 Dog Parks are over-rated!
I lived next door to the Dog Park here in Myrtle Beach, SC for the past 2 yrs.
we have recently moved but we are still in the same neighborhood. I have 3 Yorkie's, 1 male and 2 females but they are a Family; Father, Mother and their daughter. It had a Lake and 2 seperate gated areas, but they should have been designated for large and small Dogs. IMO, your not missing any thing by not being able to go! Dog Parks are over-rated, they are usually filled with un-socialized and un-trained Dogs/puppies and lazy owners who let their Dogs run free without even paying attention to what their Dogs are doing to other Dogs. It teaches your Dogs to become more territorial and more aggressive because they have to defend themselves against larger Dogs. When I had a Litter of 3 puppies plus their Parents I had a total of 5 Yorkie's @ one time. I started taking puppies @ 8 weeks old and the other Dogs chased them like Squirrels! I ended up "Training" the other Dogs not to bother them but it really was'nt my responsibility. Of course if you go to the same Dog Park you see the same People/Dogs so we did make alot of Friends
there. We have a big Yard that is'nt fenced in, so I had to Train them to be off-leash. Even if you have a "Fenced" in Yard you should still walk them at least 2 times a day, they still need the excercise. Alot of people take their Dogs to a Dog Park b/c they think it's good for their Dog to run free? Not if your Dog is'nt Trained to begin with? Bad behaviour is from lack of excercise and boredom! I can't count how many times my male was attacked, recently about a month ago he got into a fight w/a Labrador Retriever that was on a Leash w/it's owner he was bitten on his stomach, luckily it was'nt serious and healed on it's own. The owner's reaction was "That's why I have him on a Leash"! Obviously they should'nt be there if they can't control their Dog?
The guy took off so I could'nt report him to the Animal Control!
I stoppped walking my 3 there since I don't want to take any chances, it only takes a split second for a larger Dog to kill a Yorkie! Since then I walk them at Local Parks and Lakes on and off-leash so they don't get bored.
My female used to get "Humped on" by other male dogs there and now she snaps @ them when they try to do it, I did not correct her b/c I could'nt blame her I would feel the same way! Sorry this post is so long I just think it's important for every one to be aware of the Dangers @ the Dog Park,
it's not all fun and games. Besides I don't think it's fair that my Dogs have to deal with so much just to go "Potty" and Socialize? I make sure that they Socialize with their own Dog Friends on a regular basis too, so they don't get bored of just being around me?
I'm sure you can train your Dog to be off-leash and walk any where "Free"?
Dogs want rules and boundries it makes them feel Safe, besides walking on a leash builds a closer bond with you, it's like Grooming or any other activity you do with them? |