So I am a little behind but sometimes that is a good sign....being busy is good!
We recently got a new dog park. One closer than the others in town and this one is also different in that it has a separate area for smaller dogs and a dog dock area. I have always been leary of areas that just anyone can bring a dog and turn them loose. Having had dominent dogs that didn't play well with others in the past, my main concern was people that don't understand pack behavior, bringing such dogs to a public area.
I took my guys one at a time to get a feel of it. Justin had a ball. Of course his whole ambition is to run.....chase, be chased, he wasn't picky. A couple of dominent dogs did hover over him one Sunday afternoon and I took him out but overall it was a great experience. He actually went in the lake, from the ramp (he isn't ready for dock diving). You don't go to the dog park to stay clean but the fun was. He made some buddies. When I took him back on a week night it was a better crowd and he spotted a couple of dogs he played with the week before.
Ridge was a little different....he loves to run too but his game was run in on groups and see if he could herd them. Of course they just ignored him! Ridge wasn't as impressed with the water though it was a good place to cool off and get a drink. When I take the two together they have a ball. They have totally different interests in how to have fun and keep me busy keeping an eye on them but they do have fun. Sometimes they come together and go on a roll over wrestling match.
With three separate areas this park is a nice design. There are walking areas, benches to relax, a foot controlled fountain and a foot controlled hose to rince dogs off once they have gotten in the lake or muddy. I really need to take Eddie and see how it goes in the smaller dog section. This one also has a bathroom for humans which is a plus.
Of course there are always drawbacks. I have met some nice people and their dogs but there will always be the people that need to find their brains. The ones that sit on the bench on the hill while their dog is charging at everyone that comes in the gate...the ones that bring small fragile dogs into the large dog area unaware that some large running dogs can do some damage when colliding with the little ones, the ones that won't clean up after their dogs (even though there are bags and garbage cans provided).
With the bad weather on the way and shorter days I am trying to get the boys there at least a couple days a week. Thankfully I have crates to put my nasty dogs in afterwards......but they sure do seem to enjoy the outing! If you have a dog park near you...go check it out dogless so you can see how people and dogs are reacting to each other. Then have some fun.
