The Times needs your voice. We welcome your on-topic commentary, criticism and expertise. Comments are moderated for civility. Reader PicksAll Sort by: Newest Aaron commented 13 minutes ago A Aaron Phoenix 5m ago Stopped taking my dogs to dog parks about a decade ago. Other dogs can be a bit too aggressive sometimes. It’s also a perfect place to spread disease and infections. ReplyRecommendShareFlag PJ commented 17 minutes ago P PJ Amsterdam 8m ago Um, am I missing something? We go to a dog park daily and our dog loves it. If at times she doesn't want to play with other dogs or things get a little rough we just go somewhere else and play fetch or take a run or a swim. I live in Amsteredam - maybe things are different here? We socialized our dog with lots of other dogs from an early age. I'm guessing the problem may not be dog parks per se but rather the lack of alternatives for a dog to move. If a dog's only means of doing any high intensity movement is wrestling with other dogs then maybe they go a little nuts in the dog park. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Michael Thorson commented 29 minutes ago M Michael Thorson Madison, WI 21m ago Might be the dog owner who needs to understand their dog better. If the dog owner properly reads their dogs' reactions and behaviors at the dog park, they would know if it's best for them or not. Much better than categorically saying dog parks are bad for dogs. That's a generalized assumption with no evidence to back it up. Yet I'm not surprised once again reading a NYT op-ed telling everyone else what's best for them. That's kind of de rigueur for the NYT. We take our dogs every day. It's a godsend. They love it and on days they don't get to the dog park, they are so annoyed and gloomy and moping it's almost unbearable. Yes, our dogs are spoiled. The dog park gives them exercise, socialization, and freedom from being cooped up all day in the house. But I suppose it's the kind of dog park that matters as well. In New York you probably get 2-acres of over-crowded chaos. In Wisconsin, we get 98-acres of freedom and joy. ReplyRecommendShareFlag JDLS commented 30 minutes ago J JDLS Earth 22m ago My dog had behaviour problems and anxiety until we took him out of daycare and stopped taking him to the dog park. At daycare, we discovered that the dogs were left in a room and barely observed, which is a lot more common than it should be (sadly). He would come home tired and shaky—we eventually realized it was relief. The dog park near us was great until he was aggressively herded by a large German Shepard that was with a young mom and 2 toddlers. She could not control her dog and my husband had to pull the dog off our dog, bellering as loudly as he could. It took our dog ages to feel secure around other dogs again. And the dog park was a morass of ruined and feces, it’s managed by our city but I’ve never seen anyone there. My thoughts are that maybe these places are great for stable, secure, confident dogs. But I learned my lesson and won’t be taking my dog back to either place again soon. No positive socializing occurred. He can meet dog friends one on one now. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Audrey commented 30 minutes ago A Audrey USA 22m ago What our dog loves most are daily walks of about 30-60 minutes where she can stop and go as much she likes along the way with no pressure from us to keep going. She gets excited at approach or presence of other dogs, but is nervous about meeting them. So no dog parks, but lots of petting at home by family members, small treats, and daily walks. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag David commented 36 minutes ago D David Seattle 27m ago What brought about the dog park trend was leash law enforcement in public parks. Since the pandemic & George Floyd, our city cops couldn’t care less about enforcing leash laws. It’s been wonderful. A well behaved pooch deserves a little off-leash time to do their business and play. Dogs get small dose interactions as they choose, not the bewildering, action-packed, and often tense scenes at the dog park. It’s like the good old days. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Rich D. commented 49 minutes ago R Rich D. Tucson, AZ 40m ago I wouldn't take any dog of mine to a dog park in a million years. They are breeding grounds for every disease a dog can get, some of which can even kill them. Imagine if you went to an incredibly busy beach barefooted and everyone there just relieved themselves on the sand continuously. That's what you are doing to your dog and what they are tracking into your car and onto the floors in your house and digesting when they are licking their paws. No thanks. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag MExpat commented 51 minutes ago M MExpat Germany 43m ago In mythe opinion, cities themselves are bad for dogs. Keeping a dog in an apartment, especially a large dog, is cruel. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Wilkinson commented 1 hour ago W Wilkinson Marion 51m ago All true. There is going to be the occasional problem, mostly with owners who don't understand that their dogs become pack animals in a dog park. It is mostly about dominance. I've had seven dogs. 4 had a dog park to go to and they were better for it. But I paid attention to the behaviour that potentially dangerous dogs make. Stalking, low growl and teeth out. Don't expect the owner to step in and solve the problem. They may be as surprised as you are. So sorry to hear about the ear. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag michjas commented 1 hour ago michjas michjas Phoenix 52m ago I never take my dog to a dog park. She has no interest. I’ve taken her on hikes, into remote areas of the desert, to ponds and lakes and creeks and swamps and to places where there are deer and there are boulders and mountains to climb. And whenever I open the back door to the car she jumps in lickety split. This is my third dog and I am getting better at if. Conventional wisdom calls for dog socialization. I focus on a happy dog. And I’m pretty sure I’m there. Occasionally, most dogs elude us and we have to go find them. My present dog has walked out the door behind me three times and I unknowingly closed the door on her. Each time I frantically searched the house and then found her patiently waiting at the front door. Past dogs have wandered and explored. This one has seen it all and knows just where she wants to be. I figure that if there’s no place she’d rather be she doesn’t miss the socialization and she wants to be wherever the car is. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Bev commented 1 hour ago B Bev New York 1h ago depends on your dog..my dog made about five good dog friends when he was young.. he played a ritualistic, different game with each friend. There were some dogs he did not like..oddly, dogs with black tongues..so we’d leave when we saw them arriving. As he got older he was less interested in his dog games so we walked with his friends..depends. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Adreana Langston commented 1 hour ago A Adreana Langston California 1h ago Unless one has a purebred there are almost countless variations of dogs. What might be a bad experience for dog 1 could be the happiest experience for dog 2. People need to pay attention to their particular dog and figure out if she is getting joy or stress out of the dog park. Families can't even assume that what their first dog likes will also be what is liked by the second dog they bring into the home. Different strokes for different canines. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Matt commented 1 hour ago M Matt California 1h ago So true. I don’t go to dog parks anymore. I prefer to Walk and bike with my dog everyday for hours. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Martin commented 1 hour ago Martin Martin Gold Hill, OR 1h ago I have a couple of 65 and 80 lb stinky boys, and I confess I really enjoyed finding a new dog park when I moved to a new state. My dog tends toward aloofness after an initial greeting when arriving at the park, and for the arrival of the next 4-footed guests. One day a dude who brought a T-rex of a dog to the park before I arrived did nothing when T-rex pinned my dog at the entry gate. I never returned there. As this article reports my dog is content to “read the newspaper” while sniffing in and around our 2 acre dog park. Small dogs might annoy him, but he ignores them if he can. It’s the dogs bigger than him that can set him off (perhaps he equates them with T-rex). One sniff too many too closely and he will go for the throat. I don’t go to the dog park any more. And he’s always happy when I come home. I will keep him from hurting dog away from my home, and I’ll be glad to get his harness on as we go for our long walks. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Blind Seeker commented 1 hour ago B Blind Seeker Wild West 1h ago Dogs need to learn how to be dogs. Dogs have their own complex method of communication based on context, body-language and scent that's learned from other dogs. Dogs have social norms and social expectations, again, learned from other dogs. They get the basics from their mother but most puppies are separated from the mother before they've learned adult language and social skills. In order be emotionally healthy, AND predictable (and comfortable) around other dogs, they need those adult skills. In short, they need to be 'socialized' with other dogs. For many people, a dog park is one of very few options for that dog 'socialization' to occur. It may be fun there for an owner and well as some dogs, but that isn't why it's important to go. So no, a dog park is not 'bad' for your dog. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Happy Fridays! commented 1 hour ago H Happy Fridays! Guam 1h ago I concur with socialize the puppies immediately. Poppy my Jack Chi rescue is fun companion for Deets and they have a couple of great neighbor dog buddies. But today at the park she bit a Golden for no reason at all, & she's attacked & bitten two humans, no provocation. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Been There commented 1 hour ago B Been There Portland 1h ago I take my dog to a large, fenced dog park several times a week. He loves it so much I literally have to drag him away, no matter how long we've been there. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Jody commented 2 hours ago J Jody Omaha NE 1h ago Loved this piece. Hate dog parks! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag garsar commented 2 hours ago G garsar france 2h ago Dogs need socialization or they can become passive aggressive and dangerous. Puppies until they are fully vaccinated shouldn't visit dog parks but as soon as they can, it's a good idea. People need socialization as well. All our dogs have loved dog parks and dog beaches and got along well with other dogs. It's great exercise for them as well. It's particularly fun if the same dogs meet up. Vicious dogs must be banned. I'll continue to take my dogs to dog parks and dog beaches! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag michjas commented 2 hours ago michjas michjas Phoenix 2h ago No dog owner who has the time and inclination to be a worthy companion for their dog goes to dog parks. The main selling point of these parks is dog socialization. But left on their own, dogs have plenty of conflict and plenty of teeth. And socialization with other dogs is overrated. Dogs are bred for different tasks and they are happiest when they are on task. And while tasks often don’t fit urban dogs, there are plenty of substitutes that you can provide for them. While those wary of dogs rightfully insist upon leashes in public there are countless places where it’s just you and your dog if you make the effort. Too many dog owners got their dogs for the affection and the companionship and assume that what makes them happy makes their dog happy. These are the dogs with a whole closet full of clothes. If my dog hasn’t run free au naturale at least twice a week, i owe her three times the next week. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES thos commented 55 minutes ago T thos Melbourne 46m ago @michjas - you'll just have to chalk us up as unworthy dog owners then I'm afraid (or perhaps be a tad less judgemental and self-righteous). We don't go to the dog park to make us happy - what a strange thought - we go because we fully know that she loves the dog park and has 'friends' among the rotating subset of the same group of dogs that we see there. If she were miserable there, we wouldn't go at all. Being bred for particular tasks doesn't stop them also needing socialisation, or at least having their 'personalities' (caninalities?) improve from having it. Maybe it simply comes down to a suburban Melbourne off-leash park has little in common with the grim-sounding areas described in the article. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag michjas commented 41 minutes ago michjas michjas Phoenix 33m ago @thos i did not say that people go to dog parks for themselves. I did say that many people get their dogs to make themselves happy. And i stand by that. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Peter S. commented 2 hours ago P Peter S. Los Angeles, CA 2h ago How can the author be so categorical here? I mean, doesn't the dog park experience depend on the dog(s), and the park? I regularly bring my two furry guys to a dog beach, and to them (and me) it is the happiest place on Earth. They run around and mix with other dogs for two hours, and come home exhausted and content as can be. This article sniffs (pun intended) of good ol' NYC neuroticism. The only times I've witnesses problems or doggie fights anywhere is when their owners get too involved. Left on their own, the doggies themselves always sort things out. I suspect some of these dogs could really benefit from longer breaks from their owners' helicopter parenting. We're talking about dogs here. Lighten up, people! Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Jane commented 2 hours ago J Jane DO 2h ago I took my mini doxies to the dog park a only few times. They would stay right next to me no matter what, even trying to get into my lap and stay there— not their usual behavior. I’m sure there are better situations— my neighborhood park seems now to have a Saturday morning leash-free dog owner meet up, but I don’t like to walk in the park at that time. Too many dogs not on leashes. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag MB commented 2 hours ago M MB NYC 2h ago I actually agree. I've witnessed bloody dog fights multiple times at the park, and know two humans who ended up in the ER trying to break them up. It's really unsafe, even if your experience is that your dog is a "good dog that would never do that". My dog had unexplained chronic diarrhea that my vet finally attributed to anxiety. When we stopped going to the dog park it was permanently cured. My advice would be to not get a super high energy breed like a border collie if you don't have a private yard, and to go running with your dog or on long walks for exercise. It's good for you too! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY thos commented 36 minutes ago T thos Melbourne 28m ago @MB - I don't agree. It's a matter of horses for courses (or maybe 'dogs for parks'). Stopping your visits was obviously right for your dog, but we too have a pretty high energy breed - a Large Munsterlander - and she really enjoys running around madly with her doggie friends. After a couple of days not going she gets quite sad. Usually she's had an hour to hour-and-half of street or riverside walks before dog-park-time comes around, and she still pines for it. ReplyRecommendShareFlag SrBruno commented 2 hours ago S SrBruno Oakland ca 2h ago strange article and stranger comments. we have a wonderful dog park near us, Point Isabel in Richmond, CA. we love it, all our dogs past and present love it, everyone I know who goes there loves it. our dogs can't wait to get out of the car when we get there and neither can we. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Jessica commented 2 hours ago J Jessica Los Angeles 2h ago The problem with dog parks is inattentive, irresponsible owners. Owners have to be watchful - play can turn ugly in an instant. Owners need to be there to get their dogs out of a situation. While many owners are mindful, many are just not aware of what’s happening. Dog parks have cost us $2,000 in vet bills. It’s kind of like driving - you can’t control what other drivers do, and you can’t control what other dogs and their owners do. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Buffy Mae commented 41 minutes ago B Buffy Mae SoCal 32m ago @Jessica An acquaintance spoke of the dog that attacked hers in the local park, and the hostile owner who took off leaving her with a nearly dead dog and a $4K vet bill. (Such negligence and irresponsibility is ruining public space all over the U.S., and not just in dog parks.) I had a Chiweeny then, and no way would I ever take her to that park. Nor will I take my rescue Chihuahua now, she's had enough stress. For now we have a fenced yard, and Squirmy gets twice-daily walks and occasional doggie day camp. I do not begrudge others the enjoyment of a dog park. Back in my dogless days, I would lurk outside the Madison Square Park dog run, laugh at the pups' antics, and wish I was among them. But dog-park partisans should recognize the potential for danger and the harms experienced by many people and pets. Denying their existence means that if/when an attack occurs, you're not prepared to take responsible action. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Treetop commented 2 hours ago T Treetop Us 2h ago It’s definitely true that at a dog park you have a good chance of running into some clueless or bad owners. My dog ended up being anxious after getting stalked and attacked by an aggressive dog whose owner then blamed me. It’s best if you really can read dog behavior and handle situations the right way. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Joe commented 2 hours ago J Joe Raleigh, NC 2h ago When I was a kid in the 1950's, our neighbors' dogs & cats roamed the streets freely. We knew them & they knew us, & they knew each other. This was natural. Today's rules, that pets have to be kept inside all the time, except in special "dog parks", are unnatural and cruel, and they're unnecessary. They make life poorer, both for us and for the other species who are involved. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Ana commented 2 hours ago A Ana NYC 2h ago Domesticated cats allowed to wander outdoors have been decimating the songbird populations. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Milliband commented 2 hours ago M Milliband Medford 2h ago @Ana Not to mention packs of dogs who would clean out the wildlife and occasionally be a danger to humans and other pets Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Willow D commented 2 hours ago W Willow D Left Coast 2h ago @Joe At age 68 I am still actively glad that dogs are no longer allowed to roam freely. When I was young, I had a few scary encounters with dogs running free. And it was especially dicey to try walking at night. I am a firm believer that dogs need human supervision. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Marshall Stevenson commented 2 hours ago M Marshall Stevenson The Bronx 2h ago This article reminds me of the articles that warn of all the dangers your child could be in if you give them unsupervised play time. People’s anxiety makes dogs anxious. Not dog parks. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag David Riley commented 2 hours ago D David Riley Portland, Oregon 2h ago My veterinarian has strongly suggested that I not take my dogs to the local dog parks which are “a good source if contagious diseases”. Particularly when it is not cold enough to eradicate the sources of transmissible disease. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag ArtIsWork commented 2 hours ago ArtIsWork ArtIsWork Chicago 2h ago Having utilized both urban and suburban dog parks, I can say that ample space makes all the difference. That said, there are always irresponsible dog owners who can taint the experience. Each dog has its own personality and it’s our job as owners is to be sensitive to what they’re trying to tell us. A wagging tail isn’t always a sign of happiness—becoming educated about how dogs communicate is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your dog. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Steve Deech commented 2 hours ago S Steve Deech NYC 2h ago My dog pretty quickly grew to dislike dog parks. Too small for the big dog parks and too much energy for the small dog parks. Bit by a corgi in a small dog park thanks to a clueless owner (owner brought her dog’s toys into the park - dog got territorial). Last draw was at a park in Long Island where she was surrounded and intimidated by a group of large, poorly socialized dogs. And that was it. In Carl Schurz Park (our park of choice for years before we moved out of Manhattan) there were a bunch of dog owners that let their dogs run off leash in other areas of the park - plenty of people complain (just join Next Door to witness it all), but the dog owner’s answer is the same - “my dog doesn’t like the dog park”. My dog (and I) never stopped loving the off lease hours at Central Park though. However, she seems totally content having her own back yard now! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Frantastic commented 3 hours ago F Frantastic Indianapolis 2h ago This feels like a very NYC article. I no longer have a dog but my daughter has two and takes them to dog parks in our home town, Indianapolis. Her preferred dog park is HUGE with trees in the distance, benches, and obstacles for dog/humans that want to train on them. Another has a sizeable pond and walking trails among the trees. She's and her dogs not in a tiny space that's overloaded with dogs and people. She can easily find herself there alone if she goes during the day when others are at work. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag ljhunter commented 3 hours ago ljhunter ljhunter San Francisco 2h ago I must disagree. Dogs need to be socialized. If there are bad interactions then that is on the dog's guardian who is not paying attention or has no control over their dog. Have we left the dog park when around such bad parents? Yes. Does my two year old hound have a fabulous time chasing and being chased at the dog park? Obviously. That said, we limit our dog park experience to twice a week and go for hikes and adventures the other days Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY ljhunter commented 1 hour ago ljhunter ljhunter San Francisco 1h ago @ljhunter And, may I just add that All dogs need training. They love classes. The humans learn as much or more than the dogs. It's a controlled environment with people and dogs that become close friends. My bloodhound puppy, who lives in a big city, is the perfect cafe dog. She lays down at my feet, never begs for food and never reacts to other dogs who pass by. Training is essential ReplyRecommendShareFlag Dan commented 3 hours ago D Dan Louisiana 3h ago This piece makes some pretty strong statements with no clear references. It takes three days for dogs to get over the anxiety of the dog park? The”zoomies” are a stress behavior? Simply does not correspond to lived experience. I’ve had dogs that hated the dog park. So I didn’t take them. I’ve had dogs that loved it, so I did. Some people like dance clubs, some don’t. This piece is trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag Lori commented 3 hours ago L Lori Santa Monica 3h ago Every dog and every park is different. My dog has no interest in playing with other dogs so we don’t go. And dog parks and doggy daycares and boarding facilities are germ factories putting dogs at risk, so I at least recommend vaccinations. Otherwise, use your best judgment and pay attention to how your dog interacts. If they need to socialize, you can also make playdates. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Anonymous commented 3 hours ago A Anonymous Salisbury, MD 3h ago If you don't have the space and resources you have no right to have a dog. They require a lot of care and it is expensive so only if you can afford them you should have them. This is similar to having kids, only if you can provide them with an education and can bring them up you should have them. Dogs, children aren't there to amuse someone you is bored and/or alone and happens to need company. Find other less destructive ways to keep yourself busy. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag jill otey commented 3 hours ago J jill otey portland or 3h ago "Dog trainer in training"? Of course, different dogs respond to different stimuli differently. That is what human supervision is for. While I have met several long time friends at dog parks, I never babble away while my dog is cruising around. Whether crowded or solitary: one must watch for pooping cleanup, not to eat drink things that should not be eaten or drunk. How is my dog interacting with humans who may have food or small kids? How are they interacting with other dogs, bullying or being bullied or healthy mouth-fighting for fun. This writer hasn't a clue about dog park un-barked rules. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Tony commented 3 hours ago T Tony Norman, OK 3h ago This piece is demonstrably wrong, and it's easy to prove. In the great majority of cases, walk your dog past another dog (or take a dog to the dog park), and see whether your dog shows more interest in you or in the other dog. If your dog preferred being with you to being with other dogs at the dog park, where would it be? With you. And where, in most cases, is your dog? Running around with other dogs. Or sniffing the perimeter. But not hanging around with you, saying in doggyspeak "get me outta here, I'd rather be with you than with my fellow canines." The comment about potential damage to humans, however, is right. My first dog, a Vizsla, was great at the dog park, and very aware of humans. My most recent dog, a German shorthair? Not so much. The first time I saw her chasing another dog and then run headlong into an unsuspecting person was the very last time we went to the dog park. I was afraid of exactly what the other poster said ... that she'd inflict a permanent knee injury on someone. If she couldn't be aware of her surroundings, she couldn't go to the dog park, end of story. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Tony Mannicotti commented 3 hours ago T Tony Mannicotti Utqiagvik Alaska 3h ago I started taking my young rescue dogs to the dog run in Madison Square Park and then to other ones across the city and learned that there is a very high risk of injury and sometimes even death to your dog in those dog runs. And my dogs kept getting girardia especially in the winter months and rainy season in the spring and this summer it has been rainy a large part of the summer. I finally gave up because of the vet bills. Now I just find time to take my dogs to the country to run loose or in the suburbs or long waks in Central Park. They are just as happy and I am not at risk of vet bills from injury or girardia. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag John Zotto commented 3 hours ago J John Zotto Ischia, Italia 3h ago From my personal experience with having/had numerous Golden Retrievers they prefer us to their four legged friends. Then again, we also fall behind their eating, sleeping, any source of water and general laying around. A dog park is for dogs not Golden Retrievers (at least that is what he barks). Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Daniel commented 3 hours ago D Daniel Vancouver 3h ago My wife has a permanent knee injury thanks to an unleashed dog running around on a city street. The problem isn't the dog park; it's the lack of consequences for people who get dogs they can't handle, especially big dogs, then ruin everyone else's life. I would like to see damages caused by a dog charged as a misdemeanor against the owner. Then maybe people could be bothered to leash their dogs. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Greg commented 3 hours ago G Greg Dallas 3h ago How doctrinaire. Because one's dog(s) had bad experiences at a dog park, this extrapolates to a universal truth that dog parks are bad. Thanks for the well-intentioned admonition, but as Freddy's human companion I am very dialed in to what he enjoys, as well as what is best for him. And there is no ambiguity about the benefits of the dog park. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Gary commented 3 hours ago G Gary Oakland, CA 3h ago This article seems overly cautious with a blanket application to all situations. Pay attention to what your pup is telling you - they will communicate their joy or fear and at least for mine, it's very clear. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Red Tail commented 3 hours ago R Red Tail Boston 3h ago I'm not buying it. I have now lived long enough to have had eight dogs. I don't need a psychological study of dogs to know, they need to interact with their own kind. It is too easy, and pure folly, to interpret a dogs behavior based on our own. It's also highly unscientific. I have seen, as have we all, dogs who are nervous in a dog park. But I have also seen those dogs adjust over time. Often what alters their behavior is familiarity with one of more of the dogs they encounter every time. This is significant. If a dog continuously encounters only strange dogs, then there is an adjustment needed every time. However, if they can find mates, recognize a pattern (nothing is more important to dogs than patterns) they will be secure and happy to join in play. Find a pattern. Find a mate. And put aside this pseudo dog psychology meant as click bate. Observe, adjust, and grow. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Bert commented 3 hours ago B Bert Anchorage 3h ago The title of this article was over-broad. Some dog parks may not be good options for some dogs, but a lot of dogs love going to dog parks, and a lot of dog parks are large areas with wooded tracts, lakes, and fields that dogs love. I understand why a small or submissive dog might not want to visit a small urban dog park filled with larger urban dogs that don’t get enough exercise or are poorly socialized. But the dog parks around here are large enough to allow dogs to run and play together, and the dogs who live with us clearly love spending time there. Maybe a better title for the article would have been small urban dog parks aren’t good for small and submissive dogs? Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Alike commented 3 hours ago A Alike Pnw 3h ago So many articles are like this one: "Received wisdom is that you should do such and such. But you've been trying and found some difficulties, so I'm giving you permission not to do it. It's really okay and you don't have to feel guilty." Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Karen commented 3 hours ago K Karen Albuqerque 3h ago Our vet says her practice sees more injuries from dog parks than any other cause. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Will. commented 3 hours ago W Will. NYCNYC 3h ago Your dog will let you know. If he/she bounds in and seem excited to be at the dog park, great! Success! If the dog is hesitant for a long period of time or seems scared or tries to hide, this is not the activity for him/her. And you will terrorize the dog by forcing the issue. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Hortense Norte commented 3 hours ago H Hortense Norte California 3h ago @Will. Hear hear. All dogs are different. It’s up to the dog’s human caretaker to figure out what makes the dog happiest. I’ve seen so many dogs being forced to socialize because “it’s good for them” only to watch frightened, stressed out, anxious behavior turn into neurotic behaviors or even worse, aggression. I don’t go to dog parks anymore ever since I realized my dog does best with one or two other known friends, not to mention so many people got dogs during the pandemic and didn’t bother to train or socialize them or understand their behaviors, and I don’t feel like I can trust other dog owners to know how to handle their pets. If your dog doesn’t come when called, when off leash, he’s not ready for the dog park. Anyway, my pup is stressed out by the dog gangs at the park and the pecking order play. He has a great time on play dates with friends dogs or even when we meet a single random dog at the beach. All dogs need different things to thrive. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jorge commented 4 hours ago J Jorge Asheville, NC 3h ago There was nothing in this article that convinced me not to take my dog to the dog park. There are many problems with dog parks like owners mishandling aggression or lack of vaccination enforcement that were brought up but never analyzed. The answer, I believe, isn’t avoiding dog parks (mine loves it) but to improve the dog park experience. I think some private dog parks have done this really well with attentive staff and good monitoring. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Valerie commented 4 hours ago V Valerie Doylestown PA 3h ago It's a shame the writer assumes their experience reflects all dogs and all dog parks. A well-maintained dog park - one that rotates spaces so grass can grow, has separate areas for dogs based on size, and has administrators to ensure only vaccinated member dogs have access - is wonderful for the right dog and owner. There should be clear guidelines in place for safety and a reporting system with appropriate action taken against owners who don't comply. Not everyone is made for a dog park, but not all dog parks are bad either. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Kevin Bishop commented 4 hours ago K Kevin Bishop Victoria B.C. 4h ago Wow. I really feel sorry for dogs and their owners that have to navigate NYC "dog parks". Here in Victoria, B.C. we are blessed with a wide range of expansive, grassy dog parks where both dogs and owners enjoy interaction. Our one-year-old Saint Bernard/Great Pyrenees Murphy can't wait to get to our (his and ours) favorite off-leash park, very large, grassed and next to the ocean. After frolicking with his now-familiar regulars, he makes a bee line for the beach and actually SWIMS in the ocean with a bunch of his buds. We consider ourselves very lucky to live in a place where he, and all his puppy friends, have a ball every day. Canpt think of any negatives in his - and our - daily experience... Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Dina commented 4 hours ago D Dina Tampa 4h ago It really depends on the dog park. I take my dog to a 25 acre dog park in Clearwater. The dogs love it there. I think it’s because since the park is so big, the dogs don’t feel confined or threatened. They are visibly more relaxed and happy. I noticed that dogs in small dog parks seem to be stressed out. They tend to bark, growl and bite, and are generally in an agitated state, which makes them more aggressive. This is from my personal experience in the last year. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Sophia commented 4 hours ago S Sophia McLean, VA 4h ago The worst thing I have seen at my local dog park is the obliviousness of people to their dog’s behavior because they are socializing. (Also chilling is the same inattention to their children!) We had a nearly tragic incident when our 15 lb poodle mix issued a high-pitched yip when pursued by a pair of seemingly sweet labs. Instantly, many of the dogs in the park converged in a pack (even an obese, elderly basset) and gave chase to our sweet little dog. Some people tried to get their dogs under control without success. Tragedy was averted by my very tall, athletic daughter swooping and picking up the dog like a furry softball as he raced by and lifting him above the fray. I had enjoyed the social aspect of the dog park, but we’ve not been back. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Robert Bauer commented 4 hours ago R Robert Bauer Toronto 4h ago We go to a park near where I live. The owners and dogs all know each other. Luna, my dog, loves playing with the dogs she knows. Her behaviour is completely different when we go to a park with dogs she doesn't know. In that scenario she sticks close to me and doesn't interact with the other dogs. This article better explains Luna's behaviour to me. Thanks! Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Vera commented 4 hours ago Vera Vera PNW 4h ago Instinctually, I knew that my timid 12-lb. sweet-natured Chi mix would not want to be in a free for all environment. Thank you for this article; now I don't feel like I'm depriving my little rescue. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Elizabeth commented 4 hours ago E Elizabeth Iowa 4h ago We used to go to a 40 acre dog park. It was great. If the dog didn't want to see other dogs, she didn't have to, but it was big enough she could run as fast as she wanted. Seems very different than the little dog parks everyone is complaining about. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Nicolas Benjamin commented 4 hours ago N Nicolas Benjamin Queens 4h ago I think there is generally just no possibility of good quality-of-life for dogs in the middle of a big city. Also the constant puddles of urine on the sidewalk in front of building entrances is off-putting. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag MIM commented 4 hours ago M MIM Austin, TX 4h ago Well, it all depends on the park, I guess. I'm a huge fan of Zilker Park in Austin, which I visit regularly with my pooch. Since we tend to arrive around the same time every day, we've gotten to know many of the other canine regulars and their owners. It is, in my opinion, a joyful place! My dog loves it -- and I appreciate meeting people from so many different parts of the city. It's a rare day that we don't leave the park with a spring in our step. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag mally commented 4 hours ago M mally st petersburg fl 4h ago Unmoderated dog parks are dangerous. You never know when an aggressive dog will attack your dog. and even short of that, dogs always crowd around the entrance when a dog come in and that can be intimidating, especially to young dogs. On the other hand, moderated and supervised dog parks can be wonderful. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Susan commented 4 hours ago S Susan Los Angeles 4h ago Trust me, they're not great for people either. Unless you have a dog, I guess. Poop on the sidewalks, pee in the elevators, parks reeking of pee saturated sandboxes where some responsible owners take their dogs to relieve themselves. Here in downtown Los Angeles, people with dogs seem entitled to take them to the Farmers Markets (due to their behavior these beasties cannot be called service animals) and other places dogs do not belong. They also seem to think that it's OK not to dispose of their poop either, despite the city bending over backwards to make this easy. Also, many of the dogs are status animals who need something more than to be cooped up in high rises. Dogs are cool, it's their owners I can't stand. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Zopilote commented 4 hours ago Z Zopilote New Mexico 4h ago A pox on all dog owners who don’t pick up after their dog, period! Likewise for letting them bark. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Jill Anderson commented 4 hours ago J Jill Anderson New York 4h ago My pure bred dogs and my rescue dogs love NYC and Central Park. They love it way more than my house with the grassy backyard in Atlanta. They live to be 16 and 17 years old. NYC is a great place for dogs. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY M. Speer commented 4 hours ago M M. Speer NYC/South Florida 4h ago Way too many dogs in NYC now. The side streets in our area smell like urinals. There are approximately 600,000 dogs in the city now. Most urinating on city sidewalks several times a day. All that heading into our waterways. Good times. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Gene E. commented 4 hours ago G Gene E. LA 4h ago Having lived in NYC for 10 years I can't understand why anyone who truly loves a dog would condemn it to live in a cramped apartment with limited outdoor access such as is foisted on supposed pets. The underlying human narcissim is obvious and cruel. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag mike commented 4 hours ago M mike nyc 4h ago If only this was about a dog park.... unfortunately this is a projection piece about the culture that seeks to protect deep-seated personal fragility, fear, and weakness. This article on dog parks exemplifies this, transforming what should be spaces of joy and freedom into perilous landscapes, reflecting our own internal storms of fear and uncertainty. Such personal anxieties permeate society, turning caution into avoidance, and concern into overprotection. In seeking to shield ourselves from every perceived risk and discomfort, we create a culture of fragility that glorifies the victim and demonizes the challenges that should invigorate us. The indictment here is not just of a culture gone awry but of individuals trapped in their fragility, projecting their fears and insecurities onto everything around them, including their children and pets. The drive to protect and cocoon comes not from love or wisdom but from an inability to face our fears and grow. It's a damning indictment of a culture that nurtures weakness over strength, that crafts safe harbors but forsakes the courage to sail into life's turbulent but exhilarating seas. In our quest to avoid all pain, we are robbing ourselves and our progeny of the vital trials and triumphs that define true living. It is a tragedy born of fear, and it renders us all the poorer, confined to a life never fully realized, forever tethered to the safe but sterile shores of our own making. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Heloisa commented 3 hours ago H Heloisa New York 3h ago @mike What about the people who suggested they take their dogs to larger parks? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ben commented 4 hours ago B Ben Toronto 4h ago As a homeowner with a lawn with a number of brown spots due to dog pee, it is dishonest to say you can clean up after your dog pees (or worse) on my lawn. The smell endures and attracts other dogs to do the same damage. There is no such thing as cleaning up after a dog since the smell endures. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag DotsHija commented 4 hours ago D DotsHija Portland OR 4h ago My mini poodle was rammed head on in a as dog park by a Rottweiler who took a chunk out of his side which required several stitches and antibiotics. I avoid all but the most empty of dog parks and utilize size separated dog day care. We do best walking together on a leash. Dog parks stink and are dangerous. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Josh Hill commented 4 hours ago Josh Hill Josh Hill New London 4h ago Great, so now we're helicoptering dogs too. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag John Lewis commented 4 hours ago J John Lewis Sedona 4h ago Our Cardigan welsh corgi loves it. He mixes and mingles with dogs and kids, begs for pets from everyone and blissfully romps, chases and rolls with delight. Our Pembroke corgi paces nervously and barks at everyone. We call him the Fun Police. Thankfully, no one has been injured at the park we used to frequent. It’s all fun and games until the fights break out and the excuses begin. “He’s a rescue, she only fights with aggressive dogs….”. Yeah, sure. Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Linda commented 5 hours ago L Linda Los Angeles 4h ago Sounds like the writer had a terrible experience which could have happened anywhere - on the front lawn or on a walk around the block, and now she's decided dog parks are all horrible. If your dog is timid, submissive and miserable at the dog park, do something else that she'll enjoy. It's not rocket science. But dogs absolutely do need exercise and for busy owners, a dog park is often the best place to go. I find most of this article to be dubious to down-right wrong. It's too bad the space wasn't used instead for teaching proper etiquette at dog parks and how to keep your pooch safe there. Like pay attention and keep your head on swivel mode. Know the other dogs, which ones are well-behaved and which ones to avoid. Usually those with clueless owners who think their "Cujo" is just a sweet harmless puppy. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Colorado970 commented 5 hours ago C Colorado970 Colorado 4h ago Our dog park requires a pass for entry, and the record is kept of both our entrance to and exit from the park. There is also a video camera. There is a system for reporting dog incidents, and the pass can be revoked. Between the pass records and the video camera, problems can be easily corrected. My do has mixed feelings about the park, so I keep a careful watch on him and when he is unsettled, we leave Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Susan commented 5 hours ago S Susan Houston 5h ago We have neither mountains nor beach nearby, and there is a leash law in the county. Our terrier loves the dog park. She barks at squirrels, sniffs her way around much of the fence, and goes swimming in the treated pond. We walk around the asphalt track and keep an eye on her. Like a toddler, she loves the freedom but comes back to us every little while. We hose her off at the stations provided before heading home, and she falls asleep as soon as we arrive. Our dog park experience has been very good. Not all dogs are meant for the park. And not all dog parks are good facilities. Another place we have taken our dogs is baseball fields. They are fenced, and we can play with our dog without distractions. Of course we pick up after our dog, wherever we are! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Frankie commented 5 hours ago F Frankie The South 5h ago So, I stayed in a "better" extended -stay hotel this weekend and a family brought their house pet dogs to the inside breakfast area. I'm pretty sure that's against health codes and could people please not do that. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag n1789 commented 5 hours ago N n1789 savannah 5h ago The problem with dog parks is not the dogs but the owners! Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Shutupdonny commented 5 hours ago S Shutupdonny LA 5h ago Well, normal is what it seems we all pass when going from one extreme to the other. The truth is that not all dogs are the same and what works for some doesn't work for others. I've owned many dogs and some I had to completely keep away from dog parks and my current pair have been enormously helped by the dog park we go to, at almost the same time every day where they have a group of dog friends and I have a group of friends who all watch out for each other's animals and pay attention to the dogs and not get lost in conversation. Don't generalize that dog parks are the problem as my shy dog has been transformed by the safe interaction with a lot of different people and other dog pals. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Workers United commented 5 hours ago W Workers United Buffalo NY 5h ago At my local playground where we bring our two toddlers there are often people who let their dogs run around the playground, up and down the slides. This is highly unsanitary for children and oblivious to the fact that dogs are not children, they are your pets. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag ChrisW commented 5 hours ago C ChrisW DC 5h ago My elderly dog (corgi, 12) was rolled at our dog park in Hawai’i while others laughed. After that, I always walked between him and other dogs and eventually let my neighbor who adored him keep him all day on requirement no dog park (was flea infested anyway: no frost to kill them off). All were happy. The end. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Sandi commented 5 hours ago S Sandi Oregon 5h ago Excellent article. My Humane Society dog didn’t like the dog park or the indoor play group or the group class. But he does love going for walks with me! Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Alphonse Sanchez commented 5 hours ago A Alphonse Sanchez MD 5h ago True. But the threat is not so much the park or the dogs but stupid human owners who do little to no training or socialization of their dog. That lost ear is a good example. They also often deny it and refuse to cover the vet bill. My little dog was attacked on leash by an on leash German Shepard at a park park. The owner denied it had happened right in front of her! Gaslighting at its best. I paid the $100 x-ray myself. Vet said dog shaken by larger dog is worse than hit by a car! My vaccinated, trained, socialized, AKC Good Canine Certificate little pooch was OK but, we stayed away from unknown dogs after that. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Esteban delaNoche commented 5 hours ago E Esteban delaNoche California 5h ago Dog parks and filthy and disgusting. They are no good for anyone. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag KCSM commented 5 hours ago K KCSM U.S. 5h ago Two people you never meet at a dog park: Trainers and veterinarians. Odd, huh? Reply14 RecommendShareFlag No commented 5 hours ago No No Nowhere 5h ago My little papillion Sidd has zero interest in other dogs. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Mary commented 5 hours ago M Mary Bangor, Maine 5h ago Totally agree. It’s a great place for your dog to get attacked by another dog. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag lilla victoria commented 5 hours ago L lilla victoria Grosse Pointe, MI 5h ago Not all dog parks are created equal. In my town of 10,000 people, we have a huge dog park with trees, a gazebo, agility equipment, and plenty of dog park-friendly toys. We have a great doggie water fountain and one for owners. Rules are strict. All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations. No aggressive dogs. No food in the park....and the list goes on. Everything is kept clean and owners are hypervigilant about picking up after their dogs. All the dog owners know each other and all the dogs know each other. The park is so big, dogs have plenty of space to themselves if they so choose. Break the rules, and your fob is confiscated by the city and you lose park privileges. With access to this park, my 11-month-old puppy is well socialized with other dogs, has learned adult dogs' language, knows lots of people, gets lots of running and free-style play, learns her manners, and can burn off energy with the freedom she needs. I'm sure there are dog parks that have problems, but that is not our experience. I am thankful everyday that I have this wonderful place to bring my dog every morning and afternoon. When we pull into the parking lot, she can't wait to get out of the car. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Jeffrey commented 5 hours ago J Jeffrey Los Angeles 5h ago Do parks are more for their often lonely or isolated owners, not their dogs. I'm a lifetime dog owner and lover. On my occasional forays into dog parks -- which I only patronized in order to allow my large athletic dogs to get the kind of exercise the can't get in a small back yard -- I generally found them to be utilized by lone individuals and their pets. The need for these individuals -- not their dogs -- to congregate and socialize was readily apparent. Not so much for their dogs. Now, let's tale about cat cafes... ReplyRecommendShareFlag James Thurber commented 5 hours ago J James Thurber Mountain View, CA 5h ago I've got two words to solve this problem: The Mountains and The Beach Living in Half Moon Bay, California, we have miles and miles of splendid, sandy beaches without a single human on 'em - perfect to let your dog romp and run and enjoy the surf. My sister, living in Bozeman, Montana, enjoys taking her dogs for walks up in the mountains where they, too, romp and play with other dogs, rarely (to wit: never) fighting and having a fine time enjoying the new smells and exploring the wilderness. If you're going to have a dog, please, PLEASE, find a place where it can run free - even if it's a greyhound! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Tanner commented 5 hours ago T Tanner San Diego 5h ago @James Thurber That sounds amazing. Which mountain areas near Bozeman allow off leash dogs? Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Charlotte commented 4 hours ago C Charlotte Planet Earth 4h ago @James Thurber please do not let your dog off leash. This article clearly reminds us how dangerous dogs can be, to humans, to other dogs, and to wildlife. I’m horrified you let your dog run free on beaches and in the mountains. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag C Burroughs commented 4 hours ago C C Burroughs washington 4h ago @James Thurber Well, Bozeman is weird. I just visited and went on several day hikes near the town. Nearly all of the dogs were off leash AND all of them were weirdly well behaved. I've never seen anything like it. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Oddly Noted commented 5 hours ago O Oddly Noted Tucson 5h ago Most dog parks in Tucson have no grass. Frolicking dogs create clouds of dust. Arizona is the epicenter for Valley Fever in the U.S. It's an infection of the lungs caused by a fungus that grows in the soil in Arizona and other southwestern states. Humans and dogs are susceptible to Valley Fever. Grass at dog parks would be a great first step in reducing the spread of this disease. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Susan commented 5 hours ago S Susan Houston 5h ago Most people who grew up in the desert southwest have antibodies to valley fever. We've all been exposed to it repeatedly. I've never asked my vet about it, but I will. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag John commented 5 hours ago J John Chicago 5h ago I never heard of dog parks until I came to the US. Train your dog, train it well. Will it listen to your command no matter what. Will it listen to it's name? Keep him off leash = no need for dog parks. Leashes takes the opportunity of flight away, which means dogs are too often nervous or scared on a leash ... which means they are dangerous. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES lilla victoria commented 4 hours ago L lilla victoria Grosse Pointe, MI 4h ago @John Leash laws have created more aggressive dogs for just the reasons you've stated. I'm old enough to remember when there were no leash laws in the U.S.. You just opened the door and let the dog out by itself. There weren't any issues (I assume many will be horrified by this, but it's true).London, England is a place where dogs are running around city parks off leash all the time. They are well trained, and I never saw any aggressive dog behavior. If one owns an aggressive breed or has raised a dog in a way that caused aggression, you must restrict your dog, of course. Otherwise, dogs are very good at socializing. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Shelley Laurence commented 3 hours ago S Shelley Laurence Ardmore, Pa 3h ago @lilla victoria My dog is NOT aggressive at all, but has an extremely high prey drive when it comes to rabbits and squirrels. He’s been trained well, but if a small animal appears, all bets are off. I would NEVER let him off leash in an open area. You have to know your pet. No one rule applies to every dog. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Vesper commented 5 hours ago V Vesper Seattle 5h ago Where else are urban and suburban dogs supposed to get off leash exercise? Many breeds needs this. Heaven forbid anyone let a dog offleash on the trails by my home -- the Facebook community rants are vile. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Someone commented 5 hours ago S Someone Somewhere 5h ago The ideal situation would be neighborhood and apartment building dog parks where dogs who are familiar gather. Where are they all at? Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Susan commented 5 hours ago S Susan Houston 5h ago In Manhattan at the larger and newer apartment complexes. And some parks have off leash areas. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Vicki commented 5 hours ago V Vicki Nevada 5h ago Instead of the dog park, I invite a couple friends and their dogs over to our backyard for Dogapalooza. Our get togethers last about an hour and are relaxed for both people and dogs. We have iced coffee and the dogs laze around in the shade of the apple trees. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag KC commented 6 hours ago K KC Seattle 5h ago Agreed, dogs parks are filthy and I don’t trust that the animals are under voice control. We take our dog to local parks and let her off leash when people aren’t around, except for other dog owners doing the same thing. We have control of our animals and clean up after ourselves. When families show up we leash up and leave, it’s called sharing. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Christine commented 6 hours ago C Christine Washington 6h ago Dog parks are like a party where everyone is drunk, and no one knows each other. It CAN be great...but it can easily go very very wrong. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY TeenaGreena commented 5 hours ago T TeenaGreena Norther California 5h ago @Christine This is perfect! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Sara commented 6 hours ago S Sara Indiana 6h ago It really depends on the dog park and how the owner manages their dog's time there. We belong to a park that requires vaccinations, allows access with a keycard only for those who have paid and submitted their paperwork. We work out amongst ourselves which dogs go at which time, an informal schedule that has worked well to keep everyone happy. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY lilla victoria commented 4 hours ago L lilla victoria Grosse Pointe, MI 4h ago @Sara As you comment points out, it's not dog parks that are bad. It is badly designed dog parks that are problematic. Many communities have put great thought into dog park design with excellent results. ReplyRecommendShareFlag JZF commented 6 hours ago JZF JZF Wellington, NZ 6h ago What an awful, click-baity headline. It should have read, "Dog parks can be great, but they are not for everybody (or every dog)". Clearly the author did not enjoy the experience, but to extend that into a conclusion that dog parks are "terrible for dogs", displays a lack of understanding of the complexities involved. I don't doubt that the study she references points to a conclusion that dogs find a human presence more soothing than a kennel mate, but that doesn't mean that it is the only (or even the most important) factor to consider when raising a dog. Socialising your dog with other people and other canines is critical to their development and well being. The dog park may, or may not be the best option for your situation, but ruling it out completely, based on the reasoning provided in this article would be foolish and shortsighted. Reply36 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY TeenaGreena commented 4 hours ago T TeenaGreena Norther California 4h ago @JZF totally agree. I had the exact same reaction. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Lynne W commented 6 hours ago L Lynne W Austin TX 6h ago Thanks for reminding all us dog owners. I've heard it many times by dog trainers I respect. Its so true, but we humans like to mingle with others. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Linda Munguia commented 6 hours ago L Linda Munguia NYC 6h ago Get real.. Dog parks for larger dogs are sadly asking for trouble and unrealistic, which should have been your focus. I am in my group of small dog owners who coexist in a lovely manner, in large part because we are obsessed with our pups and not so much with our phones. How did you let a dog tear off your dog's ear? Tell or write the truth....that did not happen in an instant. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @Linda Munguia We have a large dog park and a small dog park, and I'm sure in some areas they have three selections. But we are not in a city--the dog parks here are expansive, and there is honestly not a lot of demand for them. The residential yards here tend to be very large, and the dog park we have gone to is near a lake around which many people walk their dogs (we always walk our foster dogs--and we've also taken just two to our dog park.) AND at least a couple of the apartment complexes have dog runs or mini dog parks. This is all to say that it's pretty easy to find a dog park that has few or no other dogs in it. I'm sure that isn't true in NYC, however. Completely different world, depending on the scarcity of land. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag HRex commented 5 hours ago H HRex RI 5h ago @Linda Munguia Even the most helicopter dog owner can have an unfortunate experience at a dog park. Assuming that the OP isn't telling the truth about the incident is not fair. I'm a very diligent dog owner and my 3 late dogs LOVED the dog park. We lived in a small city (Providence, RI during the early-mid 2000's) and there were NOT many places I could safely take my brood of 3 to play off leash. For the most part, we knew everyone at the park. Owners adjusted their behavior accordingly. Your dog doesn't like another dog or you can't stand a human, you leave. One unusually warm Christmas day, I took my little guys to the dog park. We knew everyone there. Everyone was having a great time. Suddenly, a young dalmation, darted off to chase something. My Chinese Crested Hairless dog gleefully, went to join the chase. The dalmation turned and attacked my dog. It happened in a split second. He ripped a clump of hair out of my dog's neck (hard to do with a nearly bald dog) and created a wound that had to be glued closed. Due to my good relationship with the owner, we resolved the vet bill amicably. Both of us accepted responsibility as we both chose to use the park. We split the bill. She realized that her dog could not be trusted in such environments and stopped bringing her dog there. When my dog recovered, he slowly built his confidence back up and rocked the dog park. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Amelia commented 6 hours ago A Amelia Paradise 6h ago Any good dog trainer will tell you doggy day care and dog parks are a terrible idea for dogs. Packs are for wolves, not our domesticated fur babies. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY lilla victoria commented 4 hours ago L lilla victoria Grosse Pointe, MI 4h ago @Amelia My community's beautifully designed dog park would show you a different experience. The dogs all know each other. Every time another dog arrives, they all excitedly go to great him or her. The dogs respect those dogs who wish to be left alone. Others are great play partners. Watching dogs socialize under proper conditions is truly a joy. They have great relationships. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Anna commented 6 hours ago A Anna NYC 6h ago That's why I have a cat. City pets for city people. A dog is great if you are in an area that works, and up to the task of matching their needs/energies etc.... but the amount of arrogance I see from dog owners who allow them off leash in public parks, not in carrier bags on subways, etc... tells me that dog parks need to stay the norm. I personally love pups too, but unless I move back to CA in an area where I can hike/roam/bike freely with one, I'm sticking with my feline fur babies. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Jason commented 5 hours ago J Jason Penna 5h ago @Anna you speak great wisdom. dogs ain't for cities. they need to run. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Pavel commented 4 hours ago P Pavel Pacific Northwest 4h ago @Jason That's an over-geneneralization. Dogs are vastly different in their energy levels. I had a pug who was a couch potato. She tolerated our walks, but didn't love them. She was happiest lounging around the house. I now have a Cavalier Spaniel who does enjoy walks, but an hour a day is more than enough to satisfy her. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Kent commented 6 hours ago K Kent North Carolina 6h ago It’s fascinating to see how often NYT and other news outlets write about dogs. I’d like to see a piece on what owners’ obsessions w/ their dogs is doing to society. It seems many people make their dogs their whole lives, to the exclusion of building real and, yes, challenging but truly rewarding relationships with other humans. Many owners also seem to think other humans should essentially get out of their way, accommodate the rudest behavior, etc., because their dog matters more than anyone. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Pavel commented 4 hours ago P Pavel Pacific Northwest 4h ago @Kent The NYT covers dogs extensively because the US is a uniquely dog-loving nation. We have about 80 million pet dogs, far more than any other country (even China and India, which have several times our population). As for the problems you reference--sure, some people may become overly dependent on dogs. But for most people, dog ownership confers significant benefits, including companionship, health benefits, and opportunities to socialize. Dogs also help otherwise marginalized people, including seniors, people with limited cognitive function, and people who live in isolation. It sounds like you've made up your mind that dogs are bad. You might want to read up on the science around dog ownership. It's largely positive. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag KPD commented 6 hours ago K KPD OR 6h ago i openly tell people: my dog prefers humans over dogs. He loves playing fetch.. but not at the expense of being around other dogs. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Jaxxi commented 6 hours ago J Jaxxi Tacoma, WA 6h ago I have an 11 lb terrier mix that I adopted from a shelter when she was about 5 months old, and who suffered from severe anxiety when around other dogs. At the trainer’s suggestion, I began socializing her at daycare facilities when she is grouped with other small dogs and carefully monitored. Within a month she stopped hanging out along the wall and started playing with the pack. But now, over 6 years later, she still displays stress at dog parks. Dogs are different - if you and your dog like dog parks lucky you! But don’t be so judgmental of the countless dogs that clearly do not. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY sharonmiami commented 6 hours ago S sharonmiami miami beach, fl 6h ago @Jaxxi Don't scold the dog owners who like dog parks for being "so judgmental" against the others. It is the writer who is being judgmental. To each his own. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Bodyman commented 6 hours ago B Bodyman Santa Cruz, Ca 6h ago I would think that having your dog be around a lot of other dogs in an enclosed area would open them up to increased incidence of fleas and ticks and distemper or other diseases. People often make the mistake of assigning human emotions to their dogs and other pets. News flash..they are not humans... and dog owners who go way overboard treating them as such can be incredibly obnoxious. One place you dog does NOT belong is in a restaurant where people are sitting down to eat. Dog owners who assume they have every right to be where ever they are are barking up the wrong tree (so to speak.) Note to dog owners...everyone is not as enamored of your dog as you are ...please conduct yourselves accordingly. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Joe Gillis commented 6 hours ago Joe Gillis Joe Gillis Sunset Blvd. 6h ago Oh foo. Somebody is confusing their preference with fact. If a dog - or a person - is misbehaving, they should be kicked out of the restaurant. If a dog is sitting quietly under the table, I don’t see how it affects you in the least. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag GilligGirl commented 4 hours ago G GilligGirl NH 4h ago @Joe Gillis IF the dog is sitting quietly under the table...dogs can and do sniff other people, nose into bags, etc., want whatever is being served on the table, bark and try to go after other dogs, and may even lift a leg or squat. You just can't predict their behavior. For whatever reason, the health department rules no animals in eating establishments. It doesn't matter how well-behaved your dog is - they are not allowed in restaurants. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag lilla victoria commented 4 hours ago L lilla victoria Grosse Pointe, MI 4h ago @Bodyman A proper dog park requires all vaccines. Rules clearly state not to bring a dog who has a contagious issue. These dog parks only allow registered dogs and control entrance into the dog park by supplying keycards or fobs. If you break the rules, you lose access. It's dog park design that should be the question, not dog parks in general. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Yuriasian commented 6 hours ago Yuriasian Yuriasian Bay Area 6h ago Just what we need: a polarizing spleen-venting by someone who apparently looks for love in all the wrong places, has a Manichean worldview, and professes canine wisdom as a "dog-trainer in training". Glass half-empty or half-full? Doesn't matter. Just pick a side. Because there's no middle ground, not even a dog park. Media love a conflict -- real, imagined or instigated -- even down to our dogs. It's too hot everywhere. Just chill already. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag JR33 commented 6 hours ago J JR33 NYC 6h ago Maybe its: all dog parks are for all dogs. ReplyRecommendShareFlag S B commented 6 hours ago S S B Michigan 6h ago Dog owners should learn to speak dog and teach their dog manners. On walks around the block and in dog parks. The dog park isn't the place to chat with humans, it's your high alert setting to make sure there are no knucklehead rude dogs around. Treat it like a group of strange children running around with small but sharp scissors. Your job as your dog's person is to keep your dog safe so they can get in a zoomie. Sip your latte on the walk home after. Oh, and always have a large bottle of water. The easiest way to break up a dog fight before it gets out of hand (or in a way that prevents further damage when it's already gotten out of hand) is to dump a bunch of water on their heads. They'll let go in shock, then you grab them. We were always prepared with our happy go lucky pitbull. We watched our dogs and never had any problems because of that, but we knew whose fault it would be if some jerk of a fluffy dog attacked our muscle dog and she got cornered and fought back. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES OldBoatMan commented 6 hours ago O OldBoatMan Rochester, Minnesota 6h ago face it - "fluffy" dogs have a much better reputation and history than a "muscle" dog. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @S B This is great advice. I can't imagine going to the dog park to socialize--sure, we chit chat, but I recognize their dogs more than I recognize them. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag rick commented 6 hours ago R rick Brooklyn 6h ago So.......What about doggie day-care? Lot's of dogs there. What about kennels? Should we just get rid of them? Or even, what about no-kill shelters? That's where we got our dogs, and the noise and environment there was insane and hardly conducive to calm socializing. The basics: 1. Dogs are animals and their people owners are the ones who should care for their dogs' interactions in this noisy world. People also need to learn how to control the animal they love and to notice when that animal is suddenly out of sorts. 2. If dogs have a chance to run and exercise it is a good thing. The rest of the discussion, built on little proof of anything, is just a lot of anthropomorphiz-ing dogs with human needs and feelings. Every encounter an animal has with another one is potentially filled with violence, or at least unwelcome and awkward socializing (ie humping). It is the owner's job to be 100% on top the situation and responsible. But, like the dogs, you can never know how another human dog owner will act when you meet one. So be cautious, avoid situations that have gone wrong before, and take care of your animal in every way. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Noah commented 6 hours ago N Noah Bronx 6h ago The problem the majority of the time is male uneurtered dogs Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Joe Gillis commented 6 hours ago Joe Gillis Joe Gillis Sunset Blvd. 6h ago The word “dogs” is not necessary in this sentence. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Cameron commented 6 hours ago C Cameron Guelph, ON 6h ago Ahhh, wouldn’t life be grand if we all lived in two-story houses on 2 acre grassy lots in the suburbs … you know, where all dogs should be … shaking my head @ the silliness of this article and many comments … people actually live in apartments in big cities and gasp, they have dogs Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Gregg G commented 6 hours ago G Gregg G Washington The State 6h ago I got turned off to this writer immediately when she said dogs really don’t need to be socialized with humans or other dogs. That’s a clueless comment if ever I heard one. I’ll turn my attention to real trainers thanks. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY M commented 6 hours ago M M Chicago 6h ago The author explicitly said that it is key to socialize your dog, but that dog parts are terrible places to do this. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag PM commented 6 hours ago P PM Somewhere in Queens 6h ago Took my dog to a bbq with a backyard on the 4th. She had a blast... ignored most people except for food begging and was able to run and sniff to her hearts content. Problem? All that freedom translates to REALLY bad leash behavior the rest of the week. It's tough but I personally think every now and then, it's good to let them do this. Just be prepared for a potential "back-leash" ;) Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Robert D commented 6 hours ago R Robert D New York 6h ago Too many owners in NYC already feel entitled to let their dogs off-leash, turning park areas meant for plants, birds, and reflection into ugly, barren mud pits. Thanks, NYT, for providing justification for such self-centeredness. Parks are for everyone, not just your fur children. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag RickNYC commented 6 hours ago R RickNYC Brooklyn 6h ago My dog is very friendly to both humans and dogs. She’s moderate to small sized (Jack Russel mix). The dog park is too much for her. In particular, our local Dyker Heights location has dog walkers that bring a dozen dogs apiece and gossip while they all run free Reply1 RecommendShareFlag PamelaLI commented 6 hours ago P PamelaLI Huntington, NY 6h ago To any extent possible I would encourage people to be open to a move to the country. This is not only good for you, but great for the short life of your dog. I lived 15 years in NYC, 22 years in Long Island, but was born and raised in the Catskills in Delaware County and still have a home there. There is nothing like wide open rural space. If you can make it happen. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Joe Gillis commented 6 hours ago Joe Gillis Joe Gillis Sunset Blvd. 6h ago This is the most refreshing non-judgey comment here. Thank you. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Toni Vitanza commented 5 hours ago Toni Vitanza Toni Vitanza Clemson 5h ago @PamelaLI IOW, organize your life around the “needs” of a PET? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Ann commented 4 hours ago A Ann Eugene, OR 4h ago @PamelaLI I live in a rural part of Oregon now after living in Portland most of my life. I can walk 5 minutes to a huge area to have my dog off-leash and there are trails for us to run on with very few encounters with other dogs/people. When we run into other dogs they are other athletic dog breeds that are off-leash and there's no issue. The leashes and confined spaces of the city create a lot of the dog drama. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Bruce Levine commented 6 hours ago B Bruce Levine New York 6h ago Meh. I think this piece is way overstated, and presumes that most people (except of course the experts) know their pets. My Lacey died in May and it hurts still every day. She was 11 and an urban dweller rescue. She didn't mind the dog park, but she would just find a nice quiet and sunny place to lay down and snooze. So I figured it out pretty quickly that the dog park wasn't really that interesting for her. And so we did leash walks, which I guess was good for both of us. But, here's the thing, I knew my dog, and I'd venture to say that most of the folks who bring their dogs to the dog park every day also know their dogs. Some dogs like the dog park and some dogs don't, and good humans will figure that out most of the time. I think this piece would be better to if it trusted the outcome of the bonds that are built between people and dogs. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Charlotte Neumann commented 6 hours ago C Charlotte Neumann Amsterdam 6h ago @Bruce Levine My feelings exactly. The idea that I wouldn’t notice whether my dog is having fun or is anxious and would rather not go to the park is silly to me. In fact, my chihuahua mix used to be very anxious and freak out badly when any dog bigger than a rabbit showed up anywhere. She hadn’t been socialised. It was very sad to see a dog be so ill at ease with other dogs. Now, years after I got her from the shelter, she runs around among German shepherds and ridgebacks (that I trust) with total confidence. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Dave 🇨🇦 commented 6 hours ago D Dave 🇨🇦 Toronto 6h ago I’ve always felt owners visit dog parks mostly for themselves. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Alain commented 6 hours ago A Alain New York 5h ago Good grief, they dog, just animals. Stop anthropomorphizing them. Lose an ear or two, so what, better than being in the wild. Let ‘em run wild in the dog park getting real exercise running around being chocked on a leash. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Christopher Penrose commented 6 hours ago C Christopher Penrose Portland, OR 6h ago This really seems to be a highly regionally specific critique of a particularly overcrowded dog park among a culture of under socialized dogs. In the greater Portland area I can't think of a single dog park, particularly post-pandemic, where dogs don't have space to enjoy freedom from other dogs where needed/inclined. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @Christopher Penrose This is what I concluded. Sure, in NYC, parks may be crowded with lots of dogs and little space. The dog parks where I live are expansive, and supply of parks tends to be greater than demand. The residential yards here tend to be very large, and the dog park we have gone to is near a lake around which many people walk their dogs (we always walk our foster dogs--and for two foster dogs, we've additionally taken them to the dog park.) AND at least a couple of the apartment complexes have dog runs or mini dog parks. This is all to say that it's pretty easy to find a dog park that has few or no other dogs in it. We find that in the evening, when the park is "crowded," there are maybe 5 dogs in it--and again, we're talking at least 1/2 - 1 acre of land. And, we'll have seen almost all those people before. Some of our parks even have things like agility training areas, etc. I'm sure that isn't true in NYC, however. Completely different world, depending on the scarcity of land. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag pman commented 6 hours ago P pman az 6h ago Good God. What a piece. Dogs are fully capable of handling the pressure. Once again, it's the owner... tune in. If your dog is uncomfortable, stay focused, be a buddy and guardian, but don't give up too easy. Bonding to humans only may seem natural, but it isn't. Dogs can learn a lot, even about themselves, from other dogs. Allow them to grow. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Charlotte Neumann commented 6 hours ago C Charlotte Neumann Amsterdam 6h ago @pman It’s a little icky to me, this suggestion that a dog is always happiest “playing” with us. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag DB commented 6 hours ago D DB Tacoma 6h ago I get that some dogs don't do well at dog parks, but telling people not to take their dogs to dog parks as a general rule is terrible advice. Just terrible. My dog gets along well with other dogs and can be recalled easily, in large part because I take him to the dog park almost daily. So he's used to meeting new dogs and being both on leash and off leash. It's great for him. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Michele commented 7 hours ago M Michele Oakland, CA 6h ago When I first got a dog we went to the dog park a couple times. I remember feeling puzzled that so many humans tried to start conversation when I was obviously there to play with my dog, not with people. That's when I figured out that dog parks are for people. Now we go on the trails by ourselves and occasionally meet other dog hikers. It's much more peaceful. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Danny, king of... commented 6 hours ago D Danny, king of... Corona 6h ago As grandpa I love to play but I stopped a lot of the chores of childcare and also love to get on the train home. Dog parks are a great delight to those of us allergic to plastic bags. They seem rather intense so limits are well to be adhered to as are monkey bars for toddlers. With the grandkids I bring them home. With dogs I just walk away refreshed. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Lizzy commented 7 hours ago L Lizzy Cape Breton 6h ago I tried a dog park with my 40 pound mixed breed and while watching realized she was being chased around by a bunch of dogs and she was being bullied. I took her home because she seemed happier playing with her human family in her own yard. But, I hear dog parks are a great place for humans to make new friends. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Tina commented 7 hours ago T Tina Zurich 6h ago Here in Switzerland dogs are carefully and thoroughly trained by owners and behave accordingly. Few people in the US take the time or make the effort to do so. Americans take the same approach with parenting: too little, too late. Et voila. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Midwesterner commented 6 hours ago M Midwesterner Cincinnati 6h ago @Tina Au contraire! Here in America, we invented the term "helicopter parent"! And we've always been out in front at overprogramming our kids' days. I'd be willing to bet that Americans are more involved as parents, and Europeans tend to be more hands off. But here's the thing: I think Americans would be better off--in many ways--if they could be more like that! But "too little, too late" parenting in the US? You clearly don't know America! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Raven commented 6 hours ago R Raven USA 6h ago @Tina so strange when people label “Americans” as all the same and generalize us. We are much bigger and more diverse in every way. Educate yourself Reply1 RecommendShareFlag joseph commented 4 hours ago J joseph nyc 4h ago Leave it to someone Swiss to insist that order can be taught and they have better order than everyone else. We had a terrier who was very skittish and untrainable. No dog park for him. Sometimes you cannot impose order on a living being. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Sandra Berns commented 7 hours ago S Sandra Berns Brisbane, Australia 7h ago It's a bit unfair to ascribe these characteristics to a "generalized rowdy dog park". Dog parks very enormously where I live. About 10 years ago I lived in an area where I avoided the local dog park except in the very early morning (about 6AM). At that hour, the sole denizens were my two Siberian Huskies and two other local Sibes. It was our daily meet up - 30 min of flat out running and wrestling for the Sibes and for us owners, a chance to savor our coffee after the 1/4 mile walk to the park. Any other time of day wasn't safe for dogs or humans. Where I live now, the dog park is well designed with separate areas for large and small and the owners are incredibly responsible... obedient dogs who come when called. The active ones run and wrestle, the lazier ones hang out with their owners and beg cuddles from all an sundry. Still tend to go early morning or late afternoon except in winter, but that's because of the heat. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Lynne Larkin commented 7 hours ago L Lynne Larkin Florida 7h ago An overcrowded dog park is a problem. having open space to run doesn't happen in cities otherwise. So have MORE dog parks, and have non-profits actually fund cleaning and policing. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Cara commented 7 hours ago C Cara New Jersey 7h ago My dog loved the dog park up until about aged 3 but started showing some stress signs when around certain types of dogs so I stopped taking her. She is a very social dog and loves playing/being around other dogs but they have to be a match or her play style. I firmly believe many dogs do need time with their own kind but this could simply be going on a walk together and "hanging out". Some dogs don't seem to enjoy other dogs which is also OK, but people still insist on bringing them to dog parks. This shows a complete disregard for the emotional state of their animals and it makes me SAD. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag nj commented 7 hours ago N nj Madison, WI 7h ago Small dog hour at Ragel Ranch is the highlight of our day. Both of us have made good friends, human and canid, a lovely community has evolved over the last three years since we began attending. My dog is loved up by others, dog and human, as am I. Responsible planning coupled with responsible owners and we're all better for the experience, Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Kaye commented 7 hours ago K Kaye CO 7h ago My dog came with a lot of neuroses, and a lot of energy. She needed to be around people who weren't interested in her, and that place was the dog park. (Also, I had plantar fasciitis and walking her was almost impossible.) The dog park helped her get past a lot of her people fear. And in the summer heat, she loved the pond. But there were also a lot of negatives - mostly bad owners with dogs who should not have been in that situation. I noticed my dog wasn't particularly interested in the other dogs anymore, and then she started to get overly protective of me. And so we stopped going, and found other ways to cool her off in the summer. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag The Frenchie commented 7 hours ago T The Frenchie NYC 7h ago If you have 1 daily activity with your dog, it should the dog park. Dogs should socialize with other dogs, it's the most important part of their day. The younger you start, the better. Dogs are not meant to live isolated from other dogs. And just like with humans, trouble can happen, so always keep an eye on our dog at the park. