Those who take their dogs to dog parks..

[MisssAshby]

...do you ever worry about your dog catching something, or getting sick?

I avoided the dog parks for like two years because Kai and Brawt both got worms and I was pretty sure they picked it up from the puppy park.

I've recently started taking them to the park again (we've been 2 times since it's warmed up) but I'm paranoid about them getting sick again.

 

[SharkBait]

not really, sure my dog has all his vaccinations so he couldn't catch anything major, and minor things like worms are easily treatable i guess. i'm not really clued up about it all, but i reckon it's okay to bring them so don't worry about it too much

 

[ihartgonzo]

I would never bring a puppy under 6 months to a dog park... but an adult dog, who is up to date on all necessary vaccinations and such? I don't see too much of a reason to worry.

Then again, our dog parks are relatively clean. Poop-scooping is strictly enforced, but some one comes around every day to clean up anyway. The water is always clean. Etc.

I would be more worried about aggressive dogs than anything! D=

 

[PoodleMommy]

I havent been back since Bella got Kennel Cough there.

I dont know... they enjoy going there but I hate them to get sick... I havent made a decision about this summer yet.

 

[SizzleDog]

I dont' really worry.... after 6+ years of going to dog parks, my dogs haven't caught anything. Granted they're not poop eaters and they are vaccinated. They get wormed regularly, so any worms they did pick up aren't an issue to me.

Besides - Ronin got really sick from running in an empty prairie, away from other dogs. Go figure!

 

[2BlackDogs]

My 2 got worms from being in their own yard. Stray dogs come in the yard all the time and use it as their personal potty. So I wouldn't worry too much. They are both up to date on shots and neither are agressive. Too bad They've never been to a dog park. Not one around here to go to.

 

[milos_mommy]

I wouldn't bring a young puppy, but an older puppy or dog:


eh, just about as much as i'd worry about my kid getting strep or ear infection at school.

 

[bubbatd]

I've only taken Ollie a couple of times ......it's controlled by the HS and health records are checked before joining . I feel safe .

 

[misticaleclipse]

I worried about this a bit as well, but just walking charlie in our
old neighborhood it was much less clean than the dog parks
around here and we got ringworm twice.
Now I give him a bill for different types of worms around with
Revolution, and of course he has his shots, so I am not so
concerned.

 

[Lilavati]

I'm no more worried about it that sending a properly vaccinated child to school . . . . assuming your dog is properly vaccinated, and over 6 months, they might pick up something minor, but that's about it. If Sarama wasn't up to date on Kennel Cough I might worry a bit, but she's kept up to date so she can be boarded in an emergency.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I don't do dog parks...this is only one reason really tho. Injuries would be tops. I have to worry about things you CAN'T vaccinate for like Brucellosis...which can be carried even by altered dogs.

Your dogs status has little to do with it's ability to CARRY things to unvaccinated puppies, or older sickly dogs at home...so i just don't risk it. Personally.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I don't show either...when I have pups at home, or am breeding a girl. It's scary out there too LOL. My girls are testing for Brucie before breeding...as are many dogs being shown...and handlers aren't there to socialize to contact is a lot less than at a park setting.

 

[smkie]

doesn't your heartworm protection take care of other worm infections? I was thought it did.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

some do...I don't think many address Tapes. And of course roundworms can encyst in tissue at times and be untouchable til they come out.

 

[MisssAshby]

Our park is for the most part pretty clean. MOST people pick up after their animals and the city is out there daily/every other day.

Do you do regular testing for worms, or do you just treat every so often to prevent/kill anything they may have picked up?

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I just worm every so often, and like smkie said...there's a little something in the HW meds for worms. With tapes I treat if I see them. But owing to Frontline we haven't had tapes here in AGES!

 

[Juicy]

My dogs never caught anything and they're up to date with vaccinations. They aren't cover for EVERYTHING, but people usually who bring their dogs to dog parks usually have their dogs vaccinated. I trust dog parks more than dogs we meet walking around the block for our daily walks.

 

[Tankstar]

I dont worry. He can pick somthing up any where. Our dog park is alot cleaner then the local parks and trails in town where no own cleans up. The only things I worry about is agressive dogs. But I can easily get away from all dogs at the park that I dont know. Plus my "group" of dog park people and I meet up at the same time every day at tahe pond/creek, so we avoid most other people and dangers.

 

[Suzzie]

i'm not worried about it

 

[Brattina88]

I don't worry - I protect them from the things I can, and do whatever I can to support their immune system so they can protect themselves ; regulate feeding, feeding quality food & supplementing with natural fresh foods, regular grooming and self check ups as well as vet visits. . .

I like the socialization dogs parks provide, as well as EXCERSIZE Because I tired dog is a good dog!

And if I ever saw behavior I didn't like, or a dog that doesn't look healthy, etc - I just leave. . .