Opinions about dog parks - Page 2

oops

I mean Good Health and protection

I do have to say that in the area where the vet office that I work at is, is a very affluent area and most dogs in the area are very well taken care of.  :)

 So, the health risks are lower in this particular area.  Aside from the intestinal parasites.  But, like I said we have dogs that don't go to the dog park, that have them.  There's a few clients with multiple dogs, that I wouldn't want to have my dogs in their yard.  :)

And for some of these crazy Labradors and Goldens that we see it's their only outlet to get some exercise. 

The few times that I have been to the dog park I was always shocked at how well everyone got along.  Maybe it's just the area where the parks are.....but for the most part I felt that this was the case.

I used to belong to it.  However, I was not getting my money's worth with it being close to work vs close to home.  :)  The "clean" pond was great and it's a somewhat wooded area so lot of shade too.

[Hangs head in shame]

Gee, I didn't know it was wrong to have so much fun...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/Tracking%20Seminar/IMG_1102.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/Tracking%20Seminar/IMG_1104.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/Tracking%20Seminar/dogpark1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/Tracking%20Seminar/IMG_1090.jpg

Seriously, I get the point about parasites, diseases and possible fights. I can fully see the other point of view. But the vast majority of the people who use the local park keep a close eye on their dogs and nip aggressive behaviour in the bud. I've never had my dogs get sick from the park. Maybe that's because people here are generally pretty responsible pet owners, and laws re. letting pets run at large are pretty strict. My friend wanted to adopt a puppy for her daughter, and wasn't able to find one in any of the local pounds. And this was during peak puppy season, too, when a friend of mine who was director of a shelter in Indiana was euthanizing puppies just because the shelter was busting at the seams. My friend finally had to settle for a year old boxer mix, which she picked up from a shelter 50 miles away. He's a great dog, but I was really surprised by how seriously people here must be about spaying and neutering, when the only incentive is a higher license fee for unaltered animals.

I have seen the odd fight, but have yet to see a dog or an owner injured. I am constantly amazed at how well the dogs get along. Of course, if you've got dogs you are training for Schutzhund that are sharper and harder than most other dogs, taking them to a park is obviously not a good idea. And if you've invested hundreds of hours in their training and paid a couple of thousand to purchase them, you may feel it just isn't worth the risk, even if the dog does get along well with others.

Yes, I know the potential for a serious fight is there. That's why I never take my eyes off my dog while I'm there. But this dog spent the first three years of his life on the end of an 8 foot chain, and by God, I sure get a kick out of seeing him run flat out across the park with the other dogs! 

[rereads post and cringes at the rambling...]  Sorry folks, shouldn't post when I'm this tired! But if I could edit it, I'd still make the same points, just in a more coherent fashion.

Dogs are pack animals. I don't think I'm projecting human emotions or needs onto them by saying it's a good thing to just let them be a dog now and then.

Okay, off to bed!

Fun pictures Sunsilver.  I've got some pictures around from a dog beach in Florida near my in laws.  Talk about fun!  Zooming up and down the beach at top speed and again no issues!  I guess that we've both just had positive experiences.  However, I have not been to the dog park recently only because I don't know how my dogs would be at this point. And would only go now in a private group of their dog friends.  Talk about seeing dogs run flat out, it's very neat to see the Greyhounds kick it up.  I always thought that my dogs were fast until I saw a Greyhound run up close and personal.

 Like I said I'm always amazed at how well the dogs do get along.