Any opinions on dog parks?
 

Joejoe and I walked by the little dog park in our neighborhood today (I was holding him since we wanted to look) and it has me wondering if he will ever be able to play there. He's about 12 1/2 weeks and only a pound and 2 ounces and has one more shot to go in about 2 weeks.

So we were thinking that since he was so small he wouldn't be able to go to the dog park to socialize even after he has his shots. We want to socialize him as best we can but even just playing with his own brother from the same litter he gets trampled. (he was adopted by my cousin but is over 3 pounds already). My poor little boy isn't the least bit aggressive or scared of any size dog he's met but it does make me a little nervous since just one instance with the wrong paw down I think he could break. He has met my other friends dogs that try their best to play nicely with him as we watch but even they manage to push him over. One of them tried to play tug of war and dragged him to the other room easy. He's walked up to Dobermans and golden retrievers to kiss their noses so we know he's not afraid of other dogs or humans.

Do you think he will ever make it to the dog park? Also what are your experiences with them? I have heard and read mixed reviews on how it can help or destroy a puppy's socialization. Or maybe other suggestions on how to socialize him?

Its hard to give specific information about dog parks since they vary so much and therefore the experiences do as well. Some general things I will say:

1. I would NEVER take a small dog like a Yorkie to a mixed size dog park, I would only use one that had a separate section for small dogs.

2. Never take a puppy to a dog park until they are fully vaccinated and do not take your dog there unless you do full vaccines, heartworm and flea meds.

3. I would never use a dog park as a dogs FIRST socialization experiences- you never know what kinds of dogs are going to be in the park and what their personality is like- one bad experience as a puppy can affect a dog for life- you want to set your puppy up for success by controlling their interactions as much as possible, having leashed meetings, or play sessions with dogs you know well. It is much easier for a well socialized and adjusted dog to shrug off a bad encounter at the dog park.

4. Always remain focused on your dog- many people get distracted with talking to people or playing with other dogs- always keep an eye on your dog so you can easily step in if needed.

5. Always be the bigger person and the best advocate for your dog. If another dog is bullying your dog, don't wait for the other owner to step in- you need to protect your dog and you may even have to cut your fun short and leave.

In my opinion dog parks are what you make of them- they can be good or bad- it is up to you to control the encounters. Good Luck.

You can start his socialization in puppy kindergarten. It's a more controlled environment. There is one dog park in Irvine that Kaji and I enjoyed. Most people aren't rule breakers, but there is still the occasional airhead that thinks don't apply to them.

Have never gone to one and will never take my babies to one.

The only ones I have taken Callie to have been one with two different fenced in areas one for small sized dogs and one for big dogs and one like that would be the only kind I would suggest. Callie loves them like crazy as long as its not too hot otherwise she will climb right in the water bucket. I really think dog parks are great if people pick up there dogs poo and follow the rules.

The one we were looking at had a section for small dogs and a different one for the larger dogs. I just looked up puppy kindergarten and found one that has great reviews for their weekly puppy socials. I'm hoping to maybe try it this sunday.

Puppy dog training classes, daycare, dog walking, playgroups, and puppy socials in San Francisco.

Thanks for the opinions so far. I'm still trying to find out on my own which line i stand behind.

Kaji enjoying the dog park. :) Like Lovetodream said, it's pleasant as long as everyone cleans up after their pups.

And just for fun, what not to do at a dog park.


NAUGHTY KAJI!!! I know you think you're a big dog but you're not. :rolleyes:

These vids are from 2 years ago. They're both from his very first trip to that park. He looks so different from today!

How old and how big was he in this video? He looks so cute in the first video playing with the other puppy... :D

Since JoeJoe is so small right now the vet said he would be around 3 pounds hopefully and when he hits 6 months then maybe he would be big enough to let him out and play. But even 3 pounds makes me a little nervous. I'm hoping he'll be at least 4 pounds or over so he'd be sturdier

He was a year old and weighed 6 lbs. Now he's a whopping 7 lbs! My vet said they don't stop growing until they reach 18 months.

Kaji=Cuteness!

We don't really have any dog parks around here. :(

I just love the way the beagle seemed to come to Kaji's "rescue"! Your little man is just adorable!
As far as dog parks go, I agree with the poster that said that they are what you make of them. It really depends on the other patrons and how they are with their dogs, whether they pick up after them , or if their dogs are properly socialized.

I have taken my two to a mixed size dog park in my area, and it just doesn't work. Luckily, a small dog park is going to be opening in a few months, so I can't wait to take them there. Couver loves all dogs, but just doesn't like the big dogs getting in his business, so I think this will be great for both of them.

I think, as long as everyone follows the rules; vaccinates, picks up, and keeps their dog under control... dog parks are great! However, not all dog parks are great because people don't follow the rules.

Oh that little stinker! Did you just about have a heart attack? I guess they should think of these things when they build the fence.

