Is it worth the risk?
 

There is one dog park where I live, and its not a very good one. It's really a large fenced-in reservoir that they turned into an official "dog park". I was happy to finally get one so I could take Lacy to a safe place for her to run around off leash. My backyard is super tiny and not enough room for her to do much out there.

The park has problems though...it's a reservoir so it gets muddy easily when it rains. And there are two "ditches" running through it that always have water in them...nasty water that I don't want Lacy to drink. The main problem though is that there is no seperate small dog area. I took her several times without any problems, but once a boxer pinned her down and bit her next to her eye..and a blood vessel actually popped so that a corner of her eye was red for a day. Luckily she was okay. I hadn't been back since that happened until last weekend.

I remembered there are two seperate entrances...most people stay on one side. So I took Lacy and Rylie to the side that is normally empty. I just wanted a place for them to walk/run around without other dogs being there. A couple dogs did come over to visit and luckily were nice. You just never know though... I keep seeing so many little dogs getting attacked by bigger dogs...it's just taking such a risk. I ran around with Lacy some (Rylie just stood there) for about 30 minutes when I was about ready to leave. Two greyhounds started coming toward us and all I could think about was that story of the yorkie getting ripped apart by that pack of greyhounds...so I picked Lacy and Rylie up and decided to leave.

I think its supposed to be a nice weekend and I'd love to take Lacy and Rylie to the park again, but I'm scared to. I don't want to take a chance on them getting hurt :( I can take them to other parks on their leashes, but I want them to be able to safely run around off leash.

I don't do dog runs.. both small and large dogs can be nippy or bite. It sucks if you don't have a yard for them to play in though.

You would think a place like that, they would make it to where big dogs are to be on one side and the other side small dogs. I don't think we have any of those around here, but, the back yard is over an acre that's fenced in, so, they just go out there..oh what the heck, get on a plane in Dallas and bring her here, she can run in the back yard here..:)

Is it worth the risk? In my humble opinion no.:) I know Lacy means the world to you and you just never know what could happen.

We have a dog park that I go to. It has a separate area for small dogs and I always get nervous taking Bella and Chloe. Not that anything bad has ever happened, I guess I'm just over protective.:rolleyes:

It's so hard with little dogs! They like to run and play just like any size dog but there is rarely a place just for them.
I don't know if I would chance them going to a park like that, unless there is a time of day you could go when there is no one there or mostly empty.
If you do decide to go I would get some dog mace and maybe a bar or stick, just for your piece of mind!
I know what you mean about all the videos and stories where all the small dogs are getting maimed or killed. Its hard not to be paranoid.
What ever you decide I'm sure will work out fine! You can always take a road trip and come to the beach with us! The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend!

Michelle,

Sometimes a good idea isn't implemented, simply because no one has brought it up! Perhaps you could talk to Parks and Recreation, thanking them for the addition to the city by making dog people feel more at home - and, while you have their ear, suggest that it could be even better by dividing the area so smaller dogs can play safely, too.

You can bring her here to Ohio and she can run in the yard, the field,:D :D
bless her heart she has no where to run? I do not think I would go to a dog park I would be to afraid.

That's a good idea. The park headquarters is actually very close to my house so I'll have to go by there. It would be so easy for them to just put up another line of fence to separate the dog park into two areas...there are already two entrances.

Well, she runs in the house (at pretty amazing speeds) but I know she likes being outside too.

You never know if a dog might snap and off leash parks just do not seem like a place to take a small dog. I will never take Jeter to a dog park because of all the bad things that I have read on YT about their dog getting attacked. Thankfully I have a decent yard for Jeter to get exercise and als My mother has a big back yard that he can go visit and play with her 2 yorkies.

I wish that they had a better set up so that Lacy and Rylie could have fun but the risk just does not seem like it would be worth it.

haha she's never been to the beach! Is it fenced in or do your dogs just stay right there by you?

We have 4wd so we go really far down and let the dogs run.That way no traffic, or people to mess with us.
Addy likes to chase seagulls so my bf runs with her but Brady like to stay close with me!
Amazingly they are not afraid of the surf and they will wade around and bark at the waves! It is the cutest thing!
If you are down this way for spring break let me know we can plan a beach play date!

I say no, especially if you are going alone.

If your two are like met two, they would be in two different directions the entire time and just to hard to keep up with.

yeah, Rylie just kind of stood in one spot most of the time. He didn't know what to think about the dog park. Lacy was running up and down the fence line and tried to go over where all the other dogs were a couple times so I had to chase her down and bring her back..

