Dog Park Rules and Play Dates

We have spent a lot of time in dogs parks over the years but there have been times we stayed away. There was a time when Buddy was nipped by a Gray Wolf and a time we learned that one of the parks we had been to had a dog there that later died of Parvo. Often times the trouble with dog parks are that you learn not everyone pays attention to the dog park rules.

We still frequent dog parks but we tend to be there alone or arrange a time when we know which dogs will be there.

There are many other ways to exercise or socialize a dog. In addition to taking them to the dog park and letting them run we walk our dogs at nature preserves and around the walking path at our local reservoir.

We live in a neighborhood full of dogs and many of our neighbors own more than one dog so play dates and socialization are perhaps easier. 

Midnight the neighbor's black Labrador retriever is often in our yard playing with our cockapoos. But our cockapoos enjoy time with other dogs so we walk them over to see Rocky the Boston Terrier.

A lot of people live on their social networks and other technology devices and we are guilty of this as well. Occasionally, we use our devices to set up playdates. We meet for walks with the neighbor down the road who has a Rough Collie named Charlie.  Charlie is an older dog and loves the attention of our dogs. 

Buddy enjoys playing with Griffin in Griffin's fenced-in yard.  Griffin is a Golden Retriever that belongs to our neighbor a few blocks away.

If arranging play dates aren’t an option you-you may wish to enroll your dog in behavior classes where he/she will get to spend time with others in the class.


Dog Park Fun