Dog parks?

Swm

Swm

Mommy to three munchkins
#1
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
26
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Ohio
#1
I was wondering everyones opninion on them.

My husband and I have very different opinions which has caused us to butt heads on this subject.

I would love to take the munchkins to a dog park to play and socialize. But my husband is very against it. He believes that they will go there and catch some disease(my dogs are up to date on their shots) or be hurt some how.

I have never experinced a dog park so I can't argue against it. I would check one out myself if we had a local one.

If I decide to visit one I would check it out first but being they are so far from us I would want my husband with me and he won't go. :(

So does he have grounds to stand on with his fears? I mean I know a fight could happen. My question is, is it a common thing?
 
A

aivzdog

New Member
#2
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
1,038
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
32
Location
New Jersey, USA
#2
Dog parks are wonderful place to let your dogs run around and stay socialized. Yes, there is always a chance your dogs can get something but their is a chance anywhere they can go. I take my dogs to the dog park all the time. They are still healthy. It is more of a risk if they dont have their shots and they do.
 
Swm

Swm

Mommy to three munchkins
#4
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
26
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Ohio
#4
aivzdog said:
Dog parks are wonderful place to let your dogs run around and stay socialized. Yes, there is always a chance your dogs can get something but their is a chance anywhere they can go. I take my dogs to the dog park all the time. They are still healthy. It is more of a risk if they dont have their shots and they do.
Click to expand...
Is there alot of fights? How often have you seen dogs get hurt? I know it's going to be different for every park.

My brother-in-law takes his dog to one every now and then. He is all for them but my husband looks at his dog as one that would never get picked on. He is a Labradoodle and he is a very big boy. He feels since our dogs are so small that they will be a target.
 
Romy

Romy

Taxiderpy
#6
Joined
Dec 2, 2006
Messages
10,233
Likes
1
Points
38
Location
Olympia, WA
#6
We used to go to this one dog park once in a while, but stopped. One of the other folks at the training facility we go to witnessed a dog fight there that ended with an elderly couple carrying their dead dog out in tears. The person responsible just took their dog and left, nobody knew who they were so they couldn't be held responsible.
 
J

jess2416

Who woulda thought
#7
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
22,560
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
45
Location
NC
#7
Swm said:
:doh: Don't have no clue why I didn't search first. Sorry guys.
Click to expand...
Its ok ;) just thought I would point them out.. the search thing is quite annoying anyway unless you know the exact words to type in :lol-sign:
 
M

maltipoo

New Member
#8
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
37
Likes
0
Points
0
#8
I'm all for dog parks.

The dogs get to socialize, and you too!

With that said, you gotta keep an eye out for dangers like fights and diseases.
 
B

BostonBanker

Active Member
#9
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
8,854
Likes
1
Points
36
Location
Vermont
#9
I think dogparks can be a great thing for certain people and certain dogs. For me, I don't really like them, nor do I need them. My dog gets plenty of exercise in her daily life, and plenty of time to socialize with dogs and owners that I know. I think setting up play groups with people you already know and whose dogs you know is a better idea. In all the times I've been to dog parks (and I used to work animal control, so that was a lot), I bet I've seen some sort of fight (rarely punctures, but loud scuffles) 80% of the time, punctures probably every 10th time or so, and one very bad fight that I'm sure resulted in some huge vet bills.

Again, I think you have to base your decision on what you know of your own dog, the benefits to risk ratio, and knowing what the dog park is like. I've seen people post here whose dog parks are huge wooded lots for hiking. Around here, a dog park is a field of several acres fenced off fully.
 
Fran101

Fran101

Resident fainting goat
#10
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
12,546
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Boston
#10
Dog parks are AWESOME :) I would not got around the busy time (saturday afternoon/sunday) if its your first time going, because usually, dog parks are FULL of dogs around that time.
I love the dog park, kenya loves other dogs, love to swim ect.. and its loads of fun. She gets to socialize.
The biggest problem I see with dog pakrs? people that arent WATCHING their dogs. the dog is playing somewhere and they are reading a book or w/e.. thats when it becomes a problem.
also, people bringing aggresive dogs.. always an issue.
 
smkie

smkie

pointer/labrador/terrier
#11
Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Messages
55,184
Likes
35
Points
48
#11
The work just grand for us. Pepper Mary and Victor went two weeks ago. The only place i can take them swimming and not have to worry about broken bottles and fish hooks in the water. We have never had a bad experience yet and have been going for many years. WE have a large park 55 acres (field and woods) complete with dog beach (lake) and now handicap access.
 
sillysally

sillysally

Obey the Toad.
#12
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
5,074
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
A hole in the bottom of the sea.
#12
One of mine is not a dog park dog, but the other one is, so we take him. He is very social and adores interacting with other dogs. As far as bad things happening to him--I'm sure it's possible. However, I'm not going to make him live in a bubble, especially when it comes to something he loves so much.
 
A

Angel Chicken

Guest
#13
#13
While I've never been to one, I'm not a huge fan of them.

I've heard too many stories of people who go with good intent, and end up getting flak from a offlead dog and an idiot owner. I don't have the patience to deal with such people.