Excellent post^^^
Even if a large dog is friendly and not "aggressive" towards other dogs, all it would take is their prey drive kicking in as a small dog runs past to create a tragic situation. I would stick to play dates with small doggy friends and a dog park with a separate small dog section.

I have posted before about this. Yes we go to the Doggie Play Park. It has two size sides, trees for shade, tables and benches for people, several drinking fountains low to the ground for doggies, many waste cans for poo disposal and agility run set up. They have rules posted and when I have been there everyone is keeping them. I looked at 3 dog parks before picking this one. They are both good and bad. The other replies are right about shots, flea and heart worm prevention. I would also suggest keeping a first aid kit in the car, accidents do happen and bring your own poo bags not all doggy parks provide them. Good Luck
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Fantastic post! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

We really love our dog parks. But you've just got to be smart about them and use common sense.

OMG, Kaji, you naughty boy! LOL. Those videos were so adorable.

Here's some of Jackson's dog park fun times...

This video was from 2009, so he was barely a year old.

Furgie loves the dog park! We only go to parks with the small dog area. She is about 5 1/2 pounds, 1 year now. She was probably about 4 pounds when she started going. It can be nerve wracking, as the other dog mom's said, definitly keep an eye on her at all times! Clean up after you dog when they poop, and bring water. The video on the thread is a great examle of how they play...Furgie gets ran over from time to time playing kind of rough, but she loves it! If her tail is wagging, she is having fun! She did the puppy class at petsmart, that was good. She also goes to doggy daycare, which I think is what has given her alot of confidence at the dog park. Good luck!

Actually they didn't rescue Kaji. The beagle stole his buddy! He didn't play after that.

YES!!!!!!! I just about died when I saw him walk over to the big dog section. As soon as I set him down when we first got here, he made his way to the big dog section. He honestly thinks he's a German Shepard. I guess Kaji was insulted I thought so "little" of him, and he simply walked over to the other side. Someone was standing on the other side of the fence and picked him up before he got himself into trouble.

I agree - give it a try only if there is a separate area for small dogs.

Our dog parks here state the dog has to be at least 6 months old before coming in.

I've taken Lucy a couple of times - even in the 'small dog' park; she was the smallest one there and not loving it. Some dogs do though!

As another poster said - puppy classes are a great place to start and to learn to socialize.

Thanks everyone! The advice helps a lot.

It looks like JoeJoe and i will be attending our first puppy social today. It's 15 dollars per social but comes with wine cheese and crackers for mommy and some puppy treats for my little guy. All the dogs there will be 10-18 weeks and all small breed with at lease 2 shots so that makes me feel at least a little bit more comfortable. :D Hopefully it all works out and i might sign up JoeJoe for a full membership there and also maybe some day classes.

I am also hoping to bring him to the dog park when he's bigger (around 6 months sounds perfect) but we definitely will start with these small play dates for now. The videos you all posted looked like so much fun and i think JoeJoe will just Love it.:D

We LOVE going to the dog park. There is one down the street from where I live that has 3 seperate sections. One for dogs under 30lbs i believe, another for 30 to 50lbs and another for 50lbs and over. The one for the smaller dogs usually i never see any 30lb dogs in there. Occasionally someone wont follow the rules and bring their big dog in there but we just will turn around and leave if that happens. Usually there is only really small dogs in there but Dolce is still always the smallest one there! Shes only 3.6lbs at 10months! She loves it there though, she loves to race around the outside of the fence until shes pooped! LOL I didnt take her there until she had all of her shots done, i think she was 6 months. I always keep an eye on her when we are there though, because she is so little i worry. Most of the time the dogs there are playful but not rough. Occasionally you will get a brat in there that thinks they can bark and push and shove all the other dogs around and I just pick Dolce up and keep her on my lap hoping the dog owner will get the picture and leave with his/her dog. Usually that does the trick and then Dolce can go back to playing with her friends LOL. One thing I like to do when we are there is get the names and phone numbers of owners with small dogs that Dolce has fun playing with. That way we can call or text each other when we are going to the park and have a kind of meetup so we know there will at least be one other friend their for our furbabies. Dolce has met lots of other Yorkies at the dog park and its so funny that she knows which dogs are yorkies. She will go right up to them and follow them around the whole time. It's like she's saying "Hey! Hey! I know you! You look like me! Wanna play? wanna play? huh, huh, huh??? I like you cuz u look like me!" She can spot em out of a crowd! Its amazing! She doesnt care too much for larger dogs, but if they irritate her (cuz large dogs for some reason like to follow her around and smell her ALL the time and don't leave her alone) she will get up in their face and try and push em around to tell em to buzz off! hahaha they just look at her all confused. I will video tape her next time we are there so you guys can see just what I'm talking about.

I wish we had a dog park near me that was like yours, it sounds awesome!