Summer is here, and like us, our dogs enjoy a nice day at the park. If you are thinking of taking your dog to the dog park for the first time, or if your dog’s a park “vet” and you’re planning to go to a new one, here are some things to look for:
- Appropriate space and fencing. A good dog park should be several acres in size and have appropriate fencing. Fences should be at least six feet high and securely anchored in the ground. There should be separate areas for large and small dogs, and ideally yet another designation for aggressive vs. easy play.
- Park maintenance. Look at the overall condition of the park grounds. Grass should be mowed and well-cared for vs. a big muddy mess. If there’s equipment for the dogs to play on, it should be in good working condition.
- Rules. The park, if it’s a good one, should have rules clearly posted. There should also be an attendant on duty to make sure all attendees play by the rules.
- Ambience. Visit the park several times, at different times of the day to observe the overall atmosphere. Check if there are regular attendees that either play well, or not so much, with others. This will help you determine what time of day you want to schedule your dog’s visits.
Taking these few steps before going to the park will help you and your dog have a great play day!
Whole Dog Journal, June 2011, was a reference for this article
