[nagdu] Dog Parks

[Raven Tolliver]

Elise,
Many people steer clear of dog parks because it is not a controlled
environment. There's no guarantee of how well trained any of the dogs
are. Other people's dogs might also come up to you and try to get into
your purse or a bag you might have on you. There's also no guarantee
that other people will not try to feed your dog. It is common for some
dog owners at the dog parks to feed the other dogs there.
Also, some parks are not looked after well in terms of whether poop is
picked up and how well the grounds are kept.

Dog parks can certainly be nice places with play equipment for the
dogs, nice people who watch out for each other's dogs, and lots of
cute dogs who just get to be free, get some exercise and socialize.
My main piece of advice is make sure that your dog has the off-leash
recall down pat before you let 'er loose in a dog park. Yes, dogs
provide a distraction. But she should return to you when you call her,
even if it takes a few times. And your dog should occasionally check
in with you. Your husband will let you know if she looks back at you
or occasionally watches you. JMO.

If you are really on the fence, just try out a dog park. Nothing
catastrophic will happen. Stay there for a half hour, and see how you
like the environment, the dogs there, and the other dog owners. Have
your husband describe the layout and aesthetics of the park.

I won't go into my reasons here, but I personally stay away from dog
parks. Instead, I allow my dog to play with dogs belonging to my
neighbors, friends, and family. Many people nearby compliment me on my
dog and how well behaved he is, and talk about their own dog. I seize
the opportunity to ask whereabouts they live and maybe schedule a play
date. This allows my dog to socialize with the canine kind outside of
a dog park setting.
-- 
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 6/19/15, Elise Berkley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hey, everyone.  I have heard yes and no on dog parks from different ones.  I
> trust all of you because you have guide dogs.  Do you think they are good
> for our guides or should Becky and I stay away?  My husband would go with
> us, if you think they are alright.  He is sighted.  Tell me what you think.
>
> Elise and the Beckster
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