to dog park or not to dog park...this is the question
 

I recently read another thread where a lot of you guys could not comprehend why anyone would take a yorkie to a dog park.

I am a very new yorkie mom. I have taken Davey to the dog park once and he was very shy at first, but after about 20 mins, he started to explore and smell everyone's butt.

At home, its just me and Davey so I thought that taking him to the dog park would be a good thing for him. He could meet other dogs and could be outside (which he loves). I don't have a yard for him, so I thought being leash-free would be a positive experience for him.

Davey is tiny, 4lbs.

If you are anti-dog park for yorkies, what are the alternatives? Are dog parks not important for their social development?

Thoughts?

I don't take Uni to dog parks b/c of all the horror stories I have read here. That said, I would suggest signing up with a yorkie only meetup group. Sometimes they have meetups at dog boutiques instead of the parks. There is one coming up in Aug, if you are near Orange County (your avatar doesn't give a city) at a boutique, I will attend that one.

Also i live at the end of a cul-de-sac so Uni has lots of off leash play time there instead.

I havent ever been to a dog park but Ive heard alot of horror stories so I really dont want to. Also we have a big nice regular park thats only a 3 min drive from my house so we go there. The only way I would go to a dog park is if there is a small dog area.

I'm in Hacienda Heights...not too far from you :)

But doesn't he need exercise and outdoor time on a daily or weekly basis? Or is this only needed for big dogs, like labs and pitbulls?

The dog park I went to does have a small dog section. The only problem with that is that all dogs under 25lbs. are considered "small" dogs. So the dogs have a 20lb. advantage to Davey.

Horror stories? Well, there are horror stories for everything, no?

I tend to stay away from dog parks. We had a near miss with a big dog once and that was it for us. They guy said the dog was not usually aggressive, but he decided Laya looked like a tasty treat! Just not worth it to me.

Oh cool, that would be great if you could make it. It's not till aug 9, in Brea, across from the mall (I'm sure you've been there?) Here"s the info:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/cal...ug-9-09-a.html

But since yorkies are small they can easily get their needed amount of exercise just playing and running around an apartment!

Yea, lots of times the other dog's owners don't even apologize! they laugh.:thumbdown:mad:

i take morgan to the dog park all the time. There is a small dog section so there are never any big dogs in there. I watch morgan and follow her around while we are there. When i first get there i carry her in and observe the other dogs for a few minutes to see if there are any crazy ones there. If there are, i'll hold her and wait. Usually at the park i go to most of the dogs are well behaved and if they are not other people will say something to the owner of the ill-behaved dog. I also always watch to see who is coming in and watch the dogs when they first enter. There are certain breeds i do not like because they are either too hyper or have high prey drives so i'll pick morgan up when i see them coming until i'm sure they are ok.

I think the dog park is a great place for place and socialization. You just need to remember that anyone can go there and their dogs may not have the best manners, or the owners don't have control over their dogs.

Things to remember:
Only go to a small dog park/section
observe the other dogs before you put your yorkie down
observe owners to make sure they can handle their dogs
observe owners/dogs that are coming in

I refuse to take Missy to a dogpark. We've already had to fork out 3500 to repair one broken leg. I won't risk it happening again. She does have a few doggie friends that I let her hang out with, and I bring her EVERYWHERE. I just don't trust strange dogs to play with her safely, plus she was almost eaten by a Boxer the other day at a kids park. An accident can happen so quickly. Yes, I'm a freaky over-protective Mama. Ask my skin kids! ;)

OMG! You said 'skin kids'...that is so so so so FUNNY!!

Did she break her leg at a dog park?

I guess you and I are different in the sense that I work all day, so Davey spends a lot of time in doors...but I totally see why you would be worried.

Off topic question - did you pay that much with insurance or without?

Agree!

There is an extremely nice one here in Annapolis with the small dog/big dog sections and all the dogs were surprisingly mellow, calm but still playful enough for Jackson to get a good run! I will for sure be taking him back. It's great. It's get them experience with other dogs and socialized and it wears them out!

I think that every dog should be walked. Just because they are small doesn't mean they won't have a more interesting life if they get to see more than one house. I make a big deal about people not walking their pets. Mostly because almost all the dogs I see on my street are not walked, and they sit in the window barking at you all day. My dog doesn't, because he isn't bored and is exercised. I got him and he had so much pent up energy from never being exercised that he went crazy for WEEKS! After daily walks he eventually calmed down into a happier dog. I have experienced first hand the negative things of not exercising a dog and I think a tired dog makes a happier and more well behaved dog.

I don't take my Yorkie to the dog park. I took him a few times and he hated it. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES other dogs. He just doesn't love getting tackled by 5 big dogs he has never met all at once. He's fine if he knows them, but he needs to sniff the dog for 10 seconds before he isn't scared of it. He gets overwhelmed at the dog park. We don't have a good dog park in Cupertino. I think they are planning to build one soon but the closest one is 15 minutes. I don't know a dog park with two sections around here.

Oh, and don't forget to be up on shots! Some owners don't give their dogs shots and STILL take them to the parks!

Oh yes, this is very true! I just meant that yorkies didn't need as much exercise as a big dog. sorry for the confusion! :D