Dog parks...

Just wondering about dog parks do they charge you to get in? There is a dog park near me in Inverness but you have to pay to get in it.

It's $300 annual first dog $50 each additional dog or Monthly $30 first dog and $5 for additional dogs Well I guess because it says

Bark Central Dog Park is a privately run 20-acre recreation area where dogs can
run, play and swim in a safe environment.

Take Sam and enjoy!!   Like everyone said, watch for signs of stress, stay near him incase you need to call him off another dog, and don't give up if he's shy at first.  Both my dogs weren't socialized when I got them, Cruiser used to spend his whole time at the dog park sniffing the fence.  Eventually he came around and started chasing dogs that were smaller than him, now he just loves every dog he sees and the dog park is Heaven to him. 

VanMorrison

Looks like they just opened up a new off leash area at Riverside Park.  From the description in the newspaper it sounds really nice.

Near you or me? I haven't really heard about a place called Riverside Park around here, so I'm guessing you.

VanMorrison

The only thing I don't agree with is the benches for owners to sit on.  IMHO I think that the owners should be exercising and interacting with their dogs, not sitting on the side lines where they are too far away to control or avoid a situation.

I agree. If *you* bring a dog to a dog park, you need to be in control of whats going on to the best of your ability. Thats why I ask questions here and gain as much info as possible. Be pro-active with your dogs people!!

daisyprincess

Just wondering about dog parks do they charge you to get in? There is a dog park near me in Inverness but you have to pay to get in it.

I think most are free....not sure thou

Cost, it depends - if it is a city park you may have to pay a nominal annual fee - you may not.  If it is private, then yes.  When we lived in Milwaukee, Charlie used to go to a private dog playground - $5 a visit.  Where we live now there are a few.  You usually have to live in the city the park is located in, but they don't really check.

Stressfulness - Charlie is definitely one of those dogs that would NOT enjoy playing in the mosh pit.  I know this, so we go really early in the am on Saturday or Sunday (7:00 am).  We are usually the only ones there or maybe another dog or two.  The people there that early are there for the same reason I am - our dogs just aren't comfortable during happy hour.  Once it starts to get busy you can see Charlie starting to get stressed so we leave.  Charlie is extremely friendly but he is also timid around a lot of other dogs - that are a lot bigger than him.  Once he settles in with another dog he's great and they have a blast, but too many too fast he gets too overwhelmed so we avoid the situation the best we can.

Good luck - I like dog parks as long as owners are aware of their dogs and put down their stupid Starbucks and cell phone and watch what is going on.

We pay 40 bucks a year for our county pass and we have at least 8 dog parks in our county which is quite large.  If dogs are nervous hiking on the trails and away from the meet and greet area is excellent to start out.  No leash!  I agree.  Some new folks start outside the fence and take the dog out there to watch a bit and see how they react threw the fence watching the others play.  I love our park.  We live there every afternoon and it is my salvation for a happy and tired dog nightly.  He is scared of some dogs and has learned to go off when he sees them.  He has to work it out for his own comfort level.  He plays with some, avoids others. 

We took Sam and Taz!! They had a blast! When we got there 2 people were there with 4 dogs. A Weim with one man. And 2 Lab mixes, and 1 Shep. mix with the other. I did walk him into the park about 60 feet or so before I let him off the short lead. He made friends with the Shep mix first(the man told me his name is Bear and he's 10). Then a chocolate Lab called Lady(shes 8). Then Baby, a black Lab. Then we walked back and met the Weim. He had so much fun! Shortly after we got there a women came in with her black Cocker Spainel. After her, a couple with a black Lab. Then a women with a Chihuahua and a Shnauzer(sp?).

Sam did get in a scrap with the Shnauzer, both of which are un-neutered males. It was broken up quickly, no injuries.

A couple brought they're black Germen Shep. Right before we left....and when we did leave I said 'Sam, lets go!' and started walking to the gate, he met me there and sat while I clippied his lead.

Taz just got a bath due to him being **covered** in doggie slobber...Sam's alseep he's so tired! Woo!

I;m making this a once or twice a week deal!

I'm glad you all had a good experience.  I wish I was as lucky.  The first few times I took Harry, everything was great.  Then....well, let's just say the dog park near me seems to attract inattentive owners with slightly aggressive dogs.  We had a couple run-ins with one small dog who decided he just plain wanted to run down the hill and attack Harry, who was with me playing with another dog about 50 yards away from said small dog.  Owner....nowhere in sight.  I took him one more time after that, around 9am on a weekday when there were very few dogs and everything went well.  But, we haven't been back since and I don't plan to go back.  I prefer to do playdates with dogs I know whose owners are awesome.  In fact, BF is taking Harry to a playdate as we speak so I can catch a nap this evening (didn't sleep too well last night) so we can go see our friends' band play tonight.  But I'm glad everything worked out well for you, that's great!

We have two local dog parks. One is totally fenced and the other is unfenced. We find the unfenced one is vastly better. For a start, it's bigger and has a creek on one side and a strip of bush on the other, but really, the best thing is that being unfenced, you kind of need to be able to trust your dog off leash to go there. We have been visiting at least once a week for the last 5 months and are yet to meet any dogs that are a worry. We leave Kivi Tarro on a 30ft long line made of slippery nylon at the moment as we suffered recall setbacks a few weeks ago when he abruptly decided he hated the treats that were his favourite yesterday and it took us a bit of time to find some to compete with dog play again. We take treats and toys. Just about everyone does. We all feed each other's dogs and let them play with each other's toys, although some of the dogs don't like sharing balls and there's a GSP that always takes our ball and won't give it back and a Mal with a thing for squeaky toys. He comes out of nowhere when he hears a squeak and confiscates the toy for himself. There are also benches in our dog park, but not many people use them. Often the dog owners stand around talking and let the dogs play, but they are real fast to step in if they are needed. Mostly just when their dogs play too rough.

Glad you guys had a good time. I love our dog park. So many nice people and dogs. And lots of regulars so the dogs get to make friends. Penny keeps trying to go home with the two Cardigan Corgi boys.