Dog Park

Usually those two words send a shiver down my spine, but this was actually a nice experience!

Today we finally decided to check out a dog park in our area that was getting rave reviews. It consists of 6 acres of wooded trails and one acre of fenced in woods. It's supposedly the place where all of the responsible owners take their dogs (the other park is filled with irresponsible owners and often has fights break out). I wouldn't have even considered it, but it got such good reviews and Saxon really needs a place to get out some of his energy and socialize with other dogs. Despite the rave reviews, I proceeded with caution.

Well, this park was awesome! Saxon played with a 5 month old Dalmatian, two Weimaraners, a golden mix and a Pit Bull mix. Whenever a dog corrected him he backed off, if a dog bothered him too much he took off and did zoomies around the clearing like a nut. None of the other dogs could catch him. He was fast as lightning. There was no barking or growling to be heard (except for the occasional vocal correction from a dog).The best part is that if your dog needs a break, or an unfriendly dog arrives in the park, then you can take your dog through the trails for a while. All the people I talked to said that problems are very rare and they have never witnessed any real fights.

I had my camera, but didn't take any pictures until the car ride home because I was watching all the dogs for any signs of trouble.

We left when it got too crowded, Saxon was ready to go any way. He was exhausted, damp from other dogs' drool and covered in dirt and mud. All signs of a good time! He smiled and panted in the back seat the whole way home. Not only does this seem like a pretty good place to socialize Saxon, but it's also a great place to practice walking off leash.



Don't worry all, I will be very cautious every time I go!! It only takes one irresponsible dog owner to ruin a dog park and I will be on the lookout for that person!

I am very happy that you seemed to have found a good dog park. My better half takes Suki to our dog park for about two hours or so every day. She is so well socialized and it helps her release all that pent up energy she has.

Looking forward to the pics.

Great find Cat! I really am quite fasinated by dog parks never seen one here, although I think there is some just not where I live.

Long may its good reviews last, and I can just imagine Sax doing 'zoomies' round the park

Awwww glad you both had a great time. there is nothing better to see good dogs mingling with each other and playing.

They don't have dog parks here which is a pity. Trent country park though my local park is a lot like that. You only get ridiculous teenagers with their half starved 'pitbulls' on enormous truck sized chain leads hanging around on hot, sunny bank holidays-which living here are rare!
Glad you both had a nice time

So glad you decided to give it a go, and enjoyed it.

Young Roxy lurrrvvvvvs going to the dog park, but like you say.....you've just got to keep an eye open.

Pics please next time

Next time I'll try to take some pictures! Saxon had a blast and everyone was very impressed by him. All of the other dog owners now know all about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, whether they wanted to or not, haha!

CatStina wrote:Next time I'll try to take some pictures! Saxon had a blast and everyone was very impressed by him. All of the other dog owners now know all about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, whether they wanted to or not, haha!

Good girl

theres always gonna be dogs that test each others patients, and even with responsible owners there fights can break out, usually they're easier to break up with two responsible owners though!

we only have one dog park to choose from and I have only ever seen one real proper fight there, when a GSD came bounding over (owner no where to be seen) and dragged a dalmation into the water by its throat, that was pretty scary and now im always wary when I see a GSD there just incase its the same one.

glad you found a good dog park for Saxon to play and be socialised! sounds like a great park, nice and big.
our park is 9 acres and there are 3 sectioned areas all with dams so if there are people with a dog thats not great with others they usually stay in a sectioned off area to exersize there dog