I was asking myself this same exact question this morning, after I saw that post about the Chihuahua being mauled by a Pit Bull.

The thought of EVER not having Franklin brings tears to my eyes.. I would love to be able to let him out and about but I just don't think I'd ever be able to take that risk. At least if he was on a leash, I could pull him in and scoop him up if needed. I think it just depends on the park and the types of people who go there.

I think all YT members should start toy breed only dog parks in each of our respective states! How awesome would that be?

I took mine once to a dog park on riverside, and there a lot around here but on that day i took them there cause that's where i was walking. Anyway there is a small dog park attached to it for the small dogs but of course that was empty. So i let them run around there and saw all the big dogs in the big park. After like 5 min being there two of the big dogs got into a fight and one of them was being badly bitten by the other. The owners were trying their hardest to pull them apart but it looked hard, i guess cause they are not so light so its not as easy as small dogs. Anyway the poor dog was badly hurt and screaming and the other dog owner was so mad at her dog and took him out of there yelling at him. I was so glad i didn't take a chance putting mine in there with them. You just never know with other ppl's dogs.

Michele, I don't think I would risk it, you never know what might happen. I told my hubby about the park, but there is no way I will go if it isn't divided. Can you imagine if some big dog came after my bunch, I dont' have enough arms to pick them all up. :eek:

You are more than welcome to bring Lacy and Rylie over to my house, I have a pretty big fenced in yard, of course I put my big doggies up when I let my little ones out. I'll be puppy sitting a 6 month old yorkie girl named Sadie this weekend, we can have a yorkie playdate. Maybe Gayla can bring Layla over also, that would be 9 yorkies, that's more of a party!!:D

....


Okay Ladies is it a playdate for our babies tomorrow??? I say lets do it........we would have 9 yorkies that would be more then enough for them to have a good playdate. Let me know what you girls decide:D

I take Morgan only to dog parks that have a separate small dog section and 6 foot fences. i don't want there to be any chance of a big dog coming near her. The big dog can be very friendly and just want to say hi but since morgan is so small she can easily get stepped on. Even in the small dog area she is usually the smallest one. when i first get there i keep morgan in my arms for a few minutes and scope out the other dogs. see how they are acting and playing. if they are all calm and just playing i will let her down. if there is a nutty one, or a red zone dog i won't put her down until they leave or calm down.

i personally wouldn't risk it Michele. too much can happen, accident or not.

That would be fun!! Tomorrow and Sunday it is supposed to be 72degrees and Sunny. What day/time works best for you and Gayla?

I know :( I'm definitely going to e-mail and/or go by and talk to the park people...it would be so easy for them to seperate the park into two areas.

I would go and see what kinda dogs are all there. If the dogs are all smaller and you feel safe, let them offleash, but if bigger dogs that can harm them come up, then leave. Also, maybe get the really long leashes so they have more room to run around, but that way you can still get them really quick if a dog approaches you guys.

I just sent an e-mail to the city's Park & Recreation Director and to the Park Planner. Hopefully they'll consider improving the park

What a great Idea:thumbup: I hope that they do put some consideration into it for you! Do you have other small dog owners that you are friends within your area that could possible also e mail or write a letter expressing their desire to have a safer place for their smaller breed doggies to play? Spread the word as I am sure that others are wanting the same thing.

awwww. If you lived closer to me, you could come play in our back yard. I think a yt playdate is a great idea! Wish I could come!

I agree with the group. It's not worth the risk. Eddie is very social with big dogs, but he got scared when an overly exhuberant pooch (no, not Rusty) sent him sprawling one time.

You might try to get a network of little dog owners and meeting up at a local ballpark.

....:thumbup: ....Great. IF they drag their feet about it, a gentle reminder that small dog owners do pay taxes might nudge them along.

I agree with others dont risk it. We go to dog park in Staten Island but we only stay in the small dog area that is fenced from the big area. We know all the small dog owners there because its always the same people who come there. I wish they would make different locations of the areas in the park for small and big dogs that are completely separate from each other. A lot of times we go to our friend's house in Jersey he has a huge yard and Maxi goes crazy running around the whole day :)

I wouldnt risk it. I go to a regular park down the street rather than going to a dog park.

I am sorry to sound ignorant but what is a dog park? We have parks here but not just for dogs. Dogs are allowed in our parks as long as they are on a leash but they are not allowed on the beach.