dog parks

I have read other forums that are completely against dog parks and wondered what the thoughts were here?

We have never had any problems at the park and in fact Emma is the star! Everyone knows her and loves her and she loves them back..... I think if we didn't go I would be keeping her from her favorite activity.

The other dog owners are great, they keep good track of their dogs and use the time to play with them rather than letting them do their own thing. Granted there is the occasional butt head in the group, but on average things go really well.

We have been to parks that were aweful and never went back, but I don't think all dog parks are bad.

I'm not too sure exactly what a dog park is? I'm lucky and have amazing countryside, rivers walks and fields very near me. She is always off lead and sometimes we rarely meet any other people or dogs.

My mistake, sorry about that. In the US we have fenced in parks in the city that dog owners can take their dogs to have them interact off leash. For people that live in apartments it can be a big help and it can be a great way for dogs to learn social skills. The down side is that some owners will not pay enough attention to their dog which can result in fights and also the worry of spreading disease is possible.

Are dog parks only in the US?

I don't think we have them here but could be wrong! Again I think here we are lucky cause of the countryside/sea we can access. I live in a flat too but all of our parks are accessable to people or dogs if I ever go to them. I guess if you live in a very built up area, not saying you do, then these must be a help, but can understand your worries. Is it only for dogs??? and can you walk your dogs in normal parks??

We don't have dog parks in the UK. Unfortunately, though we do have the irresponsible & inconsiderate owners in our parks (which are open to all), which results in dogs only being allowed in them on lead, or in some cases not being allowed in them at all!

Yes, we can take our dogs to the people parks. The dog park is the only place where by law you can have your dog off leash. I used to live in the mountains with tons of room to run but living in the city now there really isn't any where for the dogs to run their legs off....lol living by the sea sounds so wonderful! We have a river near by to play in. Emma has her own life jacket just in case! Fortunatly I live in a pretty dog friendly place.

I've spoken to several people from the USA on another forum who either love or hate the dog park. I suppose it depends, as usual, on the people who take their dogs there!

I couldn't imagine exersizing her on lead, it would be a nightmare! The walks in the woods I barely see her! She is off chasing anything that moves bar dogs, she really isn't that interested!

I think a while ago they where trying to pass a law here that all dogs should be on leads in any public place!! Moo would go mad, and yes I am lucky she isn't a pain if you know what I mean! I think if the law that dogs should be on leads (sorry didn't know about that) then a dog park i ideal. And as Caryll said we still have the annoying, not paying enough attention walkers here too

we have the woods nearby where we can let billy off the lead, otherwise it's about a 15 min walk to Ally Pally.

Wish we lived near the country and a beach, my idea of heaven

A dog park wouldnt be for me but for freindly dogs I think they are good I know you will always get the idiots but on the whole they seem like a good idea

I have a dog park by me its basicaly a fenced off field with a few picnic tables and trees. I have used it a couple of times with Ty but I live quite close to a beach and literally behind a park so we tend to go there most of the time.

i have a dog park just up the road from me, well, unofficially, but most of the owners let the dogs run off lead, and nearly all have their poo bags at hand so its an ok place. You do get the occasional muppet that sees a staffie and screams and bodily picks up their dalmation / lab / rat impersonator but on the whole its a nice wee place for them to run about.

And i just found out that i'm allowed both of them on the bus and train at the same time so i'll be hittin the beach this summer, wooohoooo, well the 1 one day of summer that scotland gets i mean lol

We have a fenced off dog park in Brighton, Kizzy loves it as she gets to run around in a big pack of different dogs. Occasionly there'll be a bit of a scuffle but only to the point of one dog telling another to back off a bit. I think it's great especially for puppies as it's fenced off and helps with their socialisation.

sooz225 wrote: rat impersonator

sooz225 wrote:i have a dog park just up the road from me, well, unofficially, but most of the owners let the dogs run off lead, and nearly all have their poo bags at hand so its an ok place. You do get the occasional muppet that sees a staffie and screams and bodily picks up their dalmation / lab / rat impersonator but on the whole its a nice wee place for them to run about.

