First time Dog Park

I

Internette

Forums Enthusiast
We went to a dog park my neighbor told me about. We stood outside the gate reading, well I was reading the rules and a lady said come on in. I didn't know the side I should use, is he large or small. We were told to try the large. A huge bassett hound as large as I have ever seen came up to him and he made a friend. He walked the whole perimiter of the fence. He did keep an eye out where I was. He did his business faster than ever, usually it is almost 40 minutes to an hour till he will try and go.
The larger dogs started running full speed and a couple knocked him over and he did not like it and gave a gruff and sneezed the dirt from his nose and spent the rest of the time under the picnic table by my feet watching. We went again today and same thing under the table, so we changed size and went into the smaller one. Found a couple bassett hounds and schnauzer seemed more his size and he was much happier over there. Sat next to men sharing war stories and just listened and didnt bother so much with the dogs but seemed to like going. I think I found our regular spot to visit for him. He got his first bone tonight when we got home. didnt run but is sound asleep without much fan fare on the bone so he is tired from the fresh air I suppose. I think these dog parks are wonderful. Everyone seemed to know everyone else, they all know the dogs and the owners names. Oh I almost forgot, he came when I called serveral times, so his recall is starting to happen.
 
Oh, that is so nice! It sounds like you found a good dog park. In our neighborhood a lot of people bring their dogs to the local elementary school after school is out, and it's great. What makes the difference is people who care about their dogs' behavior and keep an eye on them at all times. It sounds like that's what you found.

I had to laugh at the guys sharing war stories. Yep, I found the same thing..and talking about their girlfriends, too. But before long you'll most likely find a kindred spirit there to pal around and chat with. I've actually made a couple of friends. So Sammy has his buds, and I have mine...works out great! Janet
 
Sounds like a great experience! We haven't gone to the dog park in a long time, but when we were going on a semi-regular basis, we also stuck to the "small dog" side. Too many big dogs rough-housing on the other side... Lerwick really didn't like being over there. He preferred being the biggest dog in the small dog area (and avoiding the other dogs as much as possible anyway).
 
Psalms, Chauncey actually sat with the men who were telling the war stories, he seemed to like the men more then the dogs. Everyone was very friendly and I heard all the gossip on the dogs. They talked about the dogs like people. One dog named Foxy who wore a purple sweater and how she was spoiled and prissy, the bulldog who thinks he can take jake but jake shows him up every time and so on. Men chat just is much as women lol.
I think he just like sitting around letting the wind blow through his fur. He doesnt seem to know how play, has no clue what a ball or a frisbee is.
It is a wonderful park, 3 overhead pavillions with picnic tables and bulletin boards for notes, benches, plenty of plastic chairs, open picnic tables in the sun, water fountains for owners and dogs, several trash & plastic bag posts, small kiddy pools, Buckets everywhere for water and dishes provided for drinking, trees throughout. I was told they play trivial pursuit in the summer when all the snowbirds go home. If no one is watching when their dogs go, someone sees and shouts it out. These people love dogs.
 
Aren't dog parks wonderful? I really enjoy taking my girls, but our park isn't very much used when I usually go.

I find sticking to the small dog side is better for safety reasons. Around here, it seems like the smaller dogs are better behaved. Bela is 20 pounds, so she is on the borderline between large & small.

Last time I took the girls, the only other dogs there were on the large dog side, and my Sheltie and the GSD in the large side entertained themselves by running up and down the fence line together.
 
I'm glad you had a good experience. I can't take my guys to the dog park anymore at all. :(

They actually made it against the law in my city to take what they consider a big dog (16" or taller) into the small dog park.

Two of mine are just over 16," so even though they only weigh just over 20 lbs each, they're considered big dogs. This also means that I'm forced to take my one 'small' sheltie, who truly is small, into the large dog run.

These rules are so stupid and were NOT well thought out at all. I'm not going to risk injuring my dogs, so I don't take them at all anymore.
 
That is incredibly stupid, Some dogs cant handle the large park. I feel badly for you. There are two parks one where I live and one across the bridge in the next town, havent tried that one yet.
Tonight we went into both, an hour in each. He did fine in both, still not really playing but lays by my feet and watches, he loves watching and he did not want to leave. I kind long for when we runs like the others and is so tired, one guy says he dog falls asleep in the car and has to be awaken to get out and go in the house.
 
Where we live there is no such thing as separate parks for small and large, here it is one size fits all. Fortunately I've never had any problems but can see why separate parks would be a great idea.
 
I want to choose my dogs friends. Justus is a very friendly and social dog and I want him to stay that way! Being bulldozed by bigger, more physical dogs would not be fun for him. He likes the herding, chase me - chase you games. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top