For instance, I'd tell them to take their crazy ass dog elsewhere. If their dog attacked mine, I'd be on it (kicking it) like white on rice.

I'd just rather not deal with it.
 
A

aivzdog

New Member
#14
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
1,038
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
32
Location
New Jersey, USA
#14
There will always be some dog fights. But depends on the dogs that are their. I take my dogs to the dog park and they once in awhile get into a little arguement but then you stop it and they are fine. Its a learning experience. You will learn what dogs might start a fight and which ones wont. But do not let that stop you from bringing your dogs. You need to also see if your dogs like it. If they are scared at first that is normal. Just take them back again and they slowly will leave your side.
Anna
 
A

Angel Chicken

Guest
#15
#15
Avizdog, while I agree that there will be fights, I also agree that keeping my dog from it will help from it happening at all. I'd rather not have to pay a vet bill, and I'd rather not have to kick someone's ass over my dog, :lol-sign:

Because, believe me, if my dog got into a tussle and got hurt because someone is stupid enough to let their aggressive dog off their lead, you can better believe I'd be livid with someone.
 
J

Jules

Magic, motherf@%$*#!
#16
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
7,204
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
42
Location
Indiana
#16
maltipoo said:
I'm all for dog parks.

The dogs get to socialize, and you too!

With that said, you gotta keep an eye out for dangers like fights and diseases.
Click to expand...
Yeah, and you're also all for Yorkiepoo's, Cockapoo's and what not.

There is a reason opinions are split on this topic, because it is not as simple as "keeping an eye out" for fights and diseases. Fights can happen so quickly and how do you "keep an eye out" for a dog that has worms?

I think it all depends on your dog and the park you go to. There are a lot of parks that have a lot of space where not all dogs are crammed into a dusty little plot and fights might be started quicker.
 
A

aivzdog

New Member
#17
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
1,038
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
32
Location
New Jersey, USA
#17
Like Jules said there are parks that are bigger than others. I go to two parks. One is more popular and crammed and dog fights happen more because so many dogs in one area and unhealthy energy going around causes dogs to fight more.
The other park is much bigger and dogs are spread out so they can run and play and other dogs that are scared can stay away from them.
Anna
 
Zoom

Zoom

Twin 2.0
#18
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
40,739
Likes
3
Points
38
Age
41
Location
Denver, CO
#18
I think parks work fine for some dogs and are a horrible idea for others. I personally don't like to see small dogs at the park, because they are more easily hurt just as a general course of matter, such as getting run over by a group of larger dogs playing tag. If you have a small dog, try to find a park that has a seperate small dog area or go when it's very empty.

I adore my dog park but I try to go when it's not very busy. Sawyer likes to play with other dogs but when the place is busy, there are enough idiots with dogs who have no business being in a dog park that it takes the fun out of it. I go to the same park Smkie does, so there are always places to go to avoid the crowds but still. We all go in and out of the same entrance.
 
smkie

smkie

pointer/labrador/terrier
#19
Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Messages
55,184
Likes
35
Points
48
#19
Angel Chicken said:
While I've never been to one, I'm not a huge fan of them.

I've heard too many stories of people who go with good intent, and end up getting flak from a offlead dog and an idiot owner. I don't have the patience to deal with such people.

For instance, I'd tell them to take their crazy ass dog elsewhere. If their dog attacked mine, I'd be on it (kicking it) like white on rice.

I'd just rather not deal with it.
Click to expand...
It amazes me how many people who have never been to one can have an opinion on one.
IT is certainly no place for an aggressive attitude, dog or people.
Logan and i went last sunday. IT was crazy busy. BOth parking lots were full and cars were lined up on the side of the road outside. THEre was a bull mastiff there that should have a medal hung on him for good attitude. THere was a weimer determined to hump him, i don't know where his owner was or why he was ignoring the behavior. BUt the dog just ignored him until he went away. EVeyrone on the beach was laughing and applauding the dog's good humour. It was a gloriously nice day. EVeryone was in a good mood. A little boston went out in that cool water over and over again for his stick. ANother maltese got right in there and played with half a dozen dogs. I do agree that little dogs are more at risk and was surprised that he was so gutsy but all were gentle. THere is a tree on the beach that has a fence around it i assume to keep it from being urinated on. VIctor and another dog chased each other around that tree until i was dizzy from watching them. Play bowing at each other on opposite sides. Pepper met up with a whippet mix and they were best girlfriends for the afternoon. THere had to be 5o dogs there if there was one and yet NOT ONE FIGHT. Maybe it was just the wonderful weather and everyone's good mood who knows. BUt that is what the park is like everytime i go there. Yes there is the inexperienced dog like the wiemer but the owner of the mastiff was jovial and no one was angry. Now imagine what would happen if the mastiff's owner had a bad attitude. I think his dog was so easy going because HE was so easy going. IT was just the best time and we all hated to leave but Mary had worn herself out. She gets so much postive attention there and was by no means the only senior. Many of us were comparing notes on arthritis and agreeing that being able to excerise in places like this was what helped keep them thin and trim making less strain on their joints. I could never ever walk my dogs enough to equal the amount of workout they get here.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 45 (members: 0, guests: 45)
Top