And i just found out that i'm allowed both of them on the bus and train at the same time so i'll be hittin the beach this summer, wooohoooo, well the 1 one day of summer that scotland gets i mean lol

Funny you say that. I am fostering a Lab/Dalmation mix and she is so much trouble! Sweet dog but my god, she wears me out every day. I would never take her to the dog park....ever

It is really cool to see what options you all have for your dogs around the world. I had no idea....lol

this thread has got me thinking about a new idea.

i may just be being soft/overprotective/over cautious but i very rarely let woody off when we are out as i can never be sure about the temperament of other leashless dogs and how they would cope with his lordship launching himself at them to play.

There are a lot of empty council owned fields in this area where i think they could section them off securely into smaller plots and dog owners could rent a plot - probably for a small fee - so that "soft" owners like me could let their dog run in a safe and secure environment. in fact im going to e-mail the council now with my proposal

nicolalouises wrote:this thread has got me thinking about a new idea.

i may just be being soft/overprotective/over cautious but i very rarely let woody off when we are out as i can never be sure about the temperament of other leashless dogs and how they would cope with his lordship launching himself at them to play.

There are a lot of empty council owned fields in this area where i think they could section them off securely into smaller plots and dog owners could rent a plot - probably for a small fee - so that "soft" owners like me could let their dog run in a safe and secure environment. in fact im going to e-mail the council now with my proposal

let us know how you get on, we have loads of fields etc here but then the council would say "whos going to clear it up, or remove the syringes etc", can i have a copy of the letter and i'll mail my council too, you never know, and if we all do it, there can be a mass movement lol

Caryll wrote:

sooz225 wrote: rat impersonator

lol well you know my feelings on them, espesh if they are the mega hairy ones, they deserve a pole up the back and and used as a mop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

will let you know how i get on. would have to be properly done as you say they need responsible owners who will clear up after themselves! in these times of cut backs they should be looking to make profit to help themselves out.

nicolalouises wrote:this thread has got me thinking about a new idea.

i may just be being soft/overprotective/over cautious but i very rarely let woody off when we are out as i can never be sure about the temperament of other leashless dogs and how they would cope with his lordship launching himself at them to play.

There are a lot of empty council owned fields in this area where i think they could section them off securely into smaller plots and dog owners could rent a plot - probably for a small fee - so that "soft" owners like me could let their dog run in a safe and secure environment. in fact im going to e-mail the council now with my proposal

good luck and let us know how you get on, you may just have started something

right its been acknowledged! lets see what my response is!

We have some beaches here in Cornwall that are dog friendly all year and some are closed to dogs for the "season" usually from Easter to October....I am fortunate that I live on a farm and my piggy was "free range" I'd just leave the door open and she would trot off down the fields with the stable girls or sit at the front watching the world go buy...other dogs come and go at the farm too so there was always someone for her to play with .....

piggy wrote:We have some beaches here in Cornwall that are dog friendly all year and some are closed to dogs for the "season" usually from Easter to October....I am fortunate that I live on a farm and my piggy was "free range" I'd just leave the door open and she would trot off down the fields with the stable girls or sit at the front watching the world go buy...other dogs come and go at the farm too so there was always someone for her to play with .....

What an amzing life Piggy had, so many fond memories! What a lovely part of the world too, we plan on going to Cornwall this year

janey wrote:

piggy wrote:We have some beaches here in Cornwall that are dog friendly all year and some are closed to dogs for the "season" usually from Easter to October....I am fortunate that I live on a farm and my piggy was "free range" I'd just leave the door open and she would trot off down the fields with the stable girls or sit at the front watching the world go buy...other dogs come and go at the farm too so there was always someone for her to play with .....

What an amzing life Piggy had, so many fond memories! What a lovely part of the world too, we plan on going to Cornwall this year

You can get a list of dog friendly beaches from the tourist information office or even the googly has a list.....

piggy wrote:We have some beaches here in Cornwall that are dog friendly all year and some are closed to dogs for the "season" usually from Easter to October....I am fortunate that I live on a farm and my piggy was "free range" I'd just leave the door open and she would trot off down the fields with the stable girls or sit at the front watching the world go buy...other dogs come and go at the farm too so there was always someone for her to play with .....

Can we come stay with you, for good lol xxx