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Have you heard conflicting opinions about going to the dog park? Us too. Some people and pets love enclosed off-leash areas. They visit regularly for years without a single issue. Others have had bad experiences. Many have been told to avoid dog parks altogether.
What's a dog parent to do?
Here are some pros and cons of public dog parks to help you make a decision you feel good about!
In short: Traditional public dog parks come with some risks. Professional trainers often don't recommend them. But some social dogs truly enjoy meeting new friends—and some dog parks are better designed than others. You get to choose what works for you.
Possible cons of public dog parks
Small, fenced-in dog parks create an unnatural social environment
The same way we humans don’t excitedly hug every stranger we meet, it’s not reasonable to expect our dogs to want to play with every member of their own species. Fenced-in spaces can make our pups feel pressured to immediately face off with dozens of unfamiliar dogs as soon as they enter. This can be overwhelming! And if we don't step in, bad experiences can lead to fear reactivity or other problems down the line.
Social dogs can struggle, too. Some pups love saying hi to everyone they see. Setting a dog-park precedent where they get to run over to new friends right away can make it hard for them to stay calm in other situations. (This is a common cause of frustration-based leash reactivity.)
Dogs can get injured (sometimes just on accident)
An unnatural social situation can lead to scuffles. And even social, tolerant dogs can get injured during rough play. This risk is heightened in crowded dog parks with lots going on.
Contagious illnesses and parasites can spread in heavily trafficked areas
Diseases and parasites spread well in heavily trafficked areas, especially in warm climates and when wet ground is involved. While this is a risk any time we take our dogs out into public—much like how we ask our own immune systems to fight a slew of unseen bugs whenever we leave the house—it’s particularly high in crowded spots and those that aren’t regularly cleaned.
Unfortunately, many traditional dog parks fit that bill perfectly.
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Possible pros of public dog parks
Public dog parks can be a place to train our dogs around distractions
Some trainers work their dogs inside the dog park as a sort of “ultimate distraction” test. If your pet can stay engaged while other animals run and chase and bump into each other and make a bunch of noise, that’s a huge testament to their impulse control, confidence, and relationship with you.
Note that the dog park is not an ideal environment to start training. If your living room is a kindergarten classroom, a traditional public dog park is like a college lecture hall.
Dog parks can provide social fulfillment
Some dogs don’t feel fulfilled unless they’re able to interact with their own species regularly. At their best, dog parks are places where very tolerant pets can fill their social cups in a setting that’s free (or low cost) and easily accessible.
Possible alternatives to playing in public dog parks
- Setting up small playdates with trusted dog friends
- Structured daycare monitored by professionals you trust
- Meeting up with fellow owners you connect with online or in other communities
- Organizing or joining a local group dog walk
Dog parks can connect us to fellow dog parents
Some people look forward to dog park visits to connect with local pet lovers. Talking about our dogs can make social situations easier. And we might make great friends that way! (Finding community with fellow dog parents is the whole point of Juniper.)
Just remember that not every dog enjoys the dog park experience, and we should avoid putting our pups in uncomfortable positions just for our own sake.
So much depends on the dog park setup and our individual dogs
Ultimately, not all dog parks are created equal. Tiny tenths of an acre with a culture of chaos? Yeah... we probably want to avoid those. But large off-leash areas with space to de-escalate conflict? That can be a different story.
The best dog parks are spacious!
Some dog parks are large, expansive areas complete with hiking trails, foliage, and other barriers that make it easier for dogs to interact in a natural way.
The riskiest dog parks force pets into tight quarters
The traditional enclosed dog park set in the middle of a city block comes with more risk.
Every dog parent gets to make their own decision
We've got your back either way. Hopefully this article helps you make a choice you and your dog feel good about — because that's what matters.