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lizzy commented 6 hours ago L Lizzy Cape Breton 6h ago @The Frenchie Trouble can be unpredictable and quickly happen so good luck! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Lynne Larkin commented 6 hours ago L Lynne Larkin Florida 6h ago @The Frenchie You are your dogs "pack," they don't need other dogs. Glad you two enjoy it, but don't think that dogs need other dogs. Some do well with it, may don't. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag horf commented 7 hours ago H horf Virginia 7h ago If your dog needs to run, make a 100 foot leash and find a place where they can chase squirrels. And wear thick gloves. I takes some practice to control your dog with leash that long. And you have to make sure to keep your dog safe from cars and other hazards. My half german shepherd, half great pyrenees love it. Great mental stimulation and great physical exercise. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Carol A. Cummings commented 7 hours ago C Carol A. Cummings Middletown, Rhode Island 7h ago The love and devotion you get from dogs…you do not get from people. I love my five year old miniature pure bred poodle… that I adopted from a local shelter, and she goes everywhere with me ( except when is blistering hot). Additionally, she is a fabulous watch dog…much more so than Cox Home Life…sooo smart. All my grandchildren love and play with her as well as their dogs too…a most loving / wonderful two and four legged family I have! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Padfoot commented 7 hours ago P Padfoot Portland 7h ago Find a small dog park without a lot of dogs. My dog directs the walk to get there, and is content sniffing for a while and then lying down to take life easy in the open. When he's ready to go, he give me the look, heads over, and we exit. Sometimes, he even plays with other dogs, but not required. He just wants to get out of the house, like me. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Steve commented 7 hours ago S Steve Providence, RI 7h ago I'm sick of many "dog people". They let their dogs roam off leash (illegal in my city) and let them relive themselves wherever they want, often without picking it up. They also let their dogs bark endlessly. Dogs are not people, they are pets. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Kay commented 7 hours ago K Kay Connecticut (formerly) 7h ago My dog loves the dog park; he barks and whines excitedly when he realizes we are headed there--can't even see it yet! We go for walks every day, and long hikes when we can. But he needs to RUN, and needs a safe space to do that. He is very social, and submissive with other dogs (that is, he will just scoot away from a situation he does not like). Not every dog is like this. Also, the atmosphere at a given dog park can be very owner-specific. My favorite park has little shade for humans, but the humans are very good with their dogs. Everyone is responsible. But they also know dogs will be dogs. Your dog is going to get humped occasionally at a dog park (and will do some humping himself). There will be some aggressive play (but still play). Watch your dog, and remove him/her if he/she doesn't like whatever is going on, or if another dog does not like your dog's behavior. That's your job. But know that dogs will act like dogs, so if you don't like that, then don't go to the dog park. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag A commented 7 hours ago A A Typical 7h ago Neuter your male dogs. And if you don't own a yard, don't get a dog. Common sense hurts. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Mary Baker commented 7 hours ago M Mary Baker New London, ct 7h ago New dog owners should certainly be warned about dog parks. They are NOT for every dog, and not for puppies at all. Nor are all dog parks alike. Did you know that some require pre-registration and licenses to gain access? Some are designed okay, but the people who frequent them are not, neglecting to watch their animals or pick up after them, so busy are they on their cell phones. These are places to be avoided. Some dog parks are poorly designed, with no shade or water or real maintenance other than mowing. Others are lovely and beautifully maintained. But even the best parks can become horrible if an aggressive dog is brought in by an owner who doesn’t know what he’s doing. My dog loves dog parks, can’t wait to get inside, and usually is reluctant to leave. Still, a stop at a dog park is no substitute for our walks and hikes together. We stop at a park occasionally, usually for 15 or 20 minutes. For dogs who like to fetch balls, it allows them to do so off leash at a much greater distance than they may have at home. For people without a fenced yard, a dog park can be a great place to walk off leash. But, every “pack” is different, depending on which dogs are present in the park, and you have to be prepared to make a quick exit whenever things look dicey. That might be said of a lot of situations in life. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Dan commented 7 hours ago D Dan LA 7h ago Once again, the comments proved the points made in the article, and once again, in the worst possible way, but they made me laugh out loud at all of the “expertise” on display. Go hug your dog and calm down. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Janet B commented 7 hours ago J Janet B Colorado 7h ago The US is ridiculous and cruel when it comes to dogs. In places like the UK, which is much more populated, dogs have more freedom. It is normal to be 'off leash' both in parks and on trails and paths. Why are we so neurotic about dogs? We have so much space and dogs should have the right to share it. On Clapham Common in London, which is a largish flat park, dogs run and play sans leashes. There is a fenced area in the center of the park with a sign that reads; "For parents and children". Ha! In France, leashing in open areas and walking trails is optional in most places. You can also take your pup to dinner in a restaurant. Dog parks can be wonderful but there are not enough of them and they are rarely large enough. We pride ourselves on our compassion for other creatures yet do not provide for them that which they need the most - ample places to run and play. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Diaen commented 6 hours ago D Diaen CT 6h ago @Janet B When owners train their dogs to heel off leash, and to come/sit/stay on command, then we may be more willing to allow unleashed dogs. I've been scratched, attacked, and bitten by out-of-control dogs. I don't blame the dogs. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Coco Mellon commented 6 hours ago C Coco Mellon NYC 6h ago @Janet B I'm guessing you've never been bit by a dog who was off leash. Or seen your dog get attacked by another dog who was off leash. Both times, it happened in parks. Maybe that's why I'm so neurotic. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Raven commented 6 hours ago R Raven USA 6h ago @Janet B all of the US? Feels like quite a generalization from such a small country compared to our very diverse and large country Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Trini commented 7 hours ago T Trini Pittsburgh 7h ago I would say that if one needs a dog park to exercise your dog, then you probably have the wrong breed for your home. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Charlotte Neumann commented 6 hours ago C Charlotte Neumann Amsterdam 6h ago @Trini Ikr. And people who go for walks now and then have also failed to get a house so right one willingly stays inside it night and day. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Tony Tyler commented 7 hours ago T Tony Tyler Kentucky 7h ago Wow! Hard to believe. Maybe it depends on the dog, but I know my mutt. She disagrees. There may come a time when she’s too old, but for the last three years, the dog park is her best chance to run like heck to chase and to be chased. Don’t trust everything you read in the newspaper, I suppose. Well, of course, it was just an opinion. My dog and me will continue to go to the dog park as long as she wants to. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Netterfugue commented 7 hours ago N Netterfugue NYC 7h ago Last I check this was the NYT. It's HQ is in the heart of NYC. New Yorkers love and lavish that love upon them. I guess if you have an estate in Greenwich or a ranch in Montana you have the option to let your dog run free unfettered by the mutts of the hoi polloi. Back here in 99% land not everyone has a few dozen acres for Rover. I have been fairly shocked at the self righteous comments some have posted. Some people's only friend is their dog. I had such a neighbor on the UWS. It was heartbreaking when the dog passed. Don't judge others until you've shared their circumstances. And please spare me the sanctimonious objections of the holier than thou. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @Netterfugue And as someone who lives in a place where there is a lot of land, that means the dog park is fine, because dog parks are large, and not crowded at all. We have dog parks, lakes and other trails for leash walks, doggie day cares--even apartment complexes have dog runs. But in cities, it is presumably completely different, and I'm not sure walking a dog on leash down a crowded street is really any better than bringing the dog to a dog park. What's important is to find a good place that works for one's own particular dog--and that really varies depending on where people are and what their dog is like. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Marie commented 7 hours ago Marie Marie The West 7h ago If you don't want to go to the dog park, leash your dog in public spaces that others use. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag CM commented 7 hours ago C CM Minneapolis, MN 7h ago My dog loves the dog park. He ignores other dogs (except pugs, he loves pugs). He would shamelessly go from owner to owner. He’d try to win over everyone, and he was pretty good at it! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Cyndles commented 7 hours ago C Cyndles NorCal 7h ago My big baby pitty who is now 13 years old would rather relax on his couch wrapped in his blankets and has never expressed any interest in participating in dog parks though he’s had the opportunity. He’d rather sun himself on our decks looking after my grand kids and our chickens. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Touran9 commented 7 hours ago T Touran9 Sunnyvale, CA 7h ago I love dogs, but their people can be so neurotic. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Javiera OB commented 7 hours ago J Javiera OB Santiago 7h ago I understand that this is an opinion column, but it sounds to me like "schools close, because there are children who have a hard time in them" Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Matthew commented 7 hours ago M Matthew NYC 7h ago The problem with these discussions are the transformation of something very specific and personal into a universal recommendation. I could say, "It's safe for me to walk alone in a park at night" and have that be absolutely true for some public parks. And absolutely wrong for others. And others could weigh in, disagreeing with each other, as they all had their own park, or own idea of a park, in mind. And everyone could be absolutely correct for what they were thinking of, while disagreeing with everybody else. Parks on the positive side of the spectrum would be those where there is a community, of both dogs and people. Everybody knows each other and any problematic humans and dogs become quickly known, identified, and avoided. They have amenities. They are safe and well-tended. They have people who are responsible. Parks on the negative side of the spectrum would be elsewise. They would be poorly maintained, possibly containing garbage or glass. There would be no sense of community or obligation among the people, either to safeguard everybody else or to take ownership of any problems they or their animal cause. They may be populated by dogs who carry disease or are too aggressive. These things aren't just "a dog park". They're actualizations of an abstract idea. And articles that attempt and purport to weigh in on them both simultaneously are just doomed from the onset. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag SW commented 7 hours ago S SW NYC 7h ago As the author makes reference to, dog owners there accept 0 responsibility for their dog’s actions. In several cases, I have asked dog owners to pull their dog off of mine, and they either pretend they have no idea what I’m talking about or act like I’m the one with the problem. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag WT commented 7 hours ago WT WT New York 7h ago I find dog parks are often filled with people who panic when their dogs play rough or are being played rough with. People who have purebreds and designer dogs are the worse cause they are overly sensitive when their dogs get into rough play but look the other way when their dogs are the perpetrators. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Chevalier de Balibari commented 7 hours ago C Chevalier de Balibari Tokyo 7h ago I agree! While dogs have evolved to be around homo sapiens I'm not sure they've evolved to be around with other dogs, many of which have been artificially bred for looks and temperaments that suit humans. I personally am terrified of large gatherings of humans with "socializing" as the goal. If dog parks are for exercise, wouldn't it be fair to compare them with gyms? Just look at the dynamic of those places and you get the idea. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Denise commented 7 hours ago D Denise Oakland 7h ago I've been taking my dogs to dog parks for 20 years. Two of them loved every second of it, and my current dog can't hack it, so we don't go. The dog park is a fantastic asset to an urban setting, but much of this depends on the people using the park. Are their dogs trained? Are the people trained? Are the other owners paying attention to their dogs? Without dog parks, you have people randomly allowing their dogs to run in parks where they don't belong, which causes hard feelings for neighborhood park users. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Blue Josue commented 8 hours ago B Blue Josue Baton Rouge 7h ago We’ve got two Bichon Frises. One loves people and is uncomfortable around other dogs, the other is like me, hates people but loves dogs. But with so many regulars at our local park it’s hard to keep away. Our social butterfly runs and runs with the dogs he knows while our shy little one hangs out with the humans, extolling belly rubs and head scratches from anyone he can. It’s been win-win so far. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Arthur commented 8 hours ago A Arthur Somewhere.. 7h ago The Atlantic had an excellent article recently. Letting dogs run wild on beaches, forest etc., causes lasting harm to the wildlife. You can reference it with ‘we’re in denial about our dogs’ Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Betsy Smith commented 7 hours ago B Betsy Smith Oregon 7h ago @Arthur Thanks for pointing that out. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Lynne commented 8 hours ago L Lynne NorCal 7h ago A dog park was terrible for me too. 2 months after getting a sweet 1 year old dog from the local shelter, I took her to meet my son, out of town, and we went to a dog park. My very first, and last time. My dog wasn't really liking it. She seemed intimidated by so many other dogs and went to the outer edges where my son's friend threw a ball for her. Meanwhile, I'm standing, observing, watching a couple of large dogs running huge circles and kind of growling, playing? with each other. Suddenly, near me, they swerve, run me down, resulting in a shattered leg requiring 2 surgeries and an eternity of physical therapy. How did the others in the dog park respond? They leashed up and left. I don't go to dog parks anymore. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Mick commented 8 hours ago M Mick Atlanta 8h ago Please. This would have been a fine article if the author/editor had simply added a few caveats. How about this: "Dog parks are not for every dog. But some dogs love them!" That is the case with my dog, Foner. Our routine is to visit an area of Piedmont Park, in Atlanta, where a group of friendly and convivial dog-owners bring their pets each day around 5:00 pm. Foner does, in fact, tug at the leash when we get nearby. He's made "friends" there; it makes him discernibly happy. Same with the other dogs, from what I can tell. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Ron B commented 6 hours ago R Ron B Boston 6h ago @Mick Reread the 4th paragraph. Agreed that the author seems to go off from there. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Mike C. commented 8 hours ago M Mike C. Florida 8h ago How about a story on all the people who have been hurt while walking their dogs on sidewalks? A friend of mine had a big, gentle dog, and it was on a leash. My friend was walking it after work. A small hysterical dog came flying off a porch and fastened itself on the side of my friends dog’s head which gently shook it trying to remove it. My friend kneeled to detach the two dogs. The owner of the small dog came running up with a shovel and took a swing at the big dog. Shovel hit my friend in the face and broke his glasses. His fingertips were numb for a year. The lawsuit netted $80,000. This was in 1983. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag David Null commented 8 hours ago D David Null Claremont, CA 8h ago Dog parks are not for every dog. If your dog doesn't like the company of other dogs, don't take him there. However many dogs enjoy meeting and making friends with other dogs. Further, in most cities, dog parks are the only venue where dogs can escape the tyranny of the leash. If I had a dog that disliked being about other dogs, I would bring him to the dog park on off-hours just so he could run without a leash. I say this regardless of the fact that I was once trampled in a dog park and my leg was broken.And I've been bitten several times breaking up dog fights. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Tom commented 8 hours ago T Tom Manhattan 8h ago This piece is so full of bad logic, fallacious leaps, and over generalizations that I hesitated to even comment. I’ll only comment on one: stress hormonal activity is necessary in all mammals. It is part of the bio-chemical stew that furthers cognitive, adaptive development. Rolling out results that show a rise in cortisol activity after being in a new or stimulating environment is neither negative or positive. It’s all contextual and relative to the study parameters. It ain’t proof that dog runs are bad for dogs. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Melissa commented 8 hours ago M Melissa Chicago 8h ago As someone who works in vetmed and many years in Animal ER, take your dog on a good old fashioned long walk. You’ll bond more and spend time understanding your relationship better. Dog parks are filled with dog bites, hurt paws and lots of parasites. It’s a very stressful place and injuries are common. Take care all. Reply33 RecommendShareFlag Deb Bennett commented 8 hours ago D Deb Bennett Moreno Valley, CA 8h ago Not all dog parks are created equal. Our park in the east end of Moreno Valley, CA, high on a coastal sage scrub covered hillside, is divided into the Small Dog side and the Big Dog side. over the years, we small doggers have allowed big dog puppies to join us. Our small dog side is overseen by a core group of loving, responsible dog owners. We gently police newcomers to important rules about human and dog behavior. In the nearly eight years since my dog and I have been regulars at the park, we have never had a serious small dog fight. We owners are quick to step in at the first signs of any true aggression and our small dogs do not have the hair triggers that seem much more common among the big dogs. Our park is now well maintained, comfortable and welcoming. My dog is not as social as some. But when he comes and sits on my lap, I know he is ready to go and we leave. Like everything else in life, one must pay attention and follow the rules, written and unwritten, to get the desired outcomes. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Touran9 commented 8 hours ago T Touran9 Sunnyvale, CA 8h ago @Deb Bennett, that sounds like such a great experience and opportunity to be gently policed by responsible dog owners. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag NC cook commented 7 hours ago N NC cook NC 7h ago @Deb Bennett This sounds great but, alas, tough for us who had in-between dogs. My Corgi couldn't deal with the big-dog side of the park (too big! too scary!) and was too big for the small-dog side (though he was well behaved). We gave up and stuck to walks. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Chris commented 8 hours ago C Chris Meridian, Idaho 8h ago Avoiding dog parks is a common mantra in the hunting dog world, mainly because of the fights that often erupt. A good compromise is our large local state park which allows off-leash dogs in a portion of it. Everyone can spread out, walk, and dog encounters are much easier to manage. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Denise commented 7 hours ago D Denise Oakland 7h ago I'm also betting that the hunting dogs aren't neutered, which is an issue. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag BBecker commented 8 hours ago B BBecker Tampa 8h ago What a lot of moralizing in this article, but the truth appears nonetheless between the lines. Some dogs are more extroverted than others and love dog parks. Our dog would be absolutely gleeful in the car miles before we arrived. All of life contains risks, but I think it's been one of the most humane developments to have local governments adopt fenced in parks where dogs can be dogs and socialize without spending their entire public lives restricted by a leash. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag JK commented 8 hours ago J JK NJ 8h ago 1000% depends on your dog and park. Our local park was a god-send for our extremely active GSP until he was about 3 years old and naturally calmed down a bit. His routine was park every am in addition to an afternoon and an evening walk. We made sure to hit the park at the same time (early) every morning and avoided weekends. There was a group of regulars at this time and we all had a special connection, human and dog. As with anything else pet related, the experience depends on the research and time the human puts into it. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag BR commented 8 hours ago B BR DC 8h ago Some dogs are suited to dog parks, some aren't. The problem isn't the dogs or the dog parks, it's the owners who bring dogs to dog parks that should never go anywhere near a dog park. I would never have brought my previous dog to a dog park. He was far too unpredictable. My current dog loves playing with other dogs and loves the dog park. But at the first sign of trouble, we leave. I trust my dog. I don't trust the other dogs or their owners. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag CDoug commented 8 hours ago C CDoug Michigan 8h ago I like the message of this piece, which will immediately help me make important changes. Thank you for that. I don't understand the fixation on marrying a real estate lawyer, however. I understand it's probably an effort to be humorous, but it sounds superficial and even elitist. The author could simply have said she met her future husband. And if his profession/avocation needed to be mentioned, I would have loved to hear he was a plumber or carpenter. Just saying. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Maxine Kincora commented 8 hours ago M Maxine Kincora Berkeley, CA 8h ago @CDoug it's also possible that the author simply meant what was said. They found a real estate lawyer. Period. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Beth Buelow commented 7 hours ago B Beth Buelow Michigan 7h ago @CDoug I didn’t read it as the author saying she married a real estate lawyer. Yes, she mentioned romance in the previous sentence, but I read it as “they found love, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” ? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Scarlets mom commented 7 hours ago S Scarlets mom FL 7h ago @CDoug what makes you so sure it’s a spouse this real estate lawyer? I thought she meant she met a real estate lawyer who was interesting & maybe helpful in a real estate transaction . Someone who became a friend! ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES John commented 8 hours ago J John Tecumseh 8h ago I was hoping for and expecting some hard data here to support the author’s contention, but there wasn’t much. It seems that too much time at a dog park for some dogs could sometimes be more stressful than some alternatives, but on the other hand so can many other activities, and eventually life kills us all. This article came across as very fearful - my dog got its ear bitten at a dog park so no one should use dog parks. Doesn’t really seem appropriate for the NYTIMES. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Dugggggg commented 8 hours ago D Dugggggg Dc 8h ago Although this is sure to be unpopular, I wonder if dogs shouldn't be in cities at all. Most dog owners here in cities only take their dogs outside maybe twice a day and then, if they're following the laws, the dogs need to be on leashes all the time - or inside of tiny fake dog 'parks'. In DC in my experience most most dog owners are garbage people, ignoring leash laws entirely, and many leave plastic bags filled with dog waste all around the city as if there's some magic dog-poop fairy that will walk through the woods picking them up. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES BR commented 8 hours ago B BR DC 8h ago @Dugggggg I would have said the same about suburban dogs. They are left at home all day to look out the window and bark their heads off. They're badly socialized because they never encounter other dogs or other people except in a stressful situation. And a lot of their owners don't pick up after them. They just leave whatever they deposit on their neighbors' lawns. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag David Null commented 7 hours ago D David Null Claremont, CA 7h ago Certainly true for children as well. Let's ban them from cities. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Mary commented 7 hours ago M Mary Wisconsin 7h ago @Dugggggg Agree. If your dog is too big to be exercised on a leash, it's too big to be kept in a city apartment. The writer of the article mentioned her labrador bouncing off the walls. What kind of person would keep a lab in a small apartment? Don't own a big dog if you don't have a fenced-in back yard for it. And, BR, city dogs are just as likely to be left alone all day. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES DrLake commented 8 hours ago D DrLake California 8h ago Is it so horrible to take a walk with your dog? A lot better for both of you than hanging around a dog park. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Lisa commented 7 hours ago L Lisa PNW 7h ago @DrLake I walk with my dogs at the dog park. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Denise commented 7 hours ago D Denise Oakland 7h ago @DrLake is it so horrible to want your dog to be able to run every so often? ReplyRecommendShareFlag KM commented 6 hours ago K KM NC 6h ago @DrLake Much better for both the owner and the pooch. Owners taking their dogs to the dog park are slackers. ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES DG commented 8 hours ago D DG 10002 8h ago That's like your opinion, man. I don't find your arguments very compelling and generally don't think painting with such broad strokes does any good... If you don't think the dog park is suitable for your dog, then by all means avoid it. However publishing this op-ed, citing nearly 30 year old studies, without opinions of those who actually use the dog park to the benefits of their pets, seems like it's mostly meant to divide and spark outrage rather than to actually inform. A dog trainer- in training lol icing on the cake. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Ami commented 8 hours ago A Ami California 8h ago ...sounds like a NYC 'dog park' experience. Elsewhere, not as much. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Boraxo commented 8 hours ago B Boraxo Danville, CA 8h ago Ear of her dog gets ripped off and all of a sudden she's an expert on dog parks? Every week people in our suburb pay $$ for their dogs to socailize in a controlled environment at Dogtopia with dozen of other dogs. My dog is beyond excited every time he visits and always comes home happy. No every dog park or playground is filled with vicious rots or timid beagles. Why does NYT give a platform to every budding writer, regardless of the nonsense spewed? Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Uncommon Sense commented 8 hours ago Uncommon Sense Uncommon Sense Brooklyn NY 8h ago Geez. How low is the NYT going to sink? An opinion piece on dog parks! Urban pets are a blight. Pets in general are a waste given the cost to feed and care for them. All of that money, billions every year, could be much, much better spent on addressing the terrible plight of so many of our fellow human beings. Other than the historical and limited continue role of dogs and cats in farming, raising livestock and hunting, their co-habitation with humans has long outlasted its usefulness. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Touran9 commented 7 hours ago T Touran9 Sunnyvale, CA 7h ago @Uncommon Sense why bother reading this article, let alone commenting? Seems like not only a waste of your time, but a full-on assault on your code of ethics. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Peter commented 8 hours ago P Peter Los Angeles 8h ago Ridiculous. I bring my dog to the park and let him run and play for 15 minutes, then take him home. That's it. He gets exercise and isn't stressed. What next? Walking is bad, too. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag A commented 8 hours ago A A Seattle 8h ago They seem very popular with the same crowd that straps shock collars to their dogs' necks, if that says anything about them. The cruelty that passes for "dog training" in the country - shocks, chemical sprays, shouting, shackle-like prong collars - never fails to disappoint me. I want to go back to England. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @A What are you talking about? I've never known anyone to do that. This is definitely a regional thing--why generalize so unnecessarily? Chemical sprays? And prong collars???? I'm sure they exist, but I know a LOT of dog owners and fosters, and I have yet to hear of anyone I know using those. Weird. ReplyRecommendShareFlag KT commented 8 hours ago K KT NYC 8h ago Why is a journalist whose expertise is architecture and design given the space in the NYT to air opinions about dog behavior and dog health? I appreciate that it is an OP-ED article but I expect expertise from opinion articles at a newspaper of quality. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Camelops commented 8 hours ago C Camelops Portland, OR 8h ago I would think that a dog park would be a good place for a dog to pick up parasites. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Tony from Truro commented 8 hours ago T Tony from Truro Truro 8h ago One town over from mine and the dogs are welcome in shops and banks......YUCK. That town is running amok with doggies, and doggie owners that foist their canines into the very fabric.......... Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Homecook commented 8 hours ago H Homecook Fairfield, CT 8h ago Our first dog absolutely loved the dog run when we lived in NYC. He couldn’t wait to go and never wanted to leave, so we went almost every day. He had various friends that he sought out to play with. Our second dog does not get along well with other dogs, so she doesn’t go to the dog park. It really depends on the dog. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Sal commented 8 hours ago S Sal New York 8h ago A dog spending its life on a leash is not living the life that billions of dogs lived over thousands of years, and it s not the solution. Of course things change and off leash is not appropriate every where. But neither is 100% leashed and 100% confined. To become balanced and sane canines they need to use their entire dog brain which includes sniffing scents, investigating plants and sticks, and looking and listening to the sounds of the forest and their own consciousness. Tired of the leash lectures. As far as the dog park stress that makes sense but it also makes sense that some dogs do well. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Lisa commented 8 hours ago L Lisa PNW 8h ago It depends on the size of the dog park. It depends on the number of dogs. I find that fenced dog parks are a problem. I take my four dogs to our dog park, which is very large, not fenced. One of my dogs is a bit nervous, so I can take him to other areas of our 900 acre park. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Rachel commented 8 hours ago R Rachel Washington DC 8h ago Puppies should never go to a dog park or daycare until they have received their must-have vaccines at four months. As for dog parks, they are great places for dogs to learn how to be dogs — provided it’s not too crowded and owners are attentive. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Carole Ann commented 8 hours ago C Carole Ann Pittsburgh 8h ago This excellent essay says what we all know. Dogs are great but dependent on us humans. We are not great. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Rich commented 8 hours ago R Rich Olympia, WA 8h ago My second German Shepherd was from working lines. He was a great dog. He'd go nuts when someone came to the door but he never, ever, bit anyone. When taking him to the vet he ignored the other dogs. When I boarded him he never had any issues with the dogs around him. Ever. When we went for a walk around our neighborhood, if there were other dogs who ignored him, he ignored them. But if any dog showed any aggression towards him, he'd go into fight mode. My theory is that he considered the neighborhood his turf, and he wasn't going to take any guff off another dog on his turf. I believe if he was at a dog park and any dog showed aggression towards him, he'd fight. I never took him to a dog park. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Richard commented 8 hours ago R Richard portland or 8h ago @Rich from one rich to another. thank you for doing the proper thing. agressive dogs dont belong at dog parks. how profound? if only others had a brain and see what you admit!!! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Lotus commented 8 hours ago L Lotus Oregon 8h ago Dog parks were a savior when our dog was little and didn’t have a good recall. We went to one nearby that was almost always empty or with just a couple other dogs. Ours would just ignore them, get a chance to sniff, run around without us having to worry about her running off and getting lost Reply4 RecommendShareFlag JB commented 8 hours ago J JB Iowa 8h ago A common thread here is crowding. Crowd behavior is often ugly for dogs and humans. I love dogs, but not without a safe, secure yard. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Allison commented 8 hours ago A Allison Sausalito 8h ago Dog parks are also Petri dishes for canine diseases like round worms. More alarmingly, drug resistant forms of hookworm have been found, which is also transmissible to humans. These parks bring out the worst in dogs, and when dog fights invariably break out, the human behaviors become very ugly too. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag andre commented 9 hours ago A andre philly 8h ago There many dog owners at dog parks that are NOT there to socialize with other humans. I'm one of them. After a long day or week of human interaction why not watch your dog have fun with other dogs. If you are watching you will see when you dog is not having fun and should go home. Just put down the phone and stop talking to humans and you will be in tune with dog's level of enjoyment (or if he or she is getting too rowdy). Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Jordan C. commented 9 hours ago J Jordan C. Camden, Maine 8h ago I had a completely different take on how this article was going to go when I read the headline. In terms of “bad for dogs” - I was expecting data around the spread of diseases amongst dogs at dog runs (also is a huge problem at “doggy daycare” centers). Re: “good for people” I was expecting there to be a focus about the the community that dog parks engender, especially in the city. Sure, the concept is for owners to get your dog’s energy out, but there is also a one-of-a-kind camaraderie and friendship that forms in these little places that’s “only in NY”. I’m not sure my dog particularly loved going — but being my best friend and all she played along until I was ready to go home. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Lindsey commented 9 hours ago L Lindsey Eastsound WA 8h ago We had Irish wolfhounds, huge boys. We had to stop with the dog park because small dogs would hassle them over and over until my dogs started to fight back. I think three visits convinced me that it was not going to work. Once we went to an all wolfhound gathering and my boys were interested for about 10 minutes. Then they came and leaned on me so we left. I guess it is like kids, some dogs are more extraverted than others. Now we have a rescued lab and if we even drive by the dog park he is trying to jump out and join the other dogs. When we take him, he will spend an hour just playing around. Know your dog is the advice I would give. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Sara commented 9 hours ago S Sara Massachusetts 8h ago I figured there would be hundreds of comments sharing dog park horror stories. Still, let me add one to the pile. My dogs loved the 6-acre wooded park. Then one day, a large, aggressive dog pinned me against a boulder. My German shepherd stood between me and the dog, both dogs growling and snapping as I held mine securely by the collar. The owner of the other dog refused to come near, screaming theatrically that my dog would bite her. “I’m holding my dog. Come get your dog!” She would not or could not, and finally a stranger pulled her dog away. As we left, I could hear her crying and screaming to anyone who would listen that my German shepherd was a menace. Never again. We never went back. Awful owners ruin it for everyone. Reply33 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Richard commented 8 hours ago R Richard portland or 8h ago @Sara sad but true. i guess i am lucky so far ReplyRecommendShareFlag EC commented 8 hours ago E EC Chicago 8h ago @Sara Sounds exactly like the dog owner who refused to stop her leashless dog from repeatedly attacking me while I was running on a beach a few years ago (which, coincidentally is a no dogs allowed area.) She screamed and sobbed and when I yelled at her, her reply was "You don't know what this is like for a dog owner." Reply3 RecommendShareFlag WILLIAM KING commented 9 hours ago W WILLIAM KING Toronto ON Canada 9h ago I respect the needs of pets and pet owners but somehow find it sad that Toronto parks now devote much more space to dogs than to children. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jake commented 8 hours ago J Jake Jersey 8h ago @WILLIAM KING I would agree in principle- and maybe it’s different up north. But as I walk my faithful lab in a local county park (choices of trail; dirt, gravel or paved, open areas well maintained) 365 days a year, I rarely encounter children. They just aren’t out there. I wish they were, but I fear they’re all indoors, faces glued to screens. Walks outdoors are an option for kids, not so for those with canines. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Sara commented 9 hours ago S Sara Brooklyn 9h ago Thanks for this article. My dog hates dog parks. She refuses to go inside. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag reader commented 9 hours ago R reader Virginia, usa 9h ago Just like hair salons, there are good ones and bad ones. I live in a small town, and I find early in the morning, there are few dogs and few owners and dogs are rested and happily run around and play. In the evenings, especially, hot summer evenings, dogs and owners are on their worst behavior. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Elgin Phelps commented 9 hours ago E Elgin Phelps Bakersfield 9h ago The late, great, Huckleberry loved the dog park. He played with so many dogs we could hear people say, "It's Huckleberry!" when we came through the gate. His 50 pounds of fun and speed were matched with his scruffy looks and good nature. Huck's 12 pound little sister, Bindi Lou Who, stood in one place and filmed at the mouth. She finds dog parks terrifying. After losing him in 2020, we decided to never take Bindi back to the park. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag J T commented 9 hours ago J J T West Coast 9h ago Not long ago, my husband and I were looking to adopt another dog. A couple of the places we looked had extensive questionnaires, and they asked whether we planned to take our new pup to dog parks. A "yes" disqualified people from adopting. Ask your veterinarian how she/he/they feel about dog parks. They've seen plenty of disease outbreaks, performed surgeries following dogfights, and cast broken bones. They are NOT a good place for dogs. So glad to see someone with authority and skill about this. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Julia commented 8 hours ago J Julia MA 8h ago @J T So many adoption centers have such extensive questionnaires and I just don't get the point. Let the pet owner decide what is best! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Denise commented 7 hours ago D Denise Oakland 7h ago @J T LOL. I met a good friend-- a vet-- 20 yrs ago at the dog park in Berkeley. YMMV. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Doctor Woo commented 9 hours ago D Doctor Woo Orange, NJ 9h ago There's a popular video on facebook of a dog that gets on the city bus most everyday, alone. The driver of the bus drops him off at the dog park. The dog also gets home by himself ... there is also one town, & possibly others, where dogs get on the special doggie bus to go to the dog run. Each one says hello to their pals, and then sits in an empty sit for the ride. Tell this to them Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Doctor Woo commented 9 hours ago D Doctor Woo Orange, NJ 8h ago @Doctor Woo ** I would also like to add that I walked dogs in Manhattan for a few months. 10 to 15 dogs at a time walking down busy upper Eastside sidewalks. Basically all the dogs loved it. They would fall into formation by themselves, make their own pecking order, and I can't ever remember a fight. Possibly a growl because someone was acting up or not doing their part. I think they looked forward to the walk, the socializing, and it was fun for them. This is basically the same principle .. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag David commented 8 hours ago D David Madison, WI 8h ago @Doctor Woo To... the dogs? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Lori commented 9 hours ago L Lori Indiana 9h ago This sounds like what happens to children starting in preschool and for the rest of their childhoods. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Kelly commented 9 hours ago K Kelly Oregon 9h ago Completely agree and putting a dog into a pent up explosion of otherwise possibly unsocialized dogs is a mess. Those owners aren't vetted, or forced to show vax/rabies cards! The dirt is a cacophony of nastiness...no thank you. The ones who argue "pro" dog parks are just keyboard junkies with nothing else to do...and they certainly haven't a clue what their pet's need (good exercise and time with structured and balanced owners) vs being un-clipped in a cage of questionable animals and people. I also see that boarding groups are leaning this way...and I've experienced having my dog handed back to be with ear punctures and leg bites. Another not well thought out situation!! Invest into your dog with more YOU and less chaos...they will thank you. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag E.K. Perrow commented 9 hours ago E E.K. Perrow Metro-Atlanta 9h ago We had adopted a new dog and he was aggressive towards noisy trucks, loud thunder claps and around other dogs. The trainer we hired said, "don't take him to the dog park". Initially I followed the guidance. We would walk on the trail and he would growl or bark at noisy and smaller dogs. After lots of my calm easy voice saying easy and many treats the behavior mostly went away. So I introduced him to the dog park area. It must have been the right day. There was only one other dog, they checked each other out and then frolicked for 20 minutes. On days where there were 9-10 dogs almost all got along. The bottom line is take your time introducing your dog to other dogs, remain calm and give treats. If you are concerned about another dog just leave. My experience has been positive as most dog parents who have dogs that tend to be aggressive understand when their dog gets aggressive they go on the leash and out of the dog park. That's the dog on the leash not the parent! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Lynn Russell commented 9 hours ago L Lynn Russell Los Angeles 9h ago Excellent article. The Dog Park designed by humans, often urban dogless planners, seems the Petri dish for dogs health and behavioral issues. Take your dog for a jog on leafy streets over varied terrain where he and you can enjoy varied scenery and the occasional meetup with another dog seeking the same. Fortunately I had German Shorthaired Pointers in the country and would never in a million years have subjected them to a restricted urban environment for my own pleasure. Dogless and Horseless at the moment. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Solkkamal (oh, hi there!) commented 9 hours ago S Solkkamal (oh, hi there!) Several places at once 9h ago I will add that all dogs — but especially aggressive or easily frightened dogs (Pit Bulls, Canes, German Shepherds, Dobermans) — should be muzzled. A muzzled dog is a safe dog, and it has no problem breathing and drinking water while wearing one. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Jenny commented 9 hours ago J Jenny NYC 9h ago @Solkkamal (oh, hi there!) Hi there! Our pit mix, who is never the alpha and great with every dog, was attacked by some type of doodle in a dog park, completely unprovoked. I don’t think it’s helpful to call out certain breeds and suggest that they be muzzled. Every owner should get to know their dog very well (even with the help of a trainer) so that they understand their dog’s triggers, anxieties, and behavioral issues (if any). And these behaviors can of course change over time. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Brian commented 8 hours ago B Brian NYC 8h ago @Jenny Imagine if there were stats on pitbull attacks! Wait, there are. Everywhere. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Jasper commented 5 hours ago J Jasper USA 5h ago There are too many attacks on dogs by pit bulls. Pit bulls were developed by dog fighters. Their attacks can be fatal. It's easy to find instances on Facebook and Google. The attacks happen at dog parks, and also on trails, neighborhoods, and homes. A number of PRO pit bull writers-Joseph P. Colby, Richard F. Stratton, and more recently, Caroline Coile have in their books warned people of this deadly dog aggression. ReplyRecommendShareFlag diesel commented 9 hours ago D diesel Idaho 9h ago I know this isn't the main point of the article, but there's one sentence in here that particularly bothers me: it implies the vaccination requirement is just a bureaucratic detail, "rarely enforced." If an unvaccinated dog is visiting a dog park, it is at high risk for serious, often fatal, disease (such as parvo). Please get puppies fully vaccinated before going to a dog park -- and use those weeks to socialize them in age-appropriate contexts. Finally -- wow, this article makes me so glad I'm not an urban dweller. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @diesel Thanks for this. I would never take a puppy (or dog) to a dog park before their shots--dog parks around us are not like those described by the author (we live in a suburban area of a small city) but dogs without shots universally should not be in dog parks. ReplyRecommendShareFlag faryl commented 9 hours ago F faryl San Diego, CA 9h ago I witnessed countless dogs being rushed into the vet during the afternoons I spent in the waiting area with my terminally ill cat. When I got a dog of my own, the vet told me the dog park down the street created enough issues to keep them in business and to avoid it completely. Dog parks that have separate areas for large & small dogs are less risky for small dog owners, but I wouldn’t trust any dog’s safety, regardless of its size, to the “common sense” and judgement of owners of large dog breeds. There are smaller dogs who may not be good fits for the dog park, but at least they lack the potential to cause the severe harm a reactive or aggressive larger dog can. My dog loved the park for dogs 25lbs & under when we lived near one, but it’s not like he sits at home moping now that we no longer have close by. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @faryl The thing that's funny (albeit not haha funny) about that is that I've heard the same thing from ER doctors about trampoline parks frequented by kids--though I think those might be going out of style. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Betsy Jam commented 9 hours ago B Betsy Jam Lakewood, OH 9h ago I walk past our local dog park and just cringe. What a nightmare it is. Way too many dogs for the small space, clueless owners, and packs of dogs bullying other poor dogs. People also think stress signals (panting, lip licking, vocalizing, and fidgety over-excitement) are signs their dogs are having fun. They aren’t. Most people suck at reading dog body language. A large dog park may be ok, with space to roam and space for dogs to do-exist if they don’t want to interact. But the small parks around here are akin to tossing your dog into a caged dog filled nightmare. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Linda Carlson commented 9 hours ago L Linda Carlson Sequim, Clallam County WA 9h ago Just back from the mid-morning meet-up in the small dog section of this small city's very large, very well-maintained dog park, where my Jack Russell terrier races a border terrier and a labradoodle and then wrestles with other pals. More exercise than he can get on a walk. Yes, there is small talk with other dog owners---as we all attentively monitor our pooches for behavior and poop pick-up. And then they all go home for naps. (As do some of us.) Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Tina commented 9 hours ago T Tina Austin 9h ago If your dog does not enjoy the dog park, don’t take them to the dog park. “Some dogs like it, but other dogs don’t” does not in any way support the assertion that dog parks are bad for dogs in general In fact, nothing in this whole piece supports the idea that dog parks are bad for dogs in general. It’s all just you, ineffectively picking at the “reasons” people offer for going to the park If you couldn’t even find one single study supporting your claim, maybe that should have been a hint Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Gowan McAvity commented 9 hours ago G Gowan McAvity Bedford, NY 9h ago My Jack Russell, may he rest in peace, would try to kill every dog he encountered in a dog park, except for the Schnauzer he lived with most of the time, starting with the Great Danes and working downward. That after seeking a means of escape through the fence, lighting fast escape tunnels dug, and running off in any direction as if his life depended on it. But he was not a regular dog. Then again, are any dogs regular to their owners? Or ever guilty of being antisocial, for that matter? Reply5 RecommendShareFlag ssc commented 9 hours ago ssc ssc St. Louis 9h ago Respecting the views of both the writer and the readers, I find it hard to generalize to "dog parks are great" vs "dog parks are bad." It seems to us and our dog situation that it depends on the area (and its pet owners), the dogs in the park at the time yours are, and the actual park itself (and, sure, the weather at the moment because rain can, indeed, suck). It appears to us, that our dogs have great visits at certain parks, and not so great visits at those very same parks. The one consistent anxiety are the presence of badly trained pets whose owners have low (or no) control apart from progressively yelling louder. But caveat emptor applies in so many life situations - so why not this one as well. I see no universal advice that anyone can give about this issue. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY DawnStorm commented 9 hours ago D DawnStorm North Carolina 9h ago The weekends are the worst for the reasons mentioned in the article. Best to go on weekdays when regulars are there. You get to know them and the dogs and vice-versa. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Geraldine Conrad commented 9 hours ago Geraldine Conrad Geraldine Conrad Chicago 9h ago I encounter many bad dog owners, who often have dogs as big as ponies in a crowded urban environment. We have designated dog beaches and parks, but owners typically take their dogs off leash anywhere they please, even on beaches where young children play. They take up entire sidewalks, leave feces all over and start swearing if you ask them to keep their dogs off your body. I have been insulted, made fun of because I simply point out the ordinance against unleashed dogs. The police had to take me to the hospital once after a dog I didn't even notice attacked me. Many owners put their dogs above all else. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Keeping it real commented 9 hours ago K Keeping it real Cohasset, MA 9h ago The NYT had a column a year or so ago from an expert in the field and he echoed the same negative sentiments expressed here. For those who are skeptical of the author's assertions, do a Google and look it up. It is MUCH more assertive for the proposition that dog parks are NOT good for your dog. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lisa Stallings commented 9 hours ago L Lisa Stallings Oakland CA 8h ago @Keeping it real I think it depends so much on the park and breed. Some high energy dogs need off leash play ball chase games to be happy and healthy. Do your research about time of day if your dog needs exercise… It can be very beneficial! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Scott commented 8 hours ago S Scott Arlington, VA 8h ago @Keeping it real , that sounds like a much better article than this one, then, which discussed no research and referenced no actual data while making a lot of investigatible claims. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Netterfugue commented 9 hours ago N Netterfugue NYC 9h ago First and foremost you must remember that dogs have NO emotions!!! Everything they do is purely instinctual. They are not playing when they run and jump and frolic together. Anything you project on their behavior is simply your anthropomorphizing an animal with NO emotions. I'm no expert but in 30 years of watching NYC dogs in dog runs I've never seen a dog having a panic attack and wolfing down Xanax. The thesis here is similar to the prevailing wisdom that letting your dog stick its head out the window of the car is tantamount to dogicide. Again, I've known lot's of people with lots of dogs and not a single incident of head out the window fatality. I would love to see a peer reviewed well powered study that proves that dogs that ride with their heads out the window suffer any additional morbidity or mortality compared to other dogs. If you want to see how resilient dogs are, watch Werner Herzog's Happy People. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Morganlefaye commented 9 hours ago M Morganlefaye Saint Paul 9h ago I take it that you have never owned a dog. if you did, you could not avoid observing their feelings. Plus, science has proven that dogs have emotions, and those emotions are comparable to humans. This has been determined by scanning human and dog brains and finding the areas that light up in a dog's brain also light up in a human brain when humans have feelings. Dogs probably don't have all the emotions that human do, but they do have the basics, such as love and fear. Try to enlighten yourself by googling "dog emotions research." Reply25 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 8 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 8h ago @Netterfugue You’re right. You’re not an expert. Nor, I suspect, someone who has ever had a close relationship with a dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Netterfugue commented 8 hours ago N Netterfugue NYC 8h ago @Morganlefaye Try enlightening yourself on sarcasm. Settle down. Yes I’ve had a dog and yes they have emotions. Still don’t believe that many dogs are miserable at dog parks or endangered when they ride with their head out the window ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Realist commented 9 hours ago R Realist Eugene OR 9h ago Long time many dog "owner" here. A problem I see with a great number of people who have dogs is that they have no business having a dog inbthe first place. They don't know how to deal with the dog nor handle, train, teach, love, and take care of that special creature. I suppose in many ways like certain humans having kids that they have no business having in the first place..... Reply40 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES DawnStorm commented 9 hours ago D DawnStorm North Carolina 9h ago Preach it fellow dog nerd! Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Oaklandish commented 8 hours ago O Oaklandish Oakland, CA 8h ago @Realist Agreed. And even many (most?) long-time dog owners do not understand basic dog behavior, i.e. how to recognize when their dog is stressed or afraid, how to greet an unfamiliar dog, etc. I hear a lot of “My dog would never do X…,” but few of us have seen our dogs behave under extreme stress. I make it a point to put distance between myself and anyone distractedly walking a dog because things can get out hand quickly. ReplyRecommendShareFlag 2manyhorsez commented 9 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 9h ago Good article, and much needed. Being involved in dog rescue for many years, it never ceases to amaze me how obtuse even well-meaning dog lovers can be. My current Pit mix is well socialized and I often take her out to lunch on nice days. She seems to love it (and all the attention) but I can tell it is stressful when we come home and she sleeps for the entire afternoon! Thanks for educating. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag HT commented 9 hours ago H HT NYC 9h ago I go to the dog park every day. It’s socialization for both myself and the dog. Sometimes it gets rough. I never assume my control is complete. But I still go. Every day. We are learning. It’s a big city dog park. I have a feeling we might be better at it than places that have fewer options for daily constant socialization. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Mary Ann commented 9 hours ago M Mary Ann Seattle 9h ago There are lots of people who should never have children. Even more who should never have dogs. The number of unwanted pets that were surrendered as covid restrictions lessened are just the tip of an iceberg. People who want to own a dog should be required to take classes first, on the commitment required. When my brother died, the woman running the nonprofit shelter where he got them, took them back. The high standards and criteria she had for placement was impressive. No fenced yard? Nope, you can't adopt one of her dogs. There were other criteria, and my family was comforted that we'd fulfilled my brother's dying wish that his dogs were well homed, even if they didn't remain as a "pack". Given how mostly tuned into their gadgets people are, many probably have no idea what's going on with their pooch at a dog park. This article is much needed. Thanks. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Maple commented 9 hours ago M Maple VT 9h ago @Mary Ann It's true that some people should not have dogs or kids but I do think a lot of people who got pandemic puppies–90% of which seem to have been 'doodles' from backyard breeders– had no idea what they were getting into. I know a family that got a 'Bordoodle' without any research into Border Collies or Poodles. The dog is smart and high energy. When the parents went back to their offices, and the kids went back to school, the dog was left alone, under-stimulated and anxious. He became quite destructive. A senior couple I know got a "medium" Labradoodle which the breeder said would be about 35#. The dog is 75# and bursting with energy and enthusiasm. They had to hire a dog walker to tire her out. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag KB commented 9 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 9h ago No duh, some dogs are unhappy in a dog part, and that unhappiness can manifest itself in a wide range of behaviors. That is not news to any of the dog owners I know. I've fostered about 18 dogs. I've taken two of them to a dog park, where we saw the same 6 dogs over and over. They seemed to flourish. The other 16? Either two young or clearly not the type of dog that was eager to play. The two dogs in question were much more likely to have the zoomies if we didn't avail ourselves of the park--and zoomies with a German shepherd mix in a house is not soothing, not calming, and not fun, for the people or, as it turns out, for the dog. Most dog owners or fosters I know would never assume that every dog or even most dogs are suitable for the dog park. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Marton commented 10 hours ago M Marton Berlin 9h ago Having had a dog in Europe and the US, many American dog owners are so incredibly afraid of the slightest injury, even a scratch, on their dog that they many are willing to eliminate any potential for animal to animal interaction. I do feel bad for anyone who’s dog has been injured, but my dog is perfectly okay every weekend with all the other off leash dogs in the countless off leash areas (not inclosed sections, but whole forest areas) that Berlin and many European cities have to offer. Meanwhile back home some dog owners try their very best to even prevent their dogs from getting a sniff of another dog. And don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that my dog would have less scratches than he has gotten in his life here in Europe, but I am also sure he is much happier, healthier, and better equipped at handling dog social cues than many of his American counterparts. This also requires responsible owners who can recall or physically pull one dog off the other the very rare occasion things get out of hand. As for the person who recommended we spend on sterilization campaigns instead of rescuing dogs: mine is sterlilized and rescued and most rescue dogs do a lot less harm to this planet than any human does. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY 2manyhorsez commented 9 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 9h ago @Marton Your last paragraph is excellent. All of mine are and have been rescues and spayed/neutered and they are wonderful. We need to support BOTH sterilization and rescue! Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Keeping it real commented 10 hours ago K Keeping it real Cohasset, MA 10h ago This is from an article in the NYT three years ago on this same subject by an expert: "Dog parks, unfortunately, are often more about humans than they are about dogs. As much as humans enjoy the chance to socialize with other like-minded animal lovers while our dogs play, it’s far safer and more fun for your dog to skip the dog park and spend that time engaging intentionally with you and their surroundings by going on walks, taking a training or general obedience class or even trying a new sport together." Dog parks are for lazy dog owners. Given that the the younger generations are the ones demanding dog parks, hopefully that will not mean that they will be bad parents when they have children. . Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Carolyn commented 9 hours ago C Carolyn NJ 9h ago @Keeping it real My last dog was a 110 lab/shepard mix. He hated the dog park/didn't really enjoy himself, so we never returned. My present-day dog loves the dog park and is incredibly social. I am not lazy, thank you very much, I am thoughtful and respectful toward the needs of my dogs. Why must everyone choose a side? It works for your dog or it doesn't. Decide for yourself and not others. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Gallivan Burwell commented 10 hours ago G Gallivan Burwell New Orleans, La. 10h ago This article is far too cut-and-dried. A well-organized dog park - which may require membership fees and have oversight of the dogs that go there, can be a great place for appropriate dogs. The dog behavioral expert, Sue Sternberg, did a study of dog parks and found one thing that speaks to the problems with some parks: The parks that had the fewest places for owners to sit down (and get lost in their phones or socializing with other humans) had the fewest dog-dog incidents. I wish they were referred to as dog "playgrounds" rather than "parks." Children's playgrounds require close parental supervision, as do dog play areas. Lastly, there are bullying or anxious dogs - just as there are bullying or anxious children - who have no business in the playground, but wind up there anyway. It's always best to observe what's going on in any given playground, on any given day, before opening the gate to go in. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Seth commented 10 hours ago S Seth LA, CA 10h ago Every dog I have had lived for the dog park. The one that didn't- he didn't go. The point is to know your dog. This article somehow presumes that it's a dog parent's own narcissism (need for socialization with other humans) or ignorance about their dog's personality that trumps the intention of meeting their dog's need (to roam off-leash). This typically isn't the case, I believe. Most dog parents are attuned to their dog's needs and personality. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES 2manyhorsez commented 9 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 9h ago @Seth Unfortunately, I've seen many who are clueless. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Carolyn commented 9 hours ago C Carolyn NJ 9h ago @Seth Hear, hear! ReplyRecommendShareFlag Isabel commented 8 hours ago I Isabel NY, NY 8h ago @Seth that’s sadly typically the case in New York City. Reading the comments it seems that different locales have better experiences than we do. That’s not surprising given how cramped our space is. And let’s face it- we New Yorkers have our reputation for good reason. ReplyRecommendShareFlag A Little Grumpy commented 10 hours ago A A Little Grumpy USA 10h ago An owner of multiple large, unleashed dogs told me she disregarded leash laws because being off leash makes dogs happy. While she was telling me this, her dog was jumping on me as I held my seven-pound dog aloft. Dog owners are as self-centered as people come. They brag how they prefer dogs to people. What they mean is they prefer THEIR dogs. They don’t care about mine. Off leash parks are a nightmare. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES G F commented 10 hours ago G F G F East Coast 9h ago @A Little Grumpy You really can't generalize about dog owners. I have 40 years' experience as a dog mom, and for every misbehaved pooch I've met, there have been ten terrific ones. Dogs need to be on a leash, for sure, yet in a large dog park, they do love to run free. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag chuck commented 9 hours ago C chuck Wilmington 9h ago Why would you even bring a 7 lb dog to an off leash dog park? Sounds like you're the one who doesn't care about your pet. A dog that small should not be somewhere where they could easily get injured by larger dogs running around. That's like Llowing your five yr old kid to ride the rollercoaster. It is incredibly annoying when people bring their tiny dogs to the dog park and then complain about the big dogs. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag A Little Grumpy commented 8 hours ago A A Little Grumpy USA 8h ago @chuck Did I mention a dog park? I was in the woods, and it was against the rules for her dog to be off leash there. I would never take a tiny dog to a dog park. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ellen commented 10 hours ago E Ellen SF 10h ago I was on the verge of rehoming my dog because I HATED bringing her to dog parks- she would get over-stimulated, run away from me, and play too aggressively with other dogs (not a biter). But I thought that trip to the dog parks were required. I decided to take her for long walks instead. Now we’re a lot closer, she has better recall, and I’m no longer a stress case. No more dog parks was the solution for us. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Carolyn commented 9 hours ago C Carolyn NJ 9h ago @Ellen Perfect! I had done same with my former dog. He opted for long walks instead of dog parks. His life was full. My present-day small dog loves to play so we go to the dog parks as he enjoys the socialization. A good solution for this time around. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Mike C. commented 10 hours ago M Mike C. Florida 10h ago We had a dog park down the street. Twice I heard women scream after being bitten, and that was two blocks away… One day we took our friend’s Newfoundland down there and two smaller dogs immediately clamped down on it. It ran two blocks with these dogs chewing on it. Because of punctures we took it to the vet and they wrote out a prescription for antibiotics, but the pharmacist at Publix supermarket mistakenly gave us a bottle with 50 pills of oxycodone. We gave one to the dog without checking the label. It was a big dog and it seemed happy enough with the pill. We actually gave the bottle back to the pharmacist who claimed she would lose her job if we didn’t. All of this because we took our friend’s dog to the dog park... Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Swag Surfin commented 10 hours ago S Swag Surfin Portland, ME 10h ago Here's a hot take: in most cases, it would be far more beneficial to animal welfare if prospective dog rescuers took the thousands (or often tens of thousands) of dollars they were going to spend on their rescued pet and instead donated that money to sterilization campaigns and efforts to shut down puppy mills. This would help eliminate mass suffering at its source and decrease the likelihood that dogs would be rescued from one bad situation only to end up in another. There has been a concerted marketing campaign and a self-congratulatory culture espousing the idea that rescuing a dog amounts to an unimpeachable act of inherent benevolence. That line of thinking is all over this comment section. Please. The real world is much more complicated than that. I cannot count how many dog "rescuers" I meet who are wrapped up in some sort of savior complex while taking almost no real adult responsibility for the wellbeing of their pet. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES 2manyhorsez commented 9 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 9h ago @Swag Surfin I have rescued many and spayed/neutered all. It is not an either/or proposition. Further, most rescues require that the animals are sterilized at the time of adoption or proof of sterilization be provided when the animal is of the appropriate age. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 8 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 8h ago @Swag Surfin Really? As a rescue volunteer, I find the opposite to be true. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag KB commented 5 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 5h ago @Swag Surfin This is great in theory, BUT--I foster rescues, and we don't pay for the dogs' care. We just care for the dogs evenings/mornings/overnight. And the rescue organization sterilizes the dogs (generally w/donations or pro bono help from vets), treats for heartworm, microchips, and gets them their shots. Now, I suppose the rescue place could go to all its donors and ask them to just give money for sterilization. AND they could ask would-be adopters to not adopt, and just steer $200 to sterilization. That would be more rational. But somehow, I don't see it working for far-from-rational humans. People like dogs--they enjoy being with dogs. They don't want to just sterilize dogs; they want to care for dogs. That's how dogs evolved, that's how they became dogs instead of wolves. And as others have said, it isn't either/or. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Fox commented 10 hours ago F Fox Seattle 10h ago This is why I, a dweller in a small apartment, have a cat. I'd love to have a dog, but it is cruelty to animals to keep one in a place where it doesn't have plenty of run in territory it shares with its humans. First in my childhood home, which was a small house but had a decent-size yard, and then on my parents' 10-acre rural spread they moved to after my brother and I were both out of the house, that dog lived happily. Catface over here, meanwhile...well, he just hopped up into my lap as I started typing this comment and now he's purring the day away. "Plenty of space" is not high on his list of needs. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Mel commented 8 hours ago M Mel Seattle 8h ago @Fox My experience has been different. My 50 lb dog and I are much happier in the city than in the country. Went back to the midwest for awhile where we had 80 acres out in the country. The problem? Too big and expensive to fence, most of the land is privately owned farm land, too dangerous to let off leash with cars going by at 60+ mph and too scary to walk leashed along the side of the road because of same cars, coyotes, deer, and other animals to chase or get entangled with, and no neighborhood friends to hang out with. Sure, we could have fenced a small area in the yard, but how fun is that? In contrast, the city offers plenty of sidewalks for nice long walks, plenty of public parks within walking distance, numerous training facilities for enrichment, and our studio apt is plenty big to hang out in, with a balcony that allows my dog good sunbathing and watching/sniffing out the passersby--his favorite activity. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag B.L.P. commented 10 hours ago B B.L.P. West Coast 10h ago Thanks for this article! And for the wisdom of the other comments! My current German Shepherd hates the dog park but I didn't 'get it' until she refused to get out of the car when we arrived. Dumb me - I took her two mores assuming that each was just a bad day: luckily no harm done because she wisely AGAIN did not get out of the car! She spends a lot of time with people so might not know she's a dog! Or is a smart dog, and knows dog parks are just not her thing. Signed, a dedicated but slow-to-learn owner. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Bow commented 10 hours ago Bow Bow Wow! 10h ago Irresponsible dog owners have ruined dog parks. They never got busy and properly trained their dogs. They should have to pass a test before becoming a dog owner. My beagle and I will never go to a dog park again…ever since a strong, albeit happy, lab came bounding down the hill full speed, knocking both of us to the ground. I had a scraped knee. The owner said, oh sorry. Didn’t help me up. Never spoke to his dog or put him on a leash. I told him what I thought! By the way, I lived in Europe for years and dogs there are for the most part very well behaved, so much so you can even take a quiet obedient dog into restaurants. Of course our Health Depts would never allow it. Point is: train your dog! Your dog and you will have a much happier relationship for life! Dogs only want to please you and do the right thing. Training for them is fun and it can be for owners. Reply28 RecommendShareFlag Kathy commented 10 hours ago K Kathy Columbus Oh 10h ago I walk daily through a local park and trail and have been jumped on, attacked and bitten by off-leash dogs their owners claim are "friendly". If you don't want to leash your dog take them to a dog park. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag JB commented 10 hours ago J JB Kootenay 10h ago Re: Mike S Too many people in one place really hurts the environment. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Jeff Kayla commented 10 hours ago J Jeff Kayla Tenafly 10h ago This article is just one person’s opinion. I don’t agree. There are some very nice wide open dog parks and the there are crowded stone covered - what I like to call/ prison yards. Who would be stressed jammed into that. However, you are need to know you dog. Our cocker loves running and being chased - she bump.up against other dogs her size and start running in circles to get other dogs to play. I also know when she is uncomfortable - she stands next to me pressed against my leg. Then it’s time to leave. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag RonH commented 10 hours ago R RonH Oakland CA 10h ago There are so many caveats and exceptions in this piece it’s pretty meaningless to take any single conclusion from it such as “don’t go to dog parks”. SOME dogs live for them. Some dogs can take or leave them. Some dogs are stressed out by them. Some dogs are aggressive and hate dog parks. Some dogs…. Get it? Learn about what your dog likes, they tell you if you listen. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Keeping it real commented 10 hours ago K Keeping it real Cohasset, MA 9h ago @RonH This is from an NYT article three years ago on this same subject by an expert: "Dog parks, unfortunately, are often more about humans than they are about dogs. As much as humans enjoy the chance to socialize with other like-minded animal lovers while our dogs play, it’s far safer and more fun for your dog to skip the dog park and spend that time engaging intentionally with you and their surroundings by going on walks, taking a training or general obedience class or even trying a new sport together." Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Jana commented 10 hours ago J Jana St Paul, MN 10h ago I found a great dog park fit for my pup weekday mornings. Thankfully I can work an hour in after dropping my kiddo at school and the start of my workday. I very much enjoy the humans & the dogs. My pup has learned good things there and has a ball. I find that the weekends are too much for me & my pup; The park is much busier AND there are more weekend-only humans glued to their phones, not supervising their dogs (who live alone unsocialized all week and act out) nor observing that they pooped. THIS is what people are warning us about… Reply12 RecommendShareFlag BEO commented 10 hours ago B BEO Indianapolis 10h ago My Frenchie loves the dog park. She asks to go there all the time; sometimes I even take my laptop and work there. She knows all the regulars, has several best friends that she sees most days, and she loves meeting new dogs and humans. She has favorite places to poop, so I can clean up after her even if I'm not looking at her 100% of the time. I pay attention when she meets someone new (mostly so she doesn't overwhelm them with her invitations to play). Sometimes it's a bit messy: there are regulars who never pick up after their dogs, but there are also regulars who do a weekly loop around the park picking up after everybody's dogs. Sometimes there are inexperienced dog owners: what better place for them to find advice and community? Dogs have gotten Giardia: my vet tells me that almost every dog in downtown Indy gets Giardia at one point or another. On net, I'm glad dog parks exist! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES David Peter commented 9 hours ago D David Peter Los Angeles 9h ago @BEO Our Frenchie loved the park, but when he was two, another dog savagely attacked him. It happened in a split second. Although he didn't receive permanent injuries, he now starts shaking a block away, so we no longer take him. It also, seemingly, has permanently affected his personality; he was such a trusting dog, and now he barks at other dogs that resemble the perpetrator. He's still a cutie, and we love him, but we now only socialize him (and his French brother) with the dogs of friends whom we know and trust. Public dog parks like the one near are house are simply not a safe environment for pets in my opinion, even if most of the time you don't have problems. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Brian commented 9 hours ago B Brian Louisville 9h ago @BEO In my experience the dog owners working on laptops are not adequately supervising their dogs. A favorite place to poop can change! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag annberkeley2008 commented 10 hours ago A annberkeley2008 Toronto 10h ago The element missing in dog parks is a sense of freedom. Both my dogs quickly outgrew our local good size dog run and graduated to park, ravine and forest trails where it's easy to get away from any animal that's too aggressive. Perhaps more cities need such off leash trails. It shouldn't be too hard to do since, after all, dog owners form a large voting block in the average city. Maybe it's time to agitate for a better deal for dogs. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Keeping it real commented 10 hours ago K Keeping it real Cohasset, MA 10h ago @annberkeley2008 The element you're missing is that if your dog is off-leash then it means it either can attack another dog or a person. Memo to dog owners such as yourself: The vast majority of both dog owners (I've had two Golden Retrievers and qa Bernese) and non-owners do not want to be confronted by dogs that are off-leash. Dog parks are for lazy dog owners who do not want to put in the time walking their dog. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Ms.B commented 9 hours ago M Ms.B Austin, Texas 9h ago @Keeping it real I live in a city that has multiple off leash dog parks and the element “you” are missing is people love them. People actually go to this park without dogs and chill on blankets just to be around the happy vibe of free dogs. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 2manyhorsez commented 9 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 9h ago @annberkeley2008 I am totally opposed to off-leash dogs. Having rescued pit bulls for years and before them, bad rap Rottweilers (always take in the ones no one else wants), I am adamant about leashes. My dogs are always well-socialized and well-mannered AND on-leash. If they are suddenly jumped on by a strange dog, I have no idea how they might react. I certainly wouldn't react well! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Guiseppi741 commented 10 hours ago G Guiseppi741 Central Oregon 10h ago Right on, Julie. The primary hazard at the dog park is the aggressive dog with no responsible owner/handler control. Your dog is most likely to get hurt. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag kathleen cairns commented 10 hours ago K kathleen cairns San Luis Obispo Ca 10h ago Good piece. Many of my friends take their dogs to the local dog park. I tried this several times, but my dog is fearful around other canines she doesn't know. Most of the time she sat atop the picnic table where we gathered. She never got more at ease and finally I stopped taking her. I liked it, but it's called a dog park for a reason. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Copib commented 10 hours ago C Copib Middletown 10h ago A short-on-data article...not worth more than single sniff Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Rob Russ commented 10 hours ago R Rob Russ Lancaster PA 10h ago @Copib. Oh, I don’t know. My dog, when one year old, was ecstatic at the park. She’s now three, has had more than her share of aggressive attacks by other dogs, and although she has a small group of friends, she no longer considers approaching a strange dog. She’s now hugging the edges and sniffing pebbles and I’m taking her less frequently. It’s a private park, but owners are still too lax with their aggressive dogs. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag binkle commented 9 hours ago B binkle Cali 9h ago @Copib It's not an article, it's an opinion piece. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Khoi Nguyen commented 10 hours ago K Khoi Nguyen Why 10h ago I’m lucky to go to a nice dog park that has attentive owners and a wide variety of breeds. I do make sure to follow my dog around. My dog meets everything, from other poodles to Labs to Goldens to Corgis to even a Malinois and Akita. I should note that there are rarely ever any pitbulls or fighting dog breeds…. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES KB commented 9 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 9h ago @Khoi Nguyen Our dog park is enormous, ha an agility course, shuts down regularly so the yards can be repaired / sustained...we do see the same people over and over. In the course of a few years, have we found rude owners or rude dogs with neglectful owners? Sure. We leave. We find that elsewhere as well. Most of the dogs I've cared for were not suitable for the dog park. They were just too territorial, competitive, young, whatever. But the ones who were suitable--I'm convinced they loved it. They certainly were more likely to get the zoomies in the house if we didn't go. I walk my dogs a couple of miles each day, whether or not they go to the dog park. Not every dog is the same. p.s. some pit bulls (particularly mixes) are fine, but yeah, there are issues with a lot of others. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 8 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 8h ago @Khoi Nguyen Malinois and Akita are protective and therefore sometimes fighting breeds. Rethink your characterization of pits. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 2manyhorsez commented 8 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 8h ago @Khoi Nguyen OK, enough of the bigotry against pitbulls. I've adopted many over the years; two of them even herded and cleaned motherless kitten litters that I fostered. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Liz OR commented 10 hours ago L Liz OR NYC 10h ago The points made by the author directly match the advice given by a professional dog breeder and trainer when he handed us our Portuguese Water Dog puppy, bottom line was to avoid dog parks. The trainer - who owns several Porties himself- has decades of professional experience with this breed in particular both here and abroad so I had no reason to doubt him. Also some breeds - like mine - do not lend themselves well to the chaos of a dog park. The dog parks around me here in NYC tend to be crowded and dirty (a ripe breeding ground for illness) where dogs often go unsupervised. While I am sure there are exceptions to my trainers rule somewhere out there, those exceptions do not exist here in NYC. