Anyone else live in an area without dog parks?

[alaskayorkie]

We have "unleashed" but unfenced dog parks, which do absolutely no good when it comes to dogs who have a tendency to roam.

But, as bobodiddle suggested, we use fenced softball fields. I've helped organize a group of about 10-15 dog owners who meet at the same time every Sunday. It has worked out great. You just have to make sure you clean up after your dogs to avoid getting league officials mad at you.

[loveyorks]

Montreal has got to be one of the most unfriendly dog cities!! There are only a handful of dog parks and don't even mention going to restaurants or stores with your dog, you will be kindly but firmly asked to leave. Walmart being No.1 of the lot... However I'm lucky cause we do have a nice big fenced in backyard, so that solves part of the problem for my three. Another funny thing, is that most people around here are also dog owners!! There are some dog associations (volunteers) that are working towards making this place a more dog friendly environment, however Quebec is a BIG place and not enough people...

[luckylady]

There is one dog park that I know of here. I've never been & am paranoid to take the "kids" there anyway for fear of fighting. I've heard of one instance there last year where a pom or chi... pup was killed by another dog. Okay, mind you the owner had it in with the big dogs (don't know why), but still when I watched the newscast about it I saw that the small dog area was for dogs up to 25 lbs. I don't know, I'd just be afraid to have my little 3-7 lb yorkies running around with 25 lb dogs that I don't know.

I do have a fenced back yard; with four yorkies living here it was a must when I was looking for a house to buy. Right now it's chain link, but we're hoping to get a privacy fence put up by the end of the summer.

[lovelylf1]

Originally Posted by luckylady

There is one dog park that I know of here. I've never been & am paranoid to take the "kids" there anyway for fear of fighting. I've heard of one instance there last year where a pom or chi... pup was killed by another dog. Okay, mind you the owner had it in with the big dogs (don't know why), but still when I watched the newscast about it I saw that the small dog area was for dogs up to 25 lbs. I don't know, I'd just be afraid to have my little 3-7 lb yorkies running around with 25 lb dogs that I don't know.

I do have a fenced back yard; with four yorkies living here it was a must when I was looking for a house to buy. Right now it's chain link, but we're hoping to get a privacy fence put up by the end of the summer.

The first time I took Scooter to the dog park I was a little nervous. The one closest to my house is not fenced so I didn't know what to expect. Once I went, I saw how much Scooter loved it. There are numerous walking trails so I just keep him on a leash and he does great. Many other owners let their dogs off leash (they aren't supposed to) but like you were saying, you never know with the little guys.

I have to drive a little ways to get to one of the fenced in dog parks. They have similar separated areas like yours. The nice part about having a Yorkie is if something happens, you can easily pick them up and walk away. I have never had a problem at the dog parks. I have seen some dogs confront others but Scooter seems to be content with letting someone else duke it out.

I think you should check out the parks. They can be so fun. While the dogs are playing and exploring, you can bond with other owners.

[artie merlino]

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?

[crb]

Although we have dog parks, they do not have a seperate small dog area. So we (myself and some other YT members who live here and close by) have had playdates at my house. I have a huge fenced in backyard.

We have a new dog park that will be under construction soon, however I haven't heard whether it's going to have a small dog area. I sure hope so.

[brunosmom]

I live in a very smalltown in Oklahoma. When i say small I mean we have to go 30 min. just to get to Walmart. I don't think I have EVER seen a dog park. I know.....sad. I just happen to live in the wrong part of the state.

[ARCHIE]

I use to think dog parks were awsome until I was told to be careful
since many owners disregard getting their dogs shots and that got
me to thinking and I never took Buddy to one.
Also, just last week my neighbor's Lasa Apso's (s) gentle little dog,
lost an eye to a pit bull there who attacked the little one.
I have heard of several attacks at these parks. If the little ones
were separated from the bigger dogs it may be more attractive to me.
Not worth the risk IMO.

[cinnamonmon]

I would never take my dogs to a park that did not have a separated small dog area and if I saw a dog enter (or already there) that was pushing that limit...I would say something to the owner...ask if there dog is friendly, etc. before I put my dog down...or I would just leave. I would never let her in with the big dogs.
After reading your posts, I have been looking around for fenced in softball or bb fields, but all of ours are only fenced on a few sides, none of them completely...I just woudnt be comfortable with that. I dont mind walking my dogs, dont get me wrong, but I would love them to be able to run around outside without being on a leash once in awhile.
I would love to have a fenced yard but we cant afford it and because we are a corner house, we are not allowed it. I love the idea of play dates with other Yorkie owners but dont know any.
Anyways the quest continues.

[chattiesmom]

No Dog parks in Rome, Georgia.

[Tiggerwit]

We have them but I'm not keen on them. Guess one bad experience soured me. I went to a yorkie meet up in Seattle. (No offense to any member who may have been there). It was icky. It was dirty, at least to me, mostly dirt. One couple kept talking about all these illnesses their dog had or had just gotten over. We came home with fleas.... Alphy was not very social either. Wouldn't leave my feet. mama's boy.