Dog Park problems - is it worth going?

[Lialla]

I recently posted a thread about our bad experience in a dog park Dog parks - a word of caution

We don't go there anymore. It could be all good until something bad happens.

[chelle]

So many people say, don't do the dog park; instead; meet up with the neighbor's dog, friend's dog, etc and so on... and while that would be *ideal*, it isn't possible for everyone! My youngest lives with two dogs who don't much like playing with a pup. He has a best friend owned by a relative, so that's good.... but that's it. We don't have any close neighbors, much less with dogs that want to play. I didn't really find any dogs in our first Obedience class that I'd make a special "date" to get together with. (some kinda crazy behaviors, they didn't seem very stable, went after other dogs or were very shy, etc.. just not good matches.) Bailey gets to play around with his mom sometimes, but even she gets a little sick of the playstyle of an active 8 month old.

Point being, not everyone has the option of play dates, neighbors, etc.

It depends on the dog (does he/she truly have fun playing with other dogs?), as well as the dog park environment available to you. My two older dogs don't go to the dog park. They used to. They don't care for it anymore. They find it annoying to get their butts sniffed, so why bother.

Dog parks are a decision, like some of the other hot button topics. It's not black or white, good or bad. It is up to you as the owner if the benefit outweighs the risk. The benefits can be incredible and the risks can be high. It all depends.

[ShatteringGlass]

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

The parks around here are not like that. There is a "potty area" and when a dog uses it the owners clean up after them right away or if they missed it the other people let them know. I've never seen any piles lying around.

I work for a company that services dog parks, we empty the barrels and replace the bags. Every week I go into these parks, there are piles of crap everywhere, I have to be dilligent while Im working there so I dont step in any. There are PLENTY of bag stations and barrels, but there is still crap everywhere. It's disgusting. And of course, I spray down the bottom of my boots with bleach after I leave the park. This is where I get to see what happens in dog parks, and I dont want a part of it. Too many dogs that can get out of control fast.

My dog doesnt meet up with a friend's dog every week. MAYBE once in a couple months. He's fine. He's not dog aggressive. I take him to places where he can be around dogs and see them, but it is controlled because everyone is leashed (like petco, a dog show, or just walking around town). He doesn't need to be romping around with dogs every week. He doesnt need to be friends with 50 different dogs, a couple walks with some every once in a while is just fine.

[Chicagocanine]

Maybe it's because most of the dog parks here are small, but they are always pretty clean. Even the larger grassy ones in the suburbs I've been to.

Even in the "potty areas":