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY KB commented 9 hours ago K KB Rainbow River 9h ago @Liz OR If I take the article as intended to be in the context of NYC, that makes more sense. Thanks for the input. Our dog park is hardly ever crowded--we could easily time it to be the only people / dog there...but where I live, people have large yards, and we live near a lake around which people (including me) regularly walk their dogs. So there really isn't any reason to bring a dog to the dog park unless, well, the dog likes the dog park. The yards at our dog parks are well-maintained (they close regularly for maintenance on an alternating schedule) and there are trainers and agility courses available for the dogs. No one I know uses it to socialize, though we have casual chit-chat about our dogs, of course. Absolutely, not every dog should go to the park (in fact, I'd wager most should not.) And there are problems with unleashed or aggressive dogs in and out of the dog parks, at least here. I guess this is one of the few benefits of living in a more suburban or even rural area, compared to a city. Once I read your reply, I realized, yes, of course the NYC parks are so much different than what we have here, and of course many more people would utilize them, not so much for the dog, but the people themselves. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Lawrence Murray commented 10 hours ago L Lawrence Murray Queens 10h ago My wonderful Chocolate Lab Sophie transitioned last Septmeber at 13 years of age. For the years she was with us I would take her to a dog park a few times a week. She'd be happy to go, happy to pee, happy to romp and then after five more minutes happy to come home. Nothing bad ever happened to her there but she was happier at home. I miss my girl a lot. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Barbara commented 10 hours ago B Barbara Traverse City, MI 10h ago @Lawrence Murray I'm so sorry for your loss of Sophie. Gosh, it's so tough to say goodbye to our dogs--they just never live long enough. I hope you get another dog if you haven't already. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Floyd commented 10 hours ago F Floyd New Mexico 10h ago You touched very little on a major issue with a dog park: communicable canine disease. IMHO, a dog park is a veterinarian’s gold mine. Of course, I come at this having always had ample rural and suburban space for our dogs. It has to be challenging in a densely-populated urban area to give a dog the fresh air, the open space and exercise they thrive on. I am also coming at this from the view that the purpose of owning a dog is not for the owner’s social benefit, or to socialize dogs with other dogs in confined spaces. The old saying is “a dog is man’s best friend”. No one ever said “a dog is dog’s best friend”. Again, my point of view, but keeping an open mind to others, a dog’s primary purpose is to serve some of the owners needs: a sentinel and a sounder of warning someone is approaching your property, a buffer to a potential intruder, a companion and protector of your children as they play in your yard, and a companion to the adult owner(s). This service to the owner should rewarded and appreciated by returning love and companionship to the dog - walks, hikes, rides in the car, overnight trips, and the occasional reward in the form of a special food or treat. I certainly agree there needs to be some socialization to the outside world of humans and other dogs. I certainly don’t want to raise a mean, dangerous and anti-social dog. But I also don’t want to raise a dog that will, by default, be the happy-go-lucky instant companion of strangers - both human and canine. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Nadine Bonner commented 10 hours ago N Nadine Bonner Beit Shemesh 10h ago There are dog parks and dog parks. When I lived outside Philadelphia, I took my dog to a lovely dog park that must have contained an acre of woodlands. There were trails, a fresh water stream and a waterfall that delighted the labs. It was large enough that dogs could choose to socialize or not. The park enabled my dog to romp off-leash in a wide-open space -- an opportunity most city dogs don't have. Yes, I have seen those small, fenced in parks with fake grass that look more like dog jail. But I think the solution is improving the parks -- not avoiding them. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag Hunter Greer commented 10 hours ago H Hunter Greer Hanover, NH 10h ago Last month there was an article in NYT about more than 400 golden retrievers meeting up in a park in England ( with their owners of course). One would never see such an event with pit bulls. From my personal experience, some dog breeds love other dogs - golden retrievers, Labradors etc. Some breeds especially pit bulls are not friendly with other animals. In our town, a local doggy day care does not accept pit bulls for the same reason. Dog parks should have different timings for bully and non-bully breeds. It makes it less stressful and enjoyable for dogs. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Kaitlyn commented 10 hours ago K Kaitlyn Washington 10h ago @Hunter Greer please don’t perpetuate this inaccurate stereotype of dog breeds. I have two goldens myself, but pitties are just the sweetest dogs. They love pets and to lean on you while getting pets. All dogs can be sweet or mean, despite breeding for certain qualities, and it is largely a matter of upbringing. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Khoi Nguyen commented 9 hours ago K Khoi Nguyen Why 9h ago @Kaitlyn I unfortunately can’t quite say that for the pit bulls that have tried to attack my dog. I don’t understand how breeding for traits is valid for every dog, except for pit bulls. Where do you supposed the name originates from? And yes, ownership plays a huge part. Meanest dog I ever met was a golden doodle and the nicest was an Akita. But, the Akita owner was fully aware of the traits and took precaution. I don’t see that with tough guy or rescue complex pit owners. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2manyhorsez commented 8 hours ago 2 2manyhorsez DC area 8h ago @Hunter Greer Considering other comments I've seen from you, it's not surprising your beliefs carry over to the dog world. Dogs, like humans are individuals. I've adopted 12 pitbulls over the last 2 decades. All except one have been stellar family members, co-existing peacefully with our cats, horses, squirrels, etc. The one exception was fought and abused when she was young, and she was euthanized. There are NO bad dogs, just bad dog owners. Stop with the bigotry. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES michjas commented 10 hours ago michjas michjas Phoenix 10h ago I have two dog parks to choose from. One is blue collar where the owners pay no attention. The other is upscale where any aggression makes you feel like the worst dog owner ever. The choices are too little control and too much. So me and my dog head to the woods. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag American Abroad commented 10 hours ago A American Abroad Iceland 10h ago My neurosis over dog parks is finally acknowledged. I have reluctantly gone to dog parks with my son, who enjoys them with none of the hyper stress I feel, and I would say his adorable cockapoo sometime seems to feel. I wear my sunglasses so I can shut my eyes not to freak out when I see the out-of-control 'play'. And, incidentally, my son's cute dog lost most of one of his ears when another dog took a ferocious bite. Luckily, the owner paid for the expenses, and I wasn't there. Then again, maybe the social side for humans makes it worth it. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Jordan commented 10 hours ago J Jordan California 10h ago The "experts" keep telling us we're all lonely and need to be extroverts, seems it's the same for dogs. Not every person or dog is an extrovert. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Peter Kuhn commented 10 hours ago P Peter Kuhn Berkeley 10h ago In Sf Bay Area, there are many great spots to take a dog off-leash. In East Bay, there's Berkeley dog park, AlbanyBulb (with a beach my dog found perfect for body surfing), Pt. Isabel with another beach, and more such as some trails in Tilden Park. It's true that some dogs and their owners cause trouble, but that's not typical. My dog was bitten on a leashed walk in my neighborhood, but never at any of the local dog parks or park trails. My dogs have all thoroughly enjoyed such places. The only problem we have here is with the foxtails, which have become so numerous that it's anxiety producing to let a dog run free among them. This article seems biased and possibly published to generate eyeballs/comments. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES kathleen cairns commented 10 hours ago K kathleen cairns San Luis Obispo Ca 10h ago @Peter Kuhn Foxtails can be lethal. I know; a friend's dog died when apparently she inhaled one. It traveled through her body and got stuck in her intestine. Infection ensued. I do everything possible to avoid foxtails. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Hector commented 10 hours ago H Hector Bellflower 10h ago @Peter Kuhn A woman (Mrs. Bee?) in Livermore makes custom nets that go over the dogs heads and keeps the foxtails out of eyes, ears, noses after she spent THOUSANDS at the vets. I used them and they work great. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Peter Kuhn commented 9 hours ago P Peter Kuhn Berkeley 9h ago @kathleen cairns I do too. My old dog died in November 2022 after getting a foxtail above her footpad. They could never find it after probing and several surgeries. The antibiotics prescribed were worse than the foxtail. I haven't gotten another dog because of my fear of foxtails which seem to be present now 9 months of the year. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Elle Tea commented 10 hours ago E Elle Tea NYC 10h ago Sorry, but that’s ridiculous. The author makes sweeping generalizations. Like a lot of activities for both humans & dogs, they are not for everyone. But just because they’re not right for some dogs doesn’t mean they aren’t for others. While there’s a proportion of dog owners who are clueless, I think the majority recognize when their dog doesn’t like something or is uncomfortable, & therefore don’t bring their dogs or return. How do I know? Because when I go to my local dog run, I almost never see a dog that seems uncomfortable. Yes, you can pretty much guarantee you’re going to get at least a little bit dirty when you go, but it’s insane to go when it’s muddy., Dirt is a small price to pay for your dog’s fun. And most dogs DO enjoy it! As somebody who works w/dogs/has had dogs for over 25 years, I would almost never interpret a dog running around as being anxious. And runs do exhaust dogs! Obviously the ones who play &chase balls expend a lot of energy.but all the stimulation tires them out too. My dog just likes to sniff around - she may not end up exhausted, but she’s satiated. Yes, there are certain risks: the possibility of your dog catching something from another one, the possibility of there being an aggressive dog or a fight..But those aren’t common & I think the benefits far outweigh the risks.For me the only really bad thing is the people who pay zero attention to their dogs! But in any case, it’s absurd to say categorically that they are no good! Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Cass commented 10 hours ago C Cass Washington State 10h ago My late veterinarian insisted dog parks were disease-laden cesspools to be avoided. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY C.Fried commented 10 hours ago C C.Fried Toronto, Canada 10h ago @Cass So are schools. Should we prevent kids from socializing. My experience in a lifetime of dogs at 67 is that, while it is important to socialize puppies pretty much up to 2 years of age, as adults it depends on their personalities...some dogs like the dog park and have friends...others do not. As for the germs...well that's life. I rarely go to large parties. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Mx.Sofie commented 10 hours ago M Mx.Sofie sf 10h ago HATE dog parks!!! Most owners are ignorant of a dog's social needs and physical needs and that both of those things require a present person to engage - instead - you get an owner who just takes off the leash and thinks 'that's all I need to do'. Most owners in these scenarios are purposefully oblivious. Besides, these parks are dirty and dusty and generally disgusting. Take your dog for a 1 mile walk on a 4 foot leash and see how much happier you and your dog are. Engage with interest at new experiences as you walk and you will be rewarded with a better connection between you and your soul mate dog. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag RattlesnakeDave commented 10 hours ago R RattlesnakeDave MT 10h ago Dog parks are excellent for some dogs and people. Dog parks can be terrible for other dogs and other people. Why try to make a blanket prescription for everyone and everydog? This article seems more like click-bait than a good-faith effort to inform the public. Slanted anecdotes and one 1996 study are thin reeds on which to rest a case against dog parks, which this comments section demonstrates are beloved by many. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag me commented 10 hours ago M me us 10h ago If you're taking your dog anywhere other than a dog park, please keep it leashed. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Betsy Smith commented 7 hours ago B Betsy Smith Oregon 7h ago @me And away from me. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Steve commented 10 hours ago S Steve The West 10h ago Listen to your dog like you listen to your children. If you arrive at the dog park and he wags and smiles, take him. If he cowers, don’t. Empathy has genius in it. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Mel commented 8 hours ago M Mel Seattle 8h ago @Steve Yes - I always leave it up to my dog. Sometimes we approach the park, he sniffs to see who's there, and turns around before we get to the gate. Sometimes we go in, he looks around a bit, decides he'd like to leave, and walks back to the gate and we leave. Sometimes he finds someone he likes and plays for awhile. It's always up to him. ReplyRecommendShareFlag SLY3 commented 10 hours ago S SLY3 parts unknown 10h ago Go to the park, but you don't have to go inside -- they are likely to have a fence, to observe play and separate the animals. Go to the park, but leave the leash on. Keep control until you're sure the animal can make good decisions and for goodness sake, get your friend vaccinated! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Anonymous commented 10 hours ago A Anonymous New Jersey 10h ago A helpful construct for dog owners in remaining kind to their animals and respectful of the rights of others in regard to things like dog parks is this; Think of your dog as a toddler. Then whatever you do or are planning to do vis a vis your dog, ask yourself if you would do this for or to your toddler: Would I take my toddler to a fenced-in enclosure, set her down in the middle of dozens of other toddlers and then just walk away? A bad parent would, but a good parent would stay with her child and ensure that she and the other children interacting with her were okay. Would I allow my toddler to run up to someone walking on the street and jump on them? Again, think would a good parent versus a bad parent would do. Would I let my toddler start yelling and screaming at someone walking down the street for no reason at all? If you would, you're probably one of the dog owners who allows his pet to just start going crazy with barking and straining at the leash when someone is minding their business, leaving or returning home. When my toddler needs to use the bathroom, would I let her run into just anybody's house? Would I try to arrange my schedule so when my child usually goes to the bathroom she could meet this need in her own home. Those who say this isn't possible with a dog are going to have to find some alternative to allowing their dogs to pee and poop on other people's property. It is not okay to cover some structure on your neighbor's lawn with your dog's urine. Think Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Geoff commented 10 hours ago G Geoff Poor 10h ago @Anonymous Why in the world would I think of my 8 year old dog as a human toddler? I have a grandson who is a toddler, and I can't find much similarity between them. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Anonymous commented 10 hours ago A Anonymous New Jersey 10h ago @Geoff Perhaps you are a responsible dog owner, but I live among those who are not. They do not behave as dog owners--that's the bottom line. So dog owners who have problems behaving are like anyone else who needs to find some mental construct that will enable them to behave appropriately. Clearly they can't conceive why a neighbor wouldn't want to watch their dog walk on the lawn practically to the neighbor's porch and have a bowel movement. It's irrelevant that they pick it up. So in this one example, how does one educate the dog owner to understand what they are doing wrong since obviously they don't believe they are. What are the options? A letter from the HOA? Dog owners think these are a joke. Perhaps one could accost the dog owner, but this just leaves them feeling self-righteous and remaining ignorant of the impact of their inappropriate behavior as dog owners. Better is to give them a way of thinking about their responsibilities that will help guide them to be good neighbors and responsible pet owners. Dog owners here are clueless of their irresponsibility and what constitutes a healthy animal for their own well-being. If you, personally, are not letting your dog jump up on strangers or start growling at them unprovoked, then obviously you are a responsible dog owner. Very rare. In planned communities, dog owners let their pets run all over other people's rights. Policing them through requiring their dog's DNA and fining them for their negligence only goes so far. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Geoff commented 8 hours ago G Geoff Poor 8h ago @Anonymous Well, I don't want to beat this to death, but it seems to me that your unhappiness is with owners and their dogs rather than the parks. Thank you for your reply. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Oasis commented 10 hours ago O Oasis NY 10h ago the canine in our family is 3. She's never been "socialized" or trained to do tricks or zoom with other animals. She is very gentle with people, curious about children, squirrels, birds, rabbits. She doesn't chase them or bark at them or become aggressive, she mostly stares, and sniffs. When we meet people with their canine families on our walks, she greets them and moves on. Treat a dog kindly, like you would a human child, and they will learn kindness and good manners by watching the interaction of their human family... If I'd release her onto the chaos of a dog park, she'd be very confused, mostly scared, and disappointed at my ignorance of her kind... Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Lauren commented 10 hours ago L Lauren Ft. Lauderdale 10h ago I think that this article makes sweeping generalizations about dog parks. While some of the author's concerns are legitimate, it is silly to conclude that all dog parks are the same. They all have their own personality. I'm sure that dog parks in NYC are more likely to be small and crowded, but I go daily each morning at 7:00 a.m. to a large dog park with a 1/4 mile track which is mostly frequented by regulars, both people and dogs. The dogs mostly know each other and the other dog owners, who they often go to for attention. It is a nice place where people of all different socioeconomic backgrounds and races get to interact, without regard to politics, and where dogs get lots of attention and freedom to run and play. There's also a beautiful dog lake for them to swim. It's the closest thing to heaven I've ever found. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag LEOPOLD commented 10 hours ago L LEOPOLD Manhatta 10h ago Wow what a timely piece. We just began taking our 8-month old to the St. Nicholas dog run last week. Lots of broken glass, and a few disinterested owners. This morning, my wife finally said not anymore. Now this. I can take a hint. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Sal Hepatica commented 10 hours ago S Sal Hepatica Manhattan Island 10h ago @LEOPOLD - There are much better public dog runs here in NYC than the one you’re describing. Check others near you before giving up on them as a whole. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Joanne P commented 10 hours ago J Joanne P NJ 10h ago No dog now but never took them to a dog park. I took my last one to board for a few days at a doggie daycare. She was medium sized and I could choose whether she was mostly with little or bigger dogs. As I left, I could see her swarmed by little yappy dogs sniffing her rear. My last image was my dog pinning down one of the little ones. First and last time I put her through that. Couldn’t imagine a dog park for any of my dogs. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Lisa Puma commented 10 hours ago L Lisa Puma Oregon 10h ago Agree with the author. In SW Portland, dog parks were as described. There were people who abandoned their dogs in the fenced area and left them there for 8-10 hours. Always assumed they were filthy places. Never had a dog that enjoyed the environment. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Lawyermom commented 10 hours ago L Lawyermom Washington DC 10h ago Our gone but not forgotten Corgi and our Yorker (whom we inherited when a relative passed away) have both grown up in suburbs. They like meeting other dogs on walks. They REALLY like meeting new people. Of course, we can let our dog off leash in our small enclosed backyard, where they happily chase birds, squirrels and rabbits. I love dogs, but I am not sure I would have one if there was no private outdoor space in which to run and play. Watch what makes your dog happy; they will usually let you know. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Mary commented 11 hours ago M Mary Arizona 10h ago I had dogs when I lived out in the country where dogs enjoy living so "dog parks" to me are like tatoos---an affectation that will pass. Here in Scottsdale of course we have something called "doggy day care" and doggy play dates. OMG. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Rob Russ commented 10 hours ago R Rob Russ Lancaster PA 10h ago @Mary I have a mixed breed rescue whose sole purpose in life seems to be to run free across the entire face of the earth. She has dug out under our fence three times, so fast I couldn’t stop her, so must be leashed even in her own backyard. The local private (members only) dog park is her only opportunity to run full throttle. Don’t be so aghast at a situation that is the best option for some dogs. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag mary commented 11 hours ago M mary connecticut 10h ago Some dogs don't like dog parks, some do. Just like people. I think the writer here needs to see dogs as unique individuals and not assume dogs are like hers. And every dog part is not the same, just as every human park is not the same. I also think many dogs love, love even a little bit of time off leash, so their helicopter person doesn't dictate every thing they small or even if they want to just walk around and do nothing. One of my dogs never played with the other dog park dogs, but absolutely loved the people; and being around other people who love dogs was really fun for him. Sorry, but this person doesn't sound like a lot of fun. Extremely judgmental and making assumptions that are not true. You don't like a dog park? Don't go. But don't preach and wag you finger at the dogs and their people who enjoy a good romp. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag E commented 11 hours ago E E Atlanta 10h ago There is a much better, more nuanced version of this argument with a better grasp and utilization of the data on dog socialization out there somewhere. Unfortunately this isn’t that. While I personally was very cautious of the dog park with my young dog, and actually largely agree with the overall point here, this article seriously lacks evidence or a writer with expert level expertise. It’s a shame because this is an important conversation. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Miller Davis commented 11 hours ago M Miller Davis Chicago 11h ago Our young pup, eight months old, who was called "confident and optimistic" by his trainer, loved the huge dog park near us. He was cheery and playful but also respectful of dogs who gave signs that engagement was not desired. Nevertheless, a newly adopted large dog approached our suddenly shy pet and attacked him, pinning him under a picnic table where it was difficult to get big dog off of him. Our pup was bitten in the belly. Since then, when being walked, he barks aggressively at most large dogs. I had no idea before that incident that dog parks are a no-no for most canine pets. We learned our lesson. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Ann Green commented 10 hours ago A Ann Green Millstone 10h ago @Miller Davis sorry to hear this. My very sociable, happy dog had a great time the first few times in a very nice dog park near my house. That is, until a woman who just adopted 2 untrained and overly rambunctious dogs brought them in so they would “learn to socialize”. She loudly told everyone to let the “dogs work it out themselves”. The dogs ganged up on my Maggie, and she ended up hiding under a picnic table. Luckily, she didn’t get hurt, but it did traumatize her. She has had extensive training since then, and it has helped to build her confidence, but she definitely changed after that incident. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Dianne commented 11 hours ago D Dianne US 11h ago This essay is totally personal opinion and pretty much a waste of time. It has just about no data to support his position, just his personal experience and a lot of generalizations. Any good dog owner knows if their dog likes - dislikes - or doesn’t care one way or another- about going to the dog park. And a happy dog owner is also important for a happy dog. So if it works for your dog and you, take them to the park. And if it doesn’t, try something else - like a long walk in the woods, if available, or a walk down the city streets with a leash. Common sense. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Becky commented 11 hours ago B Becky Wisconsin 11h ago Not all dog parks are the same size and shape. I love the 80-acre park my dog and I hike around most weekends. I watch him, keep moving, and bring his own water. I avoid small ones where the the dogs just hang out in one spot a. I think that’s what the author is referencing. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Doug Iliff, MD commented 11 hours ago D Doug Iliff, MD Topeka, KS 11h ago For 20 years my wife and I have opened our 70 acres of native prairie, woods, and hollows to the public, and their dogs. At any given time, there might be up to a dozen dogs walking with their owners, romping and sniffing, or swimming in the pond. There are rarely disagreements, because the socialization is underwhelming. I would never take my flat coat retriever and golden retriever to a dog park. One correction to the author’s narrative: zoomies are not the result of stress. Golden retrievers are particularly susceptible. They are amusing, irrational, and undiagnosable. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Doreen Meyer commented 11 hours ago D Doreen Meyer Volcano, CA 11h ago Why dog parks at all? Most cities allow dogs off lead in early morning or evening hours. Find a group of dog owning friends with similar values and meet regularly to walk, let the dogs off lead, and everyone exercise ... owners too. Stops the crowded 'dog park' situations and you can avoid the unpleasant people and dogs, Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lawyermom commented 10 hours ago L Lawyermom Washington DC 10h ago @Doreen Meyer Maybe most CA cities allow off-leash dogs early in the a.m. or late at night, but it’s not so where I live. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Kris commented 10 hours ago K Kris Las Vegas 10h ago Most cities? Not in my experience. For which I'm glad. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Rebekah commented 11 hours ago R Rebekah California 11h ago Thank You for this none of my dogs over the last 20 years ever seemed to enjoy 'the dog park'- so I hardly went. But I guess some dogs do . . . Reply4 RecommendShareFlag HoodooVoodooBlood commented 11 hours ago HoodooVoodooBlood HoodooVoodooBlood San Francisco, CA 11h ago Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!!! One night, in the coastal village of Jenner, CA, from my bed at 1AM , I heard the coyotes howl in their high pitched calls. They do his on occasion. This time, the moon was full and soon, just the howl of the Coyote Alpha could be heard in the still of the night. A domestic dog down in the hillside village barked in challenge. The Alpha Coyote howled louder. Another domesticated canine responded, then another and soon, every domesticated dog in the village was barking in response to Coyote Alpha's call of the wild which continued to pierce the stillness of the night. I have a good idea of what the Coyote Alpha was saying to his collared, pampered, hand fed, domesticated brothers and sisters in the village below. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Rob Russ commented 9 hours ago R Rob Russ Lancaster PA 9h ago @HoodooVoodooBlood. There is an allegory like this. The coyote mocked the dog, swearing that he would never give up his freedom to serve a master. The dog’s reply? “Hunger is your master.” Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Nanci commented 11 hours ago N Nanci Pennsylvania 11h ago The dog park was a bad idea for my dog. Took her there as a puppy, soon after vet said vaccines were sufficient. She initially had OK experiences. But then, the dogs who go there regularly formed a sort of pack and would gang up on other dogs. My dog was attacked by this park pack. She wasn't seriously, physically hurt, but she no longer had any interest in dog parks. Plus, she immediately became reactive to other dogs during walks. Professional trainers told me that dog parks are often a bad idea, and my dog will now likely always be cagey around new dogs. She gets along fine with dogs at her day care that she knows. But, I'm sad that she went from calm around new dogs to stressed because she had a rotten experience at a dog park. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY DM commented 10 hours ago D DM Ontario 10h ago @Nanci What a shame. I took our 8 month old puppy for a walk around the block, leashed, when she was suddenly accosted by 3 large dogs, off leash, who wanted to play. The owner, across the street, shouted "Oh they're friendly" but they absolutely freaked out my poor little Daisy. This happened 2 years ago and to this day, if we walk past the house where those dogs live, she becomes very alert and anxious and tries to speed by as fast as she can, even if the dogs are in the house. She is also very wary of any other dogs we see on the walk. Needless to say her rotten experience has stayed with her. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag john keeley commented 11 hours ago J john keeley beavercreek oregon 11h ago First off if you get a dog that fits your lifestyle you'll be much happier . That means if you don't hunt don't get a hunting dog , if you got no flock don't get a herding dog , it's not rocket science . As far as the doggie playground goes if your dog is alpha and enjoys other dogs then they will be happy . The thing to remember is not all are alpha , and if you want to catch a disease go to a public place that is where the bugs are . Ask yourself if you would enjoy being put in a public situation and left to fend for yourself ? I guess most anything is better then a cage . Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Daddo commented 11 hours ago D Daddo Wafflehouse 11h ago Looking forward to “should children come to Vegas with their parents next. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Al commented 11 hours ago A Al Oregon 11h ago I hope all the anti-dog park folks are finding another way to sufficiently exercise their dog. Given that the majority of American adults are now overweight or obese, I suspect many dog owners are not out walking or running their dogs enough to meet the dogs' needs. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Sushirrito commented 11 hours ago S Sushirrito San Francisco, CA 11h ago I used to take our dog to Corona Heights dog park in SF, but the cliquish behavior of the regulars in the early morning dissuaded me from going back. Some of them focus on their coffee klatsch to the point of ignoring their dogs and ignoring the need to pick up waste. I wish there were a way to sign up online for a 15 minute block at a solo dog park. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Robert commented 10 hours ago R Robert Around 10h ago @Sushirrito If Ft. Funston is still off leash it is great. My dogs loved to romp in the dunes. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Paul Ruszczyk commented 11 hours ago P Paul Ruszczyk Cheshire, CT 11h ago Or better yet, don’t own a dog. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Robert commented 10 hours ago R Robert Around 10h ago @Paul Ruszczyk I do not like kids very much but never tell folks to not have kids. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Paul Ruszczyk commented 9 hours ago P Paul Ruszczyk Cheshire, CT 9h ago @Robert FYI. Kids are not dogs. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ellen commented 11 hours ago E Ellen NYC 11h ago If ylur dog doesnt like the dog park, dont go. There. I saved you the time otherwise wasted reading this . Reply6 RecommendShareFlag poe commented 11 hours ago P poe chicago 11h ago As a dog owner with rescue dogs, I've learned that having a dog in a large city is a privilege, not a right. Recognizing this fact can help address various issues, including the use of parks funded by others for our dogs. Pet peeve - Having your dog "play " and herd other dog because your dog is having fun is not fun for many dogs who just like to walk around by themselves.......Watch your dog and you herd your own into the herding section of your park Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Southern Historian commented 11 hours ago S Southern Historian San Diego 🌞 11h ago Spot on article. I avoid official dog parks. We have “an illegal” enclosed field that we sometimes use. We police it, challenge distracted owners and realize we could get a fine. And we’re fine with that. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Trent commented 11 hours ago T Trent Florida 11h ago Covid crazy made people and their dogs paranoid. Dogs are too frequently used as proxy perpetrators of hostile behavior. Unless you live in the countryside, don’t incarcerate a dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag ellie k. commented 11 hours ago E ellie k. michigan 11h ago On travels to Europe I've seen the most amazing well behaved dogs in the city. In Prague I was astounded to see everyone walking their dog OFF LEAD in busy Prague, traffic and trams and people with other dogs everywhere. How do they do it? And the sidewalks were cleaner of poop than my private dog park! Such well behaved dogs in England and Germany too. What gives? Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY sjs commented 11 hours ago S sjs Bridgeport, CT 11h ago @ellie k. Don't know the answer (except training and expectations) but I will add that the best behaved dogs I've ever seen are in NYC. I went there all the time and I never saw a badly behaved dog (they may be there, but I never saw them). Worst behaved dogs are in the suburbs. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Tami commented 11 hours ago T Tami Atlanta, Ga 11h ago I beg to differ. My dog and I go every day at the same time. We know the dogs and the people. All the dogs we know are safe. They all get along and usually have a good time running, playing, and trying to catch a squirrel. You do have to be aware of new or unknown dogs. That's called being a responsible pet owner. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Ms J commented 10 hours ago M Ms J Albany 10h ago Honest question, what would your group do if a new, unknown dog showed up? A big problem with many dog parks is that you don't know who's there at any given time. And because dog parks are public spaces, there's really no control of who can use them. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Rob Russ commented 9 hours ago R Rob Russ Lancaster PA 9h ago @Ms J. That’s also true of membership parks - you never know who will be there or how well they will police their dog. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jafawa commented 11 hours ago J Jafawa San Diego 11h ago I have stopped taking my dog to dog parks. So many lovely patches of green turn into toxic, dusty, and/or muddy lots. The picnic tables have gone to the dogs, literally. So much poop, so many fleas, flies and mosquitos. Aggressive dogs with aggressive owners who make me fear for my personal safety as well as for my pooch’s. Many bullies were victims of bullies, and this is true of dogs too. A dog park, or poorly supervised doggy day care is a place to pick up bad behavior. Occasionally, I treat my dog to a trip to the dog beach, where we keep our distance, play together for a bit, and ignore the coliform bacteria. Mostly we take our daily walkies, meet and greet our doggy and human friends, avoid reactive dogs and folks who would prefer not to interact. It works for us. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag steve commented 11 hours ago S steve santa barbara 11h ago My name is "Ruggles" I'm flattered to be named after a dog . . . or vice versa. My corgie's name is "Ziggy Ruggles" That's a lot of "g's" between us, or so I would hope. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Lori Magnuson commented 11 hours ago L Lori Magnuson Seattle 11h ago Agree completely. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag mcp commented 11 hours ago M mcp San Diego 11h ago A large dog ran up behind me and broke my leg so unlike the author I do not find dog parks good for humans. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag CH Shannon commented 11 hours ago C CH Shannon Portland, OR 11h ago Are dog parks great for people though? Every park here that has a dog park section, it ruins the park a bit for everyone else - the grass in the area of the dog park is destroyed from all the digging and running, there are people who let their dogs off leash in the entire park outside of the dog areas, and all the trash cans in the park are overflowing with dog poop. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag BTM commented 11 hours ago B BTM NYC Burb 11h ago My first dog was only 10 pounds. I tried taking her to the dog park once or twice. There was a small dogs section. She did not interact with other dogs. She came on my lap and growled when a dog approached. We never went back. She lived 16 years. Never liked other dogs. She loved people and cats. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Adele commented 11 hours ago A Adele Vermont 11h ago Unfortunately for urban dwellers, dog parks may be their only option. They are also contaminated with germs and parasites, so there’s that to contend with as well. Dog parks with more open space at least allow the dogs some breathing room so they don’t have to so over-stimulated. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag michjas commented 11 hours ago michjas michjas Phoenix 11h ago I have always let my dogs roam in wide open spaces. Mostly i take hikes on trails that are virtually empty. In the process, i have gained voice control—they come when called. And it helps that i don’t have to call them often. Our communication is great because they’re doing what they want to do. Nothing is guaranteed of course but there have been few problems in 20 years—one bad encounter with a cactus and one instance where the dog found a way into someone’s yard. Trainers are forever preaching that dogs are happiest when being told what to do. I don’t dispute that they are happy when well trained. But they are also happy to be allowed the leeway to roam as they please with limited, but effective, control by their owner. And now for dog parks. I hate them. For me and my dog they aren’t even remotely open spaces. They are confined. As for the socializing, not much of it seems fun for my dog. After all, dogs are pack animals and that causes problems when there are so many dogs. There is only one dog park behavior that I particularly like—that’s when a small number of dogs engage in play behavior. And that’s why I occasionally enter a dog park. Once or twice it has worked. But far more often the dog makes clear to me that she wants to leave. As for dogs who stay in a dog park and engage in negative behavior, i assume that is because dog and owner lack communication skills. There are lots of owners who tell their dogs not to do what they are doing who are totally ignored. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag WZ commented 11 hours ago W WZ USA 11h ago I like dog parks but I know some people don’t. How you visit them makes a difference. I’ve always had medium to large sized mutts w varying social abilities/personalities. Here’s my approach. I start by taking a leashed walk around the park/neighborhood before visiting the dog park zone. I give my dog space but I keep moving through the park rather than staying stationary. I don’t stay too long unless the space is made up of trails and fields. I end my excursion with another leashed walk in the non dog park area to de stimulate and re-bond. Go to the biggest dog park you can find, leave if it’s really crowded or if a feisty dog or owner is there. Just go back later. Consider not going once your dog starts to get really old. They might feel too vulnerable. Though I think old big dogs do well the shy/small dog areas. Pay attention to your dog and follow their lead, be nice to humans, keep a sense of humor. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Amy LaSalle commented 11 hours ago A Amy LaSalle Austin 11h ago We have a gorgeous dog park down the street. I wish I could take my border collie more so she could really move out. Her speed after the frisbee is pretty amazing. But, she herds all the littles, people or dogs, and I worry she may nip and get herself in trouble. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Lily commented 11 hours ago L Lily MN 11h ago In an ideal world, all dog owners would be honest with themselves about their dogs' abilities. temperament and social skills and their own handling skills. If the only dogs at parks were well-socialized with other dogs, and dog owners paid attention to their dogs while they played, dog parks would be a wonderful place for owners and pups. Or they can be like this: I had a dog who ended up needing a few stitches after being bitten by an aggressive dog trying to take my dog's ball from him, all while his owner was on a lengthy phone call. When I saw that the situation was changing from tussling to aggression by the other dog, I headed to the dogs to intervene. The dog's owner only then reluctantly got off her phone (voicing her resentment at having to deal with her dog to the party on the other end of the call) and called off her dog. I learned from others at the park that she was notorious for allowing her dog to attack other dogs. One bad apple. I'd been to this particular park with my dog several times, all positive experiences, before I had the bad luck to be there at the wrong time. I avoided dog parks after that. Can't trust people. Can't know if the other dogs are aggressive or not, until it's too late. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Boxerdad commented 11 hours ago B Boxerdad Minneapolis 11h ago Such broad generalizations about dog parks as if they are identical. I've been taking my dog to the Minnehaha Dog Park on the Mississippi River here in Minneapolis for over 20 years. NEVER had an issue, the River helps dogs keep hydrated, and there is a large forested area for romping in the shade. Occasionally a dog goes haywire and that dog and owner are usually banished by regulars like me who sneer at their dog. Overall I've had overwhelmingly positive experiences at my dog park. Please stop awfulizing and catastrophizing all dog parks. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES sjs commented 10 hours ago S sjs Bridgeport, CT 10h ago @Boxerdad Depends on the dog, depends on the dog park The dog park in Farmington sounds like yours. Great for both dogs and people. After the flood of 1955 the town bought out/moved out all the people from that area (people died in the flood) and removed all the houses and turned it into a town park and dog park. There are still floods but nobody gets hurt and there is no damage. Water recedes, land drys out, and it goes back to being a park. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag KGW commented 10 hours ago K KGW Sonoma 10h ago @Boxerdad I know someone whose puppy was killed by another dog at a local dog park. They didn't consider the possibility that their dog would have an overwhelmingly negative experience until it was too late. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Boxerdad commented 9 hours ago B Boxerdad Minneapolis 9h ago @sjs Minnehaha Dog Park also floods. The Mississippi rose about 10 feet or so, inundated the whole area. Large newly forms sandbanks were left behind in the woods where before paths were clear. Open areas are perfect for dog parks. Ours has fencing high up on the ridge and on the flatlands of this area. I also enjoy lengthy tree baths walking the paths into, through and out of the park. Yours sounds like a gem. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES MAJ commented 11 hours ago M MAJ Seattle 11h ago This author is very quick to condemn dog parks for all dogs based mostly on their one, admittedly very bad experience. But reading between the lines, this article basically is saying dog parks are good for some dogs and not good for others, and there will always be a risk of running into irresponsible humans which can also happen when walking a dog on a leash. I have 2 dogs, one loves the dog park and the other doesn’t. I think these parks are a valuable part of urban life where dogs are always going to be around and need safe spaces to run. But they are not for every dog. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Aaron commented 11 hours ago A Aaron Brooklyn 11h ago Dear dog owners- please don't use the rest of the park as your own personal dog park. If you go McGolrick park in Greenpoint at any given time, you will see many people dogs running around with no leash which is illegal, but never ever enforced for some reason. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kevino commented 9 hours ago K Kevino Queens 9h ago @Aaron Because no quality of life laws are now being enforced in Brooklyn. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag KC commented 11 hours ago K KC Berlin 11h ago I love the illustrator Joohee Yoon- great to see this piece for the NYTimes! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag JJ Flowers commented 11 hours ago JJ Flowers JJ Flowers Laguna Beach, CA 11h ago No offense but this is the writer's opinion, one shared by few dog owners. True some dogs do not like a dog park but most do and an owner knows which category their dog falls into upon a single visit. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Sandy Cook commented 11 hours ago S Sandy Cook CALIFORNIA 11h ago Seriously?. Most people are astute enough to know if their dog hates the park. It's a godsend if you have destroyed knees and can't go on long walks. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag L. Bates commented 11 hours ago L L. Bates Muncie, IN 11h ago I recognize only one thing: my yard areas are not a dog park, as some dog owners seem to think. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Dog parent commented 11 hours ago D Dog parent li 11h ago My dog recently collapsed suddenly. We rushed him to the vet and found out he was beyond saving - he had a tumor the size of a watermelon in his stomach. We had to let him go and say good bye as he lay there with that gorgeous, sad face. I took so much solace in knowing that that morning I had taken him to the dog park. It was his heaven. The moment we left the house he started to pull in the direction of the park, hoping to go. He stood guard at the dog park gate, greeting and sniffing every new dog friend. He didn’t want to leave. I’m sure that if there was a dog heaven, for him, it would be the most crowded dog park. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag Mary commented 11 hours ago M Mary Paris 11h ago Never mind dogs! Parks in the US are poorly designed, located, and maintained—to say nothing of scarcity. If there’s no way of making money from it, Americans won’t do it. Bassword values! Ptui. ReplyRecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lawyermom commented 10 hours ago L Lawyermom Washington DC 10h ago @Mary But fortunately, 100+ years ago many places set aside public parks. I don’t know where you have been in the US, but it’s not true everywhere. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag sjs commented 10 hours ago S sjs Bridgeport, CT 10h ago @Mary Oh, well I guess that explains the Emerald Necklaces* of Boston, Central Park in NYC, Griffith Park, Prospect Park, Golden Gate, Forest Park, Fairmount Park, the over 1000 city parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (Bridgeport has two) as well as the thousands of other city parks, 1000's of state parks**, and the National Park System of America. All paid for by our taxes. What were you saying again? *The Emerald Necklace consists of a 1,100-acre chain of parks linked by parkways and waterways in Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts. **Little Connecticut alone has 142 state parks for 32,000 acres Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Nancy commented 11 hours ago N Nancy 22207 11h ago Could not agree more! Thank you for writing this piece. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag No name commented 11 hours ago No name No name earth 11h ago dog parks are the best thing for socializing dogs so they become good citizens. the one at noman is nicely divided for big dogs and small dogs and astroturf, which is much cleaner than sand and gravel. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Juliana commented 11 hours ago J Juliana Milwaukee Wisconsin 11h ago Dogs, especially young dogs, need decompression time. Yes, that's right! and they get it by being off their leash and having a chance to sniff and sniff and sniff to release stress. Obedience training by the Wisconsin Humane Society recommends this especially for urban dwelling dogs. Your article refers to dog parks as smelly dirty places but that's not true for all dog parks. Parks provide socialization for dogs who need it and their owners along with exercise. It is critical that owners watch and maintain their dog's behavior when they visit a park. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Maxwell's Demon commented 11 hours ago M Maxwell's Demon St. Pete 11h ago Reading these comments it is rather easy to tell the animal people from the pretenders. While not always true, it is overwhelmingly the case that bad dogs are the result of bad owners regardless of the breed. It's certainly true that some breeds can be more dangerous than others and owners of those types need to be especially mindful of circumstances that can trigger the animal, however, I do recall learning that more people are bitten by cocker spaniels and chihuahuas than Dobermanns or Pit Bull Terriers. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Marc commented 11 hours ago M Marc London 11h ago For those pet owners who are on the fence regarding dog parks, I would ask them how they feel about being locked up in a tightly confined space with a bunch of strangers? Oh wait! That's a description of the office. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag james commented 11 hours ago J james birmingham 11h ago One of my dogs loved it when she was young. As she aged, she liked it less. Eventually, we quit taking her. The parks can be wonderful! It really depends on your dog. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY RE commented 11 hours ago R RE New York 11h ago @James: You summed it up perfectly. Too bad the author of this piece couldn't. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Renee commented 11 hours ago R Renee Wisconsin 11h ago I live in a community where a number of good sized off-leash dog exercise areas exist. By good sized, I mean that these parks range in size from 20 to as many as 80 acres. All have one or more loop trails, some are open meadows, some have pockets of wooded area. For urban dog owners who want to provide their dogs an opportunity to run off leash in a safe, fenced environment, without violating the leash requirements imposed on most local trail systems, they are wonderful. We also have small, fenced neighborhood parks. These may be the only opportunity some apartment dwelling dogs have to get a little off leash exercise. It's true that the dog park is just not a good fit for some dogs, and that some dog owners need to behave more responsibly. That being said, I wish more trainers and behaviorists would spend time teaching good dog park etiquette instead of condemning all dog parks as dangerous. Simple steps such as moving away from the entrance as soon as you enter the park can go a long way toward reducing conflicts. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Becky commented 11 hours ago B Becky Wisconsin 11h ago @Renee Came here to say this!! The park that I take me dog to is not a small fenced-in canine cocktail party. It’s an off-leash hike in the woods that he loves. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Michelle commented 11 hours ago M Michelle Auckland 11h ago I just don't get the dog thing. Sorry. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Les McQueen commented 11 hours ago L Les McQueen Mount Victoria, Australia 11h ago @Michelle Me neither Michelle. Unfortunately surrounded by the constantly yapping bloody things. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Lawyermom commented 10 hours ago L Lawyermom Washington DC 10h ago @Les McQueen If you have a dog, and are kind to the dog, you will have its love and loyalty for the dog’s life. When your spouse is mad, you had a bad day at work, the kids are complaining, you call your parents who proceed to complain that you never call— the dog won’t care. If you are sick they will lie quietly near you. My Yorker would try to defend us with her life, all 5 lbs of her. To each their own; I don’t get cat people, sports people, nor Beyonce fans. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Les McQueen commented 9 hours ago L Les McQueen Mount Victoria, Australia 9h ago @Lawyermom Fair point, we had a lovely big rescue mongrel for 16 years long ago. Things have changed. Now everyone seems to have one. They are a "thing". The place is heaving with them, designer fur babies with inbred health and personality problems, especially in the city. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES AV commented 11 hours ago A AV NJ 11h ago I used to bring my dog to a lovely dog park in Monmouth County, run by the park system. My dog enjoyed it and I took delight in meeting all the dogs. The people? Not so much. One dog, was making the rounds and his collar fell off whilst playing. I picked it up and noticed that the rabies tag was 3 years old. I asked the owner if he got a new shot for the dog. "Nah. He doesn't need it." WTH? The irresponsible pet owners are out there and your dog can be in danger. Other jurisdictions have dog owners register their dogs and present valid vaccine information to use dog parks. The owners get a swipe card letting them in to the park. Is it 100% safe? No obviously other people can let dogs and owners in but it reduces the amount of irresponsible dog owners. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Christopher Lyons commented 11 hours ago C Christopher Lyons New York, NY 11h ago @AV It's extremely rare for dogs to get rabies now. No human has gotten rabies from a dog in decades in the United States. The specific form of rabies associated with dogs has been declared eradicated here. I have to assume the dog-to-dog transmission rate is also very low, and most cases involve feral or very neglected dogs out in the country. Not excusing the owners who do this, but this is like saying Covid vaccine skeptics mean we should never have ended the pandemic restrictions. It is not practical to make every run use that expensive technology, and do you know of a single dog with a family who has gotten rabies anywhere near you? And why would it only be a a problem at the dog run? And I might mention, if your dog is vaccinated, he or she is protected. One of our dogs was bitten by a coyote in Van Cortlandt Park once--probably not rabid, but just in case, she got a booster at the vet. She was, of course, fully vaccinated, as all our dogs have been. People who wait for perfection before they feel safe will never feel safe. It's no way to live a life. It's certainly no way for a dog to live. And they get so much less time than us to enjoy themselves. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag AV commented 9 hours ago A AV NJ 9h ago @Christopher Lyons Thanks for the explanation(man-splantion?). And I feel safe thank you. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Janet B commented 11 hours ago J Janet B Santa Fe, NM 11h ago More dog parks should be like the Frank Ortiz Dog Park in Santa Fe, NM. It’s 138 acres of arroyos and hills, with miles of off leash walking including a lovely ridge top walk with views over downtown Santa Fe. The only thing it’s missing is running water, some kind of stream or lake for dogs to cool off in, but as it’s almost desert up here that isn’t practical. It’s my dogs favorite place, we can walk for several miles with them bounding about off leash with occasional encounters with other dogs. You can chose to hang around in the busier parts or can go for a longer walk where the canine encounters will be less frequent. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Apollo commented 11 hours ago A Apollo San Francisco 11h ago Dog parks serve a purpose; the best being that I don't have to worry about my dog urinating or pooping on a neighbor's yard. I'm always challenged by dog parks because, among other things, pet parents do a lot a yaking betweeen themselves and pay little attention to the chaos their dog(s) is/are creating. Or, so lazy and inattentive that they don't pick up their dog's poop! Just makes me crazy! I agree dog parks are not for every dog just as some parks are not for every human. (For example, I dislike parks with playgrounds overun with kids so I stay away.) My expensive mutt (one those doodles) pays ZERO attention to other dogs while in the dog park or at the dog beach. He is singularly focused on his ball! A dog fight can break out right next to him (which happened once) and he was completely unmoved by it as he patiently waited for me to throw his ball. He does socialize at doggy daycare because dad isn't there to throw his ball. :-) Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Rene commented 11 hours ago R Rene Montreal 11h ago Animal slavery should stop. Have you ever been to prison? It’s not nice. Freedom is freedom, not a leash or a cage or a house. Want pets in your house? Leave food out. ReplyRecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lawyermom commented 10 hours ago L Lawyermom Washington DC 10h ago @Rene Prison is not nice because prisoners are being punished. Dog ownership should be more like a family, with the dog expected to be the dog. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jeff Bergstrom commented 11 hours ago Jeff Bergstrom Jeff Bergstrom Rockford, IL 11h ago My 14 year old Standard Poodle has gone to the dog park 4-5 days/wk for his entire life and it’s been nothing but a rewarding experience for us both. He loves it and always has. There aren’t universals here! Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY john keeley commented 11 hours ago J john keeley beavercreek oregon 11h ago @Jeff Bergstrom A standard poodle will rarely be the smallest one there , and able to defend themselves. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Vaughn commented 11 hours ago V Vaughn Maryland 11h ago We only took our beagle to a dog park once. He hated it. He just hung around the gate wanting to leave. I think he just preferred being with his people, on the couch, in the air conditioning. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY john keeley commented 11 hours ago J john keeley beavercreek oregon 11h ago @Vaughn He sees himself as a person not a dog , you would be unhappy too to be dumped into a park with yapping dogs . Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Dave commented 11 hours ago D Dave Miami 11h ago Rather than trust a second hand, wrong species opinion, I gathered our two dogs, plus Betsy, the Golden Pyrenees we are dog sitting while her owners are away, and asked them directly. Tap your paw one time if you like the dog park, and two times if you don't enjoy it. Betsy tapped an energetic one time, and the other two dogs, a special needs Spaniel and a mutt of indeterminate breed, both sheepishly tapped twice. So there you have it -- straight from the dogs' paws. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag jaytay777 commented 11 hours ago J jaytay777 San Francisco, CA 11h ago This person knows nothing about dogs. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Diane commented 11 hours ago D Diane Ivins Utah 11h ago The biggest problems with dog parks are the dog owners. Many owners pay absolutely no attention to their dogs. They are too busy chatting up other people. If the dog poops, or is frightened, or eats something bad, etc, etc., its owner doesn’t see it. I am actively involved with my dog at the park, and I’m sure other dog owners think I’m antisocial. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY LW commented 11 hours ago L LW New England 11h ago It's why I go to a private off leash dog facility and reserve an hour or more for just us - no one else is there. Fenced with small agility course. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag RR commented 11 hours ago R RR San Diego, CA 11h ago "A 1996 study by the experimental psychologists David S. Tuber, Michael B. Hennessy, Suzanne Sanders and Julia A. Miller looked at levels of the stress hormone cortisol when dogs were put in a novel environment to see what soothed them more, the presence of a kennel mate or a human caretaker." Guess what else causes cortisol to rise - excitement. I would bet anything that my dog's cortisol level rises substantially when he gets agitated upon seeing me getting ready to take him on his daily outing, which almost always includes seeing other unfamiliar dogs and people - does anyone really believe that's because he is stressed out and would rather just sit at home with me as opposed to being excited to get out and get some stimulation? Is being soothed always preferable to being stimulated, for people or animals? Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES john keeley commented 11 hours ago J john keeley beavercreek oregon 11h ago @RR Stress and stimulation are two different things , one is because you are afraid and one is looking forward to it . ReplyRecommendShareFlag RR commented 9 hours ago R RR San Diego, CA 9h ago @john keeley and they both produce cortisol, the point being that cortisol production doesn't tell the entire story and the idea that you can determine what dogs prefer by looking at cortisol production is misguided. Moreover, the reference in the article shows implicit bias toward reinforcement. ofthe author's pre-existing beliefs. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Johan Buys commented 11 hours ago J Johan Buys Cape Town 11h ago Cars needs licenses and drivers need permits. The same should apply to who can own what dogs in which home environments. I do my nut when I see apartment people with big breed dogs that spend virtually the entire day bar 45 minute walk, if they are very lucky, cooped up in small indoor or patio spaces. Just because you can does not mean you should. One could probably say that parenting also needs permits - not everybody should be allowed to ‘breed’… That pit bull string of comments needs context. Statistically cocker spaniels and chihuahua bite more often - their bites are just less harmful. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Christopher Lyons commented 11 hours ago C Christopher Lyons New York, NY 11h ago @Johan Buys Dog licenses are required in the United States. It's not always strictly enforced, but it's the law, and no dog can be licensed without being vaccinated for rabies. There was a time, long ago, when poor children here lived in fear of their dogs being taken away and destroyed by the authorities, because their parents couldn't afford the license fee. And the fact that you need a license to drive doesn't mean all drivers with licenses behave properly on the road. I am all for law and order, but I think issuing child permits is a policy that could be--misused? Misunderstood, at the very least. There is no direction you can set out in and not go too far. So know when to stop. Okay? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Adele commented 11 hours ago A Adele Vermont 11h ago @Johan Buys Agree. It’s very sad to see active dogs, especially sporting dogs in NYC. I only hope their owners have a country home so they can be in an environment where they get the off-leash exercise they need. ReplyRecommendShareFlag BAR commented 11 hours ago B BAR Michigan 11h ago There are good parks and bad ones. And bad owners can make the difference. Stopped going some years back when I was bit pulling a vicious pot I’ll no one had ever seen at the park off my 9 month old golden retriever, who was playing frisbie with me at the time. Ended up in the hospital. When animal control found the dog, the owner denied the dog bit anyone, then denied it was me the dog bit. Only fessed up when the control officer said he’d hate to see the dog put down. ( which I had said was not necessary)p Haven’t been back since. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Impatient commented 11 hours ago I Impatient Boston. 11h ago Find an excellent dog walker and have your dog join a pack. My 15 yo pooch has been walking with 7 dogs (some come and go over time, but the core group is the same) for about 9 years. They all look forward to seeing each other. The excellent walker/trainer takes integration seriously. They are content, well-behaved with zero aggression. This daily walk is 30-45 minutes, depending on the weather. He gets another 3 walks with me. He loved the dog park, but once he slowed down it became unsafe. Till he was 12-13 we never had an issue. Once he slowed down and couldn’t match the energy of the other dogs, that was an accident waiting to happen. I feel the same way about most kennels. Would never leave my dog in one unless absolutely forced to. A dog sitter at your house is the way to go. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag V. Kerr commented 11 hours ago V V. Kerr Princeton, NJ 11h ago If there is a problem with dog parks, the problem lies with the people not with the dogs. If a dog is intimidated by other dogs, by all means stay away from the dog park. If the dog is aggressive, please stay away from the dog park. If your otherwise friendly dog takes a dislike to another at the dog park, leave. How hard can it be to keep one eye on the dog while talking with other humans, and, if you can't detach from your phone, how hard can it be to keep some portion of your attention on the dog? There is more to say, but it does all come down to the owner's good judgment. For many owners, dog parks are a gift that allows dogs to play off leash in the good company of other dog people. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Tara Lynn commented 11 hours ago T Tara Lynn Oakland 11h ago I used to be an avid fan of dog parks until… the rude awakening where my neighbor’s aggressive dog (who has a history of attacking my dog) happened to be there and struck again. Every animal control officer will tell you they never frequent dog parks. It was sad to give up my perceived routines of freedom but alas, it was only perception. Dog parks are safe until they aren’t. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Emily commented 12 hours ago E Emily Vermont 11h ago My sweet pup sniffs and marks the entire perimeter of our local park, greets humans and hopes to get a scritch from each, and then patiently stands by the gate until I agree to take him home. We stopped going after I was bit by a dog (through my jeans, left a big bruise but didn't break skin) and the owner watched it happen and just called out from her bench "I don't know what's going on with her" and didn't even apologize. Overstimulating for my dog, now terrifying for me. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag BE commented 12 hours ago B BE Oregon 11h ago Notice this is an Opinion piece. One persons view and limited experiences narrowly stated. There are neglected dog parks, bad dog parks and wonderful dog parks. There are good dog owners, bad dog owners and dog owners who should have a cat or goldfish instead. All dog owners can be trained to take better care of their dogs. All dogs do their best, but not all dogs go to heaven. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Unconventional Liberal commented 12 hours ago U Unconventional Liberal Seattle 11h ago "Dog people" are willing to excuse anything in their beloved canines. From this op-ed, we hear about her dog's ear being torn off by another dog, and an owner who refused to even pay the vet bill. That is not good, but it's not nearly as bad as people who allow their dog to bite and threaten humans--like Commander at the White House. My own experience with dog parks, since I never take our Maltese there (he's totally freaked out by the scene), is when I have been near the park just to visit the drinking fountain outside. Two "dog women" had allowed their big dogs (why is it they always have big dogs?) to exit the dog park off leash and go to their minivans. One of the dogs saw me, a bicyclist getting drink of water, and decided I was a threat. He jumped up on my legs, piercing my skin with his front claws, and barked. This freaked me out and I started yelling at the dog. The owner came over, got her "sweetie pie" under control, and asked if I was OK. "I'm bleeding, does that look OK?" was my reply. She shrugged it off and said "You'll be OK." As I dealt with the pus-filled aftermath (dog feces germs are the worst), I thought of how rude and inconsiderate "dog people" are and how they love their dogs more than their fellow humans. If dog parks are bad for dogs, I doubt that will change the behavior of dog owners. It's all about the social scene for them. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Sid commented 11 hours ago S Sid Whiner 11h ago UL I am very much a “dog person” and while I think my doggies are awesome, I make them behave - that’s my job. It’s not “dog people” that are bad. It’s bad “dog people” that are bad. That brush is waaaaay too wide. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 8 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 8h ago @Unconventional Liberal I’m a dog person and my dogs are under control when they leave the house and their yard. I would not excuse bad behavior and they are not little floofs. Why always so vehement about other dogs? ReplyRecommendShareFlag barry moyer commented 12 hours ago barry moyer barry moyer Wash. DC 12h ago I and my friend near daily sit outside her apartment and greet dog-walking neighbors and other passersby with their dogs...we put out water and have treats, often two or three dogs at the same time will gather...never a problem and the dogs are leashed and everyone enjoys the moment. Unlike the dog park, the stress-free atmosphere is welcoming (the dogs recognize us (and each other) as they approach and start pulling their owners, happy to get a treat, a drink and some love. The idea of letting a dog loose in an enclosed area with 10 or 20 other dogs seems risky and I personally would not do it, however tempting. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Jeff commented 12 hours ago J Jeff Atlanta 12h ago Some dogs love the dog park, whereas as others don't have the temperament for it. Dog owners should be attuned to their dog's needs. But come on.....this article paints with pretty broad strokes. Categorically rejecting all use of dog parks based on your own perceptions and experiences is absurd. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES NOW commented 11 hours ago N NOW Massachusetts 11h ago @Jeff Agreed. If you don’t have a fenced yard, a dog park might be the only place your dog can run free or where you can train her to behave off leash. It isn’t always about the other dogs. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag LW commented 11 hours ago L LW New England 11h ago There are private fenced on facilities that one can reserve for "just" dog and owner. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Christopher commented 12 hours ago C Christopher Oakland 12h ago Agreed! If only more dog owners knew how to train and care for their dogs as well as respect other dog and human boundaries then dog parks wouldn't be such a problem. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag C M Cherce commented 12 hours ago C C M Cherce Minneapolis 12h ago The dogs were not over stimulated when we were able to go during off peak hours. Eventually stopped going because many owners weren't that careful about picking up after their dogs. They'd be chatting, star gazing, whatever. Gross to try to walk around the park with our dogs. Got tired of that scene. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag CT1001 commented 12 hours ago C CT1001 New Haven, CT 12h ago Made me laugh. I took our then new small mutt to the local dog run park which is good sized and not heavily populated. My assumption being he needed exercise and socialization. When we arrived he seemed somewhat freaked out by the approach of other larger dogs so I thought I'd move him back to a far corner and give him time to acclimate. Next thing I knew he ran for the fence, squeezed under and took off. I got him back after a 45 minute chase with the assistance of a very nice, very patient young couple who were walking their dog back from the same park. We got him from the pound after he had been picked up wandering downtown and I was terrified for his safety and mine if I returned home to my wife without him. Needless to say we never went back and now over a year later when we approach the block on which the dog park is located, he starts tugging in the opposite direction. Yes dog parks are not for everyone. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag SP commented 12 hours ago S SP CA 12h ago Most if not all comments are from dog owners whose basic utterances are: "Stay away from me!" or " Keep your dog away" or "I want to be left alone". or "pick up after your dog" or "keep your dog on a leash" or etc etc.. ... a closed isolated uptight existence.. ...but dogs will not voluntarily agree to that...they want to live a full life where some risks are worth taking... and...thankfully...they have better chemistry than humans.. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES ellie k. commented 12 hours ago E ellie k. michigan 11h ago @SP Where you been? No many don't want being jumped on by other dogs, getting rolled by a bigger dog who plays too hard. So you've never seen a dog cower behind their owner, refuse to go in the park gate, bare teeth at another dog over a ball? You're like those people who let their dog run loose on preserve trails (ignoring signs to leash your dog) then when the dog charges unexpectedly up to your dog yelling 'he's friendly' giving no consideration to how your own dog is going to react. Reminds me of that guy who went to live with his 'friends' the grizzlies in Alaska, who killed him. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Blush commented 11 hours ago B Blush USA 11h ago @SP I stay away from humans who might bite me, don't you? So I want people who can't be SURE their dog won't bite me to stay away. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag JSG commented 11 hours ago J JSG FLORIDA 11h ago @SP With global warming, the pavement is often well over 100 degrees for walks. Dog park grass is a nice option. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Jim commented 12 hours ago J Jim Mexico 12h ago Definitely, a Click-Bait piece. I lived in Seattle before we had dog parks. The dog police had a great time issuing tickets. Then owners petitioned the City Council and several wonderful parks were created. Our dogs got to know other dogs and make friends. I saw retired friends spending the days there with their friends and dogs. I does take caring dog owners to make successful safe play areas for themselves and their dogs. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag JL Clarkson commented 12 hours ago J JL Clarkson Rancho Mirage, CA 12h ago This article doesn't mention my biggest problem with dog parks -- people who don't pick up their dog's poop -- which also causes health dangers, of course. There's an overused dog park in a nearby town I stopped going to because the regulars will sit in a circle socializing while their dogs are given free rein to poop. I sometimes try to call the dogs' parents' attention to a fresh poop, and most times -- but not every time -- the dog parent is receptive. But still, I'm not the poop patrol. I just got tired of stepping around all the land mines. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Why go? commented 12 hours ago W Why go? So. California 12h ago My vet once told me that she likes dog parks because they bring in a lot of business. And wouldn’t you know she was right! After a visit where my dog found some vomit way at the back end of the park he came home with giardia — a messy and expensive trip to the park. People are so busy talking and looking at their phones that lots of poop and other stuff doesn’t get picked up. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Sid commented 11 hours ago S Sid Whiner 11h ago Why Our one year old terrier mix currently has a viral papilloma, courtesy of my local dog park. Unfortunately I don’t imagine going back once she’s over it. She loves it, but there’s too much stuff going around to chance it. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Cady D commented 12 hours ago C Cady D California 12h ago My dogs love the park and have never been harmed Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Central Squared commented 12 hours ago C Central Squared Portland 12h ago Every professional dog trainer I've used have said to skip dog parks and that they're dangerous. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Michelle commented 12 hours ago Michelle Michelle SFBA 12h ago My small-ish dog loved going to the dog park until the day a herding dog decided to herd her. She did not enjoy it. She ran to me in a panic and jumped into my arms. We never went back. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag MJ commented 12 hours ago M MJ Poughkeepsie 12h ago We have a dog park a few blocks from where I live. I met some lovely people who became friends that I walked with daily. I also met people who had no idea how to manage their animal's behavior. I have a yellow Lab who is the most mellow and friendly beast alive. He was attacked by a large white dog and thankfully a man at the park pulled the other dog off mine. Not five minutes later as I was leaving, the same owner brought her dog near mine again, with the comment, my dog just needs to be socialized. The words were not even out of her mouth before once again, her animal went for mine's throat. We left and I will never return. It's the ignorant jerks out there who should never have gotten a dog that have ruined dog parks. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY ellie k. commented 11 hours ago E ellie k. michigan 11h ago @MJ I belong to a private one. They will have a discussion with problem owners - not always resolved but have asked people to leave. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Fern Girl commented 12 hours ago F Fern Girl East Bay Area, CA 12h ago Yup. Not to mention that which we cannot see: a dense concentration of doggy germs, some of which are pathogens. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag BR commented 12 hours ago B BR Oregon 12h ago We have a dog who doesn’t do well at the dog park, but we figured it out early and don’t take him there. Sadly, not all owners are as in tune with their dogs. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag M commented 12 hours ago M M California 12h ago Not all dogs and not all dog owners do well at dog parks. Agreed. Not all dog parks are good for all dogs. Agreed. There are risks and owners need to pay attention. Dog parks and beaches are delightful, invaluable resources when done well - above all, owners paying attention. I have learned much and shared much with my dog park friends, and my dog loves the parks and beaches we go to. There are plenty we don't go to - owners too busy meeting each other can be a real problem. And some days he doesn't want to or isn't comfortable and we don't go or don't stay. Can he get hurt? Yup, just like I can on my outdoor adventures. That's a risk I take with eyes wide open. But I won't give up hiking, kayaking, driving, walking, etc - I just pay attention and when things look tricky, I stop for the day. People paying attention is key. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Wendy commented 12 hours ago W Wendy Clinton Hill 12h ago Never thought about it this way and just assumed this is what to do with my dog. Makes me think what other things in my life I don’t question and view from another perspective. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Will commented 12 hours ago W Will Brooklyn 12h ago To those of us who have had bad experiences with dogs and are terrified of them, dog parks are a godsend. The dogs in parks across the city that defecate on the grass, attack small children, bother parents with strollers and bark incessantly in otherwise peaceful places really ruin it, so dog-specific parks are important. Please keep taking your dogs there everyone. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Badger commented 12 hours ago Badger Badger Saint Paul 12h ago I'm skeptical. A very few facts seem to go a long way in the world of "Dog Experts", both in training methods and rearing advice. With the possible exception of the "Behaviorists", most training and rearing advice seems to be nonsense. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag michjas commented 12 hours ago michjas michjas Phoenix 12h ago I’ve had 3 dogs over the last 20 years and i have always been able to provide them lots of off leash time, which is great for communication between us. When i call, they come. And they get to follow their interests while keeping track of me. My dogs also have had great senses of direction and have never gotten lost over 20 years. There are some risks but i choose places that are safe and where others seldom go. There are no guarantees, of course, but the benefits of off leash time are huge. So here’s the point. Once in a blue moon i go to a dog park just for variety. And almost every time, the dog is at the gate within 10 minutes, signaling to me that it’s time to get out of there. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag A & R commented 12 hours ago A A & R NJ 12h ago too many people got dogs during the pandemic. many are not qualified to be owners. they need training. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag C's Daughter commented 12 hours ago C C's Daughter Anywhere 12h ago I appreciate articles like this because they make people aware of the risks that dog parks can pose. Most people, even dog owners, don't know much about dog behavior. It's subtle, and many signs of stress in dogs or simply normal behaviors can look like what we perceive as "happiness." Most people think of dog parks as easy, safe ways to let their dogs get out energy and socialize. They don't think about these risks. Many people think that most or all dogs love to play, love to play with any dog, and don't consider the risk of dog on dog agression. All it takes is one bad experience and your dog can get hurt, or learn to fear and become reactive to other dogs. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Christopher Lyons commented 12 hours ago C Christopher Lyons New York, NY 12h ago Year ago, we adopted a big Shepherd Mix, four and a half years old, very friendly, through private channels. He'd been through a bad time, losing his old home, and because his former person was elderly, and not able to take him many places, he'd never had any socialization with other dogs, or much in the way of off leash exercise. He clearly wanted to meet other dogs, brightened when he saw them, but on the leash, there were constant misunderstandings, and he was starting to become hostile to them. He needed to learn how to communicate with his own species. In a city, you can't very well avoid such encounters. We had noticed, before we adopted him, a new dog run had opened near us. I'd always regretted our previous dog never learned how to get along with her own species--there was no dog run near where I lived with her in the Bronx before moving to Manhattan, to live with someone she introduced me to (people meeting significant others via dogs is a very old story). I was worried Max wouldn't do well in a run, but somebody inside who later became a friend, said "Come in, he'll be fine." It wasn't always fine--there were sometimes problems. But because of his time in the run, which he truly loved, and actively sought to enter, Max ended up with a large network of canine and human friends--some of whom took care of him when we had to travel (the humans, I mean). There are no ummixed blessings. Dog runs are a blessing, all the same. The article goes too far. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Scott Cole commented 12 hours ago S Scott Cole Talent, OR 12h ago A funny article, but there are many generalizations that don’t apply to all dogs. Wouldn’t be the first to try to guess what’s going on in a dogs head. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kate commented 8 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 8h ago @Scott Cole “You going to eat all of that?” Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Viola commented 12 hours ago V Viola New York 12h ago Any and every dog is better off in a city apartment than in a cage at a shelter. Always. Rescue. Rescue. Rescue. Don’t buy a dog. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag T commented 12 hours ago T T OC 12h ago Most dog parks are ruined by people who cannot recognize that their dog should not go to a dog park. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag opcanuck commented 12 hours ago O opcanuck buffalo 12h ago A dog trainer strongly advised me against going to a dog park, calling it the "wild west". that description really stuck Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Christopher Lyons commented 11 hours ago C Christopher Lyons New York, NY 11h ago @opcanuck Many excellent dog trainers would strongly disagree. And tell you that things can go wrong just as easily when the dog is leashed, if you don't learn as much as you can about your dog. Which you will never do if your dog is always on a leash. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Peter Savini commented 12 hours ago P Peter Savini Manhattan 12h ago It is much better to take your dog for a walk where he'll meet and greet humans and dogs--but selectively. Your pet should always be under your control, if anything for the training and bonding experience. PS a Times essay also addressed this issue in 2020: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/smarter-living/the-dog-park-is-bad-actually.html Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Taiji commented 12 hours ago T Taiji San Francisco 12h ago Book time at a private dog park near you. This is a growing trend. Many available. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Anita commented 12 hours ago A Anita Oakland 12h ago Come to Berkeley- great dog parks! Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Moi commented 12 hours ago M Moi Here 12h ago I am always sorry for medium large and active breed small dogs who must live in the city. I am hardly an animal rights activist but honestly: if one hasn’t room for one’s animal to roam: do not have the animal. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Norburt commented August 6 N Norburt New York, NY 12h ago Dog parks not a good fit for your dog? Fine, don't take them. Some dogs are social, some not, some aggressive, etc. It's up to responsible owners to assess the needs and personalities of their pet. But where DO dogs belong in cities, if at all? Certainly not in stores, restaurants, grocery stores, doctors' offices, etc. I have seen dogs pee on new clothing on racks in stores, steal candy from a shelf in a drug store, jump onto a chair and take food from a plate at an outdoor cafe, scare children, handicapped, and older people with barking and growling and lunging. The solution is certainly NOT to let them run off leash in parks at all times, accost strange humans, chase and kill wildlife, pee into tree pits, and leave unscooped waste all over sidewalks. I am a dog and other animal lover and have cared for them nearly all my life. It's clear to me that it's dog owners who need training and a place to play safely. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Norburt commented 11 hours ago N Norburt New York, NY 11h ago @Norburt Forgot to mention a "service" dog who barked repeatedly and ran under the seats during a Met Opera in house performance. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Cherolyn commented August 6 C Cherolyn California 12h ago This article is not nuanced - dog parks are great for some dogs and not others; dog parks themselves vary all over the place; and owner etiquette is better in some places than others. I encourage owners to scope out your local parks and decide for yourself. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Christopher commented 12 hours ago C Christopher Worcester Ma 12h ago I agree with this comment. The author’s sledge hammer approach to dog parks ignores the fact that not all parks and dogs are alike. My city has two modest parks the segregate dogs by size. Sometimes they are busier than I might like, or other dogs are not a great match for mine and we don’t stay long. Most times there are only 2-3 other dogs and if they get on well its a hour of fun . And other times we enjoy the big open space all to ourselves. If the author had more varied dog park experiences they might have a more nuanced view, although that might mean sacrificing some of the likes/clicks/comments that a polemic will attract ( mine included!). Reply5 RecommendShareFlag drosophilist commented August 6 D drosophilist Big Blue State, USA Aug. 6 The author makes some good points. I'm sad to learn that dog parks are so bad for dogs! The problem, as I see it, is that dogs need to be able to run around without a leash, and in a city there aren't many places for a dog to run that are safe for both the dog and the surrounding humans. I work on a university campus that has does not allow dogs to run around without a leash. The other day I was riding my bicycle (slowly) on campus when I saw a guy let his dog off the leash and let her run around. Aw, how nice, she's getting her exercise, she looks happy! I thought. Until the dog ran over to me and playfully jumped on my bicycle. I'm sure she wasn't being malicious, but I fell off my bike and scraped my knee pretty badly. The owner was super apologetic and asked me repeatedly if I was all right. I was, because I'm an able-bodied adult. But what if I had been a frail 80-year-old lady, and the fall had broken my hip? A dog (especially a large one) doesn't understand how easy it is to injure someone. This is why we don't let dogs off leashes outside of specified areas, such as dog parks. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag RobC commented August 6 R RobC KCMO Aug. 6 Good article. Lots of problems with dog parks. My dog and I much prefer just going on a walk. Even then, sadly, there are some things to contend with, all caused by irresponsible people. Every city has a law requiring a dog to be leashed and under control of its human, unless in a specifically designated, off leash dog park. And every city requires you to pick up your dog's feces. Everybody knows these laws exist. Yet we see willful violations practically every day. Dogs are great. People, sometimes not so much. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Ellen, RN commented August 6 E Ellen, RN Dunedin, FL Aug. 6 Sadly, the problem is the same as it is with many public activities--people who don't follow the rules. Don't let your dog "greet" a dog just as it enters the dog park, it is intimidating. Don't let dogs surround a hesitant looking dog. Don't mix very large and very small dogs. Definitely don't bring small children to a dog park. And feel free to chat with your friends, but still keep an eye on your pooch at all times. Any sign of aggression and it's time to go. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Chris commented August 6 C Chris Austin Aug. 6 Our (otherwise very sweet) rescued older golden retriever snapped one day at the dog park and attacked a little toy dog (we have theories as to why now, why this victim, but they don’t really matter). We paid the vet bill, of course, but in talking with the vet (whose office was nearby), she said they get at least one dog injured at the park every day. She said it’s a matter of if, not when, your dog gets into a confrontation there. Obviously we’ve never been to a dog park since, but we are lucky to live in a home with a decent size yard and uncrowded streets for walking. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag L commented August 6 L L East/west coast Aug. 6 This piece rally bothered me. Our rescue border collie/Aussie loves a good dog park and it’s a great place to let her run. She’s more interested in herding other dogs than playing with some but just like a playground, some like to run and some like to play together and it’s generally all good, if the owners are paying attention. Speaking of owners, standing around chatting with other people or looking at your phone rather than paying attention to your dog is similar to parents and caregivers doing the same thing at a playground. The writer had a very unfortunate experience at a dog park but that doesn’t mean that all dog parks or dogs or dog owners are bad or dangerous. Too much generalization from one persons experience, sigh. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES LCNYC commented August 6 L LCNYC Manhattan Aug. 6 @L Sure, there's some generalization going on, but the overall message is correct. Your dog may be very happy at dog parks, and that's wonderful. Next time you're there, pay close attention to all of the dogs. I'm always surprised at how many people continue to put dogs who are clearly uncomfortable with the situation back in the dog park, day after day. Your dog is a herder. Are all the "herdees" enjoying their time, or are some of them showing signs they may not be enjoying it? Ears pulled back, cowering low as they flee, whites of the eyes showing? Those are signs of stress, not doggies having a good time. My dog has never been attacked, but I stopped going into dog runs years ago after carefully observing the prevalent atmosphere and general inattentiveness of most dog owners. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag Beth commented 12 hours ago B Beth Waxhaw, NC 12h ago @LCNYC My two poodles (not spoiled, do not wear "outfits", etc.) would think we were punishing them if we took them to a place with dogs off leash and uncontrolled. They have each been knocked over by large dogs who have gotten away from their owners in our neighborhood - that was bad enough! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Central Squared commented 12 hours ago C Central Squared Portland 12h ago @L Border Collies are some of the worst offenders in terms of dog parks because of their herding tendencies. Your dog might want to herd them, but the others don't want to be herded. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Mike commented August 6 M Mike New England Aug. 6 My jack russell thinks he owns the local dog park. He tries to herd all the other dogs, and generally is very annoying. At home, he is sweet as can be. I wonder what goes on in that fuzzy head of his. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Kathi commented August 6 K Kathi montana Aug. 6 The idea (arrogance?) we can take/control another beings life, be it dog, horse, cat, fish, rat, lizard, spider, plant, etc is what needs considering. The incessant breeding of other animals/plants seems to me to borderline perversity. It is wonderful to think animals have a better life because of what we do for them. I argue when looking at the bigger picture of human interactions with animals/life, plus recognizing no one gaf we are destroying resources for more animals/life with our practices to serve our wants over their needs, makes ideas of a good life not a reality for most animals/life in our care and control. We unfortunately have attitudes animals (and everything else) is to serve us not us serve them. A dog park is symptomatic of this perspective. Convenience for the human and city planners. All that said, I would say the park to go to would be relative to the conditions of it. Not all dog parks are equal. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Christopher Lyons commented 10 hours ago C Christopher Lyons New York, NY 10h ago @Kathi Our dog would be amused, could she read your missive, by you saying she serves us. She knows very well we exist to to service her needs. Responsible dog people--and there are many--spend endless hours and quite a lot of money, making sure their dogs are happy and healthy, and yes, we do try to see things from their POV. Because their happiness makes us happy. Dogs are pack animals. In a state of nature, they have leaders. Meaning that if there is absolutely no one in charge, they feel insecure, unsafe. They may defy or ignore human authority at times--it's fun! But they will want it there. I'm a bit confused about the plant comment--what do you eat? Even vegans rely on breeding of plants. One reason I love being around dogs--sanity. They will always be better at it than us. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag DailyDoze commented August 6 D DailyDoze UWS Aug. 6 Dogparks in NYC are now a source of disease because we have too many dogs. Central Park is where dogs are happiest. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Mary commented 12 hours ago M Mary Minnesota 12h ago @DailyDoze As long as the dogs are on leash, no problem. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag DailyDoze commented 9 hours ago D DailyDoze UWS 9h ago @Mary We have off leash hours 9pm-9am. Everyone is happy. People who hate dogs have no business living in NYC where dogs rule. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Chris Plum commented August 6 C Chris Plum Minnesota Aug. 6 Not too mention another hazard if you have a large dog who is not as agile as the average in the dog park: Torn cruciate ligaments -now said to be the most common surgery needed by dogs. I've owned and bred Newfoundland dogs for 40 year and 80% of the torn cruciates I've learned about happened at the dog park. I've never taken any of my dogs, so at least it hasn't happened to one of them. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Dan Frazier commented August 6 Dan Frazier Dan Frazier Santa Fe, NM Aug. 6 When my apartment landlord bought the building a few years ago, one of the first things he did was clear the weeds off a 50x50-foot piece of the property, spread a layer of dirt over it, put chain-link fence around it, and call it a dog park. Since then, it has been "improved" with the addition of a bench, and a few recurring weeds. There are a few tenants who use it with their dogs, but I'm sure it is used by more flies than dogs. I live across from the "park" and I have never had such a fly-problem as I have had here. You would maybe not expect flies to be problem in arid New Mexico, but apparently, when you live near a dog park, flies are an issue. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Sportsdog commented August 6 S Sportsdog Minneapolis Aug. 6 I'm a little surprised that the author didn't attempt to acknowledge that there are different types of dog parks. I have a 14 year old Jack Russell that has been to numerous dog parks. The smaller cage type parks are potentially more hazardous than larger open space parks. We have chosen a park that is over 100 acres along the Mississippi river in Mpls and offers a lot of beach for dogs to swim. I have been told numerous times that my Jack is most calm Jack they have ever seen. There is no way she would be so mild mannered without getting outside running, swimming, and socializing with other dogs. I also believe that dogs age better by weekly using their fast twitch muscles that being off leash gives them. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Reverie commented August 6 R Reverie PNW Aug. 6 I have rescued and cared for up to 8 dogs at a time and all they require is petting, playing, running around and eating. Observing them goofing around looks like dogs, not dogs with imagined trauma and ridiculous stories of "panicking". Dogs are animals, not humans and they do not process as humans. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag AJ commented August 6 A AJ NYC Aug. 6 How about a NYT follow-up on the topic of people who take dogs where they are not permitted/not meant to be, like the situation described in a earlier reader comment. "... Dog owners take their dogs to the Arboretum rather than the nearby dog park. Unleashed dogs urinate on the grass and on flowers. I saw an unleashed dog digging in a section of newly-planted grass with a rope around the edge and a keep off sign. The park manager cannot stop them because the Arboretum is designated a part of the public park" Reply20 RecommendShareFlag rotlefor commented August 6 R rotlefor california Aug. 6 I don't buy it. Dogs love running around. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Southwest commented 12 hours ago S Southwest Colorado 12h ago @rotlefor yeah, til attacked by a big, aggressive dog with an irresponsible owner. Been there. Dog had a lot of anxiety after for a long time Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Just Curiously commented August 6 J Just Curiously Oregon Aug. 6 I have two German Shepherds. They are never off leash in public. I volunteered to build a dog park that I knew I would never use. Discretion is in order. I carry pepper spray always. Mostly to protect my dogs from off leash dogs. I used it once on a loose Pit Bull that had my friend’s leashed dog in an eye lock as it approached in a seriously threatening prowl, oblivious to the desperate calls of its owners. The spray worked as intended and I know I averted disaster that day. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Observer commented August 6 O Observer California Aug. 6 I don't take my pup to the dog park for the reasons mentioned here. It helps that we are lucky to have a backyard where she can chase the squirrels. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag John Mardinly commented August 6 J John Mardinly Chandler, AZ Aug. 6 Your dog is your problem-don't make it my problem. Where there are leash laws, keep the dog on a leash and if you don't like that, tough-travel to a place where there are no leash laws. I have a right to not be assaulted by off-leash dogs when I live in city where leashes are required by law. BTW, pit bulls account for 69% of all dog bite fatalities, so don't tell me your pit bull is a 'good dog.' Reply33 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES NGB commented 12 hours ago N NGB North Jersey 12h ago @John Mardinly My pit bull (with some boxer mixed in) IS a good dog. A VERY good dog. Sorry. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag NGB commented 12 hours ago N NGB North Jersey 12h ago And I should mention that my good Pit-mix dog is almost 8 years old, so I know her pretty well (I adopted her when she was 3 or 4 months old). Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Lauren commented 11 hours ago L Lauren Brooklyn 11h ago @John Mardinly Hey! My pit bull is in training to be a therapy dog: we will visit hospitals, schools and senior citizen centers where he will bring joy to people. I agree dogs should be leashed & Im sorry you seem to have had some bad experiences. I hope you can find a way to let that judgement go, life is too short to spend time being mad about pit bulls - they are not going away. Dog parks - small ones are usually stressful & dirty and we skip, large ones can be good on a case by case basis. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Doug Terry commented August 6 Doug Terry Doug Terry Maryland, Washington DC metro Aug. 6 To express what will be an unpopular opinion (why not?), here goes. Keeping a dog or any other active, outdoor oriented animal in an apartment, much less a small one, seems to me to be a kind of torture. Dog owners sense this, do they not? , wanting to take their dogs out and with them whenever possible, even when going to places not meant for slobbering dogs, like outdoor cafes. The dog park seems like the perfect solution to burn off some guilt. This article raises a vital point: what is more important, human needs or that of the dog itself? My family growing up spent about five years on a very rural farm/ranch. Animals belonged outside the house, not in. We had two dogs but I can't recall anytime a dog came through the door. We had a cat, too, who seemed to like the outdoors so much that she went feral, never to return to our care (this is not that unusual with cats, many will go wild, given the chance). I understand that people love their dogs and feel like they are a close member of the family, sometimes even a substitute for human children. No problem with that, just don't be so in love that you condone anything the dog does and condemn any person for not wanting a big dog to jump up, paws in the shoulders or other intrusive activities. However much you love your dog, understand that others, people, prefer to be left unmolested. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag David F commented August 6 D David F NYC Aug. 6 So far we've been lucky to meet only good dog owners in public places. However, we keep to smaller places where people have dogs. She remains leashed, and responsible big dog owners will be there with their animals controlling their movements and reactions as well. This is how to socialize puppies. Our dog is small, a mini-dachshund puppy, just 5 months old, and very, very playful. It would be the height of idiocy to let her run free in a place with large dogs, where just a playfully misplaced paw could break her back. We let her run free with small dogs she already knows; so far we've found one city park dog run which has separate areas for large and small dogs. She'd love to play with the big guys, but that's just too dangerous. Not only do I want to protect our girl, I'd never place another dog owner in jeopardy by ignoring possibilities. I wouldn't use any dog park which allows any size animal at any time in it even though, as I say, we've met many dogs since our puppy got her full round of vaccinations and, so far, only responsible owners. It's been a pleasure. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY LCNYC commented 12 hours ago L LCNYC Manhattan 12h ago @David F All of the dog parks in Riverside (at least north of 72nd, anyway) have separate small and large dog areas. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Megan Hulce commented August 6 M Megan Hulce San Jose, CA Aug. 6 I am not a New Yorker, but why would someone with only apartment space and no yard acquire a large dog? Or really, any dog. I am equally mystified by owners in California who get a Husky or Samoyed. It's HOT here! Reply22 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES LCNYC commented August 6 L LCNYC Manhattan Aug. 6 @Megan Hulce Large dogs are often lower energy couch potatoes as compared to smaller breeds. I'd much rather my upstairs neighbor get a Great Dane than a Jack Russell Terrier. Also, New Yorkers walk. A lot. I wear a fitness watch, which tells me that my dog and I walk 8 miles a day on average. Most suburban dogs who only have their yards to explore are getting a lot less exercise than my city dog is. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag RE commented 12 hours ago R RE New York 12h ago @LCNYC: exactly right. We had a very large dog (150 pounds) in a New York apartment. People routinely said to me, "I hope you have a big apartment." The truth is that the dog, when inside, needed exactly the amount of space taken by his reclining body, and that's about it. He preferred the cool bathroom tile for his long long naps and overnight. He walked a lot outdoors in all weather, enjoyed the dog run tremendously, and had a lovely life with our family. In a yard he would have been sitting by himself all day. No thanks. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag DJS commented 12 hours ago D DJS New York 12h ago @LCNYC Why do you assume that suburban dogs get " a lot less exercise than your city dog is "? The bottom line is that your dog is cooped up in an apartment much of the time. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES John K commented August 6 J John K Indiana Aug. 6 I think the "Too bad they're terrible for dogs" line in the title is vastly overgeneralizing even if one takes all the author's article points as granted. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Norm commented 12 hours ago N Norm Oklahoma 12h ago @John K I think the line in the title is not generalized enough. My mantra is reminding myself that I don't want to hear a fellow dog owner say to me--or to anyone else--"Gee, I'm sorry. He's never done that before." Reply2 RecommendShareFlag salvatore denuccio commented August 6 S salvatore denuccio milan Aug. 6 Finally someone who agrees with me. I hate dog parks. I hate dog small talks and gossip. I hate the smell. I tried to take my dogs to the dog parks but each time they spent the entire time sitting on my lap or on the bench next to me. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Carrie Moskoff commented August 6 C Carrie Moskoff New York Aug. 6 Most of us dog trainers agree on one thing: Dog parks are basically unsupervised prison yards. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag Peter commented August 6 P Peter Minneapolis Aug. 6 The author here misses a key point, one all dog park haters miss: not all dog parks are the same. Just because your local dog park is a sad, pathetic little postage stamp where you can't do anything doesn't mean they all are. In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul we have many dog parks that are hundreds of acres, meandering through forest, prairies, lakes, rivers and streams. Our dog gets a long off leash walk where he can run, chase a stick or ball, sniff as much as he likes, and get his exercise. He rarely even interacts with the other dogs. It's a shame that this author has bad experiences at dog parks and assumes they're all that way, because they most definitely are not. Find a better park. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag jdr commented August 6 J jdr PNW Aug. 6 To sum it up: if your dog gets along well at a dog park, then you're in favor of them, otherwise you're not. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Libby commented August 6 L Libby Milwaukee Aug. 6 I have never owned a dog. I understand the validity of the negative views about dog parks. One of my favorite parks is popular with dog walkers. I observe many resonsible dog owners who have their pets leashed and clean up after them. There so many dog owners though who allow their pets to be off leash, and sometimes they outnumber the responsible dog owners. Signage throughout the park states dogs must be leashed at all times btw. Dogs are animals, animals are unpredictable. Dogs cannot tell us when they are suffering or agitated. Their body language or behavior may. I was bitten by a dog when I was young, and I have never forgotten. I can usually determine when a geriatric unleashed dog is not a threat. But I get very nervous and angry at the cavalier attitude of dog owners who think nothing of their unleashed dog growling at me as I walk past, or the occasional dog who spots me and runs full speed at me as I sit on a bench to smell my crotch. There's no apology. Usually the dog owner chuckles about the incident or ignores it altogether. I have overheard dog owners say they don't like dog parks, and this article certainly highlights this. Unfortunately, public parks in my community have become dog parks where a maybe only half of the dog owners demonstrate good dog parenting. I feel bad for dogs paraded through hot and crowded street festivals and farmers markets. I'm not anti dog, I'm anti some dog owners. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Dan commented August 6 D Dan PA Aug. 6 Dogs come with all of the personality quirks and defects that humans do. Think back to junior high school and some of the god-awful classmates that you were thrown together with. There are some dog parks that have strict requirements and conduct membership screenings, but most are come-one-and-all affairs that resemble the insane asylums of days gone by. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Dan commented August 6 D Dan Virginia Aug. 6 This opinion piece is merely one side of the argument I suppose. It is the Victor that writes history… it is the opinion writer who decides that which is true. My previous dog loved the dog park and everything about them. The regulars at the park loved them too. My current dog cannot be trusted in one … falls into the second group. So .. the truth I believe about dogs parks is … “it depends on the dog and the owner” Thinking about that … the case for many truths is similar Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jim commented August 6 J Jim Philadelphia Aug. 6 Agreed. Went to one with my girlfriend and her small dog. I immediately sensed it was a dangerous situation for her with other dogs aggressively running up to her. I picked her and left, telling my girlfriend never again. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Lynne commented August 6 L Lynne New York Aug. 6 Many of the dog parks in our area, Troy-Albany, NY, are not fenced. We don’t have the guts to let our yorkipoo Frankie off leash to run with the pack. We also have lots of dog-friendly parks in our area. We frequent these parks and selectively introduce Frankie to numerous dogs. As to whether or not dogs prefer our company to that of other dogs - this is not something that you can generalize. Our male Yorkie, Alexander the Great would drop us to be with another dog in a heartbeat. Our female Yorkie, Catherine the Great, was not that crazy about other dogs. Frankie is very selective about dog friends - he would throw us over every time for a certain Yorkie, “Snoop” . He and Snoop cry when they see each other. It is real dog love. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag PJM commented August 6 P PJM La Grande, OR Aug. 6 Nope. "Skipping the dog park" amounts to a simplistic dismissal of one of the options city dwellers face. Is it really better to walk a dog around the block? This is the question tat this piece does not address. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Miller commented August 6 M Miller Oregon Aug. 6 I’ve had dogs my whole life, and it’s obvious that even though a dog may politely meet another dog, it doesn’t mean they want to be thrust into a “play” situation with them. You want a socialized dog—they behave well towards other people and dogs—but I have never had a dog that didn’t prefer my company above all others. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Jeff commented August 6 J Jeff Washington Aug. 6 As with almost everything with dogs, it depends on dozens of factors. To outright declare "They're Terrible for Dogs" is a little click-baity. It depends on your dog. It depends on the other dog-park regulars. It depends on how often you go. It depends on how long you stay. It depends on the size of the dog park. It depends on the number of dogs there. And mostly it depends on your ability to read your dog. The one-size-fits-all slant of this article just exacerbates the divisiveness she mentions at the beginning. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Central Squared commented 12 hours ago C Central Squared Portland 12h ago @Jeff What you're saying is exactly the point of the article. Dogs and dog parks are unpredictable and you never know what you're going to get. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jeff commented 11 hours ago J Jeff Washington 11h ago @Central Squared True, if you are a zero-risk type of dog owner, you probably shouldn't take your dog to the dog park. ReplyRecommendShareFlag kkm commented August 6 K kkm Ithaca, NY Aug. 6 My scotch collie was raised with five dogs but little human contact until she was 14 months old. Then the owner returned her to the breeders-- she is shy of humans and loud noises. The dog park here in Ithaca is heaven for her. It is big and green and she can play chase with other dogs, in a way that as a human I can not. She's been watching other dogs play fetch with their humans, but can't quite figure it out. It's also a place where she can approach a human from the side, touch a hand and bounce away. Lately, she's actually letting humans pet her! -- When there is a dog she doesn't like she comes and sits with me, and gives that dog a wide berth. She had dog friends there. I wish trainers would have lessons at dog parks (reserve them for a half hour sign up?), to educate the humans on acceptable interaction and responsibility. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag centipede commented August 6 C centipede Chicago, IL Aug. 6 Dog parks seem to be quite fine for my 6yo, 65lb spayed female lab mix. She plays by herself (mostly) or she plays with the other dogs. If another dog bothers her she runs away and the aggressor can never keep up (and loses interest). Unfortunately, the local dog park is hot and dusty in the summer and muddy the rest of the year. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Jessica F commented August 6 J Jessica F Connecticut Aug. 6 Wow. So many judgmental people. We’ve had overall good experiences with dog parks over the years, and our dogs love them. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t go. Most people we’ve met are engaged, hyper-aware, and responsible. I guess we’ve been lucky. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Dennis Paden commented August 6 D Dennis Paden Memphis, TN Aug. 6 The comments were much more informative and illuminating than the column. If I'm an NYT editor, based on the energy here, I'm thinking about a weekly "dog & cat" column so that "experts" and readers can go at it like cats and dogs. Great way to pass an hour, especially the whacked out comments. Keep the NYT weird. More pet owning content, please. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Kferg commented August 6 K Kferg RI Aug. 6 If its " bouncing off apartment walls", it doesn't belong in the city – it' exists for the owner/ misery for the animal. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Wade Burtch commented 12 hours ago W Wade Burtch Pittsburgh 12h ago @Kferg any loving home, of any size, is preferable to a shelter. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag DC commented August 6 D DC South Florida Aug. 6 My guy loves it but we don't go in if it is overcrowded. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Melanie commented August 6 M Melanie Columbus Ohio Aug. 6 The dog parks are pretty far away from where I am in the city, but one day I took my beloved Storm to the park, thinking this would be nice for her. It had all the things, lots of space, different terrain. Well behaved dogs even. Storm stood next to me the entire time, and this was a dog who raced wild whenever you unclipped her leash or when we visited my uncle's farm. Every once in a while, she'd just look up at me until finally I said: Wanna go home? Most excitement of the entire trip. She's been gone a year and I still remember that look, like she might have been happier getting a bath. 😊 Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Lingrin commented August 6 L Lingrin Ft. Lauderdale Aug. 6 I tried a dog park with my Heinz several times. He was tentative, looked back for me, somewhat of a loner each time. If it doesn't work for your dog, as it didn't for mine, just don't go. I think this is especially true if your dog is a rescue, again, as is mine. You don't know their history, their story, and their unwillingness to engage with the freedom of a dog park is all you need to know. Your dog needs you more than anyone or anything, other canines included. A leash, some poop bags, and a nice long walk each day is better than a dog park for my dog. It's good for me, too. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag M F OBrien commented August 6 M M F OBrien South East Aug. 6 Dogs like consistency and leadership. Training a dog properly is hard work and it never stops. Once you’ve spent time with a well trained dog you’ll realize that a lot of what you interpreted as “joy and excitement” is actually anxiety. I’m lucky in that we have a park that you can rent large runs in. They are secure and you can control who is in the run when you’ve reserved it. This allows you to create a social circle for your dog. We have play dates with friends of similar age and size. Funny thing is, the dogs greet each other and then largely go about their own business and ignore each other. My dog has excellent recall so I can take her to friend’s places with acreage and let her go into 5th gear. Lastly, if you walk your dog on a retractable leash, you’ve taught it to pull on you and now have zero chance of having a well trained dog because there is no consistency or leadership in that. Some cities have begun limiting the use of them in public areas. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Dany commented 11 hours ago D Dany nj 11h ago @M F OBrien Retractable leashes are very dangerous , I witnessed a friend's dog lunging to cross the street to greet me and barely missed getting hit by a coming car . Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 Unleashed dogs are a lawsuit looking for a place to happen. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Bucketomeat commented August 6 B Bucketomeat The Zone Aug. 6 Much the same could be said about kindergarten. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Susan M commented August 6 S Susan M Tucson AZ Aug. 6 My dog was almost killed at a dog park. Actually, we were between the car and the fenced-in area when a loose dog came running up, grabbed my small dog, Pierre, by the throat and shook him until he went limp (and the dog let him go). Pierre lived another 10 years after that so it's a happy ending but if he hadn't played dead, the dog would have continued shaking him until he was. The severe puncture wounds around his neck required antibiotics, two drainage tubes, etc. My happy dog got over the incident pretty quickly but I remained traumatized by the helplessness I felt watching the event unfold. I've never gone to a dog park since then. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Norm commented 11 hours ago N Norm Oklahoma 11h ago @Susan M what about the part where the loose dog's owner said, "Gee, I'm sorry. He's never done that before." Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Darth Vader commented August 6 D Darth Vader Cyberspace Aug. 6 This article has almost no real data, only a few of the author's personal anecdotes and suppositions. What are we supposed to learn from this? Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES BR commented August 6 B BR Massachusetts Aug. 6 My thoughts exactly. I don't need/use a dog park where I live. Lots of open space for me & my Golden Retriever to go Mountain biking but I think this all depends on the specifics of the dog & the dog park. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Armadillo commented August 6 A Armadillo Virginia Aug. 6 @Darth Vader It only takes ONE event to seriously kill or maim your beloved dog. We moved from the country where our dogs could roam freely to the city. We tried a dog park a few times, but felt as was pointed out there were just too many uncontrollable factors, including our own dogs. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Norm commented 11 hours ago N Norm Oklahoma 11h ago @Darth Vader Don't go to "dog parks." ReplyRecommendShareFlag Sue commented August 6 S Sue Conn Aug. 6 Dogs are great when trained properly Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Sharen commented August 6 S Sharen Encino Aug. 6 this reminds of the retractable leash - people who have them have no idea how awful they are Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Realist commented August 6 R Realist Eugene OR Aug. 6 Ms. Iovine is a very insightful dog person Reply3 RecommendShareFlag betsy commented August 6 B betsy San Francisco Aug. 6 Dog parks can be a problem but for some dogs, cooped up all day in a small area, it's the only time they get out and get to see other dogs. Those poor unfortunates come into the park wound up with energy needing to be released. Bad owners gleefully dump them there and get on with socializing with other owners or communing with their phones. Dogs need and love other dogs. You aren't enough. ideally a dog on a daily basis should be allowed to walk, have multiple opportunities for ablutions, be given time to "scent" - sniff, think and mark - and play and be played with. Dogs are mostly short changed. They are the best of what life has to offer. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Susanna commented August 6 S Susanna Seattle, wa Aug. 6 Thank you. My own dog loves the dog park—she’s a highly sociable balance/mobility service dog who benefits from zoom time outside. But it’s distressing to see many owners who let very young or submissive dogs get bullied. I was a Karen the other day, noting how scared a young, cringing dog was as a bigger dog barked at and stood over him. Offered to join them in the small dog area. His owner said she doesn’t want a dog who won’t stand up for himself, and the big dog’s owner yelled at me and said her dog needs to get bitten so he learns limits. I should have kept quiet, but dogs deserve better. She knew he was afraid and didn’t care. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag VK commented August 6 V VK NYC Aug. 6 This article is clearly one sided but I know exactly where the author is coming from: NYC dog parks are not always a relaxing place for dogs or humans. I can only speak for Manhattan but there seems to be a surprising number of irresponsible / ignorant dog owners. My dog is a Doberman and when someone's chihuahua incessantly barks at or nips or even bites her legs people think it's funny. I don't think they'd laugh if the roles were reversed. Sure, I can think of so many examples of bad or clueless owners but still, dog parks are an environment where many dogs thrive running around, chasing balls, forming playful friendships. Just like everything else in a large urban community, our behaviors are amplified by proximity to each other and not everyone is a good urban citizen. But I think that with some common sense, most of us can figure out how to keep their dogs happy and safe. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag dmanuta commented August 6 dmanuta dmanuta Waverly, OH Aug. 6 My late Airedale/Afghan daughter/dog did NOT think of herself as a dog. People would tell my late wife and I that we were Muffin's pet humans. Muffin's personality was such that she didn't need a dog park. She also instinctively/intuitively knew how to behave around all others. A cousin of ours is blind. When Muffin realized that Renee couldn't see her, a playful WOOF would announce Muffin's presence. Muffin would come over to Renee, sit down in front of Renee, put her head on Renee's lap, and then let Renee pet and love on her. My daughter/dog was protective of Renee and all others whom this canine genius deemed vulnerable. Her judgement was impeccable and on point. Muffin didn't need a dog park. And I am truly pleased when others, whose lives were touched by this fur baby, remind me of their Muffin Tales. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag A Spiegel commented August 6 A A Spiegel Santa Monica CA Aug. 6 I learned about dog parks the hard way. I took my then-1 year old newly adopted rescue (who had been trained and socialized in her prior fostering) to many of the dog parks in Santa Monica and she turned from a submissive dog into an aggressive one after being attacked/bothered by other dogs (whose owners were oblivious and not watching their dogs). Much later, when I talked to a trainer, she said that dog parks weren’t good for dogs and she advises people not to go as it teaches bad behaviors. I’ve seen dog fights and people fights in the dog park. Men actually chest butting each other after some dispute over their dogs! Also saw a man put his hand in to break up a dog fight and get bitten. (You learn to never put your own body part between fighting dogs if you can help it.) People totally ignoring their dogs. Parents ignoring their young children who could be in danger from aggressive dogs in the park. For so many years, when we walked past dog parks, my dog would pull me towards them because she LOVED running and jumping for balls at the park. I am left with having to deal with her sometime aggressive behavior to other dogs. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Bill commented 11 hours ago B Bill Earth 11h ago @A Spiegel So....it sounds like a dog park is not an option for you. All dog owners should use their own judgement. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag JeffP commented August 6 J JeffP Canada Aug. 6 We are lucky where we live as we have nearby a large 10 acre fenced dog park with paths and lots of grass to play on or run after balls. Not always, but for the most part, people are responsible with their dogs, that the dogs also are very happy to socialize and run with each other. In fact many of them are regulars and know and play with each other as soon as they arrive. It’s great to have a place like this for people that don’t necessarily have the room otherwise and it’s often social time for the owners as well. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag CM commented August 6 C CM CA Aug. 6 I think it depends on the dog park. I’ve been fortunate to live in areas with very large dog parks that include long hiking/walking trails and big open fields. My dog would visit with other dogs briefly, but he loved it for chasing balls, which he could do endlessly. I’m not sure what kinds of dogs the author is talking about in terms of not needing more exercise than a walk in the city. My dog needed to run, and I am grateful that we had open spaces to do so. I agree that the smaller dog parks can be harder to navigate safely. It would also be more convincing to include some data/stats to back up these claims (I.e., how “dirty” is an average dog park in measurable terms?). Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Larry commented August 6 L Larry Oakland, CA Aug. 6 As a decided counterpoint to what's offered as a dog park: here in the Bay area, there are a couple of really great areas to let your dog off leash: Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, which is about 90 acres and overlooks the bay and has a sizable portion devoted to an unfenced area for dogs of all sizes. (They are fascinated by the ground squirrels and will stick their noses into the burrows.) Your dog isn't interested in other dogs or is intimidated by them? You can walk about on the paths cutting through the rolling hills and the dog can romp through the underbrush, accompanying you until your ready to go. There's also Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park - more than 20 acres - in nearby Richmond. Off leash again, and your dog is presented with a range of options that includes exploring what's in the grasses/brush - balls abound so bring a chucker with you if they're ball crazy - or romping with others or just walking with you. True, following the rains, there are ruts in portions of the paths that turn into mud holes - otherwise known as "Lake Oh No!" - which the dogs love to roll in and cool off. Or there are lots of places for them to get into the water and take a swim. If your dog gets too dirty, you can end your walk at Mud Puppies, which will wash and dry your dog off. (Appointments are recommended.) While your waiting for your dog, you can always get a nice nosh at the adjoining Sit and Stay Cafe next door. These parks are a great gift to us all. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag JimmyG commented August 6 J JimmyG San Francisco Aug. 6 I don't think this is a yes or no answer. So the dogs running around are really saying they want to leave? I don't know about that one. We take a hike where the dog park is w/in view, so if he doesn't want to go in we don't. Most times he wants to pop in for a second. Then, he lets me know when it is time to go. If I tell him we have to go , I usually get the "can't we stay?" look. .....Plus, that is is safe pooping space. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Carlyle T. commented August 6 C Carlyle T. NYC Aug. 6 I can't say "Party Pooper" but I will...:-) Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Alison commented August 6 A Alison CT Aug. 6 We had a Golden Retriever who was the best dog who ever walked the Earth (I know, we all say that). She got plenty of walks, had free range of a fenced 1/2 acre back yard, and loved to play with other dogs in our neighborhood. She HATED the dog park. Tried a few times and she always ended up cowering between my legs while the other dogs ran around like wild animals. My kids loved the dog park so they could pet other nice dogs, but we soon realized that there was an accident waiting to happen - not to mention that poor Lucy hated it - so we stopped going after a few visits. I never really got it until I read this article! Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Alonzo Quijana commented August 6 A Alonzo Quijana Miami Beach Aug. 6 A lot depends on the dog park. The one downstairs near me is pretty quiet, no more than three or four dogs at a time. Most of the dogs are known to my pup. The city does a great job on maintenance. There are sections for small and +30 lb dogs. So low stress for owners and dogs. That said, as she gets older -- now a healthy nine years old -- I think she prefers more walking on the leash and less ball fetching and running about, especially in hot weather. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Eloise commented August 6 E Eloise San Francisco Aug. 6 San Francisco has a wonderful dog park up the hill from our house. It’s big, nice dogs, nice people and I love to start my day there. (Upper Douglass dog park). Reply3 RecommendShareFlag historical facts commented August 6 H historical facts Arizona Aug. 6 I know the author does not write the headlines, but whoever wrote this one leaves the impression that all dog parks are terrible for dogs. While I agree with some of the points about urban dog parks, those a few miles outside the center city can be quite luxurious. I don't claim to read dogs' minds, as the author tends to do, but there are a lot of dogs who love the 21-acre, $1.574 million playground (plus $80,000 annual maintenance) in far North Dallas, Texas. There's even a man-made pond with a doggie beach. My ex-racer greyhounds had lots of room to strut their speed. And they can't wait to get there. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Cathy commented August 6 C Cathy Idaho Aug. 6 I think the size of the dog park has a lot to do with whether it's a good one or not. I live in a small town with an enormous, 25 acre "dog park" that is just a giant green space belonging to the university here. Not overly crowded, dogs do very well there: they play and fetch, run free, engage with each other or not, or just walk with their owners. The size is the key I believe. It is also unfenced. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Older commented 8 hours ago O Older NYC 8h ago @Cathy Clearly the responders from Idaho and Colorado have a quality of life that renders this piece moot…y’all live in heaven. Sigh. ReplyRecommendShareFlag gary ludwig commented August 6 G gary ludwig waterloo CA Aug. 6 We took our dog to a trail in a wooded area that had a large dog park beside the woods. A week later, we had to take our dog to the vet where we found out the dog had contracted Kennel cough. Kennel cough is very contagious and our dog definitely caught it from the nearby dog park. I would never take our dog to a dog park where this disease is rampant. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Norm commented 11 hours ago N Norm Oklahoma 11h ago @gary ludwig Good chance that all dog parks are "rampant" with kennel cough, or some other disease. ReplyRecommendShareFlag G commented August 6 G G Duluth Aug. 6 I’ve lived with 13 dogs over just the past 30 years. Most were adopted or rescued. Some were great and some I could never trust around other dogs or people. There were no dog parks, but 3 million aces of woods! There were when I got Zeke, a lab mix. I took him to the “big dog” dog park when he was 8 weeks old. He learned his dog and people manners very quickly. Later, he focused only on me (and his ball!) The next two rescues I did the same thing. Only a few trips and those dogs were completely socialized. Easy peasy. But, I did find it dangerous for me. A crazy young Husky accidentally barreled into the back of my legs and broke my fibula. I needed help to get to a bench first, then a car trip to urgent care. The dog that hit me seemed very concerned, but the dog’s owner never said a word although they saw the whole thing. As has been my experience, dogs are better people than people are. That was the end of my dog park days. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Michaleeny commented August 6 M Michaleeny Georgia Aug. 6 like my son who once worked at a community summer children 's camp, said " its not the kids that are the issue, its the parents" Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Janine commented August 6 J Janine Jersey City Aug. 6 Our dog has 5 walks/day. Two are long walks. Our dog is trained. Continues to be trained. We gage a large dog park in our area where it's near the river. She goes in and out of the park with river time. She is social and craves that exchange with fellow dogs and has her own little group she meets with at this particular park at a particular time. She meets dogs where they are at behaviourally and is a great mediator between dogs. But I understand we are fortunate behaviour-wise. I'm sure our luck will run out in light of many irresponsible dog owners we encounter in these settings (and avoid because we keep engaged at the dog park at all times). We gage and leave. But totally respect what the author is saying. What baffles me is the dog owner who is clearly not aware of the responsibilities of having a dog. Pack that in to a dog park and you're asking for trouble. We have never seen a bad dog that doesn't have a bad owner. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Otherwise commented August 6 O Otherwise Washington, DC Aug. 6 I've had two dog-park dogs, which includes my current 47-pound well trained, mannerly, sometimes aloof mutt. My previous herding dog had to leave the dog park at age two when she appointed herself bouncer. My dog park is in a city adjacent to a major US city. I take her morning, noon and night. For the past 2 years, no fights. Rarely there's been bad chemistry with another dog; when it happens we leave. I do enjoy the dog park as much as my dog does, and we love seeing our dog park buddies on neighborhood walks. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 I used to go in CA in the 90's. It was fun and in open areas. The dogs had fun and the people were decent. Once I moved to Colorado the same but the experience degraded with people who had no clue about their dogs or how to handle or train them. Have not been in one for 15 years or so. Due more to the owners than the dogs. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Lorraine Broertjes commented August 6 L Lorraine Broertjes Fort Lauderdale, FL Aug. 6 We stopped going because of the owners who look at their phone and not their dog, and who blithely ignore it when their dog does its business in the park. The owners need training more than the dogs do. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag CFXK commented August 6 C CFXK NH Aug. 6 "For urban dog owners with a live-wire canine bouncing off the apartment walls..." No need to read beyond this opening clause. If such unsuitable living conditions are what you are subjecting a dog to, then you shouldn't have a dog. The dog will be much happier and better off without you. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @CFXK Why do people need to opine. Well it is ok if they do as long as they do not do so to dog owners. My first dog as a an adult lived in the city. He was a happy guy and eventually we moved to a more country setting. He lived a long and exciting life. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Cheryl La Cornu commented August 6 C Cheryl La Cornu Sacramento, California Aug. 6 I live in a beautiful area of the city, covered with trees that are hundreds of years old, and houses that were built in the 1930’s. Curtis Park in Sacramento is know for it’s older homes and a mixture of people that are educated, politically motivated, and active in the arts. It has also morphed into an affluent neighborhood. Most home owners are older, with houses staying within families instead of being put on the market. My house like most of my neighbors has a tiny backyard, with fruit trees and small gardens. On the outskirts of Curtis Park a developer has built houses on what used to be a contaminated railroad yards. Some of these new neighbors bring with them ideas better suited for housing with a homeowners association. Conflict between neighbors with or without dogs has grown into a movement, regarding the purpose and use of the Sierra 2 Green. A dispute between dog owners and those individuals without dogs has grown. Neighbors have proposed a new agreement to share the green space, that would allow each group to share the space. This proposal Thirty years ago a proposal agreed to by the city and worked.This proposal was presented to the city as a dog training area and not as an official dog park. For thirty years, this agreement worked until new neighbors joined the neighborhood. Now our movement morphed into: Sierra Two Green COMMON GROUND Shared Space Builds Community ew neighbors ReplyRecommendShareFlag Cathy commented August 6 C Cathy Boston Aug. 6 The author couldn't be more right. The problem with urban dog parks is that the vast majority of dog owners have no idea how to train or control their dog. So you might be a fantastic dog owner, but when the well-meaning jerk brings their aggressive traumatized shelter dog with absolutely no training into the park, your dog may be toast. I hate off leash experiences for that reason - as well as people who basically walk their dog off leash with one of those super long leads. The problem with socialization is actually one that happens long before the puppy is 4 months old. There is a time in the litter when puppies are horrible to each other, from maybe 6 to 10 weeks, they are little cujos. From getting attacked they learn not to attack. It is a very important time, but many dogs don't get that experience. Check out the monks of New Skete. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag James commented August 6 J James Canada Aug. 6 Dog parks are for lazy dog owners. Take your dog for a walk on a leash around your neighbourhood or through a park. They need sensory stimulation more than group therapy in a dirty grass worn dog compound. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Tom Isenberg commented August 6 T Tom Isenberg New Jersey Aug. 6 I agree wholeheartedly with the article. Dogs need exercise, especially larger dogs. Take your dog for a long walk if it suits the breed or shorter if it doesn't. Walk briskly at times. Doing so is good exercise for your dog, and for yourself. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Ari commented August 6 A Ari NYC Aug. 6 Well this is sad. I guess its no surprise— cities are terrible for dogs. THey're not even that great for humans I live in the suburbs and regularly take my extremely happy and social lady dog to a dog park. She loves it. Never more than 6 dogs there at a time. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Doug Lowenthal commented August 6 D Doug Lowenthal Nevada Aug. 6 In “The Hidden Life of Dogs”, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, renowned anthropologist and animal whisperer, argues that what dogs want most is the company of other dogs. They need an established hierarchy based on dominance, in the home and in feral packs. However, a dog park is a transient affair that upsets whatever equilibrium exists in the home. Not a good idea for my 12 lb Poodle or her vassal, a reticent 56 lb Golden Doodle pup. The little one worries about getting stomped on. The big one didn’t really mingle well at doggie daycare and wound up stressed out. One thing is for sure: they prefer us the most. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Georgia L commented August 6 G Georgia L Kirkland WA Aug. 6 Thank you for this article.I have had dogs all of my adult life, and have almost always avoided dog parks, regarding them as a recipe for disaster. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Theora Johnson commented August 6 T Theora Johnson Portland, Me Aug. 6 The key point here is that the writer's dog was attacked and the attacking dog's owner is irresponsible. There are legal remedies; I recommend this. My dog was harassed by an aggressive dog whose owner was negligent. We left, but went back until the fear subsided. We leave if it's very crowded, as that's just too much for many dogs. The local dog parks have advisory boards who can really help. Dogs need to have off-leash time, run, play. Many of us have limited options other than the dog park. I'm sad for the dogs I know who get 2 solid walks a day, but never get to really run or have a little freedom. I had one dog who was miserable and ill-behaved without a good romp several times a week. Every dog I've had is clearly so happy to have a a bit of freedom, if only for an hour. Be a responsible dog owner. Train your dog. Don't be a jerk. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Bill commented August 6 B Bill NYC Aug. 6 Hmm, couldn't the same be said for children's playgrounds? Pay attention to your dog, make sure you know what they like and don't like and put their well being as a priority, its pretty simple. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY horseshowmom commented August 6 H horseshowmom VA Aug. 6 Dog owner, parent, and teacher here. No, playgrounds and dog parks are not the same. For one thing, it is the rare parent who isn't supervising their kids at the playground, and it is a teacher's job to watch during recess. More importantly, kids need unstructured play time in order to develop independence. Dogs? Not one of mine likes/ liked group play, although they are perfectly fine around other dogs. They want to interact with me. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jane commented August 6 J Jane OR Aug. 6 I would like to make the point that you, as a dog owner, may think you “know” your dog, but actually may not. I was attacked by a neighbor’s “beloved family pet” while strolling down a residential street. The dog ran out its front door, over the front lawn, over the fence, and across the street to attack me. Put me into the hospital for two days with a huge chunk missing from my forearm. I took the owner (and the dog) to court, requesting the dog be put down- this was very distressing to me because I love animals and advocate for their protection regularly. The owner brought 35 affidavits to court stating how wonderful the animal was. My reply was “your dog ’snapped’ day.” The court declared the dog “vicious” and the owner was required to post a sign declaring so in their front yard, among other court orders. My point: You really may NOT know your dog. I’d be particularly wary if it is a breed with a strong herding and/or prey instinct. Training (owner and dog) may help, but in my experience, the average owner is not adequately prepared for these scenarios. One thing is for sure: You won’t find me at a dog park! Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @Jane All dogs should be supervised and not have access to be able to do that. As a dog owner as soon as I see the dog in the driveway or front yard on a walk we turn around. As it is too dangerous. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Me commented August 6 M Me us Aug. 6 @Jane Thank you for taking the time and expense to take the bad dog and owner to court. I hope you reamed their insurance. And yes there are bad dogs as well as bad owners. Dogs seem to bring out the worse in humans. First, why do so many apartment dwellers own dogs in a compressed city? No place for a dog, and ick all those dogs in the elevators, on the stairs, pooping and peeing on every last shrub and blade of grass. Gross. These dog owners sound like misguided parents as they personify their furry beasts. Every time I see a cute dog and think just maybe, I quickly remember the neediness, the food vacuuming as they prey you will drop a crumb, dog stuff everywhere, vet bills, poop bagging, and urine everywhere. No thanks. My grandchildren are better. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around 12h ago @Me It is called freedom. They are free to have dogs and love them and know they have to care for them and clean up after them. You are free to prefer your grandchildren. I dislike younger kids. I find them annoying. Teens and up I can have a conversation with. If I encounter them, young kids, I am polite and nice and do not judge the people who decided to have them. None of my business. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag WSG commented August 6 W WSG Santa Ana Aug. 6 Dog parks can be tough for some dogs but the owner is supposed to pay attention to their pet. If the dog isn't happy, find something else to do with him or her. It's not the dog park that's the problem, it's the owners. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Ariana commented August 6 A Ariana Tucson Aug. 6 In AZ, dogs are not allowed on most National and State park trails (there are a few exceptions, but not many), and it's hard to find lots of alternatives for running around other than dog parks. We have 2 dogs, same breed, best friends. One loves the dog parks, one doesn't. So we go sometimes and let the one run with the other dogs, and play with the other one while sitting on a bench. Not so different from kids actually, different strokes for different folks. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag LibAgainstNarcisissm commented August 6 L LibAgainstNarcisissm Los Angeles Aug. 6 The benefit of dog parks far outweigh the problems. Consider how dogs are genetically geared to want to roam, sniff and socialize. Depriving them of that is cruel, and in many areas, a dog park is the only outlet to exercise their true nature. In Los Angeles, many dog parks are divided into areas for big rambunctious dogs and small / shy dogs. This minimizes problems tremendously. But don’t deprives doggies of dog parks. It would be like not allowing us humans to go to a party or see friends. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Proud Progressive commented August 6 P Proud Progressive Seattle, WA Aug. 6 @LibAgainstNarcisissm No, it is not cruel. Dogs want to be with you. You can take them on walks, hikes, or just play with them. Dog parks are a great way to get them sick or injured. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented August 6 H horseshowmom VA Aug. 6 My dog hates dog parks. We walk at least 3 miles a day, and he sniffs to his heart's content. He also has a snufflemat, and we play nose games. No dog needs a dog park, but they do need exercise. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @LibAgainstNarcisissm 7 dogs as and adult. All happy and for the most part long lived save when cancer struck. The pack they associate with is you and your family and friends. I also always have two, three once but too much, and that rounds out the pack. None of it was or is cruel or even close. My dogs have better lives than most humans on this planet. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ted commented August 6 T Ted Spokane Aug. 6 My dogs go to the dog park almost everyday and seem to love it. I am afraid Ms. Lovine is a bit of an alarmist. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lorraine Broertjes commented August 6 L Lorraine Broertjes Fort Lauderdale, FL Aug. 6 @Ted If it works for you and your dog, great. If you have had a bad experience in a dog park, such as your dog being attacked, you will understand why some choose to opt out. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Lover Dudley commented August 6 L Lover Dudley New York Aug. 6 You've not lived your best life until you've lived with a cat that thinks it's dog. I did, for eleven years . Fetched and returned anything thrown for it in the apartment (after fake-killing it, of course). Sat at my feet, in my lap, or on my shoulders more than anywhere else. Slept on my pillow, adjusting her position throughout the night as I adjusted mine. RAN to the door to greet me EVERY time I came home - whether after a ten-hour work day or a seven-minute run to the corner store. Wanted to eat anything I ate. (Went absolutely berserk for chicken) Loved to play "hide and seek" and "tag" with me in the apartment...endlessly...sprinting to and fro, diving under or behind this or that...and the best of all... She LOVED - absolutely ADORED being bathed in the tub with soapy warm water and loved flipping over on her side for belly rubs which, once begun, could last thirty minutes. She was extraordinary. My hairy four-legged daughter. There will never be another. I've remained cat-less since. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Proud Progressive commented August 6 P Proud Progressive Seattle, WA Aug. 6 @Lover Dudley Get another cat, if you can. I had one like the one you described. Her name was Lassie. She fetched, came when we called her, sat next to me, slept at my feet. She did not appreciate baths, however. She was one of my greatest loves. She convinced me that I need animals in my life, and that love has nothing to do with species. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag AB commented August 6 A AB Boston Aug. 6 The problem isn’t dog parks or hiking trails or walks around the neighborhood… pick whatever activity/environment you want. It’s always about the dog’s parents. Are they sensitive to their dog’s emotional needs, triggers, preferences? Or do they have their heads buried in their phones and are too lazy and too irresponsible to care? Think we all know the answer. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Dee commented August 6 D Dee Home Aug. 6 @AB thats the real answer. Our dog benefits from the dog park in very limited ways. She can be the fun police when younger dogs get rowdy but she is far calmer for weeks after spending even a short time in the company of well mannered if diffident dogs. The second we see her ears go back or her tail go up or displacement sniffing we go home. Even if it's within a few minutes of arriving. That said, since we've started taking her to the park she whines and wiggles with excitement as we drive up and her "frustrated greeter" reactivity is way down. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Jason commented August 6 J Jason New York Aug. 6 As usual, the problem isn’t dogs. It’s dog owners. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag Bert Clere commented August 6 B Bert Clere Durham, NC Aug. 6 This piece is proof that some will find anything to complain and judge others about. No one is required to use a dog park. I take my dog because she genuinely enjoys playing with other dogs. If she didn’t, I wouldn’t take her. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Aaron commented August 6 A Aaron New York Aug. 6 This essay makes numerous factual assertions with no empirical support. For example, “injuries are all too common.” Based on what? Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY horseshowmom commented August 6 H horseshowmom VA Aug. 6 I have had dogs for years, but we don't go to dog parks. None of my dogs ever got an injury from walking on a leash, although just the other day, an unleashed, big dog came barreling over and I had to scoop my 16 pound boy up in a hurry to prevent him from being bowled over and possibly hurt. Dogs get injured every day at dog parks. Ask a vet. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag solohoh commented August 6 S solohoh California Aug. 6 If New Yorkers don't solve the homeless and immigration problem soon they will have to choose between the luxury of owning dogs and the human need for living space and resources. The psychologist C. J. Adcock informed us a long time ago that "the widespread practice of keeping pets of various kinds might be regarded as a 'perversion' of the parental drive." Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @solohoh Psychologists are a profession that looks for new diseases so they have something to talk about and people to pay them. Aside from real mental illness. Also, it is not a binary choice on space. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Daniel B commented August 6 D Daniel B Chicago Aug. 6 I’m not a dog owner, but I do observe dog owners. My impression is that too many people get a cute puppy, but are not trained to care for it and I suspect this creates problems in dog parks. The main reason I don’t a own dog is because at this point in my life I’m not ready for such a commitment and it wouldn’t be fair to the animal. One thing for sure, I stay away from pit bulls. Most may be friendly, but they don’t carry a tag that alerts me. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Safta commented August 6 S Safta New Jersey Aug. 6 Totally agree, Julie-good article! as the caretaker to six dogs, two cats and 14 horses pack and herd position and interaction are literally a daily issue-I would never take my dogs to an environment where they would have to interact with a whole crew of strangers without my constant supervision. Preferably on leash, would introduce each animal with extreme care and always watchful of the animals' stress levels. Actually simply do not understand the concept of dog parks, but that comes from 22 years of living with a large number of animals! Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lavender commented August 6 L Lavender USA Aug. 6 @Safta Judging by the 14 horses in your care, you're apparently fortunate enough to have lots of land where your dogs can run off leash. Not all of us, owners or dogs, are so lucky. While I have a large house in a neighborhood with lots of walking trails, the dog park is the *only* place in our area where dogs are allowed to run leash-free. Personally, I think that's important for dogs--the running, as much as being free of a leash outside. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Erich Richter commented August 6 E Erich Richter San Francisco CA Aug. 6 It's hard to read this and not think of the parallels in humans. Overprotective parenting just like this has created a generation of young people who can't cope with normal social challenges. Socialization is a practice. It involves exposure and then learning how to handle complex interactions. Sheltering from it rather than learning how to deal with it is a mistake. So of course supervision is necessary, but eliminate it altogether? Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES MSM commented August 6 M MSM Oregon Aug. 6 @Erich Richter Nonsense. Humans naturally want to avoid other non-social humans, and do so. It’s not your decision to force a dog into a situation they do not want to be in. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Bill commented August 6 B Bill South Carolina Aug. 6 @Erich Richter Yes!!! Exactly. Avoiding everything that could cause stress or that carries some risk of a bad outcome is not a good life strategy. Not for people and not for canines. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Erich Richter commented 7 hours ago E Erich Richter San Francisco CA 7h ago @MSM Your response relies on several conceits. One, that I'm somehow advocating for forcing a dog into a stressful situation (while this author contrives to explain that a dog doing zoomies is a sign of stress?!) Two yes of course it is my decision, who else, so it is my job to observe and do what appears to he best, not that anyone really knows, but the outward behavior of a dog can usually be trusted and taken at face value. Three, you project your own social anxieties and presume everyone is afraid of other human beings. Meanwhile I have a neighbor, now on their third neurotic dog, who simple sedates the poor animal instead of letting it go out once in a while. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Elle commented August 6 E Elle Elsewhere Aug. 6 Agreed. It’s also assumed when entering a dog park that all owners are up to date on flea treatments & vaccinations and their dogs aren’t ill with any infective canine virus. I’m giggling to myself wondering if there are dog owners with vaccine hesitancy to the same degree as humans? Hope not. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Andrew commented August 6 A Andrew Colorado Springs, CO Aug. 6 Well if you say so. Maybe in NYC? In Colorado Springs, the dog park I hang out at is about 25 acres. There are plenty of "scoop the poop" stations, which people use. It encompasses a variety of terrain: hills, open space, wooded areas, a nice creek that runs through. There's a fenced area for owners of smaller dogs. The creek has been too full with all of the rain we've been getting this year, but most years it's perfect for my dog to splash around in. I've had and have two dogs of my own, and both love (or have loved) going to the dog park. Reply26 RecommendShareFlag Ellen G commented August 6 E Ellen G Wilmington DE Aug. 6 Great article. I completely agree. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Colinoklast commented August 6 C Colinoklast Italy Aug. 6 The key phrase here refers to dogs living in apartments "bouncing off the walls". Human selfishness and egoism knows no limits, and there are too many big or simply energetic, neurotic dogs cooped up in small apartments. Well, to be quite frank there are too many dogs, period. The whole issue of "I was lonely in the pandemic so I got a dog" illustrates the selfish and quite pathetic nature of many city dwellers. Then of course these lonely souls didn't get the dogs from rescue centers, no many spent thousands on mutant pedigree animals with genetically borne physiological defects. Sure, putting your neurotic pooch in a compound with twenty other neurotic dogs is like throwing them into a prison yard where the raw laws of nature take over...after all, dogs are creatures which live in a heirarchical society, a fact which the majority of owners are ignorant of, those who tend to have badly disciplined dogs which jump up onto visitors and bark hysterically with no punishment. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Barbara TZ commented August 6 B Barbara TZ WI Aug. 6 Like others, we believed the dog park PR, then when we started to have problems we stopped taking our 90 pound dog there (HE was getting bullied!) We asked our vet, and he said he doesn't recommend the parks, he's had to treat too many dogs injured there. It IS a touchy subject with dog owners, but I wish more would discuss these problems. Good article! Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Linda commented August 6 L Linda Phoenix, AZ Aug. 6 My dog and I need the dog park. I have a very energetic, rambunctious and well socialized 18 month old Carolina Dog. Jasper needs space and he needs to run. Yes, he needs zoomie space. I walk Jasper 2-4 miles everyday, except when the pre dawn temperature in Phoenix is above 85 and/or humid. Which has been most of the time the last 36 days. Walks are not enough for Jasper, and racing him around our small backyard is not enough. Jasper can really fly and the dog park gives hime a fenced area to do it. The City of Phoenix Dog Park in my area has separated parks for small dogs, which most small dog owners obey. I have been fortunate not to have any unpleasant dog run ins. Jasper keeps his distance unless he thinks someone looks interested in chasing him and then he is off and running. If dog parks do not seem to have a good effect on your dog, then don't take them. My guy is so happy with our dog park and so am I. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag OHNY commented August 6 O OHNY East Coast Aug. 6 If you don’t have time to walk or run your large dog - or a yard - do not get a dog. I think many urban dog owners are selfish to do so. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @OHNY Or we can make our own choices as I did in DC when I lived there. I never asked for or was open to the opinions of others on my personal choices and life. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Maggie commented August 6 M Maggie Tucson Aug. 6 I stopped taking my dogs to off-leash parks. All too often, the humans are either staring at their phones or standing in a gaggle and not paying any attention to their dogs' activities (defecating, avoiding other dogs, or behaving aggressively). They don't notice or bother to clean up after their dogs. One of my dogs tested positive for giardia--twice--and I'm certain it was from the communal water bucket. So now I put my dog on a very long lead and take her to a grassy open park so she can explore at her own pace, well away from other dogs and people. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Rosemarie McMichael commented August 6 Rosemarie McMichael Rosemarie McMichael San Francisco Aug. 6 Adults dogs can be bullies, and when adult dogs see a playful, uninitiated puppy beginning to play, it becomes something out of Lord of the Flies. I took my puppy to a nearby dog park and saw for myself how frightening their behavior was, owners not interested in curbing their adult dog's behavior, "he's just playing", and I wouldn't go back unless pooch and I were the only visitors. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Me commented August 6 M Me USA Aug. 6 I live in a town that has 10-plus acre off-leash dog park where I’ve been walking my dogs without incident nearly every day for almost 20 years. The place is a cherished asset of my community. My dogs love going there and so do I. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Vicki commented August 6 V Vicki Columbus Aug. 6 @Me there's a big difference depending where you live. We have a giant 10 acre park like you describe where our dogs can run, sniff, interact or not interact with the other dogs as much as they choose. Where we used to live it was a 2000sq ft fenced in "mosh pit" where fights happened often. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag D commented August 6 D D Upstate bordertown NY Aug. 6 @Me I lived in NYC for a good portion of my adult life. Perhaps you, your child, your elderly relative, or your leashed dog have never been knocked down or attacked by an unleashed dog allowed to race through an urban park, because of the arrogant dog owner's insistence on a "born free" mantra, but it happens. A lot. And in these confined urban dog parks (a LOT smaller than 10-plus acres) these attacks happen to other dogs as well. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Pizza Bones commented August 6 P Pizza Bones Oakland, CA Aug. 6 I recently stopped taking my almost 3-year-old dog to parks regularly after she was attacked by a dog whose owner praised the aggression as being "so brave." My dog is very friendly and very large, which can be intimidating and occasionally provokes a bad reaction. This particular Australian shepherd appeared to think my dog was a wily cow and started nipping at her unrelentingly, even as she rolled onto the ground. She is very quick to make herself small to show other dogs that she is not a threat, but this doesn't work every time. I am very fearful of putting my dog in a position where she is required to defend herself because she is over 100 lbs. and a mix of very powerful breeds, which could be very dangerous if she decided to meet an aggressive dog with full force. So even though my dog is friendly and happy and acquiescent, irresponsible dog owners make the park unsafe for her. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @Pizza Bones Had that with a big GSD female who was sweet until it was over a ball. So I stopped with balls. However, other people would not listen when I said please do not throw the ball to my dog. I keep and eye out and was quick to stop a problem but after that and another incident I gave up. As a fight with the other owner (s) was getting as likely as having to protect my dog (s). Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Dexter Ford commented August 6 D Dexter Ford Manhattan Beach, CA Aug. 6 Dog parks are bad because lightning might strike? There goes going, well, anywhere outdoors. Please. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Barbara TZ commented August 6 B Barbara TZ WI Aug. 6 @Dexter Ford the chances of a bad interaction, or very dangerous one is MUCH greater than being struck by lightening. After less than a dozen visits to a dog park, we saw enough and heard enough from others to stop going. Ask vets how often they take their dogs to dog parks, our vet doesn't recommend them at all, he saw too many problems. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Mountain Momma commented August 6 M Mountain Momma NC Aug. 6 The dog park I frequent has the same 7-10 owners/dogs at the same time daily. Our dogs know each other and love the space and play. Owners pick up after the dogs. There are two areas, so new dogs usually stay separated in one area until the owner thinks it’s ok to mingle. Not all dogs/owners/parks are bad. Reply28 RecommendShareFlag Greensleeves commented August 6 G Greensleeves Rhinebeck Aug. 6 Dogs need socialization. Period. They are pack animals by definition. Insulating them from contact with other canines is not only counterproductive, it is, with minor exception, a recipe for anxiety and aggression--for both dogs and their parents. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' book, The Hidden Life of Dogs should be required reading for all dog owners. She was an original and successful advocate for dog parks and early morning/dusk freedom in the parks. The writer uses her one (albeit nightmarish) episode as thesis for her rather unsubstantiated, anecdotal essay of misinformation. Every year I see more and more ill informed veteran and rookie dog owners holding on for dear life to their leashed animals; they fail to understand this only ups the ante on their anxiety--the dog's and their owners. Know your breed. Pickup after your dog--how hard is that? Choose your playgrounds and trails by checking them out at various times of the day, and give your dog the life it deserves. Lastly, please don't generalize in a world that doesn't lack for informed canine literature. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 11 REPLIES CB commented August 6 C CB NJ Aug. 6 @Greensleeves. I think the author is referring to crowded urban dog parks where the dogs are trying to react to several strange dogs at a time. That’s not normal canine socializing. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag D commented August 6 D D Upstate bordertown NY Aug. 6 @Greensleeves Yes, dogs are pack animals. And pack animals that do not live in democratic groups where each individual animal has equal standing with the rest of the animals in that pack. How hard is it to understand this dynamic, with all the informed canine literature that is out there? Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Barbara TZ commented August 6 B Barbara TZ WI Aug. 6 @Greensleeves the problems can start with just one dog. We too liked dog parks, until our 90 pound hound mix got bullied and nipped by a 60 pound known bully Weimereiner. Our vet agreed that dog parks aren't worth the risks. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES CB commented August 6 C CB NJ Aug. 6 I used to take my dog to a dog park. I was new to dog ownership and strongly encouraged by friends to do so to get his energy out. I don’t judge those that do as long as they know to read their dog’s body language and control them if necessary. However: I’ve come to believe that dog parks are bad for most dogs. Half the dogs look stressed. The other half are reinforcing excitement at the very sight of another dog and maybe building up physical stamina that will make them more and more frustrated in their apartment environment. It’s fortunate that dogs actually get very tired out by training. A task as simple as walking nicely on a leash combines light physical work with mental work. Toys like a button a few feet away from a food dispenser make my dog literally pant with mental exertion. Best of all mental work and building a relationship with you, it’s owner, works all year in good weather and bad. My dog was super excited to play with other dogs—and now barks and lunges on his leash if he can’t greet. The shy ones can get fear reactive over time and behave the exact same way. And the dog fights can be tragic. Now I will return to my DAILY training to help my beloved dog overcome his leash reactivity. