with their order from McDonalds and try to have a “picnic” while their dog ran amok. They acted shocked and angry when most dogs flocked to them for snacks with the most unruly dogs jumping up and taking food from them. Duh.

Most of my dogs would not do well in that environment and I am lucky to have 100 acres for them to run on. Even when I didn’t I would find other, safer places for them to run. I don’t care for my working dog to be “doggie” and I certainly don’t want him getting hurt or hurting anyone so I have no reason to go to one. I think they are awful things for most dogs.

Glad you are paying (only because you originally offered) but I would expect things like that to happen in a dog park.

[Montanas_Girl]

I’m in the “avoid dog parks at all costs” group. My dog LOVES everyone/everything and doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body. The problems are that (a) he doesn’t recognize that not everyone/everything else feels the same way and (b) he plays VERY, VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY. He’s great with non-aggressive dogs and is particularly good with puppies because, even though he is large (60 lbs), loud, and rambunctious, he is very gentle and would never hurt a fly. He has play dates with a friend’s Boston Terrier, and they both end up covered in mud and saliva when it’s all said and done. But he is not a good candidate for a dog park. Not to mention the fact that, in my experience, every dog park has at least one aggressive dog that seems to always be present and spoiling for a fight. My dog also has no reliable off-leash recall, despite my best efforts, so he does not get off-leash time unless, on a very rare occasion, the dog park is completely empty when we happen to pass by. At home, I use a longe line as a leash so he can “help” me with my chores while enjoying a little pseudo-freedom. :lol: