The trail where we ride our bikes passes through one park that has a fabulous dog park. There are swimming pools, a walking path, benches, and a place to wash your dog after a hard afternoon of playing. I feel bad that we don’t bring the boys and take advantage of such a fun place. Then I remember…
Why I Don’t Take My Dogs to the Dog Park
• I have trust issues with unleashed dogs.
This comes from having dogs charging us that are off-leash in neighborhoods. When I see a dog running toward us, I immediately want to grab the boys up to protect them.
• Sick dogs
I don’t want the boys exposed to kennel cough, worms or any other communicable illnesses. We get them their rabies shots as required by law but avoid any other immunizations. They had them administered annually for years and after doing some research, I don’t feel it is in their best interest to continue giving them the shots unless they are being boarded and it necessary.
• Recall
Neither of the boys will come when we call them if something else has their attention. I cannot imagine tracking and trailing all over the place. We might never get them back! They might enjoy it but I’d be a nervous wreck.
• Seniors
Bentley is 11 ½ years old and let’s face it, he can be a bit of a grump. Meeting new dogs is no longer on his must-do list. He fusses when we see other dogs on our walks, and he hates the dog that lives behind us. He loves us and Pierre and as far as he’s concerned, that is all he needs. Pierre would enjoy meeting new dogs, but he can be a little overzealous. They play extremely well together so that’s what is important.
•Helicopter Parent
In reality, the boys would probably be fine at a dog park. It’s me. I’d be a nervous wreck the entire time we were there. If we could go when nobody else was there, it’d be great! I’m way overprotective of the boys and simply would not be comfortable letting them wrestle with other dogs. They could get injured and I’m not willing to take that chance.
Do you take your dogs to dog parks?
Why or why not?
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we have not much dog parks, but we stay away too.... I even get goosebumps when I imagine the waterbowls there and the recycled food piles some people ignore...
ReplyDeleteMom agrees with you on every single issue and that's why I have never been to a dog park.
ReplyDeleteMum says that if she had a dog she'd feel the same as you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm an indoor cat because she doesn't want me to be exposed to horrible stuff out there. She is overprotective but better to be safe than sorry :)
We go to dog parks, but only select ones that are real big, and always completely fenced. Going at off times is also the only time we go. People can be very irresponsible and we don't want trouble. Luckily, there are a lot of huge dog parks in our area where we can go during the day and have the place almost all to ourselves. We go more in the winter too, which cuts down on the number of people.
ReplyDeleteWell I was owned by Toto the mighty mini Dachshund eons ago before dog parks.
ReplyDeleteSo I have never actually been to a dog park. My thoughts on dog parks are kinda like driving a car. I know how my car, how I can handle it, react and my attention to what is going on but I don't know that about the other drivers.
Hugs Cecilia
We don't blame you one bit, we wouldn't participate either for all those same reasons...if we were doggies that is.
ReplyDeleteWe went twice, but never again ... got the yard fenced for Dougie Dog in$tead! Safer, easier too ... and for all the reasons you cite. Recently, some news has mentioned dangers of dogs being in
ReplyDeletearea and neighborhood (retention) ponds and becoming sick as a result. Safe, not sorry ...
This post speaks to me, it really is more my issues than my pups. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYou are the advocate for your family members, and you concerns are paramount. I'm 100% in your court on this one!
ReplyDeleteMy Florida associate, Miss Charlee, went to a doggie park. She was attacked and injured by another dog. The other dog's owner didn't even blink an eye!
ReplyDeleteMy dogs have perfect recall--except when they don't. A dog park would be the except...
ReplyDeleteWe never go to the dog park either, and there are some very good ones in our area. But Mom agrees with your reasons for sure. We even have a dog park on top of an apartment building in downtown KC. Sadly two dogs have jumped the fence and plummeted to their deaths. You would think the owners of the park would installed a higher fence to start with, or at least after the first misfortune:(
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
No, and for the exact same reasons you don't! Plus when we had multiple dogs and our own fenced-in yard, I just didn't see the point. Now we have only one dog, but he doesn't take to strangers of any kind. I think dog parks might be great for people with solo dogs who need someone to play with, and for people that are more social than I am as well! :)
ReplyDeleteIf we had dogs, we'd feel the same way as you. Your thinking is really logical!
ReplyDeleteWe don’t go to dog parks either
ReplyDeleteWe don't go either for the exact same reasons
ReplyDeletehugs
Mabel & Hilda
boy oh boy am I ever with you! I have NEVER taken Dakota to a dog park, nor would I take him or any other dog for nearly ALL of the reasons that you mentioned. I remember when he was young I spoke to the Vet about dog parks and he was not a fan of them either. He said you wouldn't believe the number of unvaccinated and SICK dogs at dog parks. Also off leash? Fughet about it!!!!! Fabulous post!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, whatever works for you and your dogs. Those parks sound like fun but some dogs and their owners can ruin it for everyone else.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do dog parks - we've seen WAY to many stories about westies being attacked at dog parks for us to ever go.
ReplyDeletewhen you do not have a yard, live in an apartment the only place your dog can run free is in a dog park. I go daily to a park that most of us have been going for years plus, and do not worry. The big dogs play with themselves and the little ones do their thing. Not all dog parks are bad and I will not generalize
ReplyDeleteI don't use dog parks either.
ReplyDeleteYup, everything you said. Dog parks just aren't enticing to any of us. We see enough peeps and pups along our walks which is better exercise for us all.
ReplyDelete