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES M F OBrien commented August 6 M M F OBrien South East Aug. 6 @CB Thank you! My dog loves her daily, hour long training walks. She’s also completely unphased by thunder, lightning and fireworks. I take her for walk and she’s totally focused on the training. You have to quit seeing dog walks as an opportunity to multitask and stay off your phone for this to work. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag CB commented 11 hours ago C CB NJ 11h ago @M F OBrien. Yes-no phones, walks are an opportunity to bond. I believe dogs need a strong relationship with their human more than with other dogs. Which I don’t say to be judgy— I’m Learning from my mistakes! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Me commented 11 hours ago M Me us 11h ago @CB People read whatever they want onto pets. If human craves companionships, then doggie is excited to be with his "friends." Except I don't believe dogs actually have friends. IF I had a dog I would not want that interaction with numerous other wild animals, some unvaccinated, many untrained. My daughter's tiny rescue dog went after a larger dog's legs, snarling and biting. Most females cannot control a large dog. It's a free for all. Basically why do you own a dog in an apartment in a city? Pee and poop everywhere. I LOL at these fantasyland comments. Dogs are not humans. They don't think like humans. Dogs are not children. ReplyRecommendShareFlag MarkC commented August 6 M MarkC Los Angeles Aug. 6 When we first took our dog to the dog park, she loved it. She ran endlessly in zoomie circles, rough housed with the other dogs, and seemed to be having the time of her life. Then, one day, she didn't want to be there. She was scared, had no desire to interact with the other dogs, and couldn't wait to leave. Subsequent visits were the same, until we finally stopped going. Obviously, something had scared her, though I didn't notice anything in particular. Dog trainers explained it as the unstable pack syndrome. Dogs in stable packs establish a hierarchy where the alpha male keeps order and prevents the weaker dogs from being victimized. A dog park represents an unstable pack, probably best analogized to a prison situation. It's a shame, because our dog is very sociable and loves other dogs, but now there is no outlet for her social energy. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES CB commented August 6 C CB NJ Aug. 6 @MarkC It sounds like she just reached social maturity and got more dog selective. I share your frustration with wanting social interaction for my very playful dog but needing to avoid congregate settings like doggie daycare (which my dog quit one day just as yours did the dog park). We need a dog social media platform where owners can meet so their well matched dogs have fun with proper introductions and oversight. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag mpaz commented 12 hours ago M mpaz Norwood, MA 12h ago @MarkC Perhaps reach out to a dog trainer for recommendations on how to find a "buddy" for your dog. My nephew's dog was nervous around some other dogs, but now has a buddy he can play with and socialize. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Me commented 11 hours ago M Me us 11h ago @CB Then why don't you set up weekly doggie play groups, like the ones we had when my daughters were young with likeminded fellow aged humans? Dogs, children, what's the diff? ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Rebecca commented August 6 R Rebecca CDM, CA Aug. 6 We don’ go to the dog park, too many strange people. The dogs are fine. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Apt. 6C commented August 6 A Apt. 6C New York, NY Aug. 6 Great, the solution is to feel even more empowered to flood our few city spaces meant for humans with suburban size dogs. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Saluda commented August 6 S Saluda SC Aug. 6 Dog parks are good for people watching. There are dog owners who get off on seeing their un-neutered dogs dominate the other dogs in the park. Some owners ignore their dogs bullying or stalking other dogs. Some owners ignore the fact that their pets really clearly don't enjoy the dog park. Other owners 'helicopter parent' their dogs when they wrestle or squabble with other dogs. And then there are the owners who pretend not to notice their dogs pooping so they don't have to pick it up. But most people are nice and friendly and just want to let their dogs socialize. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag SJC commented August 6 S SJC USA Aug. 6 I have a 12 year old Cavalier King Charles who has never in her life been to a dog park. She loves other dogs and people but not all dog owners pick up after their dogs and mine doesn’t need to get sick from feces that harbors bacteria and parasites. She’s already had to be treated for C-Dif from an apartment complex we lived in for a short time where people didn’t pick up after their dogs. The soil itself was contaminated with bacteria. I had the health department do soil samples after repeat episodes of C-Dif which can be transmitted to people as well. Children played on that grass. People don’t realize, or don’t care, that if they don’t pick up their dog’s feces, no one does. We walk in our neighborhood and she still loves walks but they are getting shorter and shorter with her age. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Me commented 11 hours ago M Me us 11h ago @SJC Good point, but what makes you think just picking up the doo doo does away with the bacteria? It's still there ready to wash into our sewer system or waiting for a child to sit down on it. And what about the urine? Either it's washing into the sewer system unless your dog is picky about grass under her tender feet. Then parts of the landscape are permanently yellow and ruined with toxic urine. Lovely and all us non-doggers have to put up with your obsession. My children did not poop in the yard. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Stephanie commented August 6 S Stephanie Nanaimo, BC, Canada Aug. 6 To start, let me say: What I have noticed is that people who say “my dog is better off leash” are the ones who don’t have full control of their dog on OR off leash. Proper training takes time & patience. My experience has been with a dog exposed to dog parks and another not. The healthiest dog, in every way, was the dog who didn’t go to dog parks. My dog Libby, was 9 lbs., a rescue we adopted at 1 yr. old. After 2 attempts at various training, the 3rd was successful and became the Gold standard for us. It was a Cesar Milan type positive training where we used NO treats, just a slow, deep chest rub that Libby loved more than a food treat. We avoided dog parks like we avoided using our back yard for exercise’ and stimulation. A dog sees a back yard as just a continuance of the boundaries of the house. A dog park has these same boundaries but with MANY dogs which can create OVER stimulation. Like humans, this overstimulation can be super fun for a fee, ok for some and awful for many. Libby had lots of social interactions while we hiked & walked w/ her - she loved all other dogs. The meetings don’t have to be long, they find out a LOT about one another by just a quick bum sniff. Actually, often when they are kept too long on a ‘meet/greet’ the energy becomes too much. Like humans, some dogs are confident, others sensitive etc.. we NEED to take all of this in to account. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Olivia commented August 6 O Olivia Saugerties Aug. 6 The problems that arise in dog parks are, as is to be expected, the fault of the owners. Typical dog owners are not trained to understand the nuances of dog behavior. They cannot discern when a dog is stressed, when dogs are "bullying" or ganging up on other dogs rather than innocently playing, when dogs are displaying signals that raise a concern for potential aggression, simple things such as how treats or toys can become a source of competitive aggression, etc. Also, in my experience (as a veterinarian), once dogs hit social maturity (around 2 years of age), they often lose interest in playing with groups of unknown dogs and are more apt to become annoyed/grumpy. Shy fearful dogs do not enjoy the experience in general and may become more traumatized. The point being: know your own dog and his/her tendencies (shy, fearful, bully, aggressive, etc.) and act appropriately. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag NWE commented August 6 N NWE Washington Aug. 6 It’s not just the dogs that run amok at dog parks. Recently I was at a lakeside dog park. A woman had a tennis ball to throw for her dog. My dog was waiting next to hers for her to throw the ball. This had been the way a group of retrievers snd owners were playing. One of us would throw a ball for whoever’s dog. She came unglued. She wanted everyone to know that this particular ball belonged to her dog and grabbed mine by the neck when she brought the ball to get. I gently said, we are at a dog park everyone is chasing everyone else’s toys. (At this point the ball I brought was being happily shared by another guy and his dogs). She then came unglued regarding another dog fetching the ball. I didn’t say it but I thought, you do realize that dogs can’t read the name that’s on the ball and don’t care who paid for the ball, right? Reply23 RecommendShareFlag Karen Kanter commented August 6 K Karen Kanter Highland Park, NJ Aug. 6 So on a daily basis, my 2 dogs (one is a Lab puppy) and I walk to the dog park 10 min. away. Harry, the pup, was introduced to this 8am group several months ago and now he has a few very good doggie friends. It has been helpful that all the owners pay attention to their dogs and respond quickly if any start getting aggressive. My other small dog, just sniffs around and then comes by me. It has been a very wonderful experience and on a rainy day I pick up one of Harry's local buddies and they play together in my house. The routine, familiarity and owner responsiveness has made this a very positive experience - for both humans and canines. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Steve Beck commented August 6 Steve Beck Steve Beck Middlebury, VT Aug. 6 There is a dog park on my street just about a block from my house. I take my dog there when there is no one else there. If some one shows up we leave. She enjoys roaming around and sniffing as she does in my fenced-in front yard. She does not like other female dogs it is obvious. And she was socialized from puppyhood until she was almost three years old with regular visits at a doggy-day-care and baorded there when we traveled free to roam outside with other dogs in a large fenced in yard. As a Golden, she does best with her family. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Bill commented August 6 B Bill Earth Aug. 6 My experience is a polar opposite of yours. The dog parks I use are not a Dante's inferno of doggie misery. My local park is spacious and has a divider for large and small dogs. My little rescue dog loves it. Everyone plays nicely. Very, very rarely have I seen dogs fight. I've made adult and canine friends. I think most dog owners know if a dog park is right for their dog, and avoid them if that is the case. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag toe ring cowboy commented August 6 T toe ring cowboy Austin Aug. 6 God bless 'em! Dogs are one of the genuine joys of life on earth, but sometimes I can't help but think we ain't worthy of their company. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag k. francis commented August 6 K k. francis laupahoehoe Aug. 6 read this article and change the word "dog" to "people" for a fairly succinct description of urban life in general. there are dog parks, and there are dog parks. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Susan JW commented August 6 S Susan JW VI Aug. 6 This is great advice. The only exception is a dog park we once frequented with our first dog. It was many acres on a riverfront. There was a long walking path, a place for the dogs to swim, and fields for dogs who liked to run. It was not a small, dirty cage for out of control dogs. The same goes for free-for-all doggy daycares. A lot of them are hugely stressful for dogs. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 @Susan JW: Are you seriously suggesting that the only exception to the "dog parks are terrible" vibe of this ridiculous "article" is a dog park you once frequented with your dog? Maybe think about the fact that everyone reading this article may have an exception? This article is not "great advice;" it is one person's opinion based on her very small experience. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Robert commented August 6 R Robert Around Aug. 6 @Susan JW Yep. There was a nice area in San Rafael CA which was huge, an equally large one in Mill Valley and my dogs loved the dunes of Ft. Funston. Those worked. The smaller parks not so much. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Susan JW commented 12 hours ago S Susan JW VI 12h ago @RE We've had high energy dogs for 25 years in cities and smaller communities. Small, crowded chain link fence dog parks are a recipe for trouble. I suspect the author has more than "very small experience." There may be tiny, bucolic dog parks somewhere but I haven't seen any. Morning and evening off-leash hours at playing fields are sometimes a good option. Ask responsible trainers and people involved in dog sports what they think of the off-leash cages. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES j j commented August 6 J j j michigan Aug. 6 Generally agree, but there are dog parks and dog parks. Some have set aside areas for smaller dogs, who need to be protected from the Afghans and Huskies. Some have incorporated lakes, some have horribly mucky canals into which certain dogs (mine) venture only to emerge black up to their eyeballs. Some are just a patch of fenced in dirt while others encompass a few wooded acres, including squirrels. In a large park with a variety of terrain, dogs can run free, sniff to their heart's content, while avoiding one another, or just chase frisbees obsessively. But for those dogs unfortunate enough to live in an urban setting, the small, crowded, germ infested urban dog "park" really isn't the best place to spend time. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag PM commented August 6 P PM NY Aug. 6 I have never taken my dogs to a dog park simply because I don't want them to get sick. When I took my current dog to the vet he asked me if I did take him to the dog parks and when I told him no he said good call for the same reason. Then again, my dog is a 95 pound German Shepherd. Whenever we even approach most people or dogs there is a heightened tension. He is very imposing with the head of a wolf. He's really a good guy. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Aaron commented August 6 A Aaron Chicago Aug. 6 @PM German Shepherds get such a bad rep. I had three at once, all rescued. The first two I had since puppies and they had a terrible start to life in their former circumstances before I got them. They were two and a half years apart. The older one was the kindest soul I’ve ever known and most people I know who knew him agree. The younger one was a perpetual puppy from the time I rescued him until the time the older one died at fourteen. The third shepherd was one my wife and I took in when she was twelve because her family was moving overseas and no one would take her because she was twelve and a German Shepherd. She was the only dog who could keep my younger Shepherd in check from being a puppy all the time. All of these dogs lived to fourteen. They all were sweet and kind and smart and loving of people and dogs alike. Yes, they were protective of their people especially when my kids were really young. But they didn’t have a harmful or aggressive bone amongst the three of them. I miss them terribly. I have not gotten another dog because they set such a high bar for dogs. They are not easily replaceable. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Me commented 11 hours ago M Me us 11h ago @Aaron Yours and the rescue sweethearts Biden owns who have bitten several secret service agents. So if the best trained dogs in the world still bite, what does that say about the breed? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag MH commented August 6 M MH Winter Garden FL Aug. 6 I live in an area that has an amazing Saturday food and crafts market that draws huge crowds most weekends. And, as in all places now, lots of people with dogs. All the dogs are on leashes. But that doesn’t stop there from being chaos in the dog world. I am surprised how many people who appear to love their dogs, if the expense of doggie gear is anything to go by, who seem to be totally unaware that their dogs are stressed by the whole event. I overhear conversations continually between dog owners who are trying to get their pet ‘used to crowds”, or to other animals, or children. Dogs are creatures not unlike humans. Some are extroverts, some aren’t. And apart from dragging the dog to crowded places so they can get used to hundreds of strange people, with a multitude of strange smells, sounds, legs and feet, not to mention some very big dogs, these pets may never be in a crowd. There is a trend in some stores to have calm shopping hours for humans who get over stimulated by bright lights and loud music. I’m pretty sure that this happens to dogs too. Exposing your dog to conditions that they will hardly ever encounter in their normal day to day routine might actually be a bad thing. If you love your dog, make sure your not terrifying them needlessly. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Roy commented August 6 Roy Roy Italy Aug. 6 I used to live in both NYC and Chicago. However, my beloved dog Sophie was only in Chicago (my brother lived in my apartment and kept very good care of her). I decided to bring her to Brooklyn where I lived in NYC. One day I took her to a dog park. She was running around and I sat next to a very cute woman but dusty who turned out to be a dog walker. We chatted and eventually I asked her if she would like to go out sometime. She said sure. She said when? I said, how about tonight. She said ok. We were to meet at a restaurant on Court Street. She rode up on a bike and was dusty no more. We had a very nice brief affair for a couple of months. Always have fond memories of dog parks. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Caesius commented August 6 Caesius Caesius LINY Aug. 6 My experiences with dog parks (other people and their dogs, my dogs are too good for dog parks, too clean of pests, and diseases) is that they are equal to human-child playgrounds. Where several ill-behaved children run amok, scaring and threatening the meek and better behaved children. How people treat and socialize their dogs is often an indication of what their children are or will be like. People who don't respect their dogs and have them properly trained, likely don't respect their children as well, and are not training them either. Good dog owners train their dogs, because a dog demands to be trained. They are better, more happier dogs when trained to be a good-dog. Same with children. Too many parents want to be their kids friends. No! They dont need your friendship, not as children. They need your love, support and guidance and with that comes discipline in a rules based environment. Sure, call your dog your baby, call it Pookie and snuggle with it...but train it too! It will not learn how to be a good-dog on its own. It needs discipline, it needs rules, it needs to be admonished when bad, and praised when doing good. Not effusive, over the top praise, but appropriate praise for the action. Like a child. If they properly tie their shoelaces, you give them a high-five. You don't take them on a shopping spree for such a mundane win. Same with the dog. It waits patiently for you to open the door, you give it a simple good-job. It responds to your call, good dog. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Demosthenes commented August 6 D Demosthenes NY Aug. 6 @Caesius dog parks are just a microcosm of life. Dog life or human life. There are those who automatically take over, those who cower in the corner, those who sit by the fence and those who chase all the others away. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Joanne Butler commented August 6 J Joanne Butler Ottawa, Ontario Aug. 6 I have lived with and without dogs over six decades, in rural and remote areas, in a downtown apartment, and later in homes I owned that had a yard. I am fortunate to live in a city that has many, mostly enforced, regulations around where dogs can and cannot be. I also see enormous interest in this particular city (Ottawa) on training of dog owners (which is where things really should focus; a side effect is that dogs are also better trained). I also live in a province that in 2005 brought in a controversial ban on pitbull-type dogs. I do understand the views of parties who want that ban lifted, but I have more understanding for why the ban exists. Having any kind of dog is a serious endeavour to be entered into only after much consideration of reality. I do see movement in that direction overall; but as this article shows, there is still a very long way to go. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Me commented 11 hours ago M Me us 11h ago @Joanne Butler Good for the pitbull ban. No such luck in Texas. And I live next to a skuzzy apartment building where the sulking tenants walk their pits so they can feel manly. Some are off leash. Scary. I'd like to ban the owner and the dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Bonnie Huggins commented August 6 B Bonnie Huggins Denver Aug. 6 I'm lucky enough to have access to a 69 acre dog park with large ponds and lots of trees. One of my favorite places. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Fantine commented August 6 F Fantine Florida Aug. 6 The dogs that are stressed out at a dog park are the ones who were not properly socialized as puppies. Dogs are naturally happiest with other dogs, not humans. The dog park is the closest we can get dogs to their natural state as pack animals. No dog should prefer to be with humans rather than other dogs. That’s just sad. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Carrie commented August 6 C Carrie Utah Aug. 6 @Fantine They cannot be "pack animals" with dogs that are strangers or that they spend time with for just an hour per day in the limited context of the dog park. The pack entails nuanced relationships. Their families at home are the pack. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag Fantine commented 10 hours ago F Fantine Florida 10h ago @Carrie The vast majority of dogs are playful and happy in dog parks. Their nature demands that they be with other dogs, but they can get along just fine without human beings. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Maggie W commented August 6 M Maggie W NYC Aug. 6 I 100% agree: as a professional trainer for decades, sadly I feel dog runs for the most part should be avoided! Unbelievable quantity of dogs in some runs, with little to zero human supervision, O ability to troubleshoot. Theoretically, great idea! Day care shares some similarities. Nowhere to hide, too many, minimal supervision. Many more dogs in city sine the Pandemic, owners when/ if they walk their dogs are on the phone. It feels like a duty not a shared experience at all. Loosing one of the joys of sharing time with our dogs, not just other humans. Your “ tired” dog is sleeping off the stress from day care/ run! Not all it’s true but observe YOUR dog . Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Bronco Pete commented August 6 B Bronco Pete Great Midwest Aug. 6 “Dogs want to be with us wherever we are. If they didn’t, they’d still be wolves.”…… brilliant. Dog parks stress me out. Now that I’ve read the article, forget about it. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Andrew commented August 6 A Andrew Oakland, CA Aug. 6 I think a key issue with dog parks is how many dogs are there in an enclosed area--the density of dogs :). If it's overly crowded and there aren't many places for my girl to retreat to, I usually don't go to that park. I've also been to "dog parks" that are simply a flat area of dirt surrounded by a chain-link fence, often under a freeway or in the least pleasant area of a park. These can be a blessing if there's no other option for off-leash play, but I and my fellow East Bay dog owners are lucky to have Cesar Chavez Park, the Albany Bulb, and Point Isabel nearby--all off-leash with views of the San Francisco Bay! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Me commented 9 hours ago M Me us 9h ago @Andrew Not dog person here, but seems like if you crammed too many animals in a small space, they would turn on each other. This would not be a natural situation with a pack animal. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Bach commented August 6 Bach Bach Grand Rapids, MI Aug. 6 Dogs appear to be so perfectly adapted to life with humans that dogs actually have us believing they can understand what we’re saying. They don’t. Dogs do not have the theory of mind necessary to discern self from others. What your dog sees in the mirror is another dog, not his own identity as Fido. But it’s fun scratching their belly. Just don’t expect a retrospective how hard it was growing up being the runt of the litter. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Me commented 9 hours ago M Me us 9h ago @Bach I love this: "theory of mind." Very bright response. And therein lies the problem with dog owners. They anthropomorphize their canines and insert human thoughts. Fun and comforting but not accurate. ReplyRecommendShareFlag David commented August 6 D David New Mexico Aug. 6 It is time to question whether dogs belong in an urban environment. Is it really beneficial for a dog to spend 90% of its time in a 700 square foot apartment? The happiest dogs I have seen have room to roam and socialize with other dogs in the neighborhood. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag ari commented August 6 A ari seattle Aug. 6 Agree. build affordable housing on all dog parks across the nation Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Emmy commented August 6 E Emmy SLC, UT Aug. 6 Most intelligent dog 'parents' know how to gauge when a dog wants to be at a park or not. We've all had those days where they can't wait to get inside the gate to see the other dogs, as well as the days where they just weren't having it - at which point you pack up and either go home or somewhere else. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Daveish commented August 6 D Daveish CT Aug. 6 Some nuance please? Blanket statements like the kind offered in this article are worse than useless - they are disingenuous disinformation. How about something on the pluses and minuses of dog parks and how to match your dog to the right park, if possible. Are there never any benefits? My daughter’s dog goes to a large park and has regular friends there to run free and play with. The owners are a tight knit and caring community. This is all in an urban environment. And her dog gets considerable leash time walks as well. Meanwhile here in the suburbs, most owners never even walk their dogs, they just let them “free” to bark incessantly passers-by from behind their electronic leashes like the incredibly bored animals that they are. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jvi commented August 6 J Jvi NY Aug. 6 @Daveish totally agree that city dogs have a much richer life than suburban dogs & sounds like your daughter takes advantage of some of the great open parks where dogs frolic “before hours” which works quite well as it’s so open and people, as well as their dogs, can so easily choose their comrades or move on without forced confrontations. A single column can only cover so much and will always miss all the angles, but glad you read it through! Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Suzanne commented August 6 S Suzanne Los Angeles Aug. 6 I stopped taking my dog to any public dog park after a year. I kept looking and looking for a "good dog park" and after the insanity I experienced, decided they don't exist. I switched to paying for doggie day care to avoid perceived liability. Zero problems. Other dogs were never the problem, it was always the owners. Simply not worth the risk, the stress, people ready to sue you, people who don't understand how dogs interact, people who don't follow the rules (dogs off leash, small dogs on this side, big dogs on this side, no food or treats, no small children). The dogs are great, the owners are terrible. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Kathryn commented August 6 K Kathryn NY, NY Aug. 6 Important to mention that just like humans, dogs get colds and flu. They also have fleas and worms, sometimes. There is a disease called Leptospirosis that is from eating dirt or grass that has rodent urine on it. I’m sure, at night, rodents inhabit large, grassy dog parks and runs. So, think of the physical health of your dog in addition to their mental health. My dogs will never go to dog runs. They are small and to a Pit Bull or Doberman or even a Greyhound, they look like prey. I could never take a chance that they’d be attacked. We walk them four times a day and play fetch in the apartment. They are slim and have muscle tone. They have no need for a dog run in their lives. The downsides far outweigh any benefit. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 @Kathryn: Important to mention that if you are walking your small dogs on the sidewalks of New York, you are encountering pavement that has rodent urine as well as human urine, dog urine, and all sorts of feces on it. I'm glad you are running your dogs around your apartment. We walk our dog very regularly, and for us, the upsides of the dog park outweigh any downsides. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Kathryn commented August 6 K Kathryn NY, NY Aug. 6 @RE - Oh, I know. And the Leptospirosis vaccine doesn’t cover all the variants. Owners need to be vigilant. Often I observe a dog owner scrolling away on their phones, oblivious to the fact that their dog is chomping away on something they found on the sidewalk! Dogs do need exercise for their health. I always feel sad when I see an obese dog because that’s the fault of the owner. So - however they get it, daily exercise is important for dogs and owners both. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Me commented 9 hours ago M Me us 9h ago @Kathryn Oh wow, you must have been my upstairs neighbor! Where I reported to the office that the overhead apartment must be a bowling alley. Have you ever experienced what it's like to live under a running thumping thundering yipping doggie chasing his ball??? New rule, all dog inhabited apartments must be on top of each other and adjacent to account for the whining, whimpering, and barking that neighbors have to put up with it. The more I read these comments, the more I realize why I hate dogs. And steer clear of all the new "dog friendly" units. Yikes. Bedlam. That's why I swung for a break the bank private home. I'm too old to deal with all of the above. ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Lisa Merullo-Boaz commented August 6 L Lisa Merullo-Boaz San Diego Aug. 6 I've had 2 dogs, a lab/pit mix and a Basset. Now I have a 10 year old Beagle. The mix and my current lovebug do not go to dog parks. The energy is not to their liking. We have a Dog beach nearby; my lab mix, who was very neurotic and fearful, would go but not engage with others, and never leave our sides. The Beagle is not a fan-even at the beach, the dogs run in packs, and it's scary to me, too. I've seen folks get knocked over and hurt after a dog runs into them accidentally. The Basset enjoyed the parks for awhile, but she was very reckless, and an injury waiting to happen. Unpredictable personality, she could be nasty. At the beach she wandered, couldn't sit still, would take a sandwich out of a child's hands, and had to monitored constantly. Not relaxing. What's my point? Knowing your dog's behavior and stress level is the most important thing. It's all about the dog. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag John Joseph commented August 6 J John Joseph NJ / LA Aug. 6 This is a classic over correction. The problem with dog parks isn't the parks themselves or the dog, it's the owners. Dogs need socialization, especially if you live in a major city. They will encounter children and other dogs, so it's important they behave around others. Realize some dogs, who were traumatized at an early age are difficult to socialize, but every effort should be made. Listen to You Tube dog trainers who stress not to socialize dogs, but unless your dog is a working dog, sniffing bombs in the Middle East, socialize them. When we approach a park, I take a minute to assess the vibe, before entering, as sometime there is too much "personality" in the parks. The problem with parks is owners either not paying attention to their dogs, or being overly sensitive to how dogs play, which is rough sometimes. Though if you listen to your dog, and pick up on their signals, you will know if they are enjoying playing. Since she travels with me, we visit parks in NY and LA. It's the owners, not the dogs. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Peter commented August 6 P Peter The belly of the beast Aug. 6 Timely article since our local dog park (Toad Hollow) in Davis, CA was the recent site of a study by UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine researchers measuring parasites acquired at dog parks. Fecal samples were taken of dogs regularly using the dog park to compare it against a control group. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag sjs commented August 6 S sjs Bridgeport, CT Aug. 6 Depends on the dog, depends on the dog park Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Michael Skadden commented August 6 M Michael Skadden Houston, Texas Aug. 6 Maybe this is why I have cats... Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Carl commented August 6 C Carl Boulder Aug. 6 She cites one study about cortisol levels in dogs. Dog parks aren’t meant to soothe dogs. They’re meant to exercise and socialize so that we don’t have helicopter pups. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Chester commented August 6 C Chester Boston Aug. 6 No sorry, it isn’t a common occurrence that dogs get their ears ripped off at dog parks. Go stir another pot of controversy there is nothing to see here folks. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kimberly commented August 6 Kimberly Kimberly Colorado Aug. 6 @Chester My dog, a Vizsla with a gentle demeanor and lots of energy, has been attacked at dog parks, as well in group daycare situations. I've a friend whose dog was badly injured by another dog at a dog park, whose owner as in this recounting refused to pay the vet bill. Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, as with anything else in life. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag dianeellen commented August 6 D dianeellen michigan Aug. 6 i am surprised at all the negative comments...we just started going to our local dog park and we love it...we being my husband, our 1 1/2 year old mini poodle and myself...there are three areas...one for big dogs, one for small dogs and one ADA area for all...all dogs must be licensed and vaccinated...owners pick up poop...unruly dogs are usually taken out...this is the best hour or so of the day...our dog runs and plays and socializes with pets and people...it is beautiful to see. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Tenkan commented August 6 T Tenkan California Aug. 6 @dianeellen Are dog owners required to show proof of vaccine and license? To whom? Is there someone overseeing the place to make sure unruly dogs are "usually" taken out? Where I live there is no one supervising a dog park, it's on the dog owners, who often aren't paying attention to what their dogs are doing. There are those who pick up their dog's poop and those who don't. Is someone watching? Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Marjie commented August 6 M Marjie Oregon Aug. 6 Yep. Put just two dogs together: now you have a pack. A pack of dogs will do things the individual dog would never do. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Mark Kolsen commented August 6 M Mark Kolsen Chicago Aug. 6 As logical and persuasive as demanding that people not go to bars because they can be dirty, "combustible," and stressful. Of course, but some people like them, and some people don't. And--like dogs--those who dislike them generally don't return. The Times likes to print "counter-intuitive "pieces like this, even though they amount to glorified common sense. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Annie Lebowitz commented August 6 A Annie Lebowitz NJ Aug. 6 My dog enjoyed the dog park for a while when she was about 1-2 years old. I’m relieved that it was clear when she lost interest and became unhappy and stressed with so many dogs. We stopped going. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Jay Kayvin commented August 6 J Jay Kayvin Canada Aug. 6 My dog park is clean, green and spacious with a beach to boot. To classify all dog parks as bad is silly. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Sherry Marlene commented August 6 S Sherry Marlene Los Angeles Aug. 6 @Jay Kayvin I want to go there! My dog park is smelly & dusty/muddy. Still, there is no place else to play fetch with my hyper Aussie. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Tom G. commented August 6 T Tom G. WA Aug. 6 Taking a dog to a dog park is like letting your 3 year old join a pack of toddlers carrying pocket knives. What could go wrong? Reply15 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 @Tom G.: No, actually it's like letting your three year old join a group of other children at a playground to run, socialize, climb, swing, laugh, pretend and otherwise have fun. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented August 6 H horseshowmom VA Aug. 6 Early childhood educator, parent, and dog owner here. Dogs and kids are not at all alike. Btw, most 3 year old humans do not play with other kids. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Rich commented August 6 R Rich California Aug. 6 It seems to me that dog owners these days have become as neurotic about their dog's well-being as humans have become about their own -- think fad diets, fake cures, the latest supplements, herbs, etc. etc. My own suggested cure: Every morning, look in the mirror, take a deep breath and say out loud, "Today I'm going to chill a little bit more and obsess a little bit less about my health, and my dog's, than I did yesterday." Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Susan commented August 6 S Susan Phoenix Aug. 6 We have 3 pugs and 2 chihuahuas. One of my pugs and one of my chihuahuas likes to run around and chase and be the hall monitors The other 3 stay with us, do a bit of a sniff and my oldest pug just sits on a bench with me as though to say, I’m with the humans, not the dogs. Dogs are just like people and they have a variety of opinions. All in all, they seem to get some fun out of going most of the time. My biggest peeves are the owners who never pick up after their dogs, and the ones with aggressive dogs that seem to feel that their dogs are just fine and the rest of us need to just relax! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Bo commented August 6 B Bo Here and there Aug. 6 Based on the comments I believe peace in the middle east is more doable than getting these two side together. The problem is not dog parks. The problem is people that should not own dogs are allowed to do so. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Joe commented August 6 J Joe USA Aug. 6 On a weekly basis I see a child whose face has been mauled in my ER. Nobody likes reporting how frequent dog bites are but they are frequent and often happen in an instant and without warning. Keep dogs outside a dog park a leash and away from other walkers. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag AMR commented August 6 A AMR Duluth, MN Aug. 6 This is partly a design issue. Thanks to tall Midwestern prairie grasses and volunteer organizers who can't afford mowing, my local dog park has a .3 mile trail with tall grasses in the middle--any kerfuffle can easily be escaped, and dogs can choose to be social or with their owners. This is so much better than the too-open design of every other dog park I've been to. It would be great if there were more enclosed trails where you can bring your dog with a small run for retrievers and fewer traditional turf "dog parks" that can't be maintained well in many climates anyways. My dog is a great communicator and has a tell when he wants to leave -- he puts a paw on my thigh and looks me in the eye. I'm convinced he believes I can read his mind when he does this, lol, but his tail then wags happily as we go. It's true he does get over-stimulated and at a certain point that's definitely anxiety and not fun that he is having. He still loves it and I will keep going. Moderation is the key to happiness for dogs and humans alike. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Aurora commented August 6 A Aurora Denver, Colorado Aug. 6 My dog is about 20 pounds, and is usually scared of big dogs. If I take her to the dog park 10 miles away, it is almost all big dogs, and she goes off to the perimeter by herself. The nearest small-dog park is 50 miles away and I'm only in that area a couple of times a month on a weekday. There are rarely other dogs there. It is clean but empty. Oh well. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag S.A. Traina commented August 6 S S.A. Traina Queens, NY Aug. 6 Dear Ms. Iovine, I fondly recall moving into my co-op many years ago as the last few remaining dogs that had been grandfathered in were disappearing from a place they “obviously” did not belong. And then the axis of the planet of common sense tilted and we let the dogs not just in but everywhere. If only folks would take their huskies up north and their shepherds to the hillside and their pit bulls, I don’t know, to the desert, but, alas, that ship has sailed, and so by all means, take your pooches to the manicurist, to the masseuse, to their tailor, while the rest of us, and the city the canines still permit us to live in, go to the dogs. Cordially Reply14 RecommendShareFlag GG commented August 6 G GG Portland, Oregon Aug. 6 Being off leash was my old black Lab's favorite way to be; she loved to scout, run and sniff. I was lucky to live fairly close to Portland's Mt Tabor Park, which has a wooded, enclosed dog park with 4 acres of trails. My pup was able to run and explore and could avoid other dogs if she wished (mostly she wished). I enjoyed walking there, my dog happily running ahead, zooming back to me, bothering no one. She was an anxious rescue who never completely got over her worries so a smaller dog park wasn't a good fit for her. We were fortunate to have this option and I'm glad to have the happy memories of our outings. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Heather commented August 6 H Heather New York Aug. 6 These articles are so weird. Also don’t take your kids to the playground! Kids might hit them or take their toys! They might get hurt and require or a trip to the ER! Just like playgrounds, adult humans need to be involved and attentive. There can be no “dogs will be dogs” attitude. I have immediately left the dog park when the vibe was wrong. I also know how to recognize a bad scene and remove my dog or break up a potential bad scene before it happens. Dogs ganging up on one dog? One dog consistently running away from another and not enjoying the interaction? Time for the humans to intervene. If someone says “that’s how dogs play” you can say “not all dogs enjoy that kind of play” and disengage your dog from an aggressive dog. But one dog is calmer and happier after a trip to the dog park. The other dogs don’t enjoy it so I don’t take them. I agree with the commenters who say we need more and better equipped and monitored dog parks, not black and white articles like this. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Eliane can speak commented August 6 E Eliane can speak Madison Wi Aug. 6 @Heather Dogs at my dog park sometimes did the "ganging up" thing, usually against a female. From the first time I took my terrier rescue dog there he would rush to defend the dog being harassed, chasing away even the largest attackers. Depending on when we go (time of the year and day of the week), the park can be quite empty, with only three or four dogs. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 @Heather: thank you!! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ron Richardson commented August 6 R Ron Richardson Seattle Aug. 6 So because some dogs don't like the park, and some dog owners are irresponsible, *everyone* should stop taking their dogs to the park? Seems unreasonable to me. I've owned doges for most of my 54 years. Some of them loved the dog park, some of them didn't. In all cases they got my full attention while there, stayed only as long as they wanted to, and were vastly improved for the dog friends they made there, as well as the regular exercise and interaction. And, when they no longer wanted to go (some dogs grow out of the park, some never want to go at all) they didn't go. Dog parks are like kids playgrounds, or like local pubs. The potential for good times is vast, but over time fights and injuries are going to happen. The responsibility to create a safe, enriching, and fun environment is on the adults in the room, not the kids or dogs playing. And that this adults do, from time to time, fail in that responsibility is a comment on those adults, not the idea of a park itself. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Lorraine commented August 6 L Lorraine Long Island Aug. 6 My Labrador loves, loves, loves the dog park even though we have a decent sized backyard. He gets to run at full speed without bumping into a fence. Yes, there are dangers at the dog park but if you pay attention it can be the lots of fun. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag JJs commented August 6 J JJs California Aug. 6 I’ve got an idea - get rid of dog parks - just more open space for humans. Some I love have dogs and some dogs are just swell. On the whole though, I have never encountered a more self centered group who think their dogs and they own the world. Nope - you can’t have every inch of parks or open space in urban areas. Keep your dog on a leash and freakin pick up your dog’s poop. Your dog (or should I call your dog your 2 year old child) is cute but NOT that cute. And take him to a restaurant- at least you have THAT option nowadays. 😋 What else do you want?? Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Medli Labrador commented August 6 M Medli Labrador LA Aug. 6 People way overthink dogs. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Kathy commented August 6 K Kathy California Aug. 6 Lots of judgment happening here. Just go if you and your dog like it. Don’t go if you don’t. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag JimfromCapeCod commented August 6 J JimfromCapeCod Cape Cod, MA Aug. 6 Well said, Julie V. Iovine. The only counter-argument I've seen would involve my son's dog in Brooklyn. Every morning he encounters five or six dogs who are his real buddies, and he plays with them and does his best to ignore the strangers who might not understand their understanding of how to interact. But as far as the wild west of frequently-changing dog encounters, your advice sounds solid. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Jennifer commented August 6 J Jennifer Palm Harbor Aug. 6 I love my rescued Australian Cattle dog but he was not socialized as a young pup. Therefore a dog park is only a source of stress for him. As for the people who drop the leash and let their dog come running up to mine while screaming he's friendly well I'm screaming mine is not! That's the reason why I am giving you and your dog a wide berth. Thankfully, most of my neighbors know this and do give me room. I just have to educate the new neighbors and visitors. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Suzanne commented August 6 S Suzanne Los Angeles Aug. 6 @Jennifer Then you shouldn't take your dog to a dog park. Dog owners like you are why I won't take my dog to dog parks any more. The dogs are supposed to be immediately taken off leash when you enter, otherwise dogs can be aggressive. Dogs are going to come running up to yours to socialize. This is how it works. Not, everyone catering to your dog. Which shouldn't be there. If your dog isn't friendly and hasn't been socialized, don't take it to a dog park. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Peaches commented August 6 P Peaches GA Aug. 6 @Suzanne I don't think Jennifer is talking about people dropping leashes in dog parks. I've experienced people dropping leashes and letting their dogs run toward my dogs while I'm out walking them and it seldom goes well. "Don't worry. He's friendly!" they say. Or, "She loves all dogs!" But mine don't like strange dogs running up to them. Not every dog has a big fat friendly lab personality. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Hal commented August 6 H Hal Dallas Aug. 6 You know those irresponsible gun owners that bring loaded guns to the airport in their carry on bag, and the road rage drivers that think they’re on a private racetrack? Some of them own dogs and take them to the dog park. They don’t suddenly become responsible adults. Reply35 RecommendShareFlag jimerson commented August 6 jimerson jimerson Seattle Aug. 6 What you're describing is not a "dog park" but a kennel. I have taken my dogs to off-leash areas on the West Coast for years -- large, often wooded parks with trails, open fields, rivers, and lakes that dogs can swim in. I don't recognize your description of "dog parks." Dogs are quite good at socializing when they are off the leash and have adequate space. They work out their own conflicts quicker and more efficiently than most humans. Maybe what you're saying is that humans need those kinds of spaces, too. It's not the dogs' fault. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY horseshowmom commented 12 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 12h ago Are they legally off leash? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Tony Bickert commented August 6 T Tony Bickert Anchorage, AK Aug. 6 You describe dog cages, not parks. I’ve seen these fenced off dirt floors in the Lower 48, where dogs seem to pace more than run free. I guess dogs and their humans are luckier in Alaska, where there is more space to allow for huge parks with lakes and trees and grass. Yet I’m pretty sure my dog would bark just as loudly in my ear on the way to her “park” if it were in New York City. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Cynthia commented August 6 C Cynthia Indiana Aug. 6 This is an interesting piece. Here in Indiana where I live, the dog parks are usually pretty empty, unless they're connected to an animal shelter. In addition, one of the local dog parks I've visited requires a little "interview" between your dog and a trainer to see what kind of personality your dog has and if he or she will "play well with others." In addition, many dog parks have separate fenced areas for larger dogs and smaller dogs. I had two black labs for many years, until the oldest one died last August. They totally enjoyed their off-leash times at the dog park and I can't remember any time when another dog was aggressive to them. I think they're great. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag The Family Pet commented August 6 The Family Pet The Family Pet Seattle, Washington Aug. 6 Come to Marymoor off leash dog park and try to write that article. We all it the Disneyland for dogs - "an expansive, 40-acre farmland where dogs can run free on scenic trails & swim in the pond." Every dog is happy. The problem is't dog parks, it is in cities' poor design and placement. (The Pacific Northwest is also a better climate for dogs given the changes in weather). Just saying - if you love your dog, move here. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lorenzo commented August 6 L Lorenzo NYC Aug. 6 @The Family Pet This is the first comment from a Seattlite I have seen encouraging people to move there. Traditionally, the propaganda is to deter such thoughts. But if you look at all the development, the stories of incessant rain did not stop anyone from relocating. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Bob commented August 6 B Bob Wyoming Aug. 6 @The Family Pet How does this square with the the general lack of space for affordable housing and the homeless situation in the Seattle area? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Me commented August 6 M Me Circling The drain Aug. 6 Let’s not forget those paid dog walkers who bring half a dozen dogs into the dog park at once and are then on their phones the whole time. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Alix Hoquet [[[]]] commented August 6 A Alix Hoquet [[[]]] NY Aug. 6 This article would benefit from an examination of the history of these spaces. Dog parks appeared as a response to rapid urbanization in the late 20th century — which gradually limited access to outdoor spaces and with that a lot of contentious posturing. I think dog parks first appeared as a communal response to leash laws in San Francisco. They then caught on because they seem to mitigate conflict about uses in public spaces, and because cities like to reduce their liabilities and insurance companies like to profit. They have little to do with holistic ideas of health or benefit to humans or dogs. This author could pursue a little more scientific, historic, or any other research to check their own naive biases. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Out West commented August 6 O Out West Bend, OR Aug. 6 Bend, Oregon has fantastic dog parks all over town, each with their own perks. My dog loves them all! Our favorite is the grassy one that consistently has really playful dogs. The closer one to our house is more trail based and huge and you sometimes see more elderly dogs who are out for a stretch. Articles like this are a disservice to many. Dog parks enrich our towns and are gravely needed. They are perhaps the most visited parks. I have no doubt, however, that they reflect the nature of the town itself including socioeconomic and happiness indicators. I’m fortunate to live in a town with happy people and happy dogs. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag Jordan Belton commented August 6 J Jordan Belton Oakland Aug. 6 How about we advocate for better kept and larger dog parks as opposed to labeling all of them as bad? Reply23 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jamie Nichols commented August 6 J Jamie Nichols Santa Barbara Aug. 6 @Jordan Belton: I could not have said it better. We are fortunate to have had the Michael Douglas family donate a huge property overlooking the Pacific to the people of Santa Barbara. It is a filled with trails, trees and other natural beauty, and awesome views of the ocean, Channel Islands, and mountains. Best of all it serves as a leash-free dog park where I have been able to let by beloved bloodhounds Kyno and Spako experience freedom and nature--two of life's most important necessities for all us animals. My hounds and I will remain eternally grateful to the Douglas family for their unbelievable generosity in donating property that could have been turned into multi-million dollar ocean view homes for the wealthiest. Every community deserves a large park for its dogs to stretch their legs, roam, and sniff and appreciate nature and each other under stress-free, friendly conditions. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Tim commented August 6 T Tim Indianapolis Aug. 6 Hopefully someone can learn from my own experience. It took $3000 and two procedures to save my dog after he was attacked at a park. The owners literally ran away with their dog as others tried to stop them so needless to say they didn’t help pay. After this my vet told me a dog park is the last place he would ever take his own dog. This was two years ago and since then he is stressed by strange dogs to the point that I can no longer kennel him at the place I had taken him for the first 10 years of his life. I’m taking him on a backpacking trip this week where he’ll be able to run off a leash and explore on his own, hopefully without the threat of other careless dog owners. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag R.A. commented August 6 R R.A. Mobile Aug. 6 Maybe it's like that in a huge city like New York, but at Public Service Memorial Park down here in Mobile, Alabama, it couldn't be different. After a mass-sniffing initiation, our dogs quickly accept newcomers into the park's pack. Occasionally there's a dog that hasn't been socialized and had to be removed, but in the six or so years we've been going, I can count them on one hand. The only problem is the car trip can get ear-piercing. I thought it was just my two, but all the owners report the same thing. Large, small, young or old - from the moment they get in the car, the dogs revert to puppyhood ecstatically releasing high-pitched yelps of anticipation until you've reached the destination, leashed them up, and they're dragging you to the gate. Even now in this 90-plus heatwave when it's too hot for chasing and wrestling, they're delighted just acknowledging each other's presence, getting a round of pets from all the owners there, and then sniffing the place from end to end to see who's been where while they were away. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Katherine commented August 6 K Katherine Chicago Aug. 6 My dog personally loves the dog park; I just watch her and call her over and comfort her when there is a dog that is making her nervous (you can google to learn the signs that a dog is nervous… it’s not obvious) But one thing I havent seen in this comment section is any mention of the risk of infectious disease transmission in the dog park. My vet told me that he recommends pet insurance much more for city dogs than rural/suburban dogs because the risk contagious diseases is just higher with so many dogs sniffing each other on the sidewalk/street. I’m not worried because my dog is fully vaccinated (and we recently signed up for pet insurance!) but it’s something to be aware of. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Peaches commented August 6 P Peaches GA Aug. 6 @Katherine Great post. Dogs can easily pick up giardia, parvo, CIRDC, and roundworms/hookworms at dog parks. My vets always say they never take their dogs to dog parks because of the diseases they can pick up. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Susan commented August 6 S Susan Urubamba, Peru Aug. 6 It depends on the dog and the park. If the park is small and crowded I wouldn't take my dog. If it is wide open with plenty of room it's great. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Cardinal commented August 6 C Cardinal IL Aug. 6 I used to take my dogs to dog parks, but after a few trips to the vet (post dog park) for kennel cough and Giardia, I no longer take them. People bringing sick dogs to the dog park is beyond irresponsible. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY jackie M commented August 6 J jackie M FL Aug. 6 @Cardinal People bring their sick selves' and kids everywhere too, so pretty much the same people I guess. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Logan Bacon commented August 6 L Logan Bacon washington Aug. 6 Anti dog-park people are generally people who haven't spent time in a dog park. There are so many variables. There are dog parks I would never visit because the mix of dogs there is just not right for my dogs. Others have a lovely mix of dogs and people. But we go to our park for the open space, not so much to "socialize," anyway. My girl is a fetch fanatic, and we set up and I throw her ball for the better part of an hour, and then we go home. In the summer, there is a kiddie pool set up, and she cools off after her session. She is tired and happy. My backyard isn't big enough to do this. I'm glad we have our dog park. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Gray Jay commented August 6 G Gray Jay IL Aug. 6 I saw a German Shepherd attack a smaller mixed breed dog at a dog park. The GSD tore the dog's neck open. It was horrible. The GSD owner leashed her dog and made a beeline for the parking lot. Other dog owners followed the woman telling her that she needed to pay for the other dog's vet bills. A few people snapped pics of her, her dog and her car/license plate. She finally stopped and said she'd only pay the vet bills if the vet phoned her first to get approval. I later heard that the vet bill had been $1700, but the GSD owner contributed only $500. No more dog parks for me. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Pete in Downtown commented August 6 P Pete in Downtown back in town Aug. 6 Isn't that potential problem addressed by closely observing your dog when you take the animal to a dog park for the first time? A quick check - is your companion exited in a happy way or scared or aggressive - will tell an owner if that dog park is a a good fit for their best friend or not. If not, take your dog and leave. Of course, a dog not exposed to other dogs before being suddenly exposed to a lot of other dogs is bound to show anxiety and unusual behavior; getting the animal opportunities for some one-on-one interactions with other dogs on your walks first might help lessen the stress of feeling overwhelmed from suddenly being surrounded by so many other canines. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Rapaki commented August 6 R Rapaki US Aug. 6 In New York City, many playgrounds are fenced off from the wider park. The 92nd street playground in Riverside is one great example. In other parks, the playgrounds are open to the adjacent park and it is a constant worry because big, unleashed dogs feel free to approach tiny children—with dog wonders uselessly calling out to them from yards away. Dog owners wonder why we glower at them. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Joseph commented August 6 J Joseph Tarrytown, NY Aug. 6 I have had 3 dogs in Brooklyn over the past few years. My first, didn't like the dog park so we never went. My second and third love to go and we go twice a day. We tend to go at about the same time and my dogs have actually formed some rather strong bonds with some of the dogs they see daily. (they act about as excited to see each other as my dog does to see me when I come home from work) there are 3 types of dogs in the park: ones that mind their own business; the fetchers and the wrestlers. Dogs need to be watched and boundaries set. That being said, too many dog owners don't let their dogs play like dogs. They set boundaries more like you would for a child. Dogs will wrestle harder and mouth each other and most of the time they (if the owners let them) will set boundaries themselves and the other dogs respect them. Newer dog owners sometimes have a hard time with this concept and want to over supervise. A first timer or a rare visitor will often be swarmed by a pack of dogs as they come in the gate. Some dogs get intimidated by this behavior and when I see it, I call my dogs away. The first time I took dog #2, I picked her up and left in under 5 minutes. because it seemed to me that all of the dogs were picking on her. The dog park is not a play area for your children. My dogs are rarely sick. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Hellpups commented August 6 Hellpups Hellpups NorCal Aug. 6 Most of these negative comments look like they were written by someone who has never had a dog in their life much less taken care of or loved one. The article itself is strange and seems to assume much about dog behavior. A good dog caretaker should know their pooch well enough to gauge whether they’re a good match for a dog park. Some dogs thrive in that environment and others don’t. Figuring that out is not rocket science and this article is way too fussy in its assessment of the situation. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Observor commented August 6 Observor Observor Backwoods California Aug. 6 @Hellpups There are one heck of a lot of dog owners who are not even remotely good caretakers of their dogs and even more, like many parents, who think their precious could never do anything wrong ReplyRecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented 12 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 12h ago How to you control people who bring dogs NOT suited to a dog park? You can only know your own dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Deborah commented August 6 D Deborah Colorado Aug. 6 it depends on the dog park. Alas, there are dogs that are overly aggressive but it is the owner, not the dog. Rather like unruly children whose parents think it is because they are “gifted” or just play too rough and excuse them. My dog was once on the ground, her belly showing as a crowd of dogs with one leader dog peered down at her. Bad recipe there as dogs are pack animals. I had to yell for the owner to get his dog. I shouldn’t have had to say anything. The other owners were cavalier. But I do take her and monitor interactions with other dogs to see if she is stressed and won’t hesitate to ask another owner to control their dog. She sticks close by but does find the occasional dog to run around with. It is,in general, a good dog park with a big aerated pond for the dogs to swim in the summer heat. I see labs swimming in circles they are so happy. I take her for some social experience too. We live in the foothills and she has a big fenced wooded area to play and even gets walked 3 times a day. She does need other dog time. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag dz commented August 6 D dz la Aug. 6 my dog loves going to the dog park and i love taking her. if you and your dog don't, don't. no need to pretend your way is "better" or that you "evolved" to the right position on the topic, which you present without a shred of evidence besides unnamed "studies" Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Miss Anne Thrope commented August 6 M Miss Anne Thrope Utah Aug. 6 There are no Bad Dogs. There are hordes of Bad Dog Owners. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Avi commented August 6 A Avi Chicago Aug. 6 « Studies show? » science has evolved in the last 30 years, FYI. Not convincing. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Lyle Ross commented August 6 L Lyle Ross Houston Aug. 6 You know what's worse than dog parks, dog owners. A fair number of them use the streets, their neighbor's yards, and school playgrounds as dog bathrooms. I've never met such irresponsible behavior in my life. You may have a small apartment, and you may not like the dog park, but that is where your dog belongs, not in your neighbor's yard and especially not on school grounds. If you don't don't have the means to take care of your dog's needs, then you shouldn't have gotten the dog. If you don't have manners, welcome to America. I have been attacked twice by dogs while running. The first owner pretended she only spoke German until I said, "Let's call the police, I'm sure they have someone who speaks German." The second explained to me that her dog was just an animal and didn't know any better. Her dog was running free on a jogging trail. I'm not sure when we got to a place where it was okay to abuse the folks around you because it is convenient or more work not too, but dog owners, or at least a portion of them, demonstrate the problem nicely. If you don't like the dog park buy or rent a yard. Keep your dog under control. Don't let your dog dump in the school yard, shockingly enough kids play there. If you can't afford your dog's needs, get a pet rock. Next, cats. Your free roaming cat is killing birds. Despite Trump's musings the number one cause of bird death is the free roaming pet cat. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES cp977 commented August 6 C cp977 Chicago Aug. 6 @Lyle Ross You know what kills more birds than cats? men with guns. Look it up- they're discovering that in many rural areas, roosting or perching birds (especially raptors) are regularly used for human target practice. And then there is the fact that we have devastated the bird population with high rises with glass windows, light pollution, and by destroying the insect population and the plant populations they naturally feed on. Cats are part of nature and the ecosystem; it's human beings who have outgrown it & thrown it off. Let them run and control human behavior- that's the best thing we can do for more than just the birds. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag EE H commented August 6 E EE H Nevada Aug. 6 @Lyle Ross I’m sure there are people who will be offended by this, but I agree and I’m a dog owner and lover. My dog has a big yard and I make sure she takes care of business before we walk. But our walks can be constant stresses because of fear of loose dogs. My dog and I were attacked and my arm badly broken, by an off leash German Shepherd. I have permanent damage in my hand from this. There are houses I walk by with great trepidation because their dogs may be out off leash. This is my neighborhood where I should feel safe walking my dog. On cats, I have a variety of birds and lizards in my yard. My quail population has dropped significantly over the last years and I know it’s because of roaming cats, who in addition to killing my birds use my yard as a litter box. I bought a live trap and cats in my yard will find their way to the animal shelter. Cats are the biggest danger there is to our wild birds. Keep them in your house. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Lyle Ross commented August 6 L Lyle Ross Houston Aug. 6 @cp977, yep, so is the argument that because there are gits with guns we shouldn't hold folks with cats accountable? I grew up hunting. One of the first lessons I learned was that some folks should not be allowed guns. I now expand that to most people should not be allowed guns. But that isn't the discussion. The discussion is responsible pet ownership. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jen H commented August 6 J Jen H Oakland Ca Aug. 6 Having owned dogs my entire life, currently owning three, I found this article poorly researched and one-sided. Dog parks can be as varied as humans and dogs themselves. To systematically categorize them reflects a lack of objectivity. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag Blondie commented August 6 B Blondie Encinitas Aug. 6 “my dog’s ear was ripped off, and the attacking dog’s owner refused to pay the vet bill — or even remove the dog from the park. Such incidents are all too common” Perhaps the dog parks need to become more like a dog fitness center where each member has rules to abide by, liability insurance on record, a key card for entrance and a monitor(s) to ensure safety. Enough dog owners tend to be completly irresponsible towards other dogs, and towards others in the community. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Chris commented August 6 C Chris San Francisco Aug. 6 what happens when your entire city is turned into an off leash dog park? Come to SF if you are interested in finding out Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Carlyle T. commented August 6 C Carlyle T. NYC Aug. 6 I am about to go to our Madison Square Park which has many NYT readers and wonder if their crowded dog run where dogs seemingly have fun as the top of the hill dog will be less crowded . Reply2 RecommendShareFlag ohthatpaul commented August 6 ohthatpaul ohthatpaul Chicago, IL Aug. 6 My building has a lot of dogs and they bring joy to all of us. I really like living around dogs. The hundreds of owners who intrepidly shepherd their dogs through the two dingy service elevators to use our small but tidy dog park, "Bark Place," seem to get a lot of benefit, especially during the chilly, dark, and (formerly) snowy Chicago winters. My guess is for most dogs and their owners, the benefits of dog parks outweigh the risks. But I sure can understand how having your dog's ear get ripped off would change your perspective. At least the other dog owner should have contritely paid the vet bill! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Rich commented August 6 R Rich California Aug. 6 It seems to me that dog owners these days have become as neurotic about their dog's well-being as humans have become about their own -- think fad diets, fake cures, the latest supplements, herbs, etc. etc. My own suggested cure: Every morning, look in the mirror, take a deep breath and say out loud, "Today I'm going to chill and obsess abut my health, and my dog's, just a bit more than I did yesterday." Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Javaharv commented August 6 Javaharv Javaharv Faifield, CT Aug. 6 All the problems that dogs have are due to indiscriminate breeding. No dog should be bred without official approval and with genetic testing to avoid all the horrible genetic defects that exist today due to bad breeding. And it avoids all unwanted dogs. If people cared about dogs as much as they profess then controlled breeding would be normalized. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES L LEWIS commented August 6 L L LEWIS McCloud ca Aug. 6 @Javaharv If that happened only the very wealthy would own dogs. Plus that isn’t a goal that could be obtained in reality. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag J commented August 6 J J midwest Aug. 6 @Javaharv Do you mean indiscriminate breeding as controlled by humans or by the dogs themselves? I don't think any of the dogs I have had (or my family had when I was younger) over the years were bred in any intentional way, except for the intent of the dogs themselves. Most might be catogorized as mutts and strays. Of course, they all had different physical characteristics and temperaments. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Palczyma commented August 6 P Palczyma Italy Aug. 6 We moved to Italy with our puppy and it has been amazing to live in a country where dogs are welcome everywhere. She hangs out at restaurants and hotels with us, and we have never seen dogs fighting. Maybe because the dogs are socialised daily in a natural way as society here is so dog friendly. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Marita commented August 6 M Marita Vancouver, BC Aug. 6 Great article. I take my dog into the woods and that is perfect, not just for her but my body is thankful for the daily long walks. There is a very nice dog park by the water behind our place and sadly I have seen a few dog altercations. In addition, very often owners seem so involved texting while ignoring their dog's behaviour and that is a problem. However, i am totally aware that access to the woods or a beach is not available to everyone, therefore a dog park is a must, but not all dogs are suited ans os the owner's responsibility. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag EMiller commented August 6 E EMiller Kingston, NY Aug. 6 Years ago I took my adopted dog to a dog park for the first and only time. She spent the entire time under the bench for humans. She was clearly terrified. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Julie commented 12 hours ago J Julie CT 12h ago @EMiller Just wondering...have you ever observed a child on her first day of preschool? New places are scary to humans and dogs, but that doesn't mean it's not worth trying again. ReplyRecommendShareFlag WTK commented August 6 W WTK Louisville, OH Aug. 6 We took our dogs to a private dog park for several years. The dogs were vetted and required to be immunized. It was an expanse of about four acres, allowing options for dogs to socialize or avoid one another. The members tended to come around the same time of day, and regulars, dogs and humans alike, got to know each other. That dog park closed in May. Since then I have tried a couple of facilities in municipal parks nearby, but our current dog, now 9 or 10 years old (she was a dog-pound adoptee), is less enthusiastic about dealing with canine total strangers than she once was, and I share her lack of enthusiasm where their owners are concerned. Not all dogs are alike, nor are all humans, let alone all dog parks. But Ms. Iovine's perspective is worth considering, especially by dog owners who feel a sense of duty that simply adds to their own stress level, as well as their dogs'. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY RE commented 12 hours ago R RE New York 12h ago @WTK: Sure, her perspective might be worth considering except that she presents her perspective as proven fact. Some dogs and some people enjoy some dog parks. Some don't. Enough said. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Dan commented August 6 D Dan San Diego Aug. 6 This article and most of these comments are absurd. This black and white thinking is society’s downfall The intelligent opinion is that it all depends on the dog which encompasses hundreds of diverse breeds. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES actualintent commented August 6 A actualintent oakland, ca Aug. 6 @Dan And on which dog PARK. Some are vast open spaces with plenty of trails. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Dan commented August 6 D Dan San Diego Aug. 6 @actualintent I agree! Luckily in San Diego we have huge off leash areas ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jason commented August 6 J Jason Ithaca Aug. 6 Why the blanket statements? Like most things, whether a dog park is good for your dog depends on the dog. None of my prior dogs were good for the dog park, and some downright bad. My current dog thoroughly enjoys it. Our local dog park has well posted rules and will ban violators. While there are scuffles, I've never witnessed an injury in nearly daily visits over the past two years. Good dog owners will know if the park works for their dog. Don't stop going because of someone's overly simplified blanket statement. Reply26 RecommendShareFlag David Auerbach commented August 6 D David Auerbach Durham Aug. 6 also the wonderful Sassafras Lowrey had some good thoughts on this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/smarter-living/the-dog-park-is-bad-actually.html ReplyRecommendShareFlag B commented August 6 B B jacksonville Aug. 6 Thanks for the rational thinking I have seen for myself. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Cynthia C. commented August 6 C Cynthia C. SF, CA Aug. 6 My vet used to call dog parks "a cesspool of bacteria and viruses for dogs", that, combined with unruly dogs whose humans can't or won't control their furbabies, has resulted in my avoidance of dog parks for my Maggie and Petey. Much better for all of us to go on long walks, have play dates, or even rent a field for private play https://www.sniffspot.com/listings Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Mark Lovejoy commented August 6 M Mark Lovejoy Seattle, WA. Aug. 6 My dog has always been a people person, not a dog person. Never been to a dog park to be drooled on or harassed by other dogs. Great frisbee player in his youth, now mostly he likes short walks, rides in the car, grandkids & snoozing on the couch or bed. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 4eyedbuzzard commented August 6 4 4eyedbuzzard Ft Worth, TX Aug. 6 There are pluses and minuses. Our young (<1 yr) Aussie mix needs to run and play every day. She's friendly, but a bit nuts. She's pretty good on leash, but like many dogs, not trained well enough to be off leash in public due to OUR lack of time and commitment to training. We have a large fenced yard, so it's not an issue at home. But when travelling, public dog parks and "parks" such as at Love's or other travel/truck stops are a required stop at least once a day. If only more dog owners would police up their dog's poop, it would be even better. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Judith commented August 6 J Judith reality Aug. 6 Many dogs need a lot of exercise. It seems as though a lot of dog owners see the dog park as the means to provide this exercise because they won't walk their dogs. You've got a lot of wound up, frightened, rambunctious (and territorial) dogs thrown into a small space. I'm not surprised there are outbursts of aggression. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Carl commented August 6 C Carl Minnesota Aug. 6 @Judith For a dog that needs lots of exercise, getting owner walks is barely better than nothing. They need to run around. Dog parks can be dangerous but they are not all small spaces. ReplyRecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented August 6 H horseshowmom VA Aug. 6 None of my dogs, including the one I have now, needed/needs to run at liberty. How do I know? They were/are happy, (lots of tail wagging, seeking out people, etc.),and long lived. My current dog gets walked at least three miles a day, goes into the creek on a long line, and has a anufglemat he adores. My vet, who also rescues dogs, hates dog parks. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Patty J commented August 6 P Patty J Brooklyn Aug. 6 Sooo . . . if you and your dog enjoy the dog park, great. If not, don't worry. Did I summarize correctly? Reply19 RecommendShareFlag SB commented August 6 S SB Toronto, Canada Aug. 6 This might be more about the author than dogs or dog parks. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag jm commented August 6 J jm Manhattan Aug. 6 They're not so great for people who don't have dogs. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY actualintent commented August 6 A actualintent oakland, ca Aug. 6 @jm I am a cat person with no dogs and I go to the dog park here - which is a huge open space by the bay with trails - to get my dog fix. It's wonderful. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag G commented August 6 G G El Cerrito Aug. 6 Fine but please don't bring them to people parks. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Anonymous commented 8 hours ago A Anonymous Washington DC 8h ago @G They have been in many people parks for years. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Ken commented August 6 K Ken Ohio Aug. 6 There’s a play by A.R. Gurney called ‘Sylvia’… best dog park dialogue ever. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Sherry commented August 6 S Sherry Arizona Aug. 6 It's a relief to read this because my apartment complex has a dog park but rarely (ever?) maintains it. We don't go in because there's poop everywhere. So we find other places to be off leash. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag PlayOn commented August 6 P PlayOn Iowa Aug. 6 What does Cesar Milan say about dog parks? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY horseshowmom commented 12 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 12h ago If you still think Cesar Millan is reputable...good luck. ReplyRecommendShareFlag RBailey commented August 6 R RBailey Dallas Aug. 6 Hmmmm…thinking what a cat park would be like. :-P Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES cp977 commented August 6 C cp977 Chicago Aug. 6 @RBailey Cats are highly social. In countries where they still wander freely and there are large feral cat populations, observations of cat behavior show that they spend the night wandering around 10 miles and more to visit their cat friends. Most cats that you see in "Cat Cafe" adoption centers seem to adapt very well to being crowded into a large room with other cats, wandering & playing freely. I expect most would like it. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Observor commented August 6 Observor Observor Backwoods California Aug. 6 @RBailey No self-respecting cats would go. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Donkey commented August 6 D Donkey Centropolis Aug. 6 @RBailey There are cat cafes. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag NYCgg commented August 6 N NYCgg New York, NY Aug. 6 Clearly in the minority here but I was always happy to have the dog runs available to us when we lived in NYC. If it was too crowded, we kept on walking. Aggressive dog or if my dog was stressed - we left. A lot of city dogs never get to run, aren’t well socialized and worst of all, sit alone for hours on end in apartments. Don’t start a campaign against a source of joy for so many canines and their owners. Just don’t go if you don’t like it. And all the “germs”? What do you think is all over that sidewalk your dog sniffs at? Worse things than dog poop and pee I can promise you that. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag jcb commented August 6 J jcb oregon coast Aug. 6 Skip the dog park? Skip the dog. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Dmitri commented August 6 D Dmitri NYC Aug. 6 What about non-dog owners rights? Owners now simply unleash their dogs on dog-free lawns in Battery Park City, letting them run over picnic spreads, sunbathers and defecate all over the place. I seems like the epitome of self entitlement. Reply28 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Tom G. commented August 6 T Tom G. WA Aug. 6 @Dmitri Unleashed dogs are a huge pain for dog owners that leash. The unleashed dogs charge the leashed dogs and make them react. I need to carry pepper spray because it happens so frequently. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag m fry commented August 6 M m fry new orleans Aug. 6 Is this science-based? Too much anthropomorphism here Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES cp977 commented August 6 C cp977 Chicago Aug. 6 @m fry Yes, it actually is-- dogs are pack animals but that also means a strict social hierarchy (and related aggression at times), and many puppies in the US are not socialized to other dogs and can get anxious (and some get aggressive). It's a minority but it's real. ReplyRecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented 12 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 12h ago The "pack dog" theory has been thoroughly debunked. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Roy Crowe commented August 6 R Roy Crowe Long Island Aug. 6 Dogs need a yard. They are not cut out for apartments. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag D commented August 6 D D Long Island Aug. 6 Dog parks disgust me and my dog doesn't like it anyway. My mellow dog is a rescue and gets anxious around agitated dogs. The dogs inside the fence crowd the entrance gate, barking and excited to see the newcomer. My dog turns around immediately. She prefers quiet walks in our neighborhood. I prefer that she stay away from other dogs (and their poop) anyway. I don't have to worry about any transmittable infections or diseases. I have a small yard but it's large enough that she can run around. She will chase any toy that has a cookie in it. The people at dog parks are questionable (yes, that's you). One of the very few times I was near a dog park, there was a disagreement and someone shouted, "And don't come back!!" From what I overheard, the shouter did something highly offensive. No thank you. Lastly, I doubt there is anything close to a 69-acre dog park on Long Island. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Linda commented August 6 L Linda MN Aug. 6 I’m glad dog parks are a positive thing for some dogs and their people but I would NEVER take my dogs to one. The chance of a dog fight plus exposure to disease- no thanks! That said, I live in a neighborhood where I can walk my dogs easily and have a good sized fenced yard so we don’t need a dog park. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Tibby Elgato commented August 6 Tibby Elgato Tibby Elgato West county, Republic of California Aug. 6 I don't have a dog and they are great but I can tell you dog parks can be awful. There was one next door in NJ. It was the mayor's pet project (ha ha) so nothing was done to correct the problems. Bark bark bark from early to late. Dog fights, little kids brought the dogs and could not control them even though this violated the rules, people were attacked, people ignored their dogs so they could hang out, known vicious dogs (banned from other dog runs), dogs of all sizes together and poop all over that was never cleaned up. None of the rules were enforced. The town and county blamed each other so neither took responsibility. A friends small dog was almost killed by a large dog during small dog time at another park. The large dog's owner ran off rather than take responsibility. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Carolyn Butcher commented August 6 C Carolyn Butcher Santa Barbara, CA Aug. 6 It depends on the dog, and it depends on the dog park. Near me is a 230 acre park created over a disused landfill 60 years ago, which is run by a non-profit foundation. Off-leash dogs are allowed in the entire park except on the sports fields when they are in use (balls labradors = chaos). The dogs have to be members and wear an identifying tag for which the owner pays a yearly fee with proof of the animal’s vaccination and license. Of course there are incidents, but they are rare and any aggressive/risky behavior by dog or human is grounds for permanent expulsion. Poop bags and bins are provided and owners keep the place pretty clean. It is landscaped with native trees and flora with views of ocean and mountains. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Guiseppe commented August 6 G Guiseppe Pennsylvania Aug. 6 @Carolyn Butcher Although not as large, we have a similar well maintained and regulated dog park with a yearly $50 membership fee. Large dogs and small dogs are separated into two different areas. There are three sections that are rotated when the turf gets too dug up and muddy. In five years I have never seen a dog fight. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Jack commented August 6 J Jack SLC Aug. 6 We have an awesome dog park in SLC, which is an almost 2 mile loop, so if you choose to walk that your interaction with other humans and dogs is spread out, and you can choose to keep moving, or stop and interact, or walk together and interact. The areas where everyone is in one small group can be overwhelming. Yes there are some bad actors, and the management does not give enough structure for those who are not responsible, but all in all it’s much better than most other dog parks I have encountered. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Zadie commented August 6 Z Zadie Alexandria, VA Aug. 6 I appreciate these concerns, and I wouldn't take my current dog to a dog park because he wouldn't enjoy it. My last dog lived for the 30 minutes a day when he got to retrieve a far flung ball, returning each time in a state of absolute joy. We lived in cities and close-in suburbs, and a dog park was the only place to let him tear after balls without violating leash laws. Dog parks are essential for retrievers of any breed or mix. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Linda commented August 6 L Linda MA Aug. 6 Great article! Reply6 RecommendShareFlag midlifecrafts commented August 6 M midlifecrafts mequon, WI Aug. 6 Bravo. My corgi and I visited two different dog parks one time each(large suburban fenced parks). And each time she came down with an intestinal parasite that my vet said was directly the non-sanitary conditions (dog owners not picking up after their dogs) that come with dog parks. I liken dog parks to the McDonald's ball pits that were common in the late 80s where after feasting on a happy meal, kids would roam without supervision and come home with a virulent case of pinkeye. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Hazlit commented August 6 Hazlit Hazlit Vancouver, BC Aug. 6 One advantage of dog parks: they concentrate the dog mess in the dog park. I can't begin to count the number of plants, flies and stink that have been attracted to my doorstep because dog owners think that my doorstep is the local dog toilet. A rule that required dog owners to have their dogs go in dog parks would save thousands in clean up costs and in quality of life. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Andy commented August 6 A Andy Fort Mill, SC Aug. 6 My 11lb chi-mix loves the dog park for an hour----all the smells!!! Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Roger Dier commented August 6 R Roger Dier Oshkosh, Wisconsin Aug. 6 Dog parks are well-intended creations. However, they are too often unsanitary playpens featuring mating behaviors, territorial fighting and canine slobber, the latter a Petri dish of dog-to-dog disease transmission. Take your dog for a walk in the neighborhood. Pick up their poop and dispose in a sanitary manner. When you get home, take off your shoes, relax together and know they love you. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Reader commented August 6 R Reader San Francisco Aug. 6 I am still really uncomfortable with the word 'owner' to describe someone who befriends a living being. Dog guardian would be far more comfortable. How can we 'own' another living thing? Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Mary commented August 6 M Mary Alexandria Aug. 6 @Reader You are absolutely right. Language can be very powerful. Instead of "owner", I am the guardian of my cat. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag David F commented August 6 D David F NYC Aug. 6 @Reader potato potahto A guardian has legal responsibility over; so does an owner ReplyRecommendShareFlag JND commented 9 hours ago J JND Abilene, Texas 9h ago @Reader => OK. I laughed out loud when I saw that this comment came from San Francisco. May you laugh equally as loudly when you see that my reply came from Abilene. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Rita commented August 6 R Rita Philadelphia Aug. 6 My little Jack Russell Chihuahua mix critter wouldn't even go into a dog park. From the jump. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Rich Casagrande commented August 6 R Rich Casagrande Slingerlands, NY Aug. 6 Good thing there is an infinite supply of lawyers! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Patricia commented August 6 P Patricia St Petersburg FL Aug. 6 The article is based on real dangers and risks but fails utterly to provide any evidence. Data from veterinary emergency services, animal control to backup her views. Many dogs are seriously injured while others are traumatized by aggressive dogs in fenced dog parks. Many dog trainers, dog hobbyist organizations and veterinarians could have spoken to the dangers. Sorry but this is poorly reported. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES A Becke commented August 6 A A Becke Bellingham WA Aug. 6 @Patricia It's an opinion piece, not a report. Her observations rang true to me after years of personal experience with dogs and dog parks. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Brian Thompson commented August 6 B Brian Thompson West Sacramento Aug. 6 @Patricia Doggy play dates are healthier and more fun for many dogs. Owners often don't see the trauma their dogs are going through. My dog has a nasty scar from a dog its owner was just playing nicely. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Tom commented August 6 T Tom Oregon Aug. 6 So, dog parks are basically house parties for canines. Not everybody is a natural party animal, and partying hard every single morning is gonna catch up to ya real quick, but to make such a blanket statement as "parties are bad for you" is a bit oversilly. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag C commented August 6 C C T Aug. 6 A follow up article on the absurdity of pet ownership altogether would be great! Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kate commented 6 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 6h ago @C Sure. Pair it with one on the absurdity of having children. ReplyRecommendShareFlag AK commented August 6 A AK Virginia Aug. 6 I tried dog parks (twice) and my dogs just hated it. One was desperately trying to get out of the park and back into the car, and the other clung to me and tried to climb me like a tree (a 50 lb dog too). She only does when I take her to somewhere stressful like the groomer or the vet. My dogs have always preferred walks or rides in the car to dog parks. It's easy to see what makes them happy and what doesn't, so I don't do dog parks. I also think about all the random dog feces and parasites, worms, and illnesses that can be passed between dogs, so I pass on dog parks. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY BJ commented August 6 B BJ Minneapolis Aug. 6 @AK Then don't take your dogs to a dog park. There, problem solved Reply2 RecommendShareFlag GR commented August 6 G GR California Aug. 6 Please don’t generalize your personal experience to the rest of us. Size matters. Training matters. The size of a dog park matters. Small, enclosed spaces pose problems for all living animals. Large open areas provide dogs with space to run. Any dog off-leash needs to be socialized with dogs and trained before going to a dog park. Many people don’t put in the time or effort to train and minimize or deny their dog’s behavior. (Parents do this with their children too!) Before taking one’s dog off-leash, the dog should respond to recall commands, show no aggression to humans or dogs, and be open to many dogs coming onto them. Many dogs cannot tolerate this. It’s up to people to exercise some judgment and acknowledge their dog’s “antisocial” behavior and take them elsewhere. It’s not a stigma—it’s a kindness for your stressed dog as well the rest of us. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Brian Thompson commented August 6 B Brian Thompson West Sacramento Aug. 6 @GR OK but many people who have dogs that are more aggressive will not take them elsewhere. They are happy with the situation as it is. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Seattle commented August 6 S Seattle Seattle Aug. 6 We’ve had four pugs over 20 years and they have all loved the dog park. Their excitement as we get in the car, their playfulness at the park made this clear. I understand it’s not for all dogs, but I’m grateful to Seattle’s many thoughtful dog guardians who make our local dog park safe and fun for dogs. One key is to observe how long your dog likes to be there. For our newer pug, 15 minutes is all he needs. He loves to interact, but then he’s done. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Gary commented August 6 G Gary Chevy Chase MD Aug. 6 I sent 3 kids to pre-school. Nothing can be more chaotic or germ ridden then pre-school. Dog parks are like pre-school. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY John V commented 12 hours ago J John V Oak Park, IL 12h ago @Gary. Succinct! And let’s not forget that some toddlers bite. ReplyRecommendShareFlag One Thought commented August 6 O One Thought Virginia Aug. 6 This doesn’t reflect our experience. My dogs come and get me from whatever task about the time we would head to the dog park; they sit up and stare in anticipation every time we go near our dog park; they whine to get out of the car and once in the park they great their friends, both dog and human, and it’s often difficult to get them to leave. Yes, parks can be a dangerous place when owners do not have appropriate control of their dogs. And picking up bad habits are a hazard. But rolling in the mud to cool after a nice summer storm or being sprayed by water? Irresistible at home and the park. Dogs are social animals and if you find a park you can trust with well trained and good tempered pets, it’s a healthy and enjoyable experience for all! Reply21 RecommendShareFlag Laura V commented August 6 L Laura V Sacramento CA Aug. 6 I have a medium size dog. He has been attacked twice by larger dogs at a dog park. Once was a dog that the owner had just gotten from the pound the day before. She had no business bringing a new dog into such a stressful situation. I saw that her dog was guarding the water spigot, not a good sign, and was taking my dog out the exit. That was when the dog ran over and attacked my dog, even though we were not passing the water spigot. The other dog dug his teeth into the back of my dog and would not let go. Thanks to another person, he got the other dog to release my dog. I had to take him to vet because of a puncture wound. We now use the “small dog” area, even though my dog pushes the size limit. I think medium and small size dogs are especially vulnerable in dog parks as they are viewed as easier to pick on by larger more aggressive dogs. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Brian Thompson commented August 6 B Brian Thompson West Sacramento Aug. 6 @Laura V Easy going large dogs are also vulnerable to get attacked. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Elfa commented August 6 E Elfa Dreamland Aug. 6 And they’re not always great for people! My 75 year old father has been reduced from walking 3 miles a day to homebound on a walker because of a traumatic knee injury that occurred when a pack of frolicking dogs ran into him, led by his own wonderful dog Spot. I think the problem with dog parks is most people don’t understand dog behavior and aren’t motivated to be proactive in helping to socialize dogs so that they are acting safely and appropriately. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES W.B. commented August 6 W.B. W.B. WA Aug. 6 @Elfa Sorry to hear that. I suppose one is never too old to find out that conventional wisdom is never right. Watching dog owners in perpetual struggle with their charges, applying all the trendy, protean strategies to act as psychologist, trainer, husband, best friend, companion, nutritionist, exercise partner, emotional support, and what have you, just astounds me. Isn't reading "The Call of the Wild" enough? To understand dogs is to understand why no one should own dogs. Being at a dog park is being around a group of people who don't understand this. .. and can't figure out how to just be a human being, to organize with, and commisserate with their own species. H. sapiens is in a vicious cycle... the alienation of modern life and the dysfunctional milieu drive people toward this dead end relationship with dogs... and they isolate and become dependent, becoming more and more susceptible to accidents like the one you describe. Wherever the dogs are, socaility is degraded. Conversations are clipped and awkward and the subject matter is uninteresting. Owners become as dependent on the dog's presence as the alcoholic with his bottle. In the company of people, anything is possible. In the company of dogs a group's consciousness is invariably lowered. Dogs ruin connections between people, their community and neighbors. They interrupt and interfere with a person's personal space and attention to gravity and balance. They are an external tumor attached to a person. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Annie Lebowitz commented August 6 A Annie Lebowitz NJ Aug. 6 @Elfa. I was also knocked down at a dog park (not injured but definitely annoyed) and my car key fob was bitten through by a dog trying to get to treats in my pocket. In neither case did the dogs’ owners acknowledge any problem. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag ADavis commented August 6 A ADavis Las Vegas Aug. 6 I have a high energy breed (Hungarian Vizsla) that needs to sprint regularly to be somewhat normal. We live in a house with a tiny yard in Las Vegas, so between the hot pavement in the summer making walks challenging and no yard to speak of, the dog park is the next best solution. We have a really well taken care of fenced park with 3 large pens, and most of the people who come self-police. The only caveat is that my dog does not like to play with other dogs - she just wants to run and catch her ball and visit with the humans, so we try to end up in the pen with the more anti-social dogs who typically to keep to themselves or their owners, and avoid the pen with the wrestlers. 30-40 minutes of hard runs with her ball and she’s good. They may not be the best environments for all dogs (and I’ve seen owners who try to force the issue), but between the park most days and a day or two at daycare per week, she gets the exercise she needs for her breed type. Being a good dog owner is knowing your pup’s thresholds for anything and being willing to work with their boundaries and limitations. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Lacy Charles commented August 6 L Lacy Charles Charlestown, RI Aug. 6 Two things: Exhausting your dog is an old trope publicized by Cesar Milan, whose methods have been thoroughly debunked. Dogs don't need to be forced to exercise. If they want to run, they'll run (given the space to) and if they don't want to, don't force them under the guise of "tiring them out." (I can't tell you the number of people I see in my park jogging with their poor dog tethered to them, some with short legs, who are clearly struggling to keep up.) And two — expect pushback for this, but here goes: "It was all wonderful until my dog’s ear was ripped off, and the attacking dog’s owner refused to pay the vet bill." Dog parks are an assumed risk. Near-daily visits over the course of a dog's lifetime is going to result in a fight once or twice if not more often. That's the risk you take. You shouldn't have to endure repeated offenses from the same dog, but this current trend of making a dog owner pay your vet bill for a one-time offense is nuts. Besides, you don't really ever know who started it. You don't know if your dog didn't emit a low growl or some other aggressive trigger that you didn't hear but the other dog did. I'm just saying dogs are a responsibility, financially as well as other ways, and that includes covering their care if they get bit. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES AK commented August 6 A AK Virginia Aug. 6 My Akita had her eyelid split open from surprise attack from a supposedly 'my dog is friendly' neighbor dog, a Labrador retriever which is also supposed to be a friendly breed. My dog was just quietly standing there minding her own business (on a leash), and this other dog (not on a leash) just trotted up and bit her in the face with no warning. The only reason a very dangerous dog fight didn't break out was I had my own dog on a leash and she was very well trained so I was able to stop the fight after the first bite. The owner just laughed and walked off and didn't pay the vet bill. I think there are some weird people who get off on their dogs being aggressive. The dog plays out their own aggression they can't personally express or they'd be arrested. So I don't do dog parks. Dog fights can go from nothing to very serious in a second. I fear especially for the small dogs playing with big ones because they can be crushed and shaken to death in a few seconds. Don't let your dog play with stranger's dogs! Reply4 RecommendShareFlag cp977 commented August 6 C cp977 Chicago Aug. 6 @AK That's what lawsuits are for. Take a photo, file a police report, sue for vet fees. When I was a kid, there were neighborhood kids attacked 3 different times by wandering (not stray) dogs, & they did some real damage. The parents in each case tracked the dogs and their owners and recovered. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Linda commented August 6 L Linda MN Aug. 6 @AK Same happened to my senior dog and I when we were walking in the neighborhood last fall. Loose dog came running over and jumped on my dog, latching onto his face. It was very scary. After many minutes the dog’s owner FINALLY came and removed their dog. Never apologized or said anything. I told her that she was paying for the vet costs and she did. It’s the right thing to do when your dog attacks another dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag jen commented August 6 jen jen Mplsmn Aug. 6 A friend of mine, who founded an animal rescue group & is a certified dog trainer, told me “Dog parks are full of dogs who’s owners take them to the parks rather than train them.” She also said that dogs do best meeting only one other dog at a time. Any more than that, they get confused & that’s when aggressive behavior can happen. I appreciated the article. Reply32 RecommendShareFlag actualintent commented August 6 A actualintent oakland, ca Aug. 6 The writer obviously has never been to a dog park like Pt. Isabel, in the SF Bay Area. It's completely open and consists of miles of trails along the bay. The dogs don't run around in circles. They do the trail, and sometimes they meet each other on the trail, and the ones who don't want to keep going. They chase balls over hills and many chase balls in the water. It really is idyllic. Yes, there are some very social dogs who meet and greet lots of strangers - they seem to me, at least, to be the majority of them - and there are some wallflowers. But the wallflowers can just keep going. Altercations happen but seem rare and the dogs are not enclosed so there's no problem. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Dog Walker commented August 6 D Dog Walker Wilmette IL Aug. 6 I’ve said this for 25 years. Dogs and kids are similar, in that socialization is individual. Not all are up for crowds or even small groups. I can’t tell you how many yahoos think their dog needs to meet the dog I’m walking when they have paid no attention to the response my dog is giving as they bound towards us. I frequently am walking client dogs who are terrified of of strangers or other dogs and that can result in aggressive and protective behaviors. I have crossed the street to avoid such situations and the yahoos follow. Read the situation! Reply12 RecommendShareFlag eye roll commented August 6 E eye roll america Aug. 6 Here's the solution, just as the author noted: Avoid the dog park! Instead, just let your dog run around off-leash at every other park, beach, trail, nature preserve, etc. Oh wait! This is exactly what many dog owners do already, and they don't need any advice from me. Why stress your dog out, when you can stress out other people, kids, and wildlife instead? Seriously though: Maybe the problem is a) too many dog owners, and b) too many people trying to keep dogs in inappropriate urban locations where there just aren't good spaces for dogs to be dogs. You can be part of the solution (by not owning a dog), or part of the problem. Reply39 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kris commented August 6 K Kris Las Vegas Aug. 6 Another solution is to have a dog that's not high energy and is bred to be a pet. ReplyRecommendShareFlag ph commented August 6 P ph California Aug. 6 The comments about dogs as kids: honestly, the more unconditional love found in a person’s life, the happier they will be. We are an odd species. We need help. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag John M commented August 6 J John M Virginia Aug. 6 Working awfully hard to find issues with dog parks. I guess because your dog got hurt. Seems an unprofessional use of your platform. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag Maxine commented August 6 M Maxine LA Aug. 6 I took my 4 month old rescue pup to the dog park to "socialize" her and within a week she was bitten severely by another dog trying to herd her. The own paid for the surgery, but the mental wounds to my dog ran deep. As she entered adolescence, she became a biter. Best advice I got from a trainer was - don't go to dog parks now. Some dogs are great there, but please don't take a puppy! Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Kim commented August 6 K Kim San Francisco Aug. 6 The solution to dog parks is to outlaw the keeping of dogs. No animal should ever be confined, and it is particularly cruel when done in a city. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES H commented August 6 H H SD Aug. 6 @Kim My dog would not be happy if he was with other dogs, and I would not be happy if I were with other humans. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Edward commented August 6 E Edward Toronto Aug. 6 @Kim that's absurd and tantamount to outlawing dogs. Dogs are not wild animals. They've been interdependent with humans for millennia. Wolves and coyotes are wild. Dogs are evolved to be with & work with humans. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Trogdor commented August 6 T Trogdor New York, NY Aug. 6 @Kim Outlaw the keeping of dogs? Are you suggesting disallowing owning dogs? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Lynda Demsher commented August 6 L Lynda Demsher Oregon Aug. 6 Many dog boarding businesses have a large area for play days. I take my 25-pound mutt to a weekly play day with dogs his size, overseen by a trainer who monitors their behavior. This costs $50 for 6 weeks. The dogs all get to know each other and a pecking order gets established. Any dog that gets too aggressive is dealt with by the trainer. Some adapt well and owners can learn whether their dog is suited for communal play. Some just are not, hiding between their owner’s legs or more interested in bullying other dogs. The owners of those dogs are advised by the trainer to find other ways to exercise their dogs. It's a safe place for dogs to play. My dog loves it. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lynda commented August 6 L Lynda Florida Aug. 6 @Lynda Demsher We didn't have dog parks close to us, but did have a large fenced yard and two dogs. And our dogs loved the boarding facility they went to when we traveled. One of my favorite memories is watching a whole pack of labs and goldens run across the fenced in fields at the boarding facility with our white standard poodle leading them! Although our dogs were all adult rescues when they came to live with us, I assume they were properly socialized as puppies and trained as adults because they got along well with other dogs they met while walking with us. Our elderly black lab was a retired service dog; our standard poodle was a retired show dog with Addison's. They each had rules they learned before they came to us. I miss those special dogs; they were a bright spot in my life. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Mr Scott commented August 6 M Mr Scott Honolulu Aug. 6 What happened to people, did we lose all of our social skills because of Covid? Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Jay Russo commented August 6 J Jay Russo NYC Aug. 6 Just please don’t use this as an excuse to find your own ‘personal’ dog park in another part of the park, like those do in Tompkins Square Park. They use the park’s grassy or wooded areas, to unleash their dogs and let them run, trod, poop, and pee all over them. Those areas are not your own personal dog parks! They are meant either for people to lay in the grass, or for plants to grow un disturbed! Reply37 RecommendShareFlag citizen vox commented August 6 C citizen vox san francisco Aug. 6 My dog (a 15 lb sort of multipoo), is not much interested in other dogs in dog parks; as for me, I find them dirty and boring to sit in. So we go on walks in parks with an occasional off leash time where it's safe and allowed. What he really likes is running store errands with me; it's there that he can find new people to make a fuss over him. He checks for bored salesclerks behind the counter who might just find him cute and cuddly. And then there are the customers. He loves getting wheeled around in a cart at Target because that gives him a better vantage point than his usual ground level view. Having spent two weeks with a dog sitter in her home, in the company of two other small dogs, he seemed to miss their company when we returned home where it's just me. But taking on two dogs, with the price of vet care as high as it is? Sorry, can't do it. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES L S Herman commented August 6 L L S Herman MA Aug. 6 @citizen vox You bring up another “emerging” issue - bringing the dog to the store, the restaurant, the salon. You make think others are enchanted by your pup, but some are frightened, allergic etc. The next person using that cart for their child (or possessions) may find it unsanitary. Then there is the scenario where rather than their getting dogs properly trained & certfied, people go and buy phony vests and present the dogs as if they are truly service animals, when they are not. This is disrespectful to all of those going through a lot of effort (& expense) to get a dog properly trained, & truly need the help. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Anonymous commented 8 hours ago A Anonymous Washington DC 8h ago @L S Herman In my experience few people bother with the fake vests anymore; they just bring their dogs with them into stores and formerly no-dog buildings like mine. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Donna D. commented August 6 D Donna D. San Jose, CA Aug. 6 All dog parks are not created equal. Same goes for dog owners. We have a great park here - Reed Dog Park in Santa Clara, CA that is very spacious, large and small dog sections, immaculately maintained by the city, artificial turf, hills, shade trees and plenty of parking. As a dog owner for decades, I agree some dog parks are to be avoided for all the reasons in the article. However, this one is spectacular and worth the visit. There is also Point Isabel dog park in Richmond, CA - 16 acres on the east bay where dogs can run off leash. This space is also exceptional - the people are chill and friendly and the dogs get plenty of exercise. Bring high value treats for recall. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY JLW commented August 6 J JLW CA Aug. 6 @Donna D. Pt. Isabel is my favorite walking place and it is not just for dogs. I have seen owners encouraging their dogs to chase birds in the mudflats. And since the pandemic, more and more, dogs have been pooping on the trails, on the hills, everywhere, and their owners walk on without picking it up. When dogs are off leash, please pay attention to them, even if they are behind you. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Burton commented August 6 Burton Burton Chapel Hill Aug. 6 Owning a dog is a large commitment. Many dog owners simply do not have the time, energy, patience, and expertise to do right by their dog and the other people and dogs they interact with. Dog parks are a small part of this issue. Reply27 RecommendShareFlag Charlotte Amalie commented August 6 C Charlotte Amalie Oklahoma Aug. 6 Sounds like the author might be projecting a bit, but isn't everyone running around screaming, “I just can’t take it anymore!” Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Travis commented August 6 T Travis San Diego, CA Aug. 6 My dog has let me know know pretty clearly that she does not like dog parks, or even the dog beach. This article is somehow validating that that doesn’t mean she’s a weirdo lol. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Tim Mahoney commented August 6 T Tim Mahoney Montreal Aug. 6 Dog parks are only good if it's your dog and maybe one other it knows. Like many aspects of being in public, its the idiots who ruin it for everyone with their dogs that attack or scare other dogs whilst they say, "oh, he's just having fun". Reply10 RecommendShareFlag KLP commented August 6 K KLP Rockville Aug. 6 The writer isn't a veterinarian or dog researcher, why was this even printed? Are dog parks more dangerous than other places statistically? The article doesn't say. This person apparently had at least one bad experience at a dog park. That's too bad, but it seems a terrible reason to have an opinion piece against dog parks published in a major newspaper. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Monica Tipton commented August 6 Monica Tipton Monica Tipton California Aug. 6 @KLP Opinions are personal beliefs, right? You do understand that, right? However, please feel free to conduct research, preferably a double blind study, to provide data for or against dog parks. Count the opinions on the comments page to get a trend (it's kind of like voting). My opinion, my dogs' opinions, and that of our dog trainer, is to avoid dog parks for the reasons this author states. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Helen commented August 6 H Helen Connecticut Aug. 6 Amen! When we added a second dog, dog parks became impossible as our second dog is too reactive. We are fortunate enough (aware it’s a big time privilege to be able to afford) to send them to a doggie daycare a day a week for him to be around additional dogs. He knows the people at the kennel and it’s often the same dogs so it fits a routine for him. Our other dog is with him, they kennel them together so his environment is comfortable. This is what works for us and him. And I’m okay with it. I’m often surprised at how uninformed owners of dogs are about dog psychology and behavior. Or worse, how often dog owners perpetuate bad behaviors. If I hear one more person say after a dog jumps up ‘it’s okay! I love dogs’ or ‘it’s okay, I have a dog!’ I will scream. A dog jumping means they’re excited - when they’re excited, they’re less likely to hear commands. That’s not good for anyone because it means they’re less controllable. They’re still an animal and can hurt people. You want to have control. Also, not everyone likes dogs. Some folks are straight up terrified of dogs. They shouldn’t have a dog jumping on them and be told ‘it’s okay!! They’re nice!’ You know how dogs (or ANYONE) are trained? Consistency. Being consistent. Exceptions because you’re ‘a dog person’ doesn’t help the dog or their owner. I always coax a dog down and reward it for sitting or staying calm when one jumps on me because I have dogs and that’s what I’d want other folks to do. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag r commented August 6 R r ny Aug. 6 Never ever. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Javaharv commented August 6 Javaharv Javaharv Faifield, CT Aug. 6 I had an Irish Terrier who was not dog friendly and diffenetly not one to be taken to the DP, and I would always tell other dog owners, "She is not friendly" but they would approach anyway and Mikie would not be nice, to say the least, and the other dog owner would blame me for the altercation. "I told you she is not friendly." The Irish Terrier is notoriously not dog friendly. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag SMS commented August 6 S SMS Wareham Ma Aug. 6 Our town has a dog park for little dogs and for big dogs. 🙂 My dog is a big frisky dog and loves to play with other big frisky dogs. However, I always walk the perimeter of the park before I take my dog off leash. And I bring several doggy bags with me. Unfortunately while owners socialize with “real estate lawyers” and other humans often they don’t watch what their dog is doing. As a result poop 💩 can litter, the dog park making it not such a great place to take a dog even my big frisky dog. And even though I’m a dedicated multi-dog dedicated pooper scooper, it is still yuck 🤢 Reply9 RecommendShareFlag S. Marie commented August 6 S S. Marie Ashland, OR Aug. 6 Dog parks are only as good as the owners who use them. It's when those owners don't pay attention to a game that's turning aggressive, or take responsibility for their dog's behavior that the probems begin. My dachshund-Maltese loved the dog park until a playful chase turned into a predatory pack that went after her. I scooped her up before a full attack, but one dog (owner nowhere to be seen) leaped up and bit her leg. We went one more time and she began hugging the fence, quaking, her tail between her legs. Never again. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Scottd commented August 6 S Scottd Toronto Aug. 6 There are too many dogs. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Joe commented August 6 J Joe Santa Fe Aug. 6 @Scottd There are too many people. Reply26 RecommendShareFlag Lynda commented August 6 L Lynda Florida Aug. 6 @Scottd Responsible pet caregivers always, always spay/neuter their companion animals. Black Labs were the state dog where I used to live. One young neighbor of ours kept his adolescent black lab confined to his house for many many hours at a time. Of course the dog escaped wandered into streets and bothered people walking their dogs. When I told the irresponsible owner he needed to give his dog a place to relieve himself, take him on walks and get the dog neutered, he blew up at me in anger, saying he wanted to pass on the dog's genes! I told him there was nothing special about his dog's genes that a million other black labs didn't have. He was being cruel to his dog by confining him for so many hours a day. Unfortunately I found out from a law officer that the man was mentally ill; the man was evicted from our neighborhood and the dog taken to animal control. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Spanky commented August 6 S Spanky Salt Lake City Aug. 6 @Joe Both true. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Gringo commented August 6 G Gringo Miami Aug. 6 Compared to a long hike through an alpine meadow or unrestrained daily life on a ranch, dog parks suck. Compared to being incarcerated in a city apartment with bathroom privileges limited to two short daily walks, dog parks rock. Compared to a cell at the shelter or outright euthanasia, apartments rock. Choose your poison. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Larry commented August 6 L Larry NY/NJ Aug. 6 There are no bad dogs, only bad people. Every “problem” I have ever encountered with a dog was caused by careless, ill-informed or just plain stupid people. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Sharon commented August 6 S Sharon Craig Colorado Aug. 6 @Larry And, frankly, many people are arrogant enough (just read the comments) to believe they know everything about dogs, dog behavior, other people's dogs, and how ALL dogs should be treated/live/etc. People are just plain ignorant on so many levels it never fails to amaze me. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Bill commented August 6 Bill Bill NY Aug. 6 "Does your dog bite?" "No. My dog does not bite." [Dog bites person] "You said your dog does not bite." "That...is not my dog!" --Peter Sellers Reply27 RecommendShareFlag Colette commented August 6 C Colette Houston Texas Aug. 6 I had a dog who loved the dog park as a puppy, then as an adult (3 ) did not enjoy it at all- was easily stressed out and clearly did not enjoy it. 1 on 1 “play dates” with my friends and their dogs were much more pleasant, and a repeating dog friend was best! From what I can conclude, dogs are a lot like people in this regard- As adults we have a close group of friends, and going out to a crowd of unknown people alone isn’t always fun! Reply7 RecommendShareFlag DMC commented August 6 D DMC OC Aug. 6 I wish people treated their kids half as well as they treat their dogs. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Lynda commented August 6 L Lynda Florida Aug. 6 @DMC Many studies show a connection between abusing animals and abusing children and other relatives. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 6 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 6h ago @DMC Most of the dog people I know don’t have kids. If they do, the kids are treated as well as the dogs. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Asher commented August 6 A Asher Chicago Aug. 6 I like animals, but must say assuming 'dogs sweet at home' = 'dogs sweet among strangers' not always true and can lead to undesirable outcomes. Whether in dog parks or forest preserves or somewhere in public, leashing is better especially if they are energetic and fall under protective breed. I have seen some dogs bark their heads off, bark unprovoked at strangers who are just walking, jump at them out of the blue. And the owners respond to the aggression by saying "dog is so sweet" which makes no sense because if not for the leash, no one can say what the dog would do -- good or bad. Best to be alert and aware that things can go wrong. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Eric Banner commented August 6 E Eric Banner New York Aug. 6 Never. The dog parks are infested with disease, aggressive dogs with zero training - and their phone distracted, zero control, "my dog is friendly" idiots with no idea what their canine is capable of. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Wine Country Reader commented August 6 W Wine Country Reader California Aug. 6 This article is doing a lot of harm. I don't understand why people who forced to do anything (go to a dog park) have to rain on everyone else's parade. Yes, I have had dogs who hate dog parks and dogs who love them. I did not use the dog park for my dog that hated it. Dog owners love their dogs, maybe too much. They get it when their dog is not having a good time. They don't use the park then. It is like saying because my 3 year old granddaughter doesn't like swings at the park (too much motion), we should not have swings in the park. Really unfair. My community is considering a dog park. This is not helpful. If you dog doesn't like it, don't go. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY horseshowmom commented 12 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 12h ago The article offers opinions. People are free to accept them or reject them. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag AZYankee commented August 6 AZYankee AZYankee Scottsdale Aug. 6 Dog parks also harbor viral and bacterial pools. Lepto is a huge problem where I live, and I've been reading about increased cases of parvovirus as well. They have been in even well kept manicure dog parks. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Holly commented August 6 H Holly Cape Cod Aug. 6 Let's face it. A dog park is a people idea. my dog hates them too. Perhaps unused dog parks could be turned into a toddler play park (with natural soil treatment of course). Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Karen commented August 6 K Karen North Carolina Aug. 6 The Wag Bar is here in Weaverville, NC (just north of Asheville). An outdoor adult bar/dog park. A minimal membership is charged to bring your dog and vaccination records are required. The team does a great job making sure that the dogs are in a safe environment. If your dog is aggressive or overwhelmed, the team asks you to leave or take your dog to an adjacent area away from the main action. A great place to hang out with dog lovers and dogs in a safe environment. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Bob McBobbybob commented August 6 B Bob McBobbybob Arizona Aug. 6 With my previous dog we went to a dog park every day at the same time. He developed friendships with other dogs that came at the same time and over 15 years I developed some friendships that felt like family- many with people I might not have ever come into contact with otherwise. As in life, that good boy eventually passed away. People move. When I eventually returned with a new dog it was a different scene. Different dogs. Different vibe. Our new dog, a border collie golden retriever mix, suffers no fools. The dog park wasn’t a good fit. I think he thought of it more like a prison yard than a playground. We now go for a long walk by ourselves with a good play session. We did find that a doggie daycare once a week is good for him. It’s a lot of the same dogs and they are separated by temperament and supervised. He seems to be excited to be there. Oddly enough it’s at in a building that used to be a Montessori school and feels like it. Dog parks are great, for some dogs. I still miss going but I know our dog doesn’t, but he’s still a happy good boy. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lynda commented August 6 L Lynda Florida Aug. 6 @Bob McBobbybob Great story! Paying attention to your dog provided good outcomes for you and your dog. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Andrew S commented August 6 A Andrew S San Diego Aug. 6 Some dog parks are better than others, and it's worth the effort to travel to a good one. There is a tiny dog park down the street that I would never use because there are too many dogs and it would be stressful. However, if I put my dogs in the car and drive 10 minutes there is a huge 100 acre fenced dog park with a sandy beach, where I can let my dogs roam free for an hour or more and meet other well behaved dogs that are having a great time. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Jon commented August 6 J Jon Ca. Aug. 6 Dog parks are where dogs acquire fleas, ticks and parvo - strictly avoid if you love your pet. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Laura Burt commented August 6 L Laura Burt NY, NY Aug. 6 My senior mini poodle hates dog parks. The few times I took him, he was attacked and bullied by the bigger, younger dogs, while their owners chatted or were on their phones. My solution was doggie daycare. Yes, they can be pricey, but the animals are screened for temperament and sorted accordingly. Then they are allowed hours of closely supervised play. If someone acts up, they get put in time-out. Too many act ups, they get suspended. Bonus is "school portraits", paw turkeys at Thanksgiving, etc. Well worth the money if you need a break or aren't home much. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Richard Brown commented August 6 R Richard Brown Santa Fe, NM Aug. 6 I recognize that I'm old and out of touch with modern sensiblities. My wife and I went to lunch at an outdoor cafe the other day and as our food was served two young ladies sat next to use with a large, excitable dog. I have had pets that were loving members of the family. but it never occured to me to bring them to lunch, a concert, or a food market. Reply29 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Saba commented August 6 S Saba Albany Aug. 6 @Richard Brown Agreed. Also, two women sat down near me in a cafe. Their dog smelled so bad that doggie bag took on a new meaning as I stuffed my lunch in the bag and fled. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Philip Bruckler commented August 6 P Philip Bruckler Las Vegas, Nv Aug. 6 @Richard Brown I agree. I work on the Las Vegas strip. Over the last couple of years I’ve noticed that more and more people are bringing dogs into my hotel. Then they bring them into the restaurant. I have three dogs at home and love them very much. I’ve never considered bringing them with me to a hotel. Maybe on a camping trip, but never to a hotel. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented 11 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 11h ago Don't travel to Europe. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Daniel Cooney commented August 6 D Daniel Cooney New York City Aug. 6 Our sweet boy loved the dog park as a pup but once he hit adulthood he became reactive and aggressive on our visits. So, we stopped going despite his pulling towards it as he only remembers the good times. A nice treat generally redirects him until we reach the human park where he enjoys his family’s company. Just pay attention to what your dog is telling you and it’s all good. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Dreamtress commented August 6 D Dreamtress Northern CA Aug. 6 As my husband and I take long cars trips with our small but energetic dog, we’re always on the lookout for a dog park so she can get some exercise. I’ve been amazed several times at the largess and beauty of many of them. Paths for the humans to walk along with big, grassy middle areas for the dogs to roam. Paths that meander through an arch of trees by a stream. These are welcome respites from hours sitting in the car for all of us. I also take her to the dog park at home. Much, much smaller and rather bland. Rather than interacting with other dogs she usually likes to sniff the whole area and ignores other dogs. And people are always changing out the water in the water dishes. I’ve met wonderful people and dogs at these dog parks over the years. Once in a while there’s a problem dog and/or owner, so we leave. One has to be astute and pay attention to their dog to see if they are ready to leave. Most people I’ve met at dog parks are very attentive to their dogs. We shouldn’t assume all dog parks are bad for dogs. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Passion for Peaches commented August 6 Passion for Peaches Passion for Peaches left coast Aug. 6 You need to define “dog park.” It’s true that the typical urban dog park — a small, fenced-in patch of (often nasty) ground — is not a good place for dogs, and a terrible place for puppies. It’s a great place to study canine body language (excitement, appeasement, stress, calming, submission, domination, terror, aggression…), much of it negative. A wagging tail does not mean your dog is happy! The potential for disease spreading is enough reason to avoid dog parks, especially in wet weather. I’ve even witnessed this scenario on dog beaches, where you’d think there was enough room for dogs to choose their own space. Cliffs and water are the same as fences, to a dog. But not all dog gathering spots are bad. There are other kinds of de-facto dog parks that are not so stressful. Spaces where there are no fences, and there is enough room for owners and dogs to keep walking — leashed or unleashed — with pauses for supervised meet and greets. Dogs feel much more confident and safe if they are moving through, there are exit routes, and their owner is in control. The most important element is an attentive and knowledgeable owner. Read up on canine body language before socializing your puppy or under socialized rescue dog. Know the meanings of tail and ear position, head and back position when greeting, and the language of those barely noticeable micro changes in lip and brow. Watch your dog, and protect him. Remove the dog, calmly but swiftly, when she shows signs of stress. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag j s commented August 6 J j s oregon Aug. 6 Years ago, a commissioner and mayoral candidate here in Portland decided to show his "authority" by cracking down on "scofflaw" off leash dogs. There had been a number of unofficial off-leash parks. One could hike trails, and meet others and their dogs in-passing. It wasn't congested, it wasn't confined, and it was friendly and "self-policed". Problem dog owners would be ostracized. It was much better socially for the dogs, and less cliquey for dog owners. The "crackdown" was proceeded by poisonings, and a vigilante website. The city said it was "responding to the largest complaint category". I frequently asked for the statistics (how many complaints, how many complainers), and was told "it didn't matter". The network of dog parks that the city gave us are over used, and inappropriately used (I've seen dogs simply dropped off!). They are small confined places without any option to hike (that's what I do with my dogs). They are muddy and dirty. Since then, I've found even dog owners to be less trusting of other owners. It's completely changed the culture in this city. I run a volunteer organization that helps manage a Forest Service site where it is allowed to walk dogs off-leash on all but one trail. It's large not confined, and has a completely different energy. The VAST majority pick up after (we have cans along the trails). Sure there are problems, but not nearly what "dog parks" have. The problem is that it too is overused as there are no alternatives. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES NRNT commented August 6 N NRNT Pittsburgh Aug. 6 Keeping your dog leashed isn't punishment, it's protecting your dog. I don't care where you walk your dog, there are hazards along the way, from wild animals to other loose dogs to trail dangers. If you love your dog, keep him/her on a leash. The dog is still getting exercise despite whatever you think about a roaming pet being better off. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag M from PNW commented August 6 M M from PNW Seattle, WA Aug. 6 @j s Great for you, but how about those of us who are involuntarily accosted by over-energetic and/or aggressive off-leash canines? Owners always claim their wonderful puppies are "friendly" as the bowl over and/or attack fragile humans (young and small or older!). Keep your dogs on a leash, which can be a long lead, and let's all enjoy the outdoors. We have a local park that is struggling with owners who feel entitled to put their dogs off leash even though that behavior is clearly against the rules. Ugh! Reply7 RecommendShareFlag sharpshin commented August 6 S sharpshin NJ Aug. 6 @NRNT I second this wholeheartedly. If you are out in public with your dog, he or she needs to be physically controlled on a leash at all times, no questions asked and no excuses accepted. This is for all the reasons NRNT mentions and to protect other humans, who may be small and vulnerable or older and frail. No one should be forced to interact with your dog. Oh, btw, train your dog. Walking calmly on a leash without yanking and tugging is a very necessary and very possible skill but requires time and patience. -- Dog owner of 40+ years Reply6 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Heather commented August 6 H Heather Washington Aug. 6 My pet peeve at the dog park are people that bring young children and don’t watch them. It’s dangerous for them and the dogs. They pick dogs up without asking, play in the gravel (gross!), run around screaming. One mom got mad that a dog kept jumping on her kid. “Apparently these dogs don’t like kids!” These are dog parks, not children’s playgrounds or petting zoos. Leave the kids at home until they are old enough to behave correctly. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Rachel commented August 6 R Rachel NY, NY Aug. 6 My dog weighs 15lbs and can be a bit shy, but likes to play with other small dogs, so I will occasionally take him to the "small dogs only" park in Washington Square Park. He seems to love it but tires out fairly quickly so we don't stay long. I would never take him to a park with large dogs who might play rough or stress him out. I've also heard way too many horror stories of attacks, so if someone brings a large or aggressive-seeming dog in, I don't wait to take chances -- we are outta there! My dog before this one HATED all dog parks and would only hide under a bench so I stopped trying pretty quickly. It's supposed to be for HIM, not ME, right? Lastly, I'll agree with people here that non-urban dog parks are a totally different experience. We go to one within a state park upstate- it's a wide, grassy, fenced field. A place he can run free with a dog or two, big or small, he doesn't seem to mind, it's never crowded, such a wildly different vibe! Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Gere88 commented August 6 G Gere88 Los Angeles Aug. 6 Years ago, my puppy was badly bitten by a neighbors's dog- it was a Sunday, and the only place open was the 24 hour emergency animal hospital. It was FILLED with other dogs who had been bitten at the dog park! I've always avoided them for that very reason- especially when you've got dog walkers with upwards of 5 or more dogs to watch- they're on their phones, not paying attention to their dogs! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Saba commented August 6 S Saba Albany Aug. 6 I live in Montgomery NY. Dog owners take their dogs to the Arboretum rather than the nearby dog park. Unleashed dogs urinate on the grass and on flowers. I saw an unleashed dog digging in a section of newly-planted grass with a rope around the edge and a keep off sign. The park manager cannot stop them because the Arboretum is designated a part of the public park. Dog parks are also for those of us who do not own dogs. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Shelby commented August 6 S Shelby NYC Aug. 6 @Saba -- "Dog Park" suggests a designated area dedicated to use by dogs. By definition, these areas are NOT for use by "those of us who do not own dogs." What you are describing in your Arboretum is a non-dog space being used disrespectfully and illegally by those who feel above the rules. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Atin Kothari commented August 6 A Atin Kothari Bellevue, WA Aug. 6 Hi, We have a small dog and we've been taking him to local dog parks since he was young. In my experience smaller dog parks were where he got nipped by the bigger alpha dogs. Fortunately, nothing serious happened. On the other hand, I was very apprehensive taking him to our local, volunteer maintained 40 acre off-leash park, too big? But since I've been taking him to the big park, he loves it. Some days we take very long walks, meet familiar dogs, many new ones, walk alone. Some days we go in, he does his business and wants to go back home or its 70F (or warmer) and he's done. One thing we love about the big park, versus the smaller gated park is that in the small park all the dogs knew when my li'l one entered the park and were there to greet him, which sometimes made him nervous, whereas in the big park, there are so many entrances, that we can enter unnoticed if we choose to. With the volunteer run park, picking up after your dog is all the more important and there are always folks stuck to their phone and not watching their pooch. I (and my friends' too) have had good and bad experiences pointing out to folks to pick after their dogs. So far after 4 years of going to the park, we've had a great experience and I know my dog loves exploring various parts of the park. All I have say is "do you want to go to the 'park'?" and my dog's by the garage door, wagging his tail! Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES S. Marie commented August 6 S S. Marie Ashland, OR Aug. 6 @Atin Kothari Marymoor Park is the best dog park in the world, bar none. I only had one bad experience there: An owner with an aggressive pit bull mastiff refused to take him out of the park or even leash him. When his dog attacked mine in the river, some of people at the park formed a circle around him and told him to get his dog. When he refused, one literally pushed him into the river. Not kidding. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag NRNT commented August 6 N NRNT Pittsburgh Aug. 6 You might get the same reaction from your dog if you said, "Do you want to go for a walk?" It's the tone of your voice, not the location. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Tobi commented August 6 T Tobi Oregon Aug. 6 My current 10 lb dog doesn't care for the dog park -- he doesn't care for other dogs in the slightest. His favorite outing is a trip to Nordstroms Rack or Bath & Body Works in his stroller. The smells are delightful and he can make eye contact with humans who fuss over him. His late sister, a beagle, loved the dog park. Beagles are a pack breed who love roaming unleashed. The key is...know your dog! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Heather commented August 6 H Heather Washington Aug. 6 @Tobi true, I’ve known many owners who bring one dog but another because they are different. I struggle because I have one dog who loves the dog park and another who hates it but hates being left behind even more. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Wild Thing commented August 6 W Wild Thing Oklahoma Aug. 6 I only use dog parks when we are traveling with our dogs. Some are great, and some are pretty bad. I love that cities set up these dog parks, which most of them are well run and clean. The worst dog parks seem to have people who bring their dogs to the dog park every day for their exercise. These dogs become territorial about the park and will get in my dogs faces and intimidate them. So I don't let my dogs off leash in those parks but walk them around the edges. When traveling I walk my dogs in every place we stop. I carry doggie waste bags usually attached to my leash. The dogs really enjoy the walking, sniffing, and looking at all the new things. The walking is also good for me. Just taking your dog to a dog park so they can see other dogs while you talk to your friends is not sufficient exercise and stimulation. Buy a sunhat and a raincoat and walk your dog and yourself every day. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY NGB commented August 6 N NGB North Jersey Aug. 6 @Wild Thing I love the bag-dispensers that clip onto leashes. They make the old "I forgot to bring a bag" excuse a non-starter. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag LB commented August 6 L LB San Diego Aug. 6 When we got our 2nd dog - a sweet golden retriever we would take her to the closest dog park - we were told this would help socialize her. After a half dozen visits I noticed there was an off vibe at the park. At one point I saw several dogs had surrounded my puppy and she revealed her teeth in that way that says watch out. I grabbed her and we never went back. I subsequently heard from others who had similar experiences at that particular park. Maybe it’s the owners? I don’t know - but for our current dog we walk twice a day. It wears us both out. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Drew commented August 6 D Drew Columbus, OH Aug. 6 Yeah, we took my first dog to the dog park - he's a Frenchie, and was super extroverted, and he had to play with the big dogs. But I think it was overstimulating, so we moved on before he got hurt by one of the bigger dogs. Most of the dogs were great, but there was always one or two that seemed like they shouldn't be openly socializing. My second Frenchie has never gone to a dog park, only played the first one besides our friend's dogs. I wouldn't ever put our Frenchies in with the small dogs, they are too much and it's not cool. But the big dogs are too big. I think I'd happily bring them to a Frenchie park, though, because Frenchies only really read each other very well... It's much easier and more fun to just play games with them, like my greatest accomplishment, tether-balloon. They do love their close friend dogs, but randos no more. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Susanna commented August 6 S Susanna Seattle, wa Aug. 6 @Drew Seattle has a dog play yard that charges membership and screens for vaccination. It’s staffed with a dog referee but owners are pretty vigilant too. They have type- or breed-specific meetups like herders, pugs, doodles etc. Best day was arriving right after the Heavy Breathers meetup, my doodle service dog got to play with pugs, Frenchies, and a magnificent English bulldog. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Dennie D commented August 6 D Dennie D Sunset Beach, NC Aug. 6 We thought we were doing our dog a favor by taking him to the dog park. He wasn't interested in socializing with other dogs, he just wanted to chase his ball. One day when it was just him and another dog-a friendly enough boy who raced to retrieve the ball before our boy could get it, the collision sent our eighty-pound pup flying through the air, landing breathless on his side. The other was knocked unconscious. Both, thankfully, recovered, but it was our last trip to the dog park. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag denise marino commented August 6 D denise marino spring green, wi Aug. 6 Go for walk, a hike or engage in a dog sport. Get the right dog for your lifestyle. Had many dogs all my existence. We bond on hikes and agility. And we both get exercise. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Lauren commented August 6 L Lauren Madison Aug. 6 Dog parks in Madison Wisconsin are incredible -for people and dogs. Some are mile long loops on farmland, some next to lakes or rivers for swimming. They are well kept by the parks department and community. We live in an apartment and don’t have a fenced in backyard, so these idyllic dog parks is where we play and also both get some exercise in nature. I’ve been to New York City dog parks and agree they are not great for anyone- I am not sure why people in nyc, unless they have a lot of free time- have certain dog breeds . For social dogs though, the dog park in other places in the US are incredible. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Melody commented August 6 M Melody Nebraska Aug. 6 Seems like a way to dial back the problem of aggressive dogs hurting other dogs while running around in a dog park would be to have an ordinance, and enforce it, that the owners of the aggressors would be responsible for vet bills and damages to the injured party. Bet the owners would be a lot more watchful that their little darlings didn't get out of hand. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES NRNT commented August 6 N NRNT Pittsburgh Aug. 6 @Melodie....good idea, but almost impossible to enforce. Also, a perfectly nice, social dog might not be nice and sociable if another dog accosts him/her in an unfriendly manner. Why do people assume that all dogs are friendly and sociable with other dogs? Are all people sociable and friendly? No. So, do yourself a favor and don't force your dog into a situation where he/she might not be sociable. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Melody commented August 6 M Melody Nebraska Aug. 6 @NRNT I don't have a dog, I'm a cat person. But you are correct. Also security cameras, like they have in parking lots, would help motivate some responsibility on the part of people. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Smokepainter* commented August 6 S Smokepainter* Berkeley Aug. 6 We live three short blocks from the oldest dog park in America, Ohlone Dog Park. I think of it as the canine People's Park: a good initial idea from an idealistic populace with now endemic problems. Ohlone dog park is more functional and safer than People's Park. There is an association that takes care of it and no one OD's there. UC Berkeley does not want to build housing there either. I do take my dog Moxy there for short visits, about 10 min of ball chasing then we leave when she gets overwhelmed by the unstable dog pack. I've come to understand that a pack will form anytime a group of dogs assembles. There is a sorting process as it settles into order BUT at a dog park that structure never stabilizes. My take away is not about dogs but about our commons. We do not allow a functional commons to form. Whether in the cloud, on a freeway, or on a subway, we do not settle into mutually beneficial or courteous behaviors. Our experience in a commons is fraught with anxiety because of the threat of anti-social violence. When my family was on vacay in London last summer my wife noted that she felt very little anxiety in public and we ascribed that to the reality that very few people, police included, had guns. People can form a commons when guns are not a factor. Dog parks reveal that the threat of violence ruins the commons. Take away the reality of an armed populace and everyone - dogs too - would more thoroughly enjoy our public spaces, voting booths, and dog parks. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Eric commented August 6 E Eric Tokyo Aug. 6 I find this article pretty biased. There are all types of dog parks, some good with good clientele and some bad. They are not uniformly one or the other, and you need to understand your dog and it's behaviour in groups. You could make the same conclusion the author makes about "doggie daycare" and various dog boarding arrangements where they let the dogs out to play amongst each other. Be responsible with your pup, keep an eye on it in the park, and if it doesn't like it there or is overtly aggressive, then leave. It's not that hard. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 Dog parks are a fantastic way for veterinarians to pay for their kid’s college. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Karl commented August 6 K Karl Maine Aug. 6 The author is overgeneralizing. Perhaps some dogs (and their humans) are not suited for the dog park, but others certainly are. Just as with humans, dogs have different personalities. We have two pugs, litter mates, who are different with regard to the park. The male thinks that he's a big dog, and loves to socialize and run with the big dogs, while the female is not as social and will run with other dogs for a only a few minutes then gravitates back to us. Both of them, though, love the opportunity to go off leash for a half hour and get all the exercise they want. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag LMartins commented August 6 L LMartins UT/FL Aug. 6 First rule of thumb - if you can see the other side of the dog park it is too small. Second, many owners are best avoided. It is far better for both owners and their pets to take a vigorous daily walk or a trip to the country. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Not Surprised commented August 6 N Not Surprised CA Aug. 6 Well, as a dog owner my whole life, and in my 60th decade, I have to agree that dog parks can be brutal. For dogs and sensitive owners. I have stopped going, UNLESS it is early or late in the day when few people are there. Also rainy days are perfect for me, I love the rain, so does my dog, and most others do not so park is quiet. I shake my head at owners that do not pay attention to their pets, whether in a dog park or on neighborhood walks. So many humans should not have dogs. They are so often in disbelief when someone calls out their dogs frightening behavior, their defensiveness overwhelmingly ignorant. Dog ownership is a HUGE responsibility, very similar to child rearing. By all means go to the dog parks, but behave like a grown up and supervise your pet, take them away if they are being picked on, OR they are picking on other dogs. It's quite simple, it's not the parks, nor the dogs, but the humans that are the problem. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Edgar Neel commented 6 hours ago E Edgar Neel Denver 6h ago How did you live to be 600? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Not Surprised commented 6 hours ago N Not Surprised CA 6h ago @Edgar Neel Hahahaha you're right, maybe I have Methuselah genes! Thanks ReplyRecommendShareFlag Ruth Yeomans commented August 6 R Ruth Yeomans Seattle WA Aug. 6 "This philosophy — that young dogs need to be socialized, and quickly..." Part of the problem with the behavior some of the dog at parks the author describes is due to this: People often take the cute little puppy away from its family way to soon. Much needed socialization and the learning of boundaries and how to play nice comes from sibling interactions under the watchful eyes of their mother. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Richard commented August 6 R Richard Philly Aug. 6 Here in Philly the dog parks are segregated by the size of the animal and I have yet to see any traumatized or victimized dogs in them. It could be that he owners self-select whether they will visit the park or maybe Philly dogs are better trained and behaved. Having lived in both NYC and Philly, I suspect it's the latter. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Sheila Leavitt commented August 6 S Sheila Leavitt Durham, NC Aug. 6 @Richard All I did was visit Philly for a few weeks last year, and I saw several traumatized dogs in dog parks. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Wocky commented August 6 W Wocky TX Aug. 6 Most of the dog owners I've encountered (in some cases after their dog had attacked me or a companion) seem oblivious to the nature of dogs as a species. -- And even more oblivious to the fact that humans have taken a wild species and shaped its biology and psychology under a kind of mutualism that sometimes looks more like enslavement on the dog's side (especially when the dog is mentally or physically unhealthy because of confinement, lack of exercise, etc). Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Claire commented August 6 C Claire Olympia Aug. 6 There's the old saying in dog training, "Don't send your dog out to play - take your dog out to play." Your dog is much happier playing with you than other dogs. Humans bred them that way. lf you share a breed specific activity together - herding, agility, scent work, Frisbee, earth hunt, or even just parlor tricks - you'll both have more fun, be more bonded, and your dog will feel like they have a purpose, making them better adjusted and easier companions. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag DanG commented August 6 D DanG NM Aug. 6 Some dogs need to run and have fun. Some don't. If your dog likes/needs to run, dog parks are great. Here in Albuquerque our local public golf course turns into a dog park (very unofficially!) every day at sundown. What a treasure! We went several times a week. Never (almost) a problem, and what problems there were were easily taken care of. The secret was, the place policed itself. If you or your dog didn't fit in, you didn't come. No issues and we went there for years. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Douglas weil commented August 6 D Douglas weil Chevy Chase, MD Aug. 6 @DanG Except they don't always police themselves. People whose dogs "don't fit in" often do come and don't leave. Rinse, repeat. Dog walkers often show up with many more dogs than the allowable number of dogs posted on the gate of a "self-policing" dog park. They can't possibly watch over all the dogs for which they are responsible. And dog parks easily and often tip over from a handful of dogs and owners to two dozen dogs with a range of temperaments and a range of owners from attentive to indifferent. The parks themselves can range from unsupervised, open to anyone and any dog to businesses that have stricter rules and employees who, like lifeguards at a pool, keep watch and intervene. I don't know if dog parks are, on balance, a good thing or bad. I do know that the issues raised in the essay are worth considering before anyone takes their dog to a dog park. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented 11 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 11h ago Many areas have leash laws. Does yours? ReplyRecommendShareFlag June Foley commented August 6 J June Foley New Orleans Aug. 6 All dog parks are not alike. A well kept large park with a water feature, shade, hills and cameras is very different from the small dirty fenced areas some cities provide. My dogs love to run and a dog park is the only opportunity for aerobic activity they have. Happily City Park in New Orleans has a beautiful dog park. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag wasabiwaits4no1 commented August 6 W wasabiwaits4no1 Sonoran Desert Aug. 6 Our dogs don't live long enough to suit me as it is. So with every dog I own I make sure to do everything I can to keep them healthy and safe. I confine them in the yard so they can't run loose, subject to injury or loss. I take them to veterinary services annually, for all the inoculations. And after a period when I took my current dog to the local dog park 4 or 5 times a day for maybe half a year, I just backed away from the whole dog park in favor of leashed walks in the park. Inside the dog park I met too many owners seemingly uninterested in training their dogs let alone controlling/monitoring them. I found there was a certain type of man, especially the younger ones and even a few old guys in my age group-otherwise sweet, who loved to mansplain to me why their dogs were just fine as is, "enjoying their constitutional rights to freedom" while getting up to low level aggro and who knows what else. I saw an entitled woman unleash her family of 3 bulldogs on the dogs at the dog park last fall. The rest of us were all frightened at how they ganged up a small elderly dog, seemingly with intent to injure while the entitled owner of the bull dogs just watched, waiting for her own dogs to lose interest. Just last month at a different but nearby dog park this same owner was photographed after her bulldogs injured a different dog in a different incident. People are wacky and unpredictable so now I enjoy walking my dog in a more controlled environment. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Allison commented August 6 A Allison Texas Aug. 6 Dog parks are like toddler playgrounds. “Parents” have to follow them around and pay close attention to whether or not their dogs are being bullied or feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes when we go to a park, she finds a friend to romp with, but most of the time she meanders around morosely, waiting for us to take her home again. Mainly, we take her because it’s the only place where she can run at full tilt and not be hemmed in by lack of space or worse, hit by a car. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag csp123 commented August 6 C csp123 New York, NY Aug. 6 Well said! Observe the people and dogs in any NYC Parks dog run for a few minutes and you will see how true this is. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Older commented August 6 O Older NYC Aug. 6 Dog parks are like the human space of playgrounds and can offer experiences from poor (even fatal) to friendly and fun. But it is better that they exist than not! For solitary dogs bored in apartments, they can -on a good day - offer fun and exercise and happy doggy play. But attentive dog carers watch their charges every time they enter these spaces and leave if the dog is unhappy or harassed (or nervy or behaving badly to others). Some dogs are very sensitive even to things like the surface gravel or the presence of a water tub, and the social mix changes every time another dog enters or leaves. Of course the humans need to be responsible even if they sit quietly on a bench. This essay writer seems less knowledgeable than many comment writers. If you have been around city parents of toddlers you have heard and seen the same array of pros, cons, finger pointing and exclamation. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented August 6 K Kate Iowa Aug. 6 The size and configuration of the dog park matters. All kinds and ages of dogs deserve a place to wander off-leash. Too many newer dog parks are just pocket parks, too small to accommodate both the active players and the dogs that just like to wander, stretch their legs and sniff. There should be room for both, just as people parks have a playground area as well as open space with paths and benches for more sedate folk to enjoy. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Barbara commented August 6 B Barbara New Jersey Aug. 6 We took our dog, Willow, to a dog park once. Willow loves to play, but she is shy at first, and how another dog approaches her determines how she responds. She was the only female dog in the compound and she did not like the behavior of the male dogs there, so she went underneath a two-seater bench which, underneath, had just enough room for her. She refused to come out until we brought her leash which she rightly understood to be a sign that we were leaving. We tried the dog park one more time, but as soon as she realized where we were heading, she turned around to go back to the car. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag JJ commented August 6 J JJ Middle Earth Aug. 6 Let's talk about the real problem; which is keeping dogs as pets in an apartment. It's just as natural an environment as the cages that some laying hens are kept in. I haven't met anyone's apartment dog that isn't neurotic in some way. I can see how a dog park would only make a bad situation worse. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag J commented August 6 J J Kansas Aug. 6 I think this article may well be true in urban areas like those the author describes. In my community, our off-leash dog park is quite large, unfenced, and very popular. I've long been surprised at how well-behaved dogs are there, fights amongst dogs are extremely rare, especially if both dogs are off-leash. It gives owners a place to help their dog learn to be around others - dog socialization if you will. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Alan commented August 6 A Alan California Aug. 6 @J Unfenced?! How do they stay safe from nearby roads? Leashed dogs rarely get hit by cars, yes leashing does raise dogs sense of defense, but a well trained dog on a leash is the safest for all concerned if there is no other safe containment i.e. fencing. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Toooldforthis commented August 6 T Toooldforthis Boston Aug. 6 Our Sheltie gets miles of walking with her humans every day and has an enclosed yard. Some dogs do not belong in the city where a dog park is the only option for exercise. Also, the last thing I want my dog exposed to is another dog carrying something like kennel cough, a tummy virus, or worms in feces. Then add in her quiet, shy personality-Hard pass on the dog park. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Dr R commented August 6 D Dr R New York Aug. 6 Dog parks are the microcosm of American incivility. Dog owners allowing their animals to be aggressive, not picking up after their animals and plain rude behavior. The vast majority of Americans should not own a dog or any other pet and they certainly shouldn’t take them to a park. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Bookish commented August 6 B Bookish USA Aug. 6 I had a so-called "trainer" tell me once that I was a horrible owner because I never took my guys to the dog park. They're both small and other dogs overwhelm them - especially the uber-social ones, and big dogs. The dog park is torture for them. Dogs are not created by a mold. Not every pup is wild for a dog park. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY John commented August 6 J John New York Aug. 6 @Bookish Whereas I mentioned taking ours to one and he winced. Instead he held/holds controlled meet and greets, with just a few dogs, on the regular. We took our dog (65-lb Husky mix) to day care once. One of the center's features is live cameras in the play room. When we looked in our girl was off to the side, not socializing with the others. For better or worse she hasn't been back. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Judy commented August 6 J Judy Denver Aug. 6 My partner and I have an Akita. He is very well behaved with children, adults and small dogs. Big dogs tend to challenge him. I won't take him to a dog park because if anything happened, my dog would be blamed because of his breed, even though it's the other dog that started jumping on him and growling. I'm sure people with pitbulls and German Shepherds have the same issue. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY ES London commented August 6 E ES London London Aug. 6 @Judy Your dog is a Japanese fighting dog, and, while I don't know yours personally, my dog and I have interacted with enough Akitas to know to steer well clear. Not every owner is as sensible as you are-I have the £1500 vet bill to prove that. My dog is a Samoyed, and he's as vocal as they come. The akita we walked past took that as a threat and tore up his shoulder before clamping his jaws on mine's head. I can't remember ever being so terrified. Fortunately another dog owner ran over and yanked the akita's hind legs up, causing him to let go. My dog didn't jump on the akita, nor did he growl, or even get close. It tore away from its owner and jumped on mine. BTW-the owner walked away with her dog without even seeing how mine was. And then showed up with it in the park the next day-with a retractable lead and no muzzle. Every person in the dog park heard what I had to say to her, and that dog hasn't been back in the dog park since. It's walked on the street with a metal muzzle-I told her that if I ever saw it in public without one I'd have the police take it away. Moral of this story? Your dog is bred to fight. Akitas are generally lovely with people and awful with other animals. At least you have the sense not to take yours to a dog park-but I question your statement that other dogs start jumping on him and growling. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Cat mom commented August 6 C Cat mom VT Aug. 6 A friend of mine has a very large, very sweet submissive dog. They live in a small apartment. She takes Remi go to the dog park early in the morning when nobody else is there. He can run and play catch without the worry of being bothered by other dogs. There are two sections to the park so if someone shows up, the dogs “run” the fence while being kept apart. Remi knows his boundaries and when he is ready to leave he sits at the gate and wait patiently. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag CoquiCoqui commented August 6 C CoquiCoqui PR Aug. 6 I have never needed a dog park, as I live in a rural area and have a very big yard. I have four dogs at this moment and have had three or four at a time for many years. Even in this setting there are conflicts of personalities, if that term applies to dogs. There are dogs that are very social, while there are others that prefer to keep to themselves and don't like to be licked or smelled. I imagine the interactions I sometimes have between my dogs, multiplied and taking place in a very reduced space compared to my yard. I understand that some people in urban places need a dog park. But there must be a very watchful owner a short distance from their dog to avoid a dog physically or emotionally hurt from the interaction with other dogs. Dog ownership is a very serious responsibility and in no way to be taken casually. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Seth Keller commented August 6 S Seth Keller Los Angeles Aug. 6 100% agree with the premise that dog parks aren't great for every dog. Took our family dog to a dog park twice as a puppy. She got tackled and hated it. And that was that. She's cool going on walks and getting a few sniffs in with the dogs she meets along the way. Plus, as the author noted. The people are usually more problematic than the dogs. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Deb Martin commented August 6 D Deb Martin NYC Aug. 6 Like many things in society, a successful dog park requires dog owners who are engaged, sensible, and above all PAYING ATTENTION. Far too often I see dog owners engrossed in their phones or deep in conversation with each other and completely ignoring their pups. It causes me to wonder why they have a dog in the first place. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag Duncan Newberry commented August 6 D Duncan Newberry Portland Oregon Aug. 6 It seems the author had a horrific moment where her dog was injured and has generalized that experience to all dog parks everywhere. It sounds bad, but in my decades of going to dog parks :like back before they were dog parks just places where people with dogs hid from animal control to let their dogs off leash) I have never even witnessed anything resembling that kind of injury- so "common" seems to me not-so-common at all. Lastly if you live in an urban setting your dog needs somewhere to be off leash. can you imagine living your whole life chained to another being. It doesn't matter how much you liked them it would be tiring. Dogs need to run around, yes sniff things and be themselves. Those of us who have dogs who are not reliable off leash for a second need spaces where that can happen. Dog parks aren't perfect anymore than human social spaces but that doesn't mean they are all bad or we should get rid of them all together. Reply40 RecommendShareFlag Martha commented August 6 M Martha Seattle Aug. 6 There's also the risk of giardia from eating or swallowing contaminated water or dirt. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Fredd R commented August 6 F Fredd R Denver Aug. 6 Just like humans, some dogs thrive in the public setting and others are just not suited to it. We have a 72 acre dog park with two large ponds and responsible owners, by and large. My dogs love to meet both canine and human friends. Those with skittish dogs keep them on a leash, and it's extremely rare to see someone who hasn't picked up after their dog. I have two cattle dogs and they need both the unrestrained exercise and the social interaction to stay healthy. It all comes down to responsible ownership. If your dog doesn't thrive in a dog park, well, don't take them there. If you do take them, you must have a dog that's under voice control in your line of sight, or keep them on a leash. Do your part to keep the park clean. Because we want to make sure it's enjoyable for all - dogs and humans. It sounds to me like the author has more of a problem with owners than with dogs. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Laura Z commented August 6 L Laura Z Maryland Aug. 6 @Fredd R Everything you say, makes sense, in a perfect world. I take my dog to a dog park. However, I have seen multiple incidents, and lots of people are not aware of their dog, or even when their dog gets aggressive, are they willing to remove it. Dog parks are far from the perfect world that you describe. You’ve just been lucky so far. As I said, I take my dog to a dog park, but I keep her in the smaller dog park because she’s only 17 pounds. Please don’t make it sound like dog parks are idyllic and people are that responsible. They are not. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag LAW commented August 6 L LAW Charleston, SC Aug. 6 At the park, my puggle was disinterested in the other dogs, walking the perimeter & frequently marking the fencing. His attitude didn't provoke aggressive responses in other dogs but he wasn't getting much out of the social aspect of the park. He was more likely to jump on the benches to be next to people. (He was also pretty calm around cats.) Reply9 RecommendShareFlag L. commented August 6 L L. NYC Aug. 6 Excellent piece! I live in NYC and I am amazed at the disapproving comments from other dog owners when I say that No, I don't take my dog to the dog park-- I did a few times when she was younger and I could tell she didn't love it. I"m also pretty tired of every dog owner who assumes that your dog must want to say hello and be sniffed at by every dog that passes and glares disapprovingly if you try to just "keep walking"... My dog shows her appreciation when we keep our pace and walk past. She likes other dogs, sometimes, and if she is familiar with them, but she does not want every dog unknown to her sniffing her on the sidewalk. I think we have a responsibility to be more attuned to what our dogs want, as opposed to what *we* might want (ie, socializing). Reply27 RecommendShareFlag NGB commented August 6 N NGB North Jersey Aug. 6 I adopted my sweet Pit/Boxer mix in FL in 2016, and (thank God), moved back up to NJ the next year. My dog adores pretty much anyone she meets (so that the one time when a very nice-looking couple stopped to talk to us, and my dog backed away from them and sat firmly against my legs on my feet, I felt pretty sure that they may not have been as nice as they looked). And she LOVES to play and run with other dogs. She's very fast and strong. When we first moved back here, I took her to the local dog parks to run off at least SOME of her energy. Most of the other dogs seemed to love playing and running with her, but I noticed that other owners were giving us the hairy eyeball about it. I thought, "But this is a dog--RUN, so what's the problem? Everyone seems to be having fun." Eventually I stopped taking my dog to the parks because of that, and also because she was getting sick from the communal water bowls. I was fortunate enough (and I know that many other urban dog-owners don't have this luxury) to be able to buy a condo with a back yard, where she can run and we play. (We have dog-neighbors on both sides, so sometimes they "play" with each other through the fences.) A few months after we stopped going to the parks, a small dog was pulled out of a dog-walker's arms by a big dog, and killed (there are separate areas for big and small dogs, but owners don't always adhere to that). Horrible. And I no longer trust most dog-walkers, either--too many awful stories around here. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Anita commented August 6 A Anita Florida Aug. 6 Dogs are part of a family, and when they cross over to the rainbow bridge, it is akin to losing a best friend. I have always wondered how some humans can be downright cruel to dogs, i.e., beating them and training them to dog fight. Dogs bring much comfort, help the disabled, serve in the military and police, and can sniff out a criminal. Many times, a dog is the only companion an older person has and during the pandemic, dogs were therapy. Dog parks are not perfect, but for the city dwellers, it is the best alternative offered to the dogs. At least the owners try to give the dogs some sense of freedom and most likely they have a good home. It is pure joy when a dog meets you at the door...for both of you. One more thought which is dog is God spelled backward! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag MK commented August 6 MK MK Alexandria, VA Aug. 6 I used to take my female dog to dog parks, but soon found out that there are way too many dog owners out there that don’t train or even watch their dog. They allow their dog to endlessly hump my dog, never looking up from their phone. When I would say something to them, they would get defensive and act like it was my problem, especially male dog owners. Female dog owners would immediately stop it with an apology. So I stopped going to dog parks and my dog and I are much happier. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag B Holm commented August 6 B B Holm NJ Aug. 6 My dog is a rescue. She's part German Shepherd, and being grateful to have a good home, she's very protective of me. Also, she's been attacked twice by unfamiliar dogs. No way I can take her to a dog park! I walk her at a WMA where she's comfortable and friendly with the regulars and I can take her off the path and keep here calm when we encounter an unfamiliar dog. Other dog walkers recognize the need to let her be and walk by, not letting their dogs run towards her. As she sees a dog repeatedly with no problems, she gets comfortable and friendly. She gets her exercise, gets plenty of mental stimulation and doesn't have to be worried about protecting me or being attacked. Dog parks may work for some dogs, but not for all of them. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag LEARNER commented August 6 L LEARNER Westchester, NY Aug. 6 🤔. Unfortunately, all you say is true but I take care of people’s dogs, had dogs, took courses on behavior etc. and I think dogs need a safe place to run around off leash. I get that it can without other dogs. Just the “parent” and the dog. I find, especially the big dogs in apartments need to burn off stress, anxiety, and just have fun outside, free. I hope people can find places to be with their dog safely outside and the dog can feel unshackled even for a short time. I wish people who live in apartments would think more carefully about the size and breed of the dog they want. PLEASE RESCUE SENIOR DOGS. I take care of many. Wonderful. No problems. PLEASE RESCUE ANY DOG. DON’T BUY. No need. Any type of dog can be rescued. Please sign petitions banning buying dogs. I really do want to limit breeders also. Sorry breeders. Too many dogs in the world needing homes. NY finally passed a law, 2024. No more store buying dogs. Thank you for your consideration of these topics. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag RJB commented August 6 R RJB North Carolina Aug. 6 My wife and I were on the committee which established the first dog park in our small city.$25 annual fee. For the first year it was great. We knew the other dogs and their people. Absolutely no problems. The a guy with 2 large dogs came-in. One Saturday his 2 cornered our dog against the fence. He sat there with his coffee and didn't say a thing. We had to intervene at our peril.Got them apart and talked to the guy who saw what we did and said WE could get hurt. Still seated with the coffee. That was the last time there. A few weeks later we heard that his 2 dogs had severely injured another dog to the tune of $1500 in vet bills which he refused to pay even though he watched what they did. Don't know if the injured dog's owner got a lawyer. She sure should have done so. City told him to leave and never even think of returning. ONE guy spoiled this fine resource. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag sharpshin commented August 6 S sharpshin NJ Aug. 6 I agree absolutely with the idea that dog parks are bad for dogs - and often for people. When one first opened near me, it was fine. But it soon was taken over by people with big, aggressive dogs, often not neutered, who spread havoc while their owners clumped together talking to one another and ignoring their pets. The lack of picking up dog doo, the uncertainty of vaccinations, the possibility that dogs are raw-fed and carrying salmonella not to mention the chance of being randomly attacked - it's just not worth risking my dog's health and safety. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Anne commented August 6 A Anne NJ Aug. 6 My little dog got really anxious at the dog park the first time we went. Dogs around him were aggressively trying to "play". It's the one and only time I took him to a dog park. Now we walk around the neighborhood together and he's a happy dog. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Nick D commented August 6 N Nick D NYC Aug. 6 I think it depends on the dog, the dog park, and the owner. It certainly sounds like the writer had a bad experience, and the dog park is not an appropriate place for her or her dog. But to extrapolate from this that all dog parks are automatically bad for all dogs and all owners is absurd. Reply38 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Helen commented August 6 H Helen Connecticut Aug. 6 @Nick D the author didn’t say all dog parks are bad. They said it’s not for all dogs, which you agreed with. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag GiGi commented August 6 G GiGi Montana Aug. 6 I don’t own a dog, but hike with a friend’s. We often use a trail in a national forest, which the dog loves. He gets “pee-mail” from the big rocks, and sniffs for the presence of other kinds of animals. He is off-leash, as are almost all the dogs we encounter. They meet, do a mutual butt sniff, that’s about it. These dogs are used to an outdoor life. They’re lab/golden size, fit and lively, but well behaved. I’ve met hundreds of them, and they are a delightful part of the environment. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Tom commented August 6 T Tom Oregon Aug. 6 @GiGi "...and they are a delightful part of the environment." For humans, maybe. For the forest's native denizens, though, the hundreds of roaming large predators trampling scent markings across their home are anything but delightful and anything but a natural part of the environment. I'm sure it's quite lovely for the dogs and their owners, and perhaps the forest is big and wild enough that off-leash dog runs don't pose a serious ecological burden. Just don't fool yourself into thinking they actually belong there in any environmental sense - the pleasure of an introduced predator always comes at the expense of the terror of the native prey. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Betsy Smith commented August 6 B Betsy Smith Oregon Aug. 6 @Tom Something dog owners never think of. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag David commented August 6 D David Maryland Aug. 6 It depends. A very large dog park, like Cabin John near DC has enough space for small sub-cultures to arise. Pre-pandemic we had a fine little group that basically let the dogs work things out for themselves. Our standard poodle went from hiding under the picnic table to being a full participant. He loved it. Post-pandemic, it was filled with helicopter owners who had never owned a dog before and who had no idea what canine play styles look like. A very small dog park closer to us is situational. If it is filled with large dogs (as its supposed to be based on signage) our boy is fine. If someone insists on bringing 14 pound Muffy in or keeps their dog on a leash (inviting chaos) then I just leave. And yes if there is an actual aggressive dog as opposed to a dog with an aggressive play style we leave. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY WB commented August 6 W WB DC Aug. 6 @David Beautiful park. My dog was frightened by aggressive dogs at the CJ dog run (not standard play) and checked out owners. Our girl enjoyed leashed walk through park and found plenty of friendly young human friends and a few other leashed dogs Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Cayce Pollard commented August 6 C Cayce Pollard Wilmington, DE Aug. 6 This article barely scratches the surface of health risks. As an emergency vet, big dog/little dog dog-park violence was a daily occurrence. And let’s not forget the parasites that saturate every puddle and blade of grass. At very least, visit your veterinarian often for fecal testing, and stick to leashed only parks. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag MW commented August 6 M MW Milford MI Aug. 6 The local culture appears to influence behaviors. In our village within the township which includes the GM Proving Grounds there is little chance for anonymity. We see each other at the dog park, at sidewalk dining at one of the excellent restaurants on Main Street, shopping at our tasteful boutiques, at the Thursday evening concert in Central Park, walking, bicycling, or sailing at the incredible 740A Kensington Metropark, or just out for a neighborhood stroll. Last night the police were enforcing the noise abatement and speeding ordinances on the few jerks who have been chronic abusers. The culture extends to the dog park which connects to Kensington with its miles of paved walking and riding trails and equestrian area. Dog owners watch that their dogs are getting along well with others and misbehaving dogs are quickly removed by their owners without prompting. My highly energetic, miniature long-haired dachshund has regular playpals including his beagle wrestling partner and he loves to get the big dogs to run up and down the fence line with him. Establishing and maintaining a strong and welcoming culture makes a difference. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag EAP commented August 6 E EAP Minnesota Aug. 6 If dog parks are this bad for dogs, just think how bad this is: bringing a dog to a place with strange humans (and maybe dogs) and millions of other stimuli. The outdoors is fine, provided your dog is on a leash, but your dog doesn’t need to accompany you *everywhere*. Particularly your pet doesn’t need to accompany you to all indoor spaces that are not your home, or perhaps the home of a friend. Yet most dog people think their dogs should go anywhere and everywhere. Grocery stores, public transportation, malls, etc. If you have bad pet allergies, just try finding a hotel where the policy isn’t to let dogs stay in literally every room. Ugh. I’m ready to go back to the time when people knew pets were animals and there was no such thing as a pet parent. (Vomit.) Reply32 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES CJ commented August 6 C CJ Oakland, CA Aug. 6 @EAP agreed. We have a Rez dog I found in the desert covered in ticks and on the brink of death at about 1 month old along with a sister who I gave to a friend. I cleaned her up and now she's ours. Not a fur baby, a pet. I'm the owner and she's the pet. She's a happy, well loved dog but i draw the line at her being a kid. There are so many poorly trained dogs it's scary. And don't you dare try to scruff your dog in public lest you want the crazies to fly into a rage, calling you an abuser. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 If you get one of those Emotional Support Animal certifications and the fluorescent doggy vest that goes with it you can take your animal on a plane, into stores, or anywhere animals ought to be prohibited. Am I the only one who thinks that scheme is absurd? Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Anne commented August 6 A Anne San Rafael Aug. 6 Enough with the dog insanity. Dogs were domesticated as hunting partners for humans, then they became sheep herders, then they became guard dogs. All of these are natural behaviors for dogs, instilled by tens of thousands of years of evolution. They jump for joy when you come home because they thought they'd been abandoned to die in your small apartment, from which there is no escape. Urban dogs are emotionally tortured EVERY SINGLE DAY. Dogs are for people who live on farms or other country homes. It breaks my heart to think about the dogs of New York City. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag 6 REPLIES Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 Since it’s August it’s also opportune to remember the unique (or is that ‘uric’) perfume of the city streets of NYC at this time of year, which I don’t think is a big positive either. If I would get arrested for doing what all those dogs I see are doing, why are they allowed to? Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Nowhere Man commented August 6 Nowhere Man Nowhere Man Nowhereland Aug. 6 @Anne - Yes. Dog owners, for the most part, get dogs for themselves, to satisfy their own needs or wants, not those of the dog. Rescuing has its merits, but if we weren't breeding - and abandoning - so many dogs, there wouldn't be such a widespread need for it. And in many cases, the dogs are so psychologically damaged, they'd probably be better off being euthanized. (There's a reason it's called mercy killing.) Bottom line, anyone who says they love animals but leaves a dog home alone all day is a hypocrite. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Dr R commented August 6 D Dr R New York Aug. 6 @Anne projecting ones own insecurities onto animals is common. Assuming all dogs hate the city and love the country has no basis in reality. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Amy R commented August 6 A Amy R Chicago Aug. 6 My dog walks with a swagger to the local park several times a day. He loves it! At times, a volatile doggie and/or owner comes around and that's the moment the majority of attendees leave. Unfortunate incidents can occur quickly nonetheless. We are aware of the surroundings as best as we can and not going to deprive our doggie somewhere he clearly enjoys. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag LeeAnn commented August 6 L LeeAnn Boise, iD Aug. 6 The trainer who works with my dogs says that dog parks are like singles bars, some dogs know how to behave and some dogs are out of control. My dogs (and I) prefer walking in neighborhoods or on trails. I have friends who prefer to take their dogs to the dog park. We live in a community where we are fortunate to have choices. Reply15 RecommendShareFlag Leslie commented August 6 L Leslie California Aug. 6 We've come to the same conclusion after about six months of taking our then (vaccinated) boxer pup to a couple local dog parks. The first park was dirty, with urine soaked wood chips and under supervised dogs. Our pup seemed to love it, but we didn't. The second dog park was grassy, clean, and even had separate areas for big or small dogs. Again, our pup loved it. But as he got older, it seemed the competition for which dog was "alpha" reared its ugly head, and after observing some doggy bulying, we decided we'd had enough. In the meantime,our across other street neighbors got a Husky puppy, and once she was old enough for her vaccines, we began having occasional "play dates" for the two pups. Its been perfect - a few hours a couple times weekly for them to play one-on-one ... not overwhelming, and once they're tired out, time to go home for the visitor. Best of all serendipitous solution to socialization and playtime. Reply29 RecommendShareFlag Justice Matters commented August 6 J Justice Matters NYC Aug. 6 I've had these exact suspicions forever. Thank you for voicing them. Typically I avoid dog parks less for the badly-trained dogs than for the badly-trained humans who don't train their dogs. Reply32 RecommendShareFlag Ralf commented August 6 R Ralf Brooklyn,NY Aug. 6 And how is any of this different then what happens when humans play sports. Everything the author writes about, happens as well on any sports field with any age group of humans. Some dads even punch the referees during their teenagers friendly soccer or football matches. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY CJ commented August 6 C CJ Oakland, CA Aug. 6 @Ralf Are you suggesting society condones parents punching referees? They got to jail for that. ReplyRecommendShareFlag John Chastain commented August 6 J John Chastain Michigan (the heart of the Great Lakes) Aug. 6 I live in a college town that is “extremely” doggy. So much so that it is a status symbol and a lifestyle choice to have a dog, especially an expensive one. The one thing I can tell you for sure is that the dogs aren’t the happy ones and the “lifestyle” is one of confinement, loneliness and anxiety. You see the other aspect of living in a professional class college town is that they mostly live in apartments and condos where the dogs are inside and alone the majority of the time. These are social animals not accessories to pretentious lifestyles that are trotted out at the local doggy park to signal one’s privilege. The difference between the working class neighborhood of my youth where dogs were common enough and rarely alone for extended periods of time and what I see today is startling. What is equally startling is that people who object to the conditions of factory farming and animal agriculture confine intelligent playful inquisitive animals to cages and other inappropriate spaces during the day so their small homes aren’t disturbed by their “animal companions”. Reply41 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES dean bush commented August 6 D dean bush new york city Aug. 6 @John Chastain - Almost every dog learns to be left alone for long stretches of the day, whether inside or out. They are "domestic animals" but they do not need continuous attention from their owners. They dog nap. They walk around. They learn to know their home surroundings - with and without their housemates. Of course they like company and seem to look forward to their owners returning, but you sound as if you've never owned a dog. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag John Chastain commented August 6 J John Chastain Michigan (the heart of the Great Lakes) Aug. 6 @dean bush, owned dogs, been around dogs my entire life (60+) including hunting dogs and work dogs. Per the American Kennel Club & Dr. Virga who is board-certified in veterinary behavior "Constant companionship isn’t necessary. But a life spent in isolation — such as away in a basement, cooped up in a kennel, or tied up outside all day — isn’t a fulfilling one for dogs. “For a dog to spend all of their day alone is too much. Dogs are very social animals,” explains Dr. Virga “Domestication has furthered that. To afford dogs social time is essential to meeting their behavioral” needs. At a maximum, Dr. Virga recommends dogs spend no more than six to eight hours alone without a chance to relieve themselves. The dogs in my immediate area are often alone far longer than the 6-8 hours mentioned above, some of the dogs I know about are caged while home alone or kept in small outside kennels. Are some dogs okay with longer alone time, sure. But not all and for some it borders on neglect and abuse. But if the dog owners I know are good at anything its rationalizing their behavior and ignoring the behaviors of their dogs even when its clear that separation anxiety has resulted from their lack of attention. So yeah I've "owned a dog" or two. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Elizabeth Stone commented August 6 E Elizabeth Stone Santa Monica Aug. 6 Dogs are great and I've been lucky to almost always had one. I'm an athlete, so getting sport dogs like Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs was a natural fit. I liked to run and they stayed calm and healthy. However, as I've entered my 7th decade I find running to be difficult. So I'm blessed indeed to have found a private dog park near me where my dogs can run and interact to their hearts' content, and I know they're safe. Our "Dog Ppl" was the brain child of an Australian named Liam Underwood. He got the idea during covid when he saw case after case of pent-up dogs in apartments while their owners worked. The result was a members-only park ($100 a month) where professional "Rufferees" worked and could monitor dogs' behaviors, while owners took advantage of the free wi-fi at tables and benches - with coffee nearby and good food from a food truck...plus special events for the owners which included yoga and fitness classes, trivia night, singing and music events and even a comedy night. The several acre- turf is sanitized weekly and all refuse is cleaned up immediately. Needless to say, this park concept has been a huge hit, and Liam has plans to extend the parks to nearby neighborhoods and even Downtown LA. This single idea puts dogs well-being first and foremost with this group, and the (human) friends I've met make every visit worthwhile. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES NGB commented August 6 N NGB North Jersey Aug. 6 @Elizabeth Stone That sounds great (especially the "Rufferees", although I'd still want to check in on my dog fairly regularly). Aside from the problem that some dog-owners may not be able to pay a membership fee (maybe a sliding-scale program could be in place?), it would be nice if more towns had clean, supervised dog parks--especially if proof of vaccination rules, and separate areas for large and small (or shy) were required and enforced. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Passion for Peaches commented August 6 Passion for Peaches Passion for Peaches left coast Aug. 6 @Elizabeth Stone, the problem with that business model is that the dog owners are totally disengaged from their pets. The purpose of getting a dog out for a walk and playtime is not to wear the dog out. It’s should be time when you interact with, and develop communication with, your dog. It’s time to develop the canine-human relationship, and work on training. What you describe is a short-term doggie day care center, where the owners stick around and engage in people games. It’s comical, on the face of it, but really sad if you look too deep. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Diane commented August 6 D Diane California Aug. 6 @Passion for Peaches I disagree. Our dog is with me all day and as a year-old beagle we rescued six months ago, he gets six walks a day, as he was confined for his first six months and not house broken. (We are slowly getting there.) He loves the dog park because he can run and play chase at top speed with other canines. He loves going there and he hates to leave. We work on recall at the dog park, but to train a beagle, it is best to have as few distractions as possible and dog parks are full of distractions. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 As with most debates in American society, this one is about personal responsibility, and the reality that most of our fellow citizens refuse to exercise any and instead force the rest of us to put up with the consequences. By a wide margin, based on living in multiple European counties, dogs in the US are the worst trained and least suitable for being around either other dogs, or more crucially people. In those other countries I have never had a stranger’s dog run up to me and jump at me or otherwise touch me. Never happened. The owners would be mortified. In the US, it’s common and viewed as ‘cute’ and friendly. From a legal perspective I take a different view, and am always surprised when people find that unreasonable. Imagine a small child being ‘greeted’ by one of these out of control dogs…’but he was just being friendly…’ Of course there are exceptions, and I’m sure most commenters have well trained and impeccably behaved pets, but the reality is that most people don’t, and most dogs aren’t, not in the US. They should therefore be kept out of public spaces, as a precautionary approach to the safety of people. Oh, and leashes? If you think the average dog owner can physically control an average sized dog (not a toy or other small breed) like a lab, much less a walker with a whole bunch of them, if it’s beyond verbal discipline then I encourage you to do some research. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen a leashed dog savage another pet…I’d have $12. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Alan commented August 6 A Alan California Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen Part of the problem is non-restrictive harnesses have become the restraint method of choice. This is as opposed to an actual collar designed to control behavior with a modicum of compulsion. Of course compulsion should generally be opposed with positive motivation, as in treat (pay) or toy (play) to relieve stress and shape good behavior. Years back when taking a class in competitive obedience we were taught that ALL dogs should be corrected in a fight. Even the dog that was seemingly innocent, failed to get along. Zero tolerance for hate seems to be a problem in the U.S. ReplyRecommendShareFlag A & R commented August 6 A A & R NJ Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen our neighbors pit bull killed another neighbors cat the other day...while it was on leash! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag CJ commented August 6 C CJ Oakland, CA Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen Agreed. Neighbors think I'm harsh when I correct my 5 month old dog firmly but sorry, I'm not going to be the "fur daddy" who let's their dog knick down kids off leash and run amok. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Morgan commented August 6 M Morgan Brooklyn Aug. 6 I thought this piece would more so highlight the competence of owners around dog behavior. Everyone’s dog is friendly until they’re not. Whether it be because another dog approached them more aggressively, or an unfixed dog enters the park which can automatically change dynamics. People more often then not, do NOT supervise dynamics, changed behavior, and they lack all accountability. I don’t believe that a dog can be inherently friendly and no one else should. These are not children. They’re animals and they have instincts. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag Jim Cricket commented August 6 Jim Cricket Jim Cricket Right here Aug. 6 There are dog parks and then there are dog parks. I drive about once a month to a huge dog park forty miles away. My dog is so excited about it, that when just as we get off the highway, and are still about three miles away, he starts squealing and doesn't stop until we get there. But that dog park is on the grounds of a former state mental hospital (in Amherst Mass). There is nothing happening anything like what the author describes. It is probably unique among dog parks. Dogs mostly are passing one another like ships in the night, meeting briefly as they pass each other on the long trails. There is one particular watering hole that a large and playful congregation of dogs usually are. My dog doesn't even really like playing with other dogs, but he does sniff and there are many many humans that he can scrunch up to. On the other end of the spectrum is a fenced in, extremely narrow and short area that the local parks department must have built under pressure in the town's recreation park. It's ridiculous. I went there once after learning about it, and that was enough. So in my opinion, the problem isn't dog parks per se, but the amount of space given for them. For the most part, I just find trails in the woods and if we meet another dog, terrific. And if we meet other humans, my dog is ecstatic. I suspect that if I lived in a large city, I would mostly just walk my dog around on a leash, and he'd be happy with that too. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Helen commented August 6 H Helen Connecticut Aug. 6 @Jim Cricket eh… we have a few double digit acre dog parks with trails like you describe and these dynamics the author describes still occur. While I appreciate to you it seems it’s just park size, you’re making a lot of assumptions from a once a month trip and your singular experience. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Stan Frymann commented August 6 S Stan Frymann Laguna Beach, CA Aug. 6 It depends. Dogs are different. Dog parks are different. You need to read your dog. You need to be aware what's going on in the park. Condemning all dog parks is painting with way too broad a brush. Reply50 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Duncan Newberry commented August 6 D Duncan Newberry Portland Oregon Aug. 6 @Stan Frymann I agree. You also need to read other dogs. I def. know when the out of control dog shows up at the dog park and I leave before they get through the gate. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Rae commented August 6 R Rae California Aug. 6 @Stan Frymann Agree that it depends on many factors. You need to know your dog. Learning about dog body language communication and solid recall training is essential before venturing to a dog park. Paying close attention to every interaction and understanding what is being "said" is necessary to keep your dog safe. Phones and chatty humans not paying attention are problematic and can be disastrous when a dog asks for help from their human and the human misses the signals. It amazes me that people have dogs and do not train a solid recall or understand subtle dog communication during interactions but still take them to off-leash dog parks. I agree with the author, though. Dog parks, in general, are potentially unsafe precisely because owners are not required to have these two critical tools at their command. ReplyRecommendShareFlag agonyFrank commented August 6 A agonyFrank hudson ny Aug. 6 Parks have to be evaluated on an individual basis. There are bad pet owners, dangerous dogs and obviously unsanitary conditions that should be avoided. I consider dogs as having a permanent two to five year old child in my care, and consider any situation I put them in the same way I would consider the well being of a child. Just as there are some playgrounds unsuitable for a young child, some dog parks are equally frightening. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag ALW515 commented August 6 A ALW515 undefined Aug. 6 My dog loves our dog park which is rarely very crowded - maybe a half dozen dogs at most. Sometimes he finds friends, other times we chase a ball on our own--it's big enough and generally uncrowded enough. I would never bring him to a crowded dog park though, with dozens of dogs - that would not be fun for either of us. Point being, that while the author's issue with a particular dog pak seems valid, it does not translate to tarring all dog parks with the same brush. Reply27 RecommendShareFlag BJo commented August 6 B BJo Weaverville NC Aug. 6 We are blessed with a nearby large dog park that has these things in its favor: It requires a paid membership; the dogs need to be neutered and UTD on vaccinations; it is cleaned regularly both by the staff and by responsible dog owners that pick up after their pooches; the staff is alert to problems between dogs and ready to step in with an air horn to startle a dog that is becoming aggressive. Because (I believe) the owners have skin in the game, regarding their membership fee and knowing that they and their dog can be banned for bad behavior, they keep a watchful eye on their dogs. My energetic 18 month Aussie and placid 15 year old Aussie both love going there. The young ‘un has a great time playing with other dogs, while the older one likes padding around and getting attention from the humans. Dog parks aren’t right for all dogs, for sure. But it’s painting with much too broad a brush to say that they’re all “terrible” for dogs. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Carole commented August 6 C Carole Sudbury Aug. 6 As a dog trainer for 45 years, I recommend to all my students not to go to the local dog parks. Many owners do not pick up, you do not know if some dogs may have parasites, dog owners do not watch their dogs but spend most of the time talking to other dog owners at the park. Many dog owners are not observant of their dog's body language and do not see the first signs of a bad interaction with another dog. Many dog owners that use dog parks do not see when their dog is uncomfortable. Not all dogs that use dog parks are well socialized and have a hard time interacting with other dogs. Some owners bring toys and food into parks and this can trigger a guarding behavior. Reply33 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES wasabiwaits4no1 commented August 6 W wasabiwaits4no1 Sonoran Desert Aug. 6 @Carole yes! Two things that make me really really uncomfortable is when owners bring in toys or balls to play with, as you wisely point out. The other thing is when they bring in pairs or groups of dogs, which pave the way for pack behaviors to kick in with unpleasant consequences, possibly for other dogs who don't belong to that particular pack. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Crespo commented August 6 C Crespo New Hampshire Aug. 6 @Carole I always say the worst thing about having a dog is other dogs’ owners. At one park, this one dog would hump my dog at every opportunity, and his owner would always say, “He never does that!” Finally one day I said, “Yes you’ve been saying that for a few months now.” I avoid dog parks now. And honestly if I see that a person walking their dog is on the phone, I cross the street. I’m not managing our dogs’ interaction by myself. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Judi commented August 6 J Judi Florida Aug. 6 Well, this may be one person's experience but mine is quite different. Your dog is truly unable to socialize on a city sidewalk - besides the fact that non-dog walkers use that space and many are truly afraid of dogs which my dogs have sensed and react not well to - all dogs are on leashes which adds to their anxiety when meeting another dog on the street. Being tethered is anxiety producing, too. My suggestion is having MORE dog parks so that the ones that exist are not so overcrowded and yes, owners need to be aware of their pups every single minute they are off leash. That should be the rule. And if your dog presents a problem, and you are unable to handle him/her, banned from the park and picture posted. But we need MORE not fewer. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag KJ commented August 6 K KJ Decatur, GA Aug. 6 The reason most dogs nearly collapse with joy and relief when their owners return is that most of them have been trapped alone in apartments for 8+ hours. A highly social animal's loneliness and anxiety at being isolated all day without knowing if another creature will ever arrive to free them must be stressful, but many dogs live that way in older, highly-congested cities, where so-called "dog parks" are basically tiny parking lots covered in wood chips. Being able to meet other dogs is one of the few positives of such places. Many older cities, such as New York, are lousy places for dogs to live in. However, some newer, less-congested cities have large forested dog parks that are wonderful canine playgrounds. My dogs are so excited to go to our local dog park that they tug at the leash when they see it, excited about sniffing butt with new friends and chasing squirrels. A few owners do have aggressive dogs that should not be in dog parks, and they're unpleasant to deal with, but I've found such people to be rare. The canine joys of a decent dog park are many, but you're unlikely to find such a place in Manhattan. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Kayem commented August 6 K Kayem Duluth MN Aug. 6 @KJ assuming human emotions in animals does no good for either humans or the animal. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Duncan Newberry commented August 6 D Duncan Newberry Portland Oregon Aug. 6 @KJ Did you know that Seattle has less greenspace per capita than NYC? ReplyRecommendShareFlag GB commented August 6 G GB USA Aug. 6 I agree entirely with Mary Sears (below) that dogs need a fenced in back yard. The urban dog park provides this for apartment dwellers. I personally opted for house cats when living in an apartment. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Norburt commented August 6 N Norburt New York, NY Aug. 6 Sure. Some dogs are social, some less so; some aggressive, some trained for good behavior, some left or encouraged to remail "natural" and unfit for human company. It's generally the dog owners that are insensitive to their dog's need and personalities that are the problem. Dog parks not a good fit for your dog. Fine, don't take them. But the solution is NOT to let them run off leash in parks at all times, accost strange humans, chase and kill wildlife, pee into tree pits, and leave unscooped waste all over sidewalks. I am a dog and other animal lover and have cared for them nearly all my life. It's clear to me that it's dog owners who need training and a place to play safely. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag Dave commented August 6 D Dave Massachusetts Aug. 6 When my larger dog was a puppy, I thought it was great to take him to the dog park to socialize. He's an active breed and the open space was good for him. After contracting two different illnesses consecutively from dog owners who had no issues taking their sick dogs to the park, I stopped going. The issue with dog parks is mostly bad owners. Not all, not even the majority, are bad owners. It only takes a few. Instead, I got a second dog, fenced the yard, and no issues since. Unfortunately, that is not an option for urban dog owners. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Vince commented August 6 V Vince Washington Aug. 6 Dogs are like people. There are extroverts and introverts. In my experience as the latter, the extroverts feel the introverts just need to be cured. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag KTT commented August 6 K KTT Long Island, NY Aug. 6 My experience with dogs and dog parks is very different than yours. I live near several off-leash dog parks. The dogs that are in attendance love every minute of running and playing, chasing a ball or each other. Wise owners of non-social dogs just don't go there. The attending dogs never want to leave. Your sweeping denunciation of dog parks is way off base.It is up to the owners to recognize which dogs can enjoy these visits and which dogs can't. Just as all children don't like soccer, or chess or public speaking. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Steve Soberski commented August 6 S Steve Soberski Nebraska Aug. 6 @KTT I have had dogs for over 50 years…all different breeds and never once did I find it necessary to take my dogs to a “Dog Park”; I participate in different dog sports, agility, obedience, tracking and now herding…I have many “dog friends” and not one ever takes their dog to a dog park, so many other safer ways to exercise and socialize your dog…if it works for you, great! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 @KTT The idea that there are still, to this day, public parks (presumably operated at the expense of all local taxpayers) where dogs are allowed to be unleashed makes me think that the local council’s general counsel hasn’t been made aware of the disaster waiting to happen. It’s only a matter of time until your taxes go up dramatically because someone else’s dog does something that the lawyers crucify the town for. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag KKW commented August 6 K KKW NYC Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen Playgrounds as well. Let's get rid of those too. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag DDH commented August 6 D DDH VA Aug. 6 Almost all dog parks are way too small and poorly designed. Understandably part of this is due to availability of space, but we can and should do better because dogs need off leash time as well as interaction with other dogs to learn how to behave with all types of dogs as well as people. Dogs need to run, they need to navigate different terrain, they need to explore, they need to exercise their bodies and minds fully. They can only do that in large swaths of land with varied vegetation. Most dog parks are cesspools of disease and teachers of bad behavior. Not only are other dogs an ever present danger so are other owners. I and my dog learned this the hard way. We will never go to one again and my next dog will never set foot in one. Dogs give us so much we should provide them with dedicated green space that they need where they can be off leash and be themselves. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Left Of Center commented August 6 L Left Of Center Wisconsin Aug. 6 I think avoiding dog parks altogether is a bit extreme. Common sense is definitely in order if you visit one. Know your dog and pay attention to what’s going on in the park. My dog loves going to the dog park, when we’re there I watch him constantly. If it gets to rowdy or there’s too many owners not paying attention to their dogs, we leave. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY M commented 11 hours ago M M California 11h ago @Left Of Center Exactly. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Bri commented August 6 B Bri Columbus Ohio Aug. 6 Too often the American dog's nightmare: A backyard, running at the fence line, wanting to go for a walk to explore the outside world but forced to live a life in a backyard, like a fish in a fish tank. (That came to my mind when I read some comments about having a dog in a apartment.) What can I say, guilty as charged? We had a 140 lbs dog, walked him three times a day, went hiking every weekend, trained him to walk/run beside the bike? I guess it always depends on the owner's willingness to be a good dog owner. Now we have a big yard and I still walk our dogs and they love it. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag VivaVerdi commented August 6 VivaVerdi VivaVerdi Los Angeles, CA Aug. 6 This is an article long on specific personal (and very unfortunate) anecdotes, and short on more global facts and research. Of course overcrowded dog parks, populated by aggressive dogs and obtuse owners, are bad. But that hardly describes all of the dog parks, even urban ones. Reply47 RecommendShareFlag jim commented August 6 J jim long beach, california Aug. 6 Your essay never says what YOU do while your dog is at the park. Too many owners just sit -- and that's the problem. When owners are stationary, dogs take it upon themselves to defend that space. Just keep walking. Especially with other people who have become your friends and those dogs who have become your pup's friends. Arrive and leave at the same time if you can. And keep walking. The really good dog walkers with 15 to 20 charges keep moving the entire time they are there -- 30 to 45 minutes -- and the dogs happily follow. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Marie commented August 6 M Marie Canada Aug. 6 I had dogs over a span of more than 30 years and was fortunate enough to live in an area with a variety of parks and off leash areas. If I didn’t like one I could go to another. My first 3 were very well socialized and knew how to behave around people and dogs. The last 2 came into my life after I moved to the country. While I did what I could to socialize them and they were overall good dogs, they never had the easy relationship in public as the first ones. I am pro dog park but would not let them run loose unsupervised in the country because of the risk that they would be mistaken for coyotes and suffer the consequences. I miss them and my time with them now and forever. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Raoul commented August 6 R Raoul Indianola, WA Aug. 6 As a very very long time dog owner and lover - 10 dogs (8 Bernese, 1 Australian Shepherd, 1 Rescue from the Navajo Reservation) - I cannot stress enough how abnormal dog parks are to both dogs and humans!! They are invariably dirty disease vector hotspots that play to the lowest common denominator dog and owner both. I would never ever take my present Berner to a dog park for any reason. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Pamela commented August 6 P Pamela VT Aug. 6 So glad seeing some common sense here. I believe there are some dogs who are relaxed and happy at dog parks. Like, there are some horses that actually enjoy racing. Then there are the majority of others, who are forced into the activity because of rigid human attitudes and beliefs, or mistaken human desires as animal desires, and who try to cope with the situation, hoping to avoid disaster, just waiting for it to be over. Good, safe dog walking paths would be much better. Humans would have to exercise instead of enjoy a coffee clatch while their dogs are possibly worrying, fidgeting, trying to stay out of trouble, waiting to go for a walk or go home. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Rocky TFS commented August 6 R Rocky TFS Frostbite Falls Aug. 6 Keeping a dog anywhere that it doesn't have the opportunity to run and explore off leash is unfair to the dog. Dogs, and in reality people, did not evolve to exist in an urban environment. Some people can adapt, most dogs cannot. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Rick commented August 6 R Rick Casablanca Aug. 6 We too have rescued dogs, and the male dog loves humans, but has anger issues with all other dogs, except for his companion lady dog (and he sometimes has his doubts about her). A dog park would be terrifying for him. Imagine if you took a human and dumped him (or her) in an enclosed space with a large number of unknown people. Actually that sounds like some parties that I used to go to, and like conventions that I now have to go to. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Ibn Battuta commented August 6 I Ibn Battuta At Large Aug. 6 As a non dog owner, I perceive dog owners as a class to feel excessively entitled. I do not want to be told that your dog is "friendly" when I am taking stroll in the neighborhood, admiring the oaks and sycamores. It may be friendly to you, but I do not want it to be friendly to me, and for that I hold you responsible, not the dog for acting according to its biology. As for the dog park, I am all for it if it means that one less dog will come bounding up to me and try and sniff me or attempt to reach to my shoulders. Reply55 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Ms Chicago commented August 6 M Ms Chicago Chicago Aug. 6 @Ibn Battuta Ugh! I hate that I have to agree! So many "friendly" dog encounters that are not. I love dogs, but not like that. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Kathy commented 9 hours ago K Kathy Columbus Oh 9h ago @Ibn Battuta My reply to the "he's friendly" comment is "I'm not" Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Shar commented August 6 S Shar Atlanta Aug. 6 I used to take my dog to the dog park, thinking she enjoyed it. What she did was learn to fear other dogs. Dog parks are full of unvaccinated dogs who are left to run wild while their owners socialize. This is, of course, not always true. But it's true often enough to convince me never to go to another one. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag SAH commented August 6 S SAH So Today it’s Florida Aug. 6 I was a veterinarian for 49 years in the NY metro area before I retired. Let me just say that dog parks supplied me with a lot of business! Enough said! Reply35 RecommendShareFlag Edgar Neel commented August 6 E Edgar Neel Denver Aug. 6 This article is far too dogmatic (it was fun to be able to start with that comment). Off-leash dog parks are great, for some dogs. Our 2 year old rescue has tons of energy, which she loves to burn off in our daily visits to the dog park. But she came to us completely social and confident with respect to other dogs. I know many other dogs who would be unhappy in the same environment. Further, dog parks are not the place to socialize a puppy: as the author says, they are far too overwhelming. And, as many commenters have observed, owners have a responsibility to remain aware of their dog while in the park, or bad things can happen. I wish we could let dogs off leash at all the parks but, unfortunately, we cannot. Because of the owners, not the dogs. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag GS commented August 6 G GS Menlo Park, CA Aug. 6 After a couple of visits we realized my adopted 19 pound dog didn’t like the dog park at all. Glad we stopped - a Doberman at a restaurant patio randomly attacked my dog and I thought he was going to be mauled to death. I since learned of something called BDLD by vets - big dog little dog attack. They are quite common and it doesn’t end well for a little dog. Dog parks don’t necessary separate big and small dogs, and can make this worse. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Madeleine Keyes commented August 6 M Madeleine Keyes West Chester,PA Aug. 6 The author makes a good point. We always took our Lab to a 5 acre dog park with a creek running through it. She had a great time in the early years running around, sniffing, doing what dogs do. As the years progressed, there was less socialization and more jumping in the water ..... alone. We then found a creek for her with NO other dogs. She loved it. Now ..... she just walks the neighborhood and sleeps. Lesson - use dog parks like any other park and pay attention to your dogs needs....not yours. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag JDJ commented August 6 J JDJ Arlington, VA Aug. 6 As a non-dog owner I feel the need to remind everyone including the author of this piece that one of the reasons for dog parks is to protect the rest of us from you dog owners, who, in the absence of legally designated spaces to let your dog roam free, will decide that some spot in your neighborhood is a de facto dog park. Any objection by a non-dog owner to this brazen violation of the law would be met by someone saying “it’s been this way since the 70s” while the police look the other way, with better things to do than to try enforce a law the community simply ignores, the result of which are children like the one I was, developing a lifelong fear of dogs due to being terrorized by unleashed dogs as a kid while trying to walk to and from school, a route that would have been twice as long had I avoided that area - but this was before leash laws were enforced in general, so that wouldn’t have necessarily helped much. Enforcement of dog laws is definitely much better now than it was when I was a kid, and dog behavior has improved. The dog park in my neighborhood is about two acres in size with a stream running through it and is well maintained and regulated; I even voluntarily walked through it myself once to see how traumatized I still am, and I was fine! The dogs mostly left me and one another alone; they were happily nosing in the dirt or splashing about in the stream by themselves or with their owners. While I don’t plan on returning myself, I’m glad it’s there. Reply50 RecommendShareFlag Cheryl Ostrow commented August 6 C Cheryl Ostrow NYC Aug. 6 Perhaps the parks need to ban some aggressive dog breeds - like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and a few others. If there is a city agency that deals with injuries at parks they probably have a handle on aggressive dog breeds. When my daughter lived in Chelsea many neighbors across the street had very aggressive dogs. There is a large public housing development between 9th and 10th that had very aggressive dogs. I had a feeling that they belonged to friends and family outside the development. We were told that certain breeds were banned but nobody did a thing about the growing population of very aggressive animals. They ended up moving after someone was shot and killed on the other side of the street. For some reason people were still paying millions to live in a city war zone. They ended up selling an apt they loved. Perhaps dog owners need to complain to the right people to get control of the growing numbers of very aggressive breeds. This isn’t remotely fair to the average dog owner or for peaceful people living around this problem. New Yorkers bend over backwards to live with violence, dirty streets and looking the other way from dangers. Instead of cowering the city or land owners need some strict rules. Perhaps they need access hand scanners for registered owners of dogs. This is in no way racist as these aggressive dogs belong to men and women in all groups. I see a similar problem in S Vermont which lets Pit Bulls run free. It’s not OK. It’s antisocial. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kate commented 7 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 7h ago @Cheryl Ostrow There are18 million Pitbulls in the US. Yes, you hear about a few with problems, but don’t call the entire breed very aggressive. I had two plumbers working in my house a few weeks ago. They both have little dogs. They’d never met a pit before and were stunned to see how sweet Chunk is. They’d only heard bad things about Pits. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Ben commented August 6 B Ben Miami, Fl Aug. 6 As a trainer, I assert that the average dog owner has no idea what their dog is really capable of, is not interested in exploring that capacity, because it takes work. A lot of (rewarding) work. Nor do they have any real control over their dogs. They are riding an acceptable equilibrium, usually determined by the dog, which would be untenable if dogs were the size of horses. Those with a higher level of understanding accept that taking a dog to a dog park is the equivalent of taking an exotic car to a supermarket parking lot, full of casual drivers and shopping carts drifting in the wind. There will be dings. A faraway spot is safer. Yes, exercise is great for dogs, especially those working dogs with instincts that are unfulfilled in civilian life because they don't have a real job, such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. These dogs need an athletic hobby, such as frisbee chasing or agility training, or their neuroses become dysfunctional in a household. Roller blading, biking (with a dog trained to not cross in front of the bike), running, all of which take effort on the part of the owner, beyond sitting inattentively on a bench at the dog park. But also all of which can be fun and beneficial for the owner and as part of a team. Dogs must be matched to their owners. Some dogs do great in the dog park. Some are introverts, will not do well, and their owners need to be sensitive to that. This may be controversial, but is a professional's opinion. Reply41 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Hal commented August 6 H Hal Dallas Aug. 6 @Ben Your comparison to a supermarket parking lot is brilliant. Well done. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Anonymous commented 11 hours ago A Anonymous Washington DC 11h ago @Ben I am a pedestrian who has spent my entire life in crowded city environments. I agree with you that most dog owners exercise no real control over their dogs. I think they just hope for the best, if that. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Janet commented August 6 J Janet Jersey City, NJ Aug. 6 From a dog trainer's point of view the problems with dog play groups (parks or indoor groups) are many. In a dog training class the dogs that go to parks tend to show excessive excitement at the mere sight of other dogs. They pull, whine, and are unable to pay attention to their owners all in anticipation of playing and romping with the other dogs present. It is almost like they are ADDICTED to the other dogs. The owners have no idea how to manage this behavior. I often advise dog owners--STOP TAKING THEM TO A PARK AND PLAY WITH THE DOG YOURSELF! Instead of taking yourself out of the playtime loop, become your dog's best play toy. Find ways to make yourself more stimulating to your own dog. Go to a dog class and learn something like Agility or Rally or something fun to do with the dog. How about Tricks? Lots of mental and physical fun. Everyone go look up dog Parkour--you will love that! Another problem--illnesses like Kennel Cough and Canine Herpes are readily transmitted at these play groups. And if you have never seen what Herpes looks like--go look it up. Quite disgusting. Something you want to avoid, for sure. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Elizabeth Haynes commented August 6 E Elizabeth Haynes Colorado Aug. 6 Our nearest dog park is 69 acres. Trees, lakes, hiking trails. My dogs, even my husband’s 12 pound Shih Tzu, is barking and howling with excitement when we get there. They love it and it’s great exercise for all of us. I have to say Colorado dogs are the best behaved bunch I’ve ever seen at a dog park and have never seen an incident at this park with dozens of dogs. So, if you want to talk anecdotally, I highly recommend a good dog park. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Lulu Bella LuLu commented August 6 L Lulu Bella LuLu Around And About Aug. 6 My rescue dog is one that got extremely stressed at the dog park. She clearly hated it. We only went twice. I found it stressful also. A lot of owners hate dog parks too. Unfortunately one repercussion of that is now we have a lot of loose dogs running amok in the human park, whose owners have no control and zero consideration for anyone but themselves and their dogs. Americans don’t know how to train their dogs. Keep the dog on a leash. If your dog needs more exercise than you can provide, get a different dog, move to a large plot of land, or don’t own a dog at all. Reply29 RecommendShareFlag Millie commented August 6 M Millie Texas Aug. 6 Like restaurants or anything else there are good dog parks and then there are bad ones. More likely bad ones. I stopped taking my dogs long ago. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Alec Bowman commented August 6 A Alec Bowman Washington, DC Aug. 6 This seems reasonable, but the only evidence cited is a paper from the 90s comparing cortisol levels of dogs with their owner vs other dogs. I’d be willing to bet that small children have higher stress levels with other kids than with their parents, but that isn’t necessarily a reason to “skip the playground.” Still, I could see how the value of that kind of play might be less for dogs than for humans. I just wish the article offered a little more to back this up. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Pamela commented August 6 P Pamela VT Aug. 6 @Alec Bowman Maybe it is a reason to escape the playground. Life is not a playground and no kid is missing an essential socialization experience by not going there. Exercise, society, learning to give and take can take place all kinds of places. Dog parks and playgrounds are where one learns that the big boss the little, the bold bully the shy, and somebody else decides how long it must be endured. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Gregg commented August 6 G Gregg Roseland, NJ Aug. 6 6 years ago I adopted a rescue puppy, a pitbull/chow-chow/ boxer mix. We started socializing him immediately with other dogs, cats, and people. He goes to a daycare three day each week while I'm at work. They vet every dog they admit for their social skills. He loves going there. For a while I'd take him to local dog parks, also. We didn't have a problem at first. Then, one time, my dog started playing with a German Shepard in the park. Within two minutes the other dog ripped open my dog's belly with a nasty bite. My boy did not fight back and was obviously confused by the sudden aggression. I asked the group of people standing there who's dog it was. Nobody responded. It took two layers of sutures to patch him up and cost me $2000. We have avoided dog parks sine, recognizing that many people bring their dogs to parks without having socialized them properly. Not a good system at all. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag Self-employed commented August 6 S Self-employed Florida Aug. 6 Take your dogs to dog parks or not, it's your choice. But keep them out of establishments that sell food. It's become a major problem here. We love dogs, but not in stores. And that's the law here. Unless of course it's a true service animal, not an "emotional support" dog with an Amazon bought vest. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 A friend of mine used to take her dog to a members only dog park. This way they could control who went in there - no more worries about aggressive or unvaccinated dogs. Everybody had to be approved before they could get in. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Older commented August 6 O Older NYC Aug. 6 @Smilodon7 Ha ha! A dog club! And exclusive! ReplyRecommendShareFlag LDPotter commented August 6 L LDPotter Washington DC Aug. 6 The larger point is inferred but not emphasized, which is that far too many dog owners have little understanding of dog behavior and psychology, or of dog supervision. They love their dog, but neither understand nor can manage it. These owners are the source of most of the problems in dog parks, and with dogs generally, and their dogs often suffer for it. Reply54 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 @LDPotter The same can be said about having children, but we don’t legislate to control who can do that. In fact it’s usually taboo to have such thoughts. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Charles Michener commented August 6 C Charles Michener Gates Mills. OH Aug. 6 There are dog parks and dog parks. Over the years, I've taken our two labradoodles to a dozen or more between Ohio and Florida, several of which we've quickly departed because the behavior of other dogs (and their owners) seems threatening. But the great majority of the parks we've visited have been wonderful places - clean, spacious, segregated enclosures for different sizes - and our pups have had a great time in them. Of course, dogs - like people - differ greatly in how they behave in social settings. But - also like people - give them enough time together and they usually manage to sort out one another, peaceably.. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Umberto commented August 6 U Umberto NY State Aug. 6 The biggest trouble with dog parks, I believe, is lazy owners. Too many people bring their dogs to the park and then spend the entire time chatting with others, completely ignoring the dog. An unsupervised dog that's not engaging with its owner is one that is prone to anxiety, aggressive behavior, or just shutting down. When I bring my Shepard mix to the park, I do it at less populated times, and always throw something for her, a frisbee or ball. And even when she runs with another dog, I try to be engaged, monitoring, encouraging, or intervening if necessary. Too many owners see dog parks as social opportunities for themselves. And they use dog parks as substitutes for walks; very often, the dog doesn't get much exercise at the park because they shut down from overstimulation. Frequent dog-park visitors often have overweight dogs. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY AngeLogue commented August 6 A AngeLogue North Georgia Mountains Aug. 6 @Umberto Very true that play time is no substitute for basic exercise. Walking the mile or so to the dog park puts my dog in the right frame of mind to just relax and enjoy herself. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Robert commented August 6 R Robert CT Aug. 6 My dog passed a few years back. I did not like what I saw when we went to the local dog park. Bad behavior from the dogs wasn't the issue. What was the issue was the dog owners bad behavior to correct their dogs that kept us away. I guess it is a sample of today's unapologetic and impolite society. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Jorge Soberon commented August 6 J Jorge Soberon Lawrence, KS Aug. 6 Nice theoretical argument. The facts, for me, is that my dogs love taking me to the unleashed dogs park of my town. A hundred acre plot with creeks, meadows and woodlands. We do it daily and the dogs start barking at 5:00pm. They love it, and so do I. Arguments of the generic type may be interesting, the practical realities are what matter. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Jill commented August 6 J Jill NJ Aug. 6 @Jorge Soberon That park sounds like heaven. Most dog parks that I've seen are a fenced area smaller than a football field. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag JAls commented August 6 J JAls Boston,MA Aug. 6 @Jorge Soberon Not all have access to such a large area. In cities folks have small lots with minimal greenery and a few trees and benches for this activity. Everyone will have to make their own decisions based on their circumstances and needs. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag actualintent commented August 6 A actualintent oakland, ca Aug. 6 @Jorge Soberon Exactly. There's one like that near where I live, too. It's on the bay and the dogs can chase balls in the water. Lots of them love to swim! And they do the trails. There's no problem with "running around in circles" because they're not enclosed in a small space. It's a huge, open space. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES PegLegPete'sKid commented August 6 P PegLegPete'sKid NC Aug. 6 Veterinarian here -- thank you for this column! My dogs don't and never will go to a dog park. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag Pat commented August 6 P Pat Minneapolis Aug. 6 The main problem with dog parks is the owners who either don't know their dogs, are in denial about their dogs, or don't care and stay glued to their cell phones while their dog runs around. Some dogs do not belong in a dog park. Dogs that are in the park must always be supervised by their owners and under their owners' control. I have stopped going with my dog because I can't trust other owners to be responsible. Reply57 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Lee commented August 6 L Lee Binghamton, NY Aug. 6 My current dog is a rescue I adopted a month shy of her 3rd birthday. She was acquired to start a puppy mill. Never trained, never socialized with man nor beast, never given a toy. She's the most challenging dog I've had. I have to be vigilant till she (and visitors) are comfortable together before I remove her leash. I would never take her to a park. I doubt I'd take a more normal one either. However, she's a sweet dog, goofy like most Dobermans, but new situations make her anxious. She's not perfectly trained but she's come so far in the years since she came here and is happy. Plus, the rescue and I saved a sweet girl from a horrible life. We play together, snuggle and she watches over us. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag George commented August 6 G George Virginia Aug. 6 Uh, here's a thought ... if you live in a city, don't keep dogs as pets? Dogs need more space, have different needs than say, cats, but good grief ... follow the logic! Reply46 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES KJ commented August 6 K KJ Decatur, GA Aug. 6 @George Spot on. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Rosie commented August 6 R Rosie NJ Aug. 6 @George: Has nothing to do with keeping dogs in a city and all to do with dog parks. Suburban towns have dog parks too with as many badly behaved dogs and guardians. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag NorthLaker commented August 6 N NorthLaker Michigan Aug. 6 My dog's vet says no. My dog's trainer says no. The trainer says it is like taking a toddler to a playground and turning them loose with older kids whose parents have their attention turned to anything other than their own kids' behaviors. A recipe for disaster. Reply47 RecommendShareFlag MT commented August 6 M MT LosAngeles Aug. 6 So, with some exceptions, dog parks are great for dogs. Thanks. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Bella commented August 6 B Bella the city different Aug. 6 I adopted a 4 year old dog and immediately wanted to take him to the dog park to get socialized. He did not fit well into this situation, but I kept on taking him so that he would feel more comfortable around other dogs. The last time I went was when he got attacked by another dog. That was 4 years ago and I think he's quite happy not to go back. I always felt he was a little stressed out when we went. I am not going to put him through that kind of forced socialization stress again. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jill commented August 6 J Jill NJ Aug. 6 @Bella That sounds like my time in high school. Not everyone is an extrovert. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Phx2LA2Phx az commented August 6 P Phx2LA2Phx az Desert Bloom Aug. 6 This misses the point that dog parks are great for non-dog owners too, who can enjoy public parks without having to deal with invasive dogs and their owners. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Phx2LA2Phx az I wish. We have a dog park in our local park but people still let their dogs run. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into loose dogs there, chasing the wildlife. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Bettyishere commented August 6 Bettyishere Bettyishere The Boundry Waters Aug. 6 @Phx2LA2Phx az There’s a park near my home in MN where dog owners have just “decided” it’s a dog park and go there to let their dogs run free. So now non-dog people don’t use it. ReplyRecommendShareFlag ellie k. commented August 6 E ellie k. michigan Aug. 6 How refreshing to read this point of view from Iovine! How often I’ve heard others claim they need to socialize, they’ll work it out. No, they won’t. My current doggy had to leave day care as he doesn’t play; 5 minutes, maybe, then leave him alone. We go to a 24 acre private dog park, picking hours when it’s pretty empty, then still stay clear of hyper doodle mixes. He likes to run and have an agility workout. But too many ascribe human traits and needs to their dogs - they forget even kids don’t all like the same level of play either. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Susan commented August 6 S Susan Burlingame Aug. 6 The problem with dog parks aren't the dogs, it's the dog owners who bring aggressive and/or untrained dogs to the park. Reply120 RecommendShareFlag rb commented August 6 R rb ca Aug. 6 As an older dog owner and dog lover, I have noticed how passionate many dog owners/"experts" are about their own certitude regarding dog behavior. All my dogs have been rescue dogs. My previous dog was five when I adopted him and displayed a number of behavioral issues, including aggression against other dogs. I read books about the topic and did my best to cure him of this trait to no avail. While this most likely was due to my own deficiency, I knew enough to not take him to dog parks and to try to avoid situations where he might attack another dog. Needless to say, for the nearly ten years I owned him, this was a pain. So when my next dog found me, a 6 month old stray, I was determined to socialize him by regularly bringing him to dog parks. While I agree with the author that there are numerous downsides to dog parks, there is little more in life that my dog enjoys then going to one. He knows where all the ones we might go to are within a 25 mile radius of our home and starts to go crazy with excitement when we are within a 1-2 mile proximity of the five that we might visit. On the rare occasion when an overly aggressive dog or my dog seems to be bothered, we immediately leave. The result has been owning a dog that when I take him for a walk in an area where we might encounter other dogs can be relied upon to be well-behaved. There can be value in socializing a dog. I disagree with the author's admonition that they must be universally shunned. Reply32 RecommendShareFlag Chim Richalds commented August 6 C Chim Richalds NJ Aug. 6 This is good reasoning for _more_ dog parks, actually. Reduced crowding means less wear and tear on grass, so less mud, and lower stress for all. Owner stress also matters. Walking a dog constantly takes its toll. We need a break to relax outside in the shade with our dog off leash. A stressed owner negatively affects their dog. Finally, it's up to dog owners to monitor their dog. If your dog's ear gets torn off, press charges. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Catherine commented August 6 C Catherine Arlington, VA Aug. 6 @Chim Richalds Oh good grief - if constantly walking a dog takes a toll maybe don't own a dog! Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Chim Richalds Sure, because the cops are really going to consider this a priority. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Stephen Ebert commented August 6 S Stephen Ebert Plymouth, MN Aug. 6 @Chim Richalds Goodness, if one cannot deal with a daily, 40-50 minute walk with one’s dog, then likely one should NOT get a dog. Over 30 years of dog ownership, this daily time has remained a highlight of each and every day… Reply1 RecommendShareFlag sharon commented August 6 S sharon worcester county, ma Aug. 6 My biggest concern, aside from fighting, would be fleas. We live in a rural area. The only time our dog ever has fleas is when our daughter's dog brings them in from the groomer. Since our dogs breed, border collie, is very seizure prone I won't use topical flea preventative like Frontline. She can only use one type of heartworm preventative Sentinel since others can cause seizures in seizure prone breeds. She's fine just playing frisbee with us. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @sharon I do believe Sentinel has a insect growth regulator in it-it doesn’t repel fleas but their eggs don’t hatch. Any fleas your dog picks up will die of old age and your house will not be seeded down with them. BTW There are lots of fleas in your yard. Nobody’s running about putting frontline on all the squirrels and rabbits. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Forsythia715 commented August 6 Forsythia715 Forsythia715 Hillsborough, NC Aug. 6 @sharon I also don't give my dog the usually prescribed flea/tick repellents because of their toxicity. I use Sentinel and Wondercide. I was skeptical of Wondercide (a natural flea/tick deterrent) but I've found no fleas on my dog in two years and only 2 ticks in that time. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Susan commented August 6 S Susan USA Aug. 6 NYC was an ordeal for my very shy rescue Bella, who couldn’t abide strangers, two- or four-legged, approaching her. After one trip to the dog park, she refused a re-visit. Though I regret missing out on the full urban dog experience, I’m now relieved to read that she knew best. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Laura commented August 6 L Laura Chicago Aug. 6 I use the dog parks so that my lab mix can run as I have a small city yard and am not a jogger. He seems to be less interested in the other dogs and preferring chasing a ball as he is getting older. He probably still misses my neighbor's dog who he played with almost daily until they moved away. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Paul commented August 6 P Paul Philaedlphia Aug. 6 I grew up in London. Dogs got walked twice a day. On the leash to the park then off the leash so they could run, then in the leash home again. No-one got attacked, no one got bitten. Dogs need to run and sniff down trails and all the doggy things they do. Are we all so scared of lawyers that we can't them off the leash (dogs, not lawyers who probably should be on a leash)? Reply15 RecommendShareFlag 7 REPLIES Betsy Smith commented August 6 B Betsy Smith Oregon Aug. 6 @Paul It's not fear of lawyers it's the dogs that some of us are uncomfortable with. Nothing like a "friendly" dog coming at you off leash and owner says how friendly it is. Some of us don't like being sniffed and barked at and really like to be left alone. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag C commented August 6 C C Va Aug. 6 @Paul Most places have leash laws for a reason. I love dogs but I’m not interested in being chased by one whose owner lets it off the leash thinking they have some sort of “recall” that never actually works when the animal is excited. It’s also not fair to dogs that are not social and whose owners are trying to walk them on a leash. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Steve commented August 6 S Steve US Aug. 6 @Betsy Smith One of those "friendly" dogs came running at my 3 year old and knocked her over. The owner kept telling me how "friendly" she was. Sure, she didn't bite my kid, but my child was upset and scared by the off-leash dog who was way larger than her. Dog people need to understand not everybody loves being jumped on by their so called friendly dog. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Susanonymous commented August 6 S Susanonymous USA Aug. 6 I wonder if this applies to doggy day cares? Sure, it’s “supervised” and aggressive dogs are screened out, but it may still be stressful. We used to take our dogs to a doggy day care boarding facility when we’d go on vacation but the videos just showed them hanging by the sidelines. They’re older now so that may have something to do with it too. Now we just have a pet sitter come in when we’re away. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag SF reader commented August 6 S SF reader SF Bay Area Aug. 6 couldn’t agree more. Early in the pandemic I brought my pandemic pup to one but stopped going after the dog park became filled with dogs and humans. It was too much. But having said this I wish there were more alternatives for off leash. In some areas or cities that can be difficult. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Philip commented August 6 P Philip LA Aug. 6 I have been working with dogs for twenty-five years almost every day. Dogs, like humans are "social animals". And the more you socialize them when they are puppies the better for their social development. Yes - just like human children. In fact - what we tend to love about dogs is that. they have human qualities. Some dogs, however, are not well socialized. Sometimes this is a product of poor socialization i.e., lack of canine and human interaction and sometimes it can be the errant psychology of the individual dog and some might argue dog breed. However, these errant dogs are usually easily identifiable and a responsible dog owner should keep them out of the dogs parks. Otherwise, and in my opinion, dog parks are a wonderful place for dogs. After all - it doesn't take an advanced degree in animal psychology to know. when our dogs are happy and having fun. Reply40 RecommendShareFlag 4 REPLIES Stephen Ebert commented August 6 S Stephen Ebert Plymouth, MN Aug. 6 @Philip The catch is HOPING other dog owners will act responsibly and not bring their untrained and overly aggressively dogs to the park. Sorry, based on recent “drift” of society towards “I have the right to do whatever I want”, again, NO WAY would I “entrust” my dogs to this fate. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Philip They are great for drumming up business at the local emergency vet too. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Philip commented August 6 P Philip LA Aug. 6 @Stephen Ebert Okay - fair enough (although perhaps you should move to a more people friendly neighborhood) but at least you're not making it about. the dogs. ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Mike S. commented August 6 M Mike S. Eugene, OR Aug. 6 A microcosm of our society as a whole. Some are introverts and don't want to be around many others, regardless of what the extroverts think.(That was perhaps the only silver lining of the pandemic.) Some aren't and never will be vaccinated. People often don't self regulate, either themselves of their dogs. Turn them loose and don't step in when there is a problem. My dog is fine, it's your dog's fault. Or just plain it's your fault. Having a dog is a lot of responsibility over significant time; think long and hard before you get one. Don't pick up after yourself or your dog. Someone else will. Too many dogs in one place really hurts the local environment. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Cindy V. commented August 6 C Cindy V. Milwaukee Aug. 6 I find doggy daycare to be better for my dog than the puppy park. The daycare has staff who keep their eyes open for any trouble. Bean only goes once a week, but it is the best playtime with other doggos for him. My dog does not like children. My main problem with dog parks is people who bring their kids, too. It is too bad, but I cannot bring my dog into the park with the children present. So daycare is best. No kids. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag dflko commented August 6 D dflko Canada Aug. 6 Too many variables to make a universal judgement. It depends on your dog's personality, the quality of the off-leash park (e.g. are there separate areas for large and small dogs, different types of vegetation and enough room for dogs feeling stressed to back away and be on their own?), the commitment put in to making the park work by dog-owners, and lots of other things. We are very fortunate in that our local park is excellent and our neighbours both take care of it and pay attention to how their dogs are behaving so things remain under control. Jack --our Shih T'zu-- loves the place. As soon as we round the corner and he knows we are going to the off-leash park, he literally starts doing a happy dance (the same one he does when we broil liver steaks or fry bacon). Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Kerm commented August 6 K Kerm Wheatfields Aug. 6 Dogs should be able to run free, unleashed and not locked up in an apartment, house, pet cage while you are at work...would you do this to your human child? I think doing this to dogs is cruel and is why after owning one dog would not replace it for the vanity of owning another. Dog parks are not necessarily bad, but how large are peoples dog parks...and most are still leashed when you are walking them...What are we doing to dogs...caring for them or....using them. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES ellie k. commented August 6 E ellie k. michigan Aug. 6 @Kerm Yes, children get locked up in school for a greater part of the day. They are not allowed to ‘run free’. And aren’t most now fixed to inactivity due to their devices? Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Charmian Neary commented August 6 C Charmian Neary New York Aug. 6 @Kerm For too many dogs the alternative is being locked in a metal cage at Animal Care and Control (like NYC) only to be marked for death because you growl and snap in such a terrifying environment. My rescue dog would appear vicious in NYCACC and she wouldn’t make it out alive. So yes the question is what are we doing to dogs? Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Richard Scott commented August 6 R Richard Scott Ottawa Aug. 6 @ellie k. I teach. No one is locked up in a school! And you should see them running free down the halls, in classes, up and down the stairs, in the schoolyard. A dog should have that much fun. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES donaldsg commented August 6 D donaldsg NY Aug. 6 I take my dog to the dog park almost every day and we regularly meet the same people and dogs who are friendly and responsible. Some people show up just to throw a ball for their dog, others because their dogs genuinely enjoy seeing each other and playing. Yes, you have to pay attention to what the dogs are doing and their body language, and be ready to leave if a strange dog arrives who doesn’t behave well. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing for your dog really depends on the dog. If I had a nervous dog I would not go there. Also I keep reading about people whose vet has warned them against dog parks but mine simply said to make sure my dog has the appropriate vaccinations. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Michael commented August 6 M Michael Sacramento Aug. 6 Excellent article. Socializing your dog, with dogs and people is really, really important. Dog parks are the lazy man's way of doing it, and as the author points out, dangerous. Play days and coffee with friends are a much better way to accomplish it all. Less convenient perhaps, but better. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag LGMD commented August 6 L LGMD NYC Aug. 6 My sweet 24 lb labradoodle sometimes goes to one of two small dog parks: madison park or one in hell’s kitchen. She loves it. I watch her carefully-no cell phone texting or reading. For the most part, I have only encountered reasonable dog owners and well behaved dogs.once we encountered a puppy that I felt was too aggressive in play, her owner thought she was cute, we left. To me it was like a mother ignoring her child’s bullying behavior in a child’s park. Once, some very large guy with a big pit with a cone and small puppy pit took over the small dog area- we did not go in. Sad to deny a city dog play time because there are some fools out there. I realize there is a small risk, but being observant and careful seems a rationale way to go. Doggie day care also involves play with many dogs; good day cares have supervisors in with the dogs, but probably also some risk…. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag kad commented August 6 K kad Brooklyn Aug. 6 I don't have a dog but have visited these parks with various friends and girlfriends and understand the dangers. I would likely bring my dog if I had one, and suss it out. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Melissa commented August 6 M Melissa SLC Aug. 6 I used to have a dog-aggressive dog and spent all our time away from home figuring out how to avoid other dogs. Even now that I have dogs that are more "normal" we steer clear of dog parks. I know what can happen and prefer not to risk it. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Allie commented August 6 A Allie New York Aug. 6 Appreciate the author's dedication to the well being of dogs, but this piece is highly illogical to me. It's on par with saying 'some people don't like amusement parks, so let's not have amusement parts,' My dog - a highly anxious rescue - doesn't like the small dog park (i.e. rock garden) by our home but will literally pull us to off-leash hours in the big "people" park nearby. So that's what we do. Any dog owner worth their salt will listen to their dog and find the environment that works best. Declaring one-size-fits-all (or fits none) solutions for dogs is no different than using that false reasoning on us people. Reply314 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES MrK commented August 6 M MrK Portland, OR Aug. 6 @Allie exactly. that this owner/writer was more interested in her own socializing than the wellbeing of her dog is pretty much obvious. dog parks are playgrounds, the same dynamics occur for parents/children at a playground as for owners/dogs at a dog park. some kids are shy, some hate the noise, some don't want to share, others thrive. the responsibility lies with the owner to read their dog, to be sensitive to their needs, and above all else, pay attention to them and not the group of otherwise distracted owners who are huddled drinking coffee and looking at their phones. Reply27 RecommendShareFlag Morganlefaye commented 9 hours ago M Morganlefaye Saint Paul 9h ago Your analogy doesn't work. For example, in an amusement park, you're very unlikely to be bitten by a child or a ride. So it's not about the venue. It's about the behavior of the components of the venue: some owners with poor judgement and some dogs with behavior problems. You yourself might be reasonable and your dog well-behaved, but that doesn't mean everyone at the park will be. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag No Pets commented August 6 N No Pets NYC Aug. 6 How about just not keeping “pets” at all? What gives people the right to force dogs and cats into small spaces in overcrowded cities? Dogs at dog parks are just like kids getting out of school at the end of the day… finally free to release the energy they have been forced to suppress… but only temporarily. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 6 REPLIES DavidCH commented August 6 D DavidCH Ontario Aug. 6 @No Pets Same clouded logic applies to keeping children. You may dislike pets, but dogs in particular have been our constant companions for at least 50 thousand years - perhaps as long as 200,000. Children, obviously, for as long as there has been us. We value them both. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Fitzgibbons commented August 6 F Fitzgibbons USA Aug. 6 @No Pets Look, I’m no fan of careless pet ownership decisions (such as keeping large hunting dogs in apartments or small homes.) But what is your ultimate position? Domestic dogs and cats have evolved to rely on people for survival. If no one owned these animals as pets (ie took on sole responsibility for ensuring their care), you would have a situation like what occurs in many developing nations, where these animals roam freely in urban environments and lead brutal, short lives whilst making life for human residents more dangerous in a variety of ways. Or we could deliberately eradicate these species entirely. Either way it’s not ideal and a lot worse than people owning pets that might get bored sometimes. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Aliqout commented August 6 A Aliqout AK Aug. 6 @No Pets I share your frustration with constantly restrained dogs. Not providing time to be independent off leash is animal abuse. People who never let their dogs off leashbor out of their suburban yards should have their dogs taken away. But...your missing the bigger picture. We didn't force dogs (or cats) to live with us. They co-evolved with us to form a partnership. Dogs are not wolves. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES jah commented August 6 J jah usa Aug. 6 Happily, my dog gets to go off leash in a reservation with trails, every day. I don't live in a city. My reaction to this, however, it that like most issues with dogs, problems in dog parks are not the dogs, they are the owners. For someone that lives in the city and can't let their dog run off leash, a good dog park experience can be great for a dog, both for exercise and socializing with other dogs. But, each owner needs to know their dog, manage their dog and be aware of situations that may arise. Irresponsible or ignorant dog owners are likely the cause of most dog park problems. Good luck to all who need dog park activity. I don't agree that dog parks are "bad" for dogs. Like most things of this type, it is a very individual determination and "it depends". All that said, I am glad I don't have to take my dog to a dog park. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Cheryl Ostrow commented August 6 C Cheryl Ostrow NYC Aug. 6 @jah Pit Bulls run free or off leash in Southern Vermont. My daughter worries for the safety of her toddlers when she is outside with them. Thankfully the main dog that was a problem listened to her respectful complaints and changed his walking path away from yard. It discourages people with human families from enjoying their lives outside. The dog parks need rules and perhaps volunteers to socially police problems with aggressive animals or breeds. Quite a few years ago I owned an agency in another State that dealt with domestic violence and other problems including dog neglect, dog fighting and other similar problems. We often had dogs that were required to be seen by a vet weekly to look for signs of fight injury. It was easy, however, for people to take in other similar animals since a variety of people were viewing each dog. Imagine what the city would look like without guns and aggressive dogs. We could do it but the average American thinks all this won’t change and moves away from problem areas or changes their lives in their own yards. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag nome sane? commented August 6 N nome sane? lagrange L2 Aug. 6 My dog, Woofty, an adorable and popular pittie mix, loves to pull and gives me a welcome 2 to 4 miles of exercise everyday. When I rescued her initially I did take her to these enclosed dog parks but she was so popular that the situation could change in an instant and then she could get cornered and distressed. That’s when I stopped visiting dog parks and started walking briskly with her every day. I think she’s much happier as a result. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Naomi commented August 6 N Naomi Philadelphia Aug. 6 There are a lot of big dogs living in presumably small apartments in big cities. Dogs are not allowed off-leash, except in dog parks. Yet, dogs need exercise. One suspects the problem is the dog owners, not the dogs, and not even the dog parks. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Naomi People pick the wrong dog for their lifestyle. Case in point: Biden’s German Shepherds. You almost couldn’t pick a worse breed for the White House. They are anxious and need lots of socialization. This is not a breed you want confronted with unfamiliar Secret Service a hundred times a day. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 7 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 7h ago @Smilodon7 As you said repeatedly the other day. IIRC, you were suggesting Beagles. Rome. ReplyRecommendShareFlag tim commented August 6 T tim Atlanta Aug. 6 I don't take my dogs to a dog park after a horrible incident with my small dog treats ago. I just read the article because I, like most, enjoy a good old-fashioned self-righteous scolding. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag AB commented August 6 A AB NJ Aug. 6 I have had a few bad experiences at dog parks with irresponsible owners - in one case his dog attacked mine and bit him for no reason (we had just walked thru the gate when his dog ran over and bit my dog on his side). I went a bit ballistic with the owner and he left, but several other people told me that they had trouble with this dog also. The problem is that there is no one managing the park. I also saw a large Doberman who had grabbed a toy and was lying down near his owner and growling and baring his teeth when ever another dog came near - that was a dangerous situation but the owner just sat there and did nothing. My younger dog was no angel either - the first time he was in the park he went around to every other dog and tried to show his dominance - needless to say he made a mistake when he picked on a German shepherd. I decided that my dog was not a good match for the dog park and left - we never went back because I didn't think it was worth getting into fights. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag Trebuchet commented August 6 T Trebuchet Saint Louis Aug. 6 We belong to a dog park that was established by a pretty comprehensive mission statement. The 2.5 acre site has a bed of sand over the entire property and is then covered with astro-turf, so the dog's urine is absorbed immediately - no puddles. There are about twenty attendants on the job, who clean up the solid waste from dogs, although it is considered good manners to clean up after your own dog. The attendants also roam the lot, keeping an eye on any aggression in the animals (my dog and my son's dog are best friends, and they like to dog wrestle, which gets kinda heated, so we have to explain to the attendants that they are just having fun). I agree that if your dog absolutely hates a dog park or simply is cool to the concept, you should probably not bring your dog to the park. But do let your dog try to acclimate. Our son's dog, Chloe, freaked out the first time she came to the park, and then was ambivalent at first about the place, but now she can't get into the park fast enough and loves to goad the other dogs into chasing her. Nothing like watching Chloe running in front of a pack of dogs, looking back at her pursuers and grinning from ear to ear. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES ellie k. commented August 6 E ellie k. michigan Aug. 6 @Trebuchet Attendants at the dog park? Cool. We belong to a private 24 acre park with pond, well maintained, and a adjacent dog bar (bar serving alcohol where dogs allowed). Wish they had a separate small dog area so my guy wouldn’t feel so defensive. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag B Dawson commented August 6 B B Dawson Commonsense USA Aug. 6 @Trebuchet Fair warning, chasing games can turn into predator and prey if not monitored. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Cass commented August 6 C Cass Iowa Aug. 6 Like so much else in life dog park experiences are all different depending on the dogs and people there. If your dog doesn't enjoy socializing with other dogs (and some don't) then don't go to one. It's best for both your dog and everyone else's. If your dog does love to run and play with other dogs then find one where both of you are compatible with the milieu. Avoid parks with negative vibes, people and dogs. At its best a park visit will be a fun time for both you and your dog. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Penny commented August 6 P Penny Detroit Aug. 6 Many of the problems of dog parks is that there are too many dogs in a space. Here (yes, in flyover country) we have a 20 acre dog park with small and large dog areas and a place for them to swim. I’ve never seen an unhappy dog, and no kerfluffels, except for an occasional bark and run. Reply39 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kas commented August 6 K Kas Columbus, OH Aug. 6 @Penny Yes, there's a big difference between a multi acre dog park vs an urban dog run, which at least in New York City parks can might simply be an enclosed 30x10 foot lane. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag C. Bernard commented August 6 C C. Bernard Florida Aug. 6 My Dachshund does fine as long as it's a small dog park, many have a small dog section. Recently a dog park was put in very close to my home (I had to drive at least 20 min for the other) but it was a mixed park with both large and small dogs. I figured I would try it and just make sure I was very near to my dog in case a large dog came too close. A couple of large dogs galloped over to my dog and I could see he was intimidated. I saw the owners sitting on a park bench just chatting away and were oblivious. My dog started to bark at them and they got really playful like he was a toy and started to push him about. To make a long story short there was a fight and it took a while for the owners to get over there. People need to keep an eye on their dogs and stay near in these parks for other dog's safety. But I just never went back, it makes me too nervous. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Aliqout commented August 6 A Aliqout AK Aug. 6 @C. Bernard I wasn't there, so My comments may not be applicable, but just because you have a small.dog doesn't nit obsolve you of ensuring good behavior. If the big dogs approached without aggression, and your dog was "intimidated" and acted aggressively defensive then your dog was the problem. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag horseshowmom commented 11 hours ago H horseshowmom VA 11h ago His small dog acted exactly as a scared dog should. He tried to get the other dogs to move away. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Ryan Bingham commented August 6 R Ryan Bingham GA Aug. 6 I never took my field trials black lab to dog park, but I did notice that the dog park near where I used to live was divided in two- one side for big dogs and one side for small dogs. I wonder if this helped with the aggression problem? Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY ellie k. commented 12 hours ago E ellie k. michigan 12h ago @Ryan Bingham It would help greatly with my dog. Unfortunately a nice as the private park is, doesn’t separate the sizes. ReplyRecommendShareFlag David commented August 6 D David USA Aug. 6 My dogs are graduates of a K-9 good citizen class and not snobs they greet people and other dogs with polite enthusiasm. Neither they nor I like dog parks.Many of the dogs and people there are good ones but the bad outweighs the good. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Lina commented August 6 L Lina New York, NY Aug. 6 FIrst, thank you for this piece! I was lucky that shortly after getting my dog as I was heading to the dog park, I was advised by an acquaintance about a horrific incident in the dog park where her puppy was mauled horribly. I then went with trepidation and decided after observing that my dog did not need the experience. The other thing which is rather toxic are the clicks of people who form and act as though they are large and in charge. You are being scrutinized while they decide whether you will be accepted into their inner circle, welcome back to HIgh School. Neither you nor your dog need this to socialize… Reply33 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES ellie k. commented August 6 E ellie k. michigan Aug. 6 @Lina The non private parks have too many pittie mixes for my comfort. Don’t start the argument - I’m not a fan of predator breeds. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Kate commented 7 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 7h ago @ellie k. You started the argument. Pits are not a predator breed. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Beautiful Day commented August 6 B Beautiful Day Someplace Great Aug. 6 We take all of our pups through basic training. Without exception, all of our dog trainers over the years have said dog parks are a recipe for disaster. Some said they only go during off-hours, when they are the only ones there. Mainly, it’s the owners who just let their poorly socialized, reactive or aggressive dogs loose to run roughshod over the rest. And the risk of injury for dogs that get caught in a dust-up. In the classes, I’ve seen enough clueless owners (“she just wants to play” while dog is snarling and spitting) to know this is probably true. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY B Dawson commented August 6 B B Dawson Commonsense USA Aug. 6 @Beautiful Day Sort of like a lot of parents with their human kids, right? ReplyRecommendShareFlag Imabirder commented August 6 I Imabirder Southern Illinois Aug. 6 Many urban dog parks are too small in size, which creates the conflicts among hyper dogs. Ours is very large with fenced areas for large and for small dogs. Most people I have met at the dog park follow the rules, clean up after their dogs and others, and have non-aggressive, friendly dogs. I am extremely grateful we have a beautiful, large dog park which is seen as a real asset in our community. It even has a free, enclosed dog shower area where you can bring your dog for bathing any time. Soon there will be an agility section. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Artsy commented August 6 A Artsy Texas Aug. 6 To each their own, of course, but as the neurotic owner of small dogs, one who is diabetic with a suppressed immune system, dog parks are just too risky. Even on the small dog side, one poorly behaved dog could seriously injure my dogs, one unvaccinated dog could make them ill, etc. Dog and human behavior is too unpredictable in such chaotic, uncontrolled environments. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jacqueline commented August 6 J Jacqueline Duluth, Minnesota Aug. 6 My lab loved the dog park--until she got bitten while running after a ball with a pack of other dogs. Because the bite occurred while running, it ripped a section of her flank nearly off. She got "lucky" in that her lung was not punctured. After much $$, she made a full recovery. But I am never taking a dog to the dog park again! Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Christopher commented August 6 C Christopher Colorado Aug. 6 My dog is big and eager to meet and play with other dogs, and we used to visit our local dog park every day. She made friends with several other dogs, and it was a joy to watch them rush up to each other and sniff and play. Unfortunately, there are also several poorly socialized humans with similar dogs that cause problems, so we simply stay away. We recently started bikejoring, and that makes her happier than any dog park visit ever did. I just wish we had more natural surface trails close to our home, we typically drive quite far to reach the best locations. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY LEARNER commented August 6 L LEARNER Westchester, NY Aug. 6 @Christopher. 🤔. Hi. I am a bit put off by the dog having to keep up with the biker. I have seen dogs feeling stressed having to do this. Or with a skater etc. I like when they can choose their own speed. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Brett commented August 6 B Brett Boston Aug. 6 Think the writer has a high strung dog that is too stressed. Those with those type of dogs, fine stay away. My pup loves the dog park and walk her elsewhere too... it is all about socializing them and balancing them with other exercise. Honestly, I think all people parks should be leash-less for dogs... until I hear about horrible dog owners that acclimate their dogs properly with others. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES ellie k. commented August 6 E ellie k. michigan Aug. 6 @Brett You are flatly incorrect. Off lead people parks? Dogs will run away when seeing squirrels or such, risk getting hit by cars, could bite someone like a cyclist, all sorts of issues with letting dogs run free. Been around dogs long enough to know they react too often like canines, even those socialized well exercised ones. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @ellie k. They also terrorize the wildlife. And can you imagine what would happen in the parks that have horseback riding trails? Horses are often frightened of dogs, with good reason. And the ones that aren’t frightened often hate them and will go after them. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Muddlerminnow commented August 6 M Muddlerminnow Chicago Aug. 6 Always love the comments on articles like this one--good dogs vs bad dogs, dogs vs cats, dogs vs kids, good dog owners vs bad dog owners--pretty soon there will be a play on Broadway, "The Dog Park." Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Kate commented 7 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 7h ago @Muddlerminnow Sylvia. The Dog Park. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Maria Ferrera commented August 6 M Maria Ferrera Chicago Aug. 6 Thanks for this. My daughter has a small dog about 15 pounds. He is terrified of dog parks and all those big dogs running amok. He is a happy socialable dog most of the time. But at the dog park, he will just hide under the bench that we are sitting on. He is happiest running off leash in the soccer field behind my house - even when there are a few other dogs around. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY ellie k. commented 12 hours ago E ellie k. michigan 12h ago @Maria Ferrera Doubt the soccer players are happy about that. ReplyRecommendShareFlag CML commented August 6 C CML Amsterdam Aug. 6 Annoying and condescending piece. Neither dogs nor dog parks are uniform. My dog, for the first five years of his life, was thrilled with our local dog park. He had many dog friends he saw many times a week, and the only fight he was ever in was when he was jumped by another dog who clearly had issues, as did his owner (thankfully, nothing damaging). It was the community of dog owners who frequented the place that took action. When the owner resisted removing his dog, the rest of us insisted, and when he and the dog returned, we were ready with referrals to training (for both dog AND human) and to sympathetic and knowledgeable vets. We also passed the word around about the situation so that people would be aware. The owner eventually got the message, and we all did our best not to do any shaming. My dog outgrew the park and decided he wanted walks instead, and was fine with it. So it's people that can cause major problems, as well as solve them. And of course, any sane person will make sure their dogs are up to date with vaccinations -- unlike people and their own vaccinations, which we've all had to learn about in the last years. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @CML Any vet can tell you there are plenty of anti vaxxers out there for dogs too. We see them when they are in because their dog is dying of parvo. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 We've had three dogs who love going to the dog run. As for "random interactions with a rotating cast of strangers," that has not been close to our experience. My dogs have generally gone to the dog run at roughly the same time each day, and encountered mostly the same dogs and people, who they looked forward to seeing and kissing (yes, you can tell when your dog is happily excited to see another dog or a human). The dog problem in NY as far as I can tell is dogs off the leash outside the dog run. This writer's dogs may not like the dog run, but the generalizations in this piece seem based solely on that and a few cherry-picked quotes. When my children were small, my pediatrician advised not allowing them in the sandbox. I didn't think that was great counsel either. They all played in the sand and survived! Reply7 RecommendShareFlag AJ commented August 6 A AJ NYC Aug. 6 FYI: Plenty of NYC dog parents allow their dogs off-leash all over NYC parks - though this is not allowed. NYC dog parents also take dogs into grocery stores and food places - though this is not allowed. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @AJ What does a dog/human cross look like? Just wondering if I have ever seen one. How else could there humans who are also "dog parents"? Or maybe those are the dogs whose owners dress them up in clothes and let them do anything they want except to be dogs: dirty, messy, and active. Personally, my dogs don't go to dog parks but I know plenty of people who do take their dogs there because their dogs love them. If your dog doesn't or if the dogs who frequent yours are aggressive and uncontrolled (or if it's your dog who is aggressive and uncontrolled), don't go there. But don't close them down because they didn't work for you or your dog. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag AJ commented August 6 A AJ NYC Aug. 6 @Ceilidth The point is that more people are taking dogs where dogs are not permitted. ReplyRecommendShareFlag CGG commented August 6 C CGG Upstate NY Aug. 6 You'll certainly see the rabid (pardon the pun) arguments between the two camps in these comments... Anyway, they continue to build them in our parks - that are already limited in space. As a person constantly seeking a peaceful respite somewhere, anywhere!, in our noisy world, I find this disappointing. In one of my favorite bird-watching parks now all I can hear is barking. Our park managers consistently value "doing stuff" over simply "being there." Perhaps the worst part is that the dog parks haven't cut down on the number of unleashed dogs on the trails either. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @CGG We have a dog park in our local park, and there’s still tons of off leash dogs on the trails, chasing the deer. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Jonathan B. commented August 6 J Jonathan B. Delray Beach, FL Aug. 6 Great article and topic. I am a veterinarian and practiced in NYC for close to 10 years and now I own two practices in South Florida. I mostly agree with your position on dog parks. The risks should be understood and considered. And personally, I don't like them. However, for some dogs and for some people, they are appropriate and necessary. I try to avoid generalizations when providing guidance to my clients. Every dog is an individual and has a unique set of needs. This is how I practice medicine, and this is how I encourage my clients to assess their own needs and the needs of their dogs. If they understand and evaluate the risk-reward relationship in making their decision, and still determine that the benefit of the dog park outweighs the risks, then it is the right decision for that dog and that person. Reply123 RecommendShareFlag Elisabeth commented August 6 E Elisabeth Genoa Aug. 6 One significant thing mentioned by the writer which I agree with is the amount of time stress can live in a dog's system. It takes my dog at least a day to recover from a stressful event like being attacked or agression. I used to think dogs just have short memories but I think it could possibly be that a stressful moment isn't a memory but more of a state which needs patience. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Cayce commented August 6 Cayce Cayce Chattanooga Aug. 6 I've been to good ones and bad ones. We used to go to one in Laurel Canyon when I lived in LA and it was great until some bigwig's assistant brought a totally crazy pit that he couldn't control who almost killed my dog. Another owner tackled the dog to stop him. It took us an hour to find our dog, who had crawled under a tree (hole beneath the trunk) to get away from the dog. He was a lovely little spaniel who could run like the wind, but he got very scared after that and would never go near other dogs who weren't from our household. Fortunately, he lived to 18, so he got the last word. Now we just have multiple dogs at home and a yard. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY LGMD commented August 6 L LGMD NYC Aug. 6 the owner of the pit should have been arrested. ReplyRecommendShareFlag P Mooney commented August 6 P P Mooney Maine Aug. 6 Thank you, Ms. Iovine, for this expose on dog parks and for sharing the facts re: what dogs really need. Until I cared for my friend's dog, I too was ignorant of the perils of the dog park - uninformed humans and the predictable effects of overwhelm - aggression/anxiety/trauma - in both humans and dogs! I have seen dogs come off the field limping and worse, and owners get into heated arguments. Without input from those who understand animal/human behavior, the dog park remains an ill-conceived plan. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Ryan Bingham commented August 6 R Ryan Bingham GA Aug. 6 @P Mooney, Well, people used to bring their dogs to baseball fields where I used to live because they were fenced in. This was stopped when my son was attacked while practicing. You can imagine how upset we were. They have a county ordinance against it now. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Madison Mom commented August 6 Madison Mom Madison Mom Connecticut Aug. 6 I’ve had several dogs. Some liked the dog park, some didn’t. You definitely put your dog at risk, no matter how wonderful your dog park experiences have been. Both my daughters had their friendly dogs attacked. One bite was so severe it took months to heal. Thankfully, the chagrined owner of the biting dog paid half the vet bills. The interesting thing was that these dogs had always “played” together without incident. In retrospect, it appears that the playing was not as benign as it looked. It was two alpha dogs sizing each other up. Remember, tail wagging is NOT always a sign a dog is friendly. It also means a dog is excited, sometimes with destructive intent. Dogs aren’t wolves, but they descended from them. Big predators learn to switch off self-protective instincts so they can go in for the kill when facing animals larger than themselves. A caribou doesn’t lie down for an attack. It kicks and bites with lethal power. Wolves attacking these dangerous animals wag their tails the entire time, and upon taking the victim down, sometimes lash out at each other. So, use the dog park, but don’t be surprised if your dog gets bitten by an excited playmate who slips into the red zone. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY donaldsg commented August 6 D donaldsg NY Aug. 6 @Madison Mom Yes, I have seen some instances when the play begins to turn aggressive. And if you have watched a lot of dogs play you can recognize it more easily but it does take close observation. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Maria commented August 6 M Maria New York, NY Aug. 6 A stroll through Central Park on weekday mornings before 9am clearly illustrates the chasm between the attentive and the irresponsible dog owner. Many of the dogs I’ve encountered play in familiar and supervised packs, while some are allowed to jump in the fountains and terrorize the wildlife. As for dog runs, they can turn from a peaceful oasis with a well-socialized group of dogs to the canine equivalent of a prison yard: dangerous and unpredictable. Having worked with animals for over 15 years I’ve dealt with minor injuries that cost the owners a small fortune to repair to near fatal ones that nearly cost them their beloved pet. Point being, know your dog and have respect for green space which is becoming precious and few. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Lisa commented August 6 L Lisa Syracuse Aug. 6 I really loved our wide open dog park until a neighbor broke her leg when she was knocked down by a group of dogs, and then there was the frequently over aggressive dogs that were “just playing.” The very last straw was the four huskies that converged on my dog that the owner had no control over. That was really scary. That same afternoon we came across two more huskies with shock collars. I never even considered the immunizations… that is really problematic. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Anon commented August 6 A Anon New England Aug. 6 @Lisa I had my leg broken this year (tibial plateau fracture, which is more than “just” a broken leg) at an open dog park by a dog that was chasing another dog. Owners were not minding their dogs and I suffered the consequences, including no one taking responsibility or offering to pay for my medical bills. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Joe commented August 6 J Joe Santa Fe Aug. 6 @Anon Sorry, but it sounds as though that was your fault. Would you allow yourself to get in the way on a hockey rink? Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Anon commented 12 hours ago A Anon New England 12h ago @Joe You have got to be kidding me. Do you think I knowingly stood there and let the dogs take me out?! I never saw them coming and was taken out by dogs that were racing out of control. I had zero chance to brace myself which is why the injury was so catastrophic. Your comment is so insensitive. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Mary Cary commented August 6 M Mary Cary Raleigh Aug. 6 A lot of our dogs were thrilled to be on the way to the dog park while we were in the car, but certainly didn’t interact with other dogs inside the fence. Actually, most of the dogs didn’t interact well. It was just the only time most weren’t tethered to a leash outdoors. Some of our dogs just shook in our laps the entire rime, an obvious reason to skip it. It was actually a more calming place for people to relax and socialize than the dogs, looking back. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jim Litchfield Ct commented August 6 J Jim Litchfield Ct Litchfield, Ct. Aug. 6 Ms. Iovine seems to have been taking her dogs to some slummy dog parks, "muddy and smelly". Using her standard, people shouldn't be living in apartments....or dirty, smelly cities for that matter. Like nice parks and nice cities, dog parks should be clean and not over crowded. In such parks its great to see dogs, chase, sniff and have a great time with other dogs. They love it, their owners love it. So much to like. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Deb T. commented August 6 D Deb T. Santa Fe Aug. 6 After her last attack at the dog park ($400 in vet bills) my dog and I stopped going. Years ago, she got excited on the way there, but after several incidents, it was she who basically told me she was no longer interested. Obviously there will be some dogs more suited to the chaos of dog parks. It is important for dog owners to "listen" to their dogs. As far as the socializing humans do with each other, in my experience this leads to ignoring their dogs as well as the dog pooh that inevitably gets missed when humans aren't paying attention. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag PetVet commented August 6 P PetVet PA Aug. 6 I'm a veterinarian, and agree with some of this piece- dog parks can spread disease and lead to more injuries, the smaller and more crowded the park the higher the risk (hmm, just like cities have more disease and violence than rural areas). However, I take MAJOR issue with the argument that puppies/dogs don't need to be socialized with other people or dogs, and am shocked this was included as fact without back up from a reputable resource. There has been a massive explosion in behavioral problems in dogs since Covid- so many "pandemic puppies" have separation anxiety and other issues directly related to lack of socialization. That is why I ALWAYS recommend socializing puppies; I just say find a friend or neighbor with a well-behaved, fully vaccinated dog and have regular scheduled playdates. Also, there is absolute truth in a "tired dog is a good dog"- very long leash walks or runs can help with this. Reply624 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Midwest commented August 6 M Midwest to Florida Aug. 6 @PetVet Our solution is we formed a neighborhood dog walking group. We all know each others' dogs are vaccinated and we know their various temperaments and tendencies. Bosco doesn't like small dogs at first; Bingo is huge but a big baby; Mimi is reactive on leash and needs time to get to know any new dogs.... etc. It works very well to socialize the dogs, their owners, and get everyone regular exercise. Even those whose dogs have passed away still join us because it is therapeutic. Reply61 RecommendShareFlag CBRLVR commented August 6 C CBRLVR Pennsylvania Aug. 6 I am afraid that what the average person thinks of a “socialization” of a dog and what Preservation Breeders such as myself think of it as are totally different things. A puppy purchased from a Preservation Breeder has had a good deal of socialization before it leaves our premises. The puppy has interacted with its littermates and our other adult dogs, it has been exposed to various surfaces (grass, concrete, wood, tile) and it has been exposed to many noises. It’s first 8 weeks have been a series of progressive exposures and experiences and when we hand that puppy off to a new owner we hope that they will follow our instructions for providing brain stimulation as well as exercise for their new family member. What we do not advise is that they take their impressionable young dog into a setting which is essentially a free for all. As a veterinarian, I’m sure you realize that the biggest issue with pandemic puppies is lack of training and separation anxiety caused by the fact that some owners never left their puppy alone or scheduled crate time for their pup because they were home 24/7. People think that purchasing a 20’ retractable leash and allowing it to wander up to other people while on a walk is acceptable - it’s not. I have been in vet’s office many times when a total stranger will come in and allow their dog to come up to mine. When I say “please keep your dog away” the response is usually “oh? Isn’t your dog friendly?” to which my response is “yes, but I’m not”. Reply66 RecommendShareFlag spoonbridgecherry commented August 6 S spoonbridgecherry Minneapolis Aug. 6 @CBRLVR Thanks for this comprehensive and thoughtful response, especially the bit about retractable leashes. Reply22 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES joan commented August 6 J joan florida Aug. 6 I have two chihuahuas and I walk them several times a day. I have come across aggressive dogs, usually on a leash, accept for once when we were attacked, but that's another story. What I find mostly is owners who are in denial about the aggressive behavior of their dogs. I have heard "he's just playing" or "he's a therapy dog." Dogs can be sweet, docile, and loving within the family, but my dogs are not members of your family. As far as your dog is concerned, my dogs are intruders. I have had many dogs throughout my life. I've had shepherds, a golden, a Rhodesian ridge back, and an Australian cattle dog ( a red heeler) to name a few, but this is the first time I've little dogs, and it has opened my eyes to aggressive behavior. Aggressiveness, is baked into a dog's DNA, and it is this trait that owners really like. It makes us feel safe, but it needs to be controlled with training. There is the rub. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @joan Interesting point about people who like their dog's aggressiveness and your admission that it makes you feel safe. (And chihuahuas can be very aggressive). But a person who likes owning an aggressive animal is a person I want nothing to do with. I prefer friendly dogs and wouldn't feel safe at all with an aggressive or "protective" one. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Roberto commented August 6 R Roberto Massachusetts Aug. 6 @Ceilidth Chihuahuas are aggressive because they're frequently underfoot and get accidentally stepped on. They can then become nasty. Understandably. ReplyRecommendShareFlag S commented August 6 S S USA Aug. 6 Great - another thing for off-leash enthusiasts to try and point to in order to justify having their dogs off leash in any park, any store, or any other public setting of their choosing. “Dog parks are dangerous so I’ll just have to let my dog off leash here.” Reply14 RecommendShareFlag CFrance commented August 6 C CFrance Florida Aug. 6 Maybe in NYC dog park conditions are poor, but not where I live in Florida. Our community dog park is kept clean, both by maintenance people and the people who use it. I keep my dog vaccinated yearly and flea and worm pill monthly, so I don't fear her picking something up from other dogs. However, I do agree it depends on the dog. Our goldens were very different. One did not like other male dogs, even though he was socialized and neutered, so we avoided dog parks. The second golden was calm and not into roughhousing with the other dogs--in fact, leery of them. We stuck to the dog beach and walks instead. Our beagle/hound dog mix lives for the dog park, in order to stalk squirrels. This is her idea of heaven, as it's covered with live oaks containing lots of squirrels. The whole place is shaded and sandy (no mud). She will spend two hours alternating at the tree bases pointing at the squirrels. This is her main desire in life, and we go almost every day. And no, she only stalks and gives chase, never catches. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Acey commented August 6 A Acey Washington DC Aug. 6 Not for me! My primary worry is that dogs in the dog park may not be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag ncmathsadist commented August 6 ncmathsadist ncmathsadist chapel Hill, NC Aug. 6 I found there was too much roughhousing in the dog park for my greyhound. Often she'd end up with a sore knee, so I stopped going. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag suejax commented August 6 S suejax ny,ny Aug. 6 My saying was, I had a good day at the dog park, my dog didn't get into a fight with anyone and neither did i. Dog parks are not safe places for dogs or people, people don't watch their dogs, clean up, they bring small children, basically a nightmare. Reply31 RecommendShareFlag Julielei commented August 6 J Julielei Kentucky Aug. 6 Several commenters have pointed out the "cruelty" of having a dog as an apartment-dweller with no backyard, or having a dog when you work and have to leave the dog alone all day. This is maybe dubious behavior if owners are seeking out highly active pure-bred dogs from breeders--but if I'm a rescue dog, I would much prefer this lifestyle to living in a cramped shelter with no family to love me, or worse, being euthanized. Where I live, local animal shelters are at maximum capacity regularly and they are begging people to adopt. When you discourage people from adopting dogs just because a person works or doesn't have a fenced-in-yard, you are indirectly supporting more suffering for these rescue dogs--and it's classist to boot. Reply868 RecommendShareFlag 16 REPLIES Lalachi commented August 6 L Lalachi Chi Aug. 6 @Julielei goodness thank you. People are so sanctimonious. My apartment-dwelling rescue came to me hopped up on anxiety meds and with a bunch of behavioral issues to boot because he found the rescue org’s kennel so stressful. He had been there for 2 months after being found as a stray. Less than a year later he is off all meds and happily snoozing next to me and my cat while I write this comment. I do WFH tho, which helps. I actually love the fact that his exercise needs force me away from my desk a few times a day. Reply85 RecommendShareFlag A D commented August 6 A A D F Aug. 6 @Julielei Agreed. We don’t have a fenced in yard but our rescue dog is so happy to be here with us. He gets plenty of exercise, attention, and love. He is living his best dog life with his forever family! Reply73 RecommendShareFlag CN commented August 6 C CN Trenton Aug. 6 @Julielei I'm not so sure that to the dog, sitting in an empty apartment all day (or worse yet, a crate) until the owner returns is significantly better than sitting in a shelter cage for hours on end and being let out for exercise once a day. And at least at the shelter, the dog is surrounded by others of its kind--remember, dogs are pack animals by nature. The isolation and silence of an empty apartment for hours on end cannot possibly be good for a dog. Reply27 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES slwboyko commented August 6 S slwboyko Atlanta Aug. 6 First visit to dog park: Dog contracted dog flu, although vaccinated. Second visit to dog park: Dog attacked by another dog, bitten in abdomen, required stiches. Third visit to dog park: Dog contracted conjunctivitis. Last visit to dog park: Dog attached by another dog. Attacker pinned my dog to the ground by the neck. Had to whack attacker with leather leash to get it off my dog, resulting in heated exchange with other dog owner. Fortunately, my dog wasn't injured. No more dog park for us. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY AB commented August 6 A AB NJ Aug. 6 @slwboyko I had the same experience when our dog was a pup - another dog flipped him over and was gnawing on my dog's back leg - I swung his leash at the other dog to get him off and then all hell broke loose - the owner and another person came over and started screaming at me - I said play is not chewing on another dog's leg. I ended up never taking him to a dog park again. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Ethan Allen commented August 6 E Ethan Allen Vermont Aug. 6 I don’t believe it should be legal to own a dog in an apartment / city setting. I don’t think it’s fair to the animal or it’s neighbors. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES A. Marvy commented August 6 A. Marvy A. Marvy NYC, NY Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen I’m a dog walker in NYC and your comment is too general. Many NYC dogs live wonderful lives, with frequent visits to our glorious parks, people who work at home, dog friends to hang out with. I sometimes kid that I’d like to be a NYC dog for a day. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag RE commented August 6 R RE New York Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen: Dogs who live in apartments don't sit inside any more than dogs who live in houses! They walk all over the park (leashed) and see lots of dogs and people every day, and yes, enjoy playing and socializing at the dog run. Much better than sitting alone in a fenced yard! Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Carol LES commented August 6 C Carol LES LES Aug. 6 @Ethan Allen same with crying babies and active kids. No fair to neighbors at all. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Okbyme commented August 6 O Okbyme Santa Fe Aug. 6 Our dog park taught my abandoned shelter puppy how to be a dog. Socialization, play, friendliness, excess energy, and occasionally which dogs to avoid. Reply38 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES garsar commented August 6 G garsar france Aug. 6 @Okbyme Exactly. If dogs aren't socialized at a young age, they can be passive aggressive and dangerous. I have a friend, who's dog wasn't properly socialized due to covid and she has to put it in a kennel when her grand kids come to stay! Good for you. Socialization is important. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Midwest commented August 6 M Midwest to Florida Aug. 6 @Okbyme Alternatives could be Doggy Daycare where dogs are screen for vaccinations and sorted by temperament. Ours is in the lower energy room for a reason. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Jay commented August 6 J Jay Dallas Aug. 6 @garsar curious what being a passive aggressive dog entails? ReplyRecommendShareFlag felix commented August 6 F felix MA Aug. 6 I'm no expert but everything said in this piece rings true to me. Never having taken my dog to a dog park, I cannot say for sure. But one thing I do, alas, know for sure: any topic that is in any way related to dogs can and will provoke irrationally opinionated, utterly unsolicited, wildly aggressive commentary from multiple onlookers. This is true on the internet and it is true in real life. In some ways, dogs bring out the best in us. But it is astonishing how many people out there use their putative wisdom and experience with dogs to attack and humiliate fellow dog-owners. Whatever you're doing with your dog, it's wrong. Dead wrong. And you need to be straightened out as immediately and rudely as possible. At its worst, this syndrome borders on the pathological. Reply38 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Rick Schricter commented August 6 R Rick Schricter Brooklyn Aug. 6 @felix there is lots of bad behavior among dog owners, especially in New York, the most densely populated city in the country. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag rb commented August 6 R rb ca Aug. 6 @felix Spot on! ReplyRecommendShareFlag Kate commented 7 hours ago K Kate Philadelphia 7h ago @felix As long as your multiple onlookers include people who say “dog people” with such condescension and lay the apocalypse on them. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Muddyw commented August 6 M Muddyw upstate ny Aug. 6 Regardless of how you feel about dog parks, please don't bring your puppy before it is fully immunized - there are too many diseases out there. Consider your breed or mixed breed carefully before adopting if you live in a small space, ie no yard etc. Some are known barkers, some are more active then others. Pick a dog to suit where you are living, and your lifestyle (active/sedentary) not by the current fad or because it's what you 'want' - they aren't toys to be ignored. Hire a dog walker if it will be home alone for long periods each day. Reply39 RecommendShareFlag TS commented August 6 T TS Brooklyn Aug. 6 If dog parks are so bad, why does my dog get so excited every morning and afternoon at the same time, nudging me to put on my shoes and socks and grab the leash? Journalist and dog trainer in training doesn't seem the qualifications necessary to make the claims the author is making. Dog parks are not the issue, people (who don't train, exercise, or supervise their dogs) are. In fact people are always the problem, which is why I love my dog. She (my dog) also doesn't submit unsolicited and seemingly random opinions, like the author (and myself)! Reply143 RecommendShareFlag 7 REPLIES Amanda U commented August 6 A Amanda U UK Aug. 6 @TS After raising a dog in the US (lead walks only, limited socializing) vs a dog in the UK (on and off lead, daily socialization with tens of dogs) that off lead with adequate space I’ve only seen a few incidents that got overly rough and as the dogs tended to run in circles around us could be stopped. But dogs are animals, not automata and unpredictable things can and do happen. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @Amanda U I've spent a lot of time in the UK and my impression has always been that dogs in the UK are much better behaved than dogs in the US. I have a feeling that people who get dogs in the UK are much more thoughtful about dog ownership and much less likely to accept bad behavior than Americans. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Carol LES commented August 6 C Carol LES LES Aug. 6 @TS you have a dog suited to dog parks… if your dog had a different personality you would understand. If you are not a club person and are forced to go to a dance club - would you think that was okay? Reply5 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Sarah commented August 6 S Sarah Brooklyn Aug. 6 This is why our beloved dog day care is central to the health and development of our pup. We adopted a deeply anxious rescue puppy a year ago. After a few months with us and a trainer, he began going to a day care a few times a week where the dogs have play sessions grouped according to energy level and temperament. He has learned to socialize in small groups at home with us and at day care with a caring staff. To this day he’s never visited a traditional dog park. His anxiety around unleashed dogs and distracted owners in the main human park taught us all we needed to know. We provide him enrichment in situations that are productive and safe for him, and cross the street on walks whenever we spot disengaged pet parents doing the least (not at all aware of their dog’s experience in any given moment.) I used to consider the dog park an eventual goal but those thoughts were cut short when we met a dog at the emergency vet who had been brutally attacked by another dog - at the dog park. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jason commented August 6 J Jason Mesa Aug. 6 It would be nice to send all of our kids to private schools too, but on planet America, most people can't afford daily dog care. ReplyRecommendShareFlag kladinvt commented August 6 K kladinvt Duxbury, Vermont Aug. 6 The "problem" with dog parks, when they arise, are always with the humans, not the dogs. Overly fussy humans, monitor every interaction their dog has with others, and attempt to direct those interactions, calling out dogs that get too close or play too rough with their dogs and demand their owners handle the 'supposed' situation. Larger, spread out dog parks, like the 6.6 acres park in Minneapolis, the Minnehaha dog park, is an example of one with varied terrain, a river front and large enough that humans and dogs are not on top of each other. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Roberto commented August 6 R Roberto Massachusetts Aug. 6 @kladinvt Great, if you've got 6+ acres to play in. Difficult to find in many older cities in nonindustrial areas. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Jules commented August 6 J Jules MN Aug. 6 @kladinvt We are heading to minnehaha shortly, it’s one of several large open parks in the Twin cities. Thank god! My dog lived on a OK reservation, likely in a pack, for about 2 years. He was a free being until he got scooped into a kill shelter. I can’t imagine confining him to a leash our 1/2 acre yard for the next 10 years. He needs to run - really run - daily and now loves swimming. He has taught me so much about true dog behavior and question the morality of dog ownership. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Mike commented August 6 M Mike San Diego Aug. 6 All points here line up with my experience. San Diego has several dog parks but I'll only take my dog to one - Dog Beach - and not on a weekend or any other time it is crowded with "amateurs." It is not enclosed. It is huge, unenclosed and the sun and surf keep it relatively sanitary in my experience. My dog seems to like the chase but not getting caught - which - to the surprise of many, he never is as long - as there's no fence! Reply2 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jzzy55 commented August 6 J Jzzy55 New England Aug. 6 @Mike So funny, I referred to the weekend people at our 40 acre dog park as amateurs also. Eventually every day became amateur day so we don’t go there anymore with our new poodle. When our two well-socialized standard poodles each got older (not old and infirm, just older) they refused to enter the dog park. They’d balk and sit stubbornly in the parking lot. They were telling us they no longer enjoyed the scrum, I guess. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Annies Mom commented August 6 A Annies Mom Minnesota Aug. 6 Going to one of the many dog parks here in St. Paul makes my cattle dog mix extremely happy. She loves to run and play with the other dogs to her heart’s content. And I love watching her do it. We both love dog parks. Reply16 RecommendShareFlag Salix commented August 6 S Salix Sunset Park, Brooklyn Aug. 6 This is a most beneficial essay. Most "dog parks" are too small and there is no way for a timid or uncertain dog to avoid the big rowdy ones. Many dog owners are so sure that their dog loves all others dogs that they don't realize "all other dogs" might not love their dog back. When an 80 lb dog makes a "playful" grab at a 15 lb dog, there can be serious trouble no matter the intentions of both dogs and owners. Reply40 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Jzzy55 commented August 6 J Jzzy55 New England Aug. 6 @Salix Try a dog park with a separate fenced space for small dogs. It’s a very different experience. I don’t want my 55 pound standard poodle mixing it up with tiny dogs any more than you do. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag AB commented August 6 AB AB Brooklyn Aug. 6 This entire article does not mention that dog owners are forced to use dog parks because many people and parks are hostile towards dogs. I am sooo sick of parents bringing their little kids to the park during our precious pre-9 am off-leash hours, then getting all up in arms that the dogs are off-leash. Dog owners are treated like second class citizens and harassed by people who have personal problems with dogs. We are forced to use dog parks! We need a space, too, and all we get is harassment for using parks (even following rules!) and guilt trips from articles like this. Reply41 RecommendShareFlag 6 REPLIES Bob Vila commented August 6 B Bob Vila London Aug. 6 @AB, what is the official rule on off-leash? That seems determinative of who is right, and who is wrong. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag AB commented August 6 AB AB Brooklyn Aug. 6 No, it’s pretty clear: before 9am the parks have off-leash hours. Don’t go to the park at 8 AM and harass the owners of the dogs that are off leash. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag snowy owl commented August 6 S snowy owl binghamton Aug. 6 @AB Most places that have off leash or off leash hours have a sign somewhere that says somethiing to the effect that "dogs must be under control at all times"--which essentialy means a person's dog is well trained enough not to go up to people without consent. Off-leash is not the same as a dog park with a fenced-in boundary. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES garsar commented August 6 G garsar france Aug. 6 Our dogs all loved dog parks. One dog worked out how to get to the dog park without us driving there! He would disappear, we'd panic and then when we went to the Dog Park, there he was. Our current dog (all rescues) is so excited to go on dog meetings with other dogs that she goes crazy and can't wait to meet and greet her friends, human and dogs! Socialization for dogs is important and also for humans. Italy has lots of Dog Beaches and the dogs love it! At one I used the dog shower instead of the people one to wash off my feet and was scolded! One for dogs, one for people! Reply13 RecommendShareFlag News Runner commented August 6 News Runner News Runner U.S. Aug. 6 We had our beloved rescue euthanized yesterday. He was 9 and went down quickly. We are so sad today. Even though I avoided the local dog park, for the reasons mentioned, I'd do anything to walk him by there one more time so he could sniff he friends through the fence. Reply85 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Linda commented August 6 L Linda MN Aug. 6 @News Runner I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s just so hard. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Winthropo muchacho commented August 6 Winthropo muchacho Winthropo muchacho Durham, NC Aug. 6 In Chapel Hill there is a nice well maintained dog park. One large part is for big dogs the other for small. It’s mostly grassy and well maintained and the dogs socialize well. Owners are responsible and attentive to the goings on amongst the dogs. They pick up their dogs’ poo. Signage at the park says aggressive dogs should be removed by their owners. It also says that if the owner refuses to call 911. No all dogs are good for parks. Contrast that to Durham where dog parks are not well maintained, are over crowded and have owners basically working from home while their dogs and not paying attention. And the city of Durham has a whopping $1,600 per year (not kidding) in the city budget for all its dog parks. And for the guy with the injured dog-sue the dog’s owner-in most states their is strict liability for dog misbehavior. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Stevie commented August 6 S Stevie Barrington, NJ Aug. 6 I don't have a dog, but I look after my daughter's border collie mix often enough. Z is well behaved everywhere. She is uninterested at dog parks, preferring to play with dogs and people of higher intellect. She will play with a fellow border collie, or a Goldie, but prefers not to associate with the unstable and uncommunicative beasts found in the dog parks. The only exception is one dog park nearby which is several acres, all fenced in, which incorporates a stream and paths through the woods. Even there, she prefers the agility course, or the big field for frisbee catching to the the company of unruly pups. My point: If your dog is like an unruly two-year old without manners, giving her what she wants may be a short break for you, but it does nothing to socialize the dog. Reply11 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @Stevie Border collies have such very breed specific behaviors that they often don't care for playing with other kinds of dogs. In most dogs' worlds, staring is very bad behavior; that's what border collies do for a living. Our dogs have a Golden friend; she doesn't seem to notice but a lot of other breeds do and don't like the herding and the staring. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Ken commented August 6 K Ken Denver Aug. 6 @Ceilidth Border collies should not be pets. They are working dogs, period. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @Ken Mine are working dogs (we have sheep) but I also know some very happy borders who spend most of their lives without livestock. They also love a lot of dog sports. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag News Runner commented August 6 News Runner News Runner U.S. Aug. 6 We had our beloved rescue euthanized yesterday. He was 9 and went down quickly. We are so sad today. Even though I avoided the local dog park, for the reasons mentioned, I'd do anything to walk him by there one more time so he could sniff he friends. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Mari commented August 6 M Mari Florida Aug. 6 @News Runner So so sorry for your loss. Our beloved rescue now has cancer but is managing with drugs and diet and good vet care. No pain. She never liked other dogs and would sit in the corner at our dog park next to the fence looking out. We are happy we found her - the perfect dog for us, despite her idiosyncratic personality. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag 617to416 commented August 6 617to416 617to416 Ontario via Massachusetts Aug. 6 @News Runner I am so sorry. It's so hard to lose them. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag A Miller commented August 6 A A Miller DC/MD Aug. 6 My own experience and research on dog parks (talking to vets, animal behaviorists, rescuers, etc.) has led me to conclude that dog parks are not good for dogs. My first dog wouldn't even consider a dog park, preferring walks and hikes with one or two dog friends and humans. My current pup, adopted during Covid, did benefit briefly from a lovely enormous fenced dog park---he made a few friends and I took him only when there were fewer dogs and responsible humans. And then I began to see the downside: humans on cell phones, unruly dogs, dog excrement, and two really bad dog fights (there were human arguments, too). My dog and I hike regularly, and he has a dozen good dog friends in the neighborhood he can play with and hang out with. Dog parks are indeed dangerous. Injuries, illnesses, and irresponsible owners. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag snowy owl commented August 6 S snowy owl binghamton Aug. 6 I agree I don''mt take my dog ot dog parks. My dog, however, is a trained trail dog. I am concerned about the number of people, many of them regular visitors to dog parks, who think the open wooded parks, etc. that are designated as off-leash with signs that say, "dogs must be under voice command," or dogs must be under control at all times," are dog parks. They do not understand what that means. It is not a dog park for dog people only. Not everyone wants a dog(s) coming up to them: My dog is trained to warn me when someone is coming, to come when called, to stay on the trail and not go into the woods (due to animals, and birds, especially during mating season). We always pass others with her on leash at my side. I'm tired of people who say "My dog is friendly." The dog attacks we have experienced (including with former dogs) were people who say that. Please, do not let your dog off leash unless you and the dog are truly trained to be respectful of others and the wildlife in the woods. Even on leash, some people's dog are out of hand--pulling towards others. My worst example of that is a woman with two dogs pulling her on a trail with uneven ground. Bad enough but she also had a very new baby in a soft pack on her chest. A recipe for disaster. Reply52 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Roberto commented August 6 R Roberto Massachusetts Aug. 6 @snowy owl Voice commands work okay until your dog becomes deaf--which can happen fairly suddenly. Then your off-leash dog is NOT under your control. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Steve commented August 6 S Steve US Aug. 6 @snowy owl Yes! Can't recommend this enough. People who are afraid of dogs have the right to enjoy parks too. Train your dogs and everyone will be happy! ReplyRecommendShareFlag Martin sensiper commented August 6 Martin sensiper Martin sensiper Orlando FL Aug. 6 Wow. I'm not sure where the dog parks are that the author finds so objectionable. The dog park we (my girlfriend and our collective 4 dogs) go to is Constitution Green in downtown Orlando. Almost everyone there, watches their dog and their interaction with other dogs. If a dogs is not happy the owner leaves, if a dogs is misbehaving, the owner removes the dog. The article seems to acknowledge that some dogs like parks. The headline doesn't reflect this. Sort of like saying shy people don't like bars so let's get rid of bars. Reply59 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Carol LES commented August 6 C Carol LES LES Aug. 6 @Martin sensiper you live in a place with way more space than NYC. In NYC dog parks are always overcrowded and over stimulating. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Doreen commented August 6 D Doreen Pittsburgh, PA Aug. 6 Many of the objections the author mentions are matters for the dog owner and not the "fault" of the dog park. If a dog finds the park too stimulating, then the owner should take their pet home. If the pet's owner sees dogs that are too aggressive, they should remove their pet. The responsibility is with the pet parent, not the facility itself. My border collie is happy to be among the other dogs, and when she shows fatigue with all of the activity, we head home, happy to have had a leash free romp and ready to return to her quiet home. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag KJ commented August 6 K KJ Tennessee Aug. 6 My dog hates dog parks. She's a former shelter dog and gets alarmed when there's a lot of barking. The solution that worked for us is very early mornings with very long walks. Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Tricia commented August 6 T Tricia California Aug. 6 Yes, people have been sold a bill of goods. Many of the dogs in dog parks are exhibiting stress and anxiety. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag Jerry commented August 6 J Jerry Madison Aug. 6 Not all dog parks are the same. The one I go to (urged by my pooch beginning around 7:30 a.m. and continues until I get up and grab the car keys) is 80+ acres of fenced-in area of various terrains - open fields/woodland paths and a 2 mile outer path that keeps both me and pooch happy for 45+ minutes. In short, plenty of room for lots of dogs that seldom end up in huge packs. We have active volunteers who both patrol the poop-pick-up-ignorers or take it upon ourselves to do the right thing of picking up more than you left so much of the smell is just not there. There are no water sources provided, which eliminates spread of disease, so we all carry our own and hydrate dogs as needed. Problems with aggressive dogs get reported to the Board and they deal with the situation swiftly. Like I say, not all parks are equal - and yes there are some parks in the area I wouldn't even drag a dead squirrel on a leash through...but for the time being, both me and my dog are total fans of this particular park. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Muddyw commented August 6 M Muddyw upstate ny Aug. 6 @Jerry Sounds like a wonderful off leash area/park for your dogs! Most dogs are not so fortunate. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Mini-Me commented August 6 M Mini-Me Vesuvius Villa Aug. 6 @Jerry, you and your dog are lucky indeed to have such a big dog park. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag David commented August 6 D David Flushing Aug. 6 Some years ago, I was in Washington Square Park and stopped by the dog run there. I was standing a few feet back from the fence and was not touching it. Three dogs were running around together making a circuit of the area several times. They then suddenly made a beeline for me and jumped on the fence snarling. I have no idea what provoked them as I was standing with my arms at my side and making no sound. A more amusing episode was when a larger dog grabbed the sweater of a small dog and began to "walk" it about stretching the coat considerably. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Mari commented 12 hours ago M Mari Florida 12h ago @David At our local dog park (I soon gave it up since our dog hated it), I watched two large dogs do a "zoomie" around a friend and, pulling ever closer, knocked her down.She hit her head - hard -and was stunned. No permanent injuries. But there could have been... ReplyRecommendShareFlag Claytronica commented August 6 Claytronica Claytronica MA Aug. 6 Dogs need to be off leash and they need agency to roam about under their own power. Many people simply don't live in a place or have access to space that allows for this. To me, there's nothing sadder than seeing a dog on a leash on a city sidewalk. Yes, dogs are adaptable, but that's not a great dog life. I know many dog owners will chafe at this- but I don't think anybody should own a dog unless that dog can be given significant outdoor, off-leash time every day. After living in a city for many years, my family moved to a more rural area and finally got a dog. We are extremely lucky to have access to miles of nearby trails where our dog frolics in the woods and explores for a couple of hours every day. Is this elitist? Exclusive? I think to a degree it is. I just don't think pets should be kept to make us happy. Our obligation is to provide for them a truly good life. Reply34 RecommendShareFlag 6 REPLIES Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @Claytronica I just hope that you aren't the kind of dog owner who says about livestock or wildlife that are being harassed by their dog, "I didn't move to the country to have to keep my dog on a leash." I remember two huskies who killed a fawn near our property as we were having dinner on our deck. The outraged dog owner showed up after we collected the dogs and called animal control. His dogs "would never do that" until the animal control officer showed him the dead fawn and told him what the fine would be (I think it was $500.) Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Claytronica Your dogs spook somebody’s horse and they get hurt, you will be paying for that. Dogs love to chase horses and it’s super dangerous for all involved. Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Claytronica commented August 6 Claytronica Claytronica MA Aug. 6 @Smilodon7 Entirely fair question from both you and @Ceildith above. I take my dog out on town preservation land. This particular area is specifically okayed for off-leash dogs (provided you clean up after them, which I do even even if I have to wade into the tick-infested underbrush) There are no livestock, and there are no horses. He does indeed chase after the occasional squirrel or chipmunk, and I'm sure there are other disruptions that dogs create in the forest, including to some nesting birds. There are pros and cons to everything. But I certainly maintain that – taking as many precautions and being as respectful of others as possible – a dog needs to be outside. Now if you want to make an argument that humans shouldn't own pets at all, I would be fairly receptive to that. ReplyRecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Robin commented August 6 R Robin Beachwood and Pepper Pike OH Aug. 6 I don't have a dog at the moment but I wonder about the outdoor restaurants that allow owners to bring their dogs. Yes, the dogs are leashed but still I noticed some dogs are stressed with all the activity, music, foods, etc. My community has a wonderful trail. There's an enclosed dog park that is well maintained and membership is mandatory. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag John Bergstrom commented August 6 J John Bergstrom Boston Aug. 6 I sometimes enjoy sitting on a park bench and watching a dog-run area. It seems pretty clear that it's the humans who are there to socialize; the dogs don't really get that much out of being with other dogs. (It's not like actual "dog behavior", where they would be forming a pack and roaming around together.) What the dogs seem to love is having room to stretch out and run really fast to chase a ball. That's what they're good at. Otherwise, they are just waiting around until their owners are ready to leave. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag George commented August 6 G George Rochester, NY Aug. 6 We lived near one that was quite large and separated small from large dogs. Depending on time of day, it was usually not so busy and we could play fetch or he could run the fence with the big dogs. My dog loved it there and also liked interacting with the humans more than with the other dogs. We have since moved away from that town and the nearest dog park tends to be more crowded. We have stopped going. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Jay Dee commented August 6 J Jay Dee The Tropics Aug. 6 Dogs are a wonderful technology developed to provide security and, to a lesser degree, companionship. On the security point they’re completely obsolete, but I understand how they can help with loneliness, especially for those living in isolation. Dogs are utterly miserable in urban environments - they need to work to be happy. If you live on 10 or more acres in the countryside, by all means have at it. But if you live in an apartment in the city, you’re just converting the building into a kennel, and treating man’s best friend horribly in an act of utter selfishness. Join a club, go for a walk, take on a part time job. But please no more screaming dogs relieving themselves in the stairwells and elevators. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Al from PA commented August 6 A Al from PA PA Aug. 6 @Jay Dee I couldn't agree more. We've just moved to a large city out west after home owning in the east. It seems everyone in the (nice, well-kept)apartment building we live in has a dog--especially the 20 and 30-somethings. The dogs are generally huge, more or less well-behaved, but sometimes rowdy. The young people are always taking them out, walking them (sort of), bringing them back in (to their small apartments). What's the point? Can't anyone just go for a walk by themselves? Reply11 RecommendShareFlag Jay Dee commented August 6 J Jay Dee The Tropics Aug. 6 I had an apartment in a beautiful new building in a city where I commuted a 6-8 nights every month for five years. When I moved in back in 2018 it was wonderful; quiet, pleasant and friendly. Full of young people, occasionally one might even encounter a young beauty (or two) sunning herself topless on the pool deck. By the time I moved out it was wrecked, the hallways, elevators and stairwells wreaked of excrement. Landlords are taking note - you will see dog-free buildings. But people will of course get “service animal” designations. Unreal how we’ve lost all respect for those around us. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag Scott K commented August 6 S Scott K Bronx Aug. 6 @Jay Dee I live in a dog-friendly building with a fair number of dogs and experience none of the problems you complain about. And my dog is anything but miserable, he's playful and loves to walk. I'm curious as to your animal behavior expertise since you've made many authoritative proclamations about dogs. And BTW dogs are excellent security "technology". They alert you to potential intruders and warn them that they are noticed. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Elizabeth commented August 6 Elizabeth Elizabeth NYC Aug. 6 Many dog owners in Riverside Park completely ignore off-leash hour rules. They let their dogs run free at any hour, tearing through designated forever-wild areas and racing across paths. They play ball with them back and forth on worn out, dusty lawns, further compacting and damaging the grass. I’ve even seen them lift their dogs into fenced-in garden areas. Here’s my take: if you want your dog to run free in nature, move to the suburbs. City parks are for everyone to enjoy. They are not your private dog run. Reply172 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Salix commented August 6 S Salix Sunset Park, Brooklyn Aug. 6 @Elizabeth Um, the suburbs are not exactly "nature." Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Louise Stone commented 7 hours ago L Louise Stone MN 7h ago @Elizabeth Suburban and rural parks have rules too. Dogs should not be off leash anywhere except in designated areas (e.g., dog parkst) at designated times. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Gil Batzri commented 4 hours ago G Gil Batzri Oakland and DC 4h ago @Elizabeth This is a people problem, really like all of the others. Nothing to do with the dogs in question. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag sabilla2009. commented August 6 S sabilla2009. Nashville, TN Aug. 6 The building next to me has a nice tree-filled dog park which is seldom used in the middle of the day. My dog, a 12 year old rescue, enjoys going there to just sniff around. If another dog arrives, we usually leave. My vet warned me long ago about dog parks because of the spread of disease. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Jessica3727 commented August 6 J Jessica3727 Pennsylvania Aug. 6 I took my first dog, Olivia, to a dog park back in 1996. We were told that this was a purebred ONLY park and therefore, my beautiful half-sheltie/half-keeshond was unwelcome. That particular park became a mecca for dog fights and humans being bitten. There was another park -- well, not truly a dog park, but a place that when the baseball fields were not in use, was a great refuge for those of us with rescued, mixed-breed dogs. In general, the dogs were well behaved - and they formed friendships as there was a group of us that went every Saturday and Sunday morning around 7:30. People kept their new-to-the-park dogs on long leashes until the dog showed signs of wanting to branch out. For years, there was never a problem, until "the guy". He had a monster dog, and all the other dogs wanted nothing to do with him. The man endeavored to bully all of us, but in the end, it turned out his time was very limited because he was out on bond until his sentencing for securities fraud. So it was only about a month and then he was gone for 5 - 7. So many of us went for so long, that our dogs grew old together. And then, one by one, we returned with our new puppies. It is a magical place for us -- my current dogs (one is 12 and the other is a little over a year) still attend -- it was even "safe-ish" during the pandemic after vaccines came out...I know this is different from the small, fenced urban dog parks, but I thought I'd share that sometimes, dog parks are good. Reply21 RecommendShareFlag Merry commented August 6 M Merry Aberdeen, NC Aug. 6 As a former trainer myself...amen sister! Reply10 RecommendShareFlag Vase commented August 6 V Vase New York Aug. 6 A couple years ago I was a member of a local dog-related Facebook group where there was discussion of some residents’ efforts to persuade the city to create a dog park within a small local park. I posted a comment saying that I had no objection to a dog park but also noting that there are many dog owners (like me) who either don’t care about dog parks, or who don’t like them. The amount of vitriol that was then directed at me for that benign (and indisputable) observation was shocking. Until then I’d not known that there are some dog owners who are fanatical about what they believe is an absolute right to urban dog parks. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag Barbara commented August 6 B Barbara Raleigh NC Aug. 6 Interesting that for many years I would have agreed with your assessment on dog parks. I never took my two former dogs that were happy and well adjusted. I just walked them and played with them. My third dog was born with anxiety issues. She had terrible separation anxiety and was so hyper reactive to EVERYTHING. She was kicked out of puppy school because she couldn't calm down and was disruptive to the class :( Fortunately she was super smart and we started working through her issues one at a time. It seemed she was upset if she didn't understand what any given noise was. One by one we went up to anything she was afraid of and examined it, remade the noise and told her it was OK. I wish I had a dollar for every time I said that. She was also afraid of other dogs. I decided to start taking her to the dog park while still a puppy so she could socialize while still small. This really did the trick for her. I always supervised the interactions. She, over time, realized dogs were nothing to be frightened of. We even went to the big scary adult dog park when she was over a year old. She got used to dogs barking, running playing. Now when I walk her and she hears a dog bark or act up, she doesn't even look up from her sniffing! The dog park was a Godsend for my dog. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY William C Vaughan commented August 6 W William C Vaughan Pflugerville, TX Aug. 6 @Barbara MOST dogs are nothing to be afraid of - it only takes one aggressive dog to ruin the day for the other dogs in the park, and possibly result in serious injury. Some dog parks take on the character of a prison yard for dogs. Like humans, dogs run the gamut in physical, emotional, and social characteristics, and putting a random set of individuals into a small area together can have unpredictable results. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Scott Swanson commented August 6 S Scott Swanson St Paul Aug. 6 Ms. Iovine seems to not understand the hard-wired nature of most dogs. Ours--a dog that is hard-wired to chase, run, as a shepherd--does the same things in the open in our yard as he does in a fenced dog park. Run. Chase ball. Return to us. Repeat. Until he's tired. He'd love to do it inside our house, too, but it's a bit clumsy there. Most dogs love the exercise, and need it. That the dog park is an imperfect environment is a factor to be weighed, not always a deal breaker. Reply14 RecommendShareFlag Italian Special commented August 6 I Italian Special Massachusetts Aug. 6 Informal **unfenced** dog parks are wonderful and allow dogs to pace themselves within a much larger space. Some will hang just with the chatting people. Others will play gladiators in the middle of the field. Old ones may watch and bark. Our informal dog park was central to helping my big feral gal acclimatize to life. She was incredibly withdrawn with people (except my toddlers, no surprise). When I brought her to the dog park, she saw a dozen swirling dogs, jumped out of the back of the car and ran for them - the first time I saw her tail up. With them, she observed dogs being friends with people. She saw dogs asking for pets and getting treats. The dog park pack was so important in her blossoming and gradually feeling a member of our human family. Reply13 RecommendShareFlag Layla commented August 6 Layla Layla Texas Aug. 6 Dog parks aside, I got to the point where I stopped walking my dog around the neighborhood (I have a big yard) and at the local park. While on a leash, my dog was attacked twice by dogs not on a leash—city ordnance requires leashes. Both incidents required vets visits and stitches. The charming local park has a wide path around a large pond used by runners, walkers, moms pushing strollers, and roller bladers. Yet, many don’t pick up after their dogs—the park has bag dispensers—leaving landmines for everyