Dutch Shepherd Forum

I have never been to a dog park where dogs run freely off leash with dogs they don't know if you have, please share your experiences.

Only you truly know your dogs temperament and reactivity to other dogs and people, others experiences good or bad should have no bearing on your decision but merely examples of what they have encountered. I personally never take dogs to a dog park or a dog day care no matter what the breed.

NO NO NO NO Stay away very very far away from dog parks

You can know your dog's temperament, but this has no bearing on other dogs' temperament, training, etc.---or the mentality of their owners.

A friend of mine who isn't very savvy in canine behavior religiously takes her dogs to a off-leash park (small dog and big dog sections). There's been issues but none as serious as other horror stories we've all heard. She states she gets to the know the other dogs by watching them and getting to know their owners, and never taking her eyes off her own dogs (but how do you do that if you're observing other dogs and chatting with owners?)--her "justifications" for taking them to a free-for-all environment. She's had arguments with owners, has had to leave the park b/c of owners, etc.

I can't imagine going to a dog park (and never would)-----I even stopped working canine fundraisers where people bring their dogs ON-LEAD b/c the behavior of the owners is clueless and shameful--and you can't say anything. And you can't fix stupid.

I don't go to dog parks not because of my dog but because of the unknowns. I don't know the other owners and I don't know their dogs. Bad owners that don't understand dog behavior and don't properly control their own dogs are way to common.

So I simply avoid and my guy gets off-lead exercise other ways. Also I let him mix with friends' dogs that I know and trust but on private property.

just step away from the dog park

Not worth the risk. Never been to one, with any of my dogs, and will never go to one.

Thanks for the feedback. I told my friend that wanted me to go with her I didn't think it was a good idea and would pass. Seems those that responded would be in agreement

just say NO

No...here in Vienna dog parks are so...useless.
Lot's of dogs who feel like Rambo and have no education...
No...not worth it...

Apparently, I am a lone voice in the wilderness around here on this topic. S'kay. (:

We've taken both our Mal and Dutch to the local off-leash (OL) dog parks on a regular basis as long as we've had them so since 2009 starting at 4-5 yo and 2010 at 1 yo, respectively. As an aside, we did daycare at one point for the adults when first adopted until they indicated they were no longer interested it - I want to say 1-2 years total. We are currently doing daycare for the pup now since he's clearly enjoying it and we go to a place with knowledgeable staff and policies/oversight/monitoring inline with what I want from a daycare.

The new pup has also already been to a couple OL parks, on long line, several times. When his maturity and recall allows it, and if he indicates he enjoys going, he'll be taken as often as the adults and off-leash as well.

We started going because the Mal did not do well when leashed if the other dogs present were not leashed too but was perfectly appropriate as long as he wasn't odd man out. So we purposely sought out, and stuck to places/trails/etceteras where off-leash was allowed. Unfortunately we live is an area with a lot of inconsiderate and asocial people who think the rules apply to everyone but them while we actually abide by the local rules/regulations/laws. So sticking to posted/approved off-leash areas eliminates the chance of a conflict with off-leash dogs in on-leash places and typically their owner(s) nowhere to be found (lagging several hundred yards behind).

To note, our dogs have 100% recall 100% of the time. Including around livestock and wildlife. They are also dog neutral or dog friendly if on equal restraint footing (Mal) and are not aggressors. In fact, they will go to considerable lengths to avoid other dogs who are behaving inappropriately. YMMV may vary if your dog does not/cannot possess the same qualities.

We took lexi to the MS150 bike ride this weekend. She was great with all the people, bikes, band, other dogs. She was on leash most of the weekend except when I took her to a big field to play ball. The only time she was crying was watching some kids kick around and throw around some balls. Apparently the kids noticed and one came over to say we are looking for a ball for your dog. How sweet. Played a little fetch and then she laid down and torn it up in mere seconds. She had some other dog encounters today at vet and petco and she was great. I like the posts that talked about just letting play free with friends' dogs. Great idea. I'd be too nervous at a dog park and she didn't like doggy day care the one day I tried it . They said I needed to give her time to get used to it but my gut was saying it could open her up to injury that I don't want to risk . Thanks for all the feedbackm

k9lexi wrote:We took lexi to the MS150 bike ride this weekend. She was great with all the people, bikes, band, other dogs.

Happy, happy, happy for you and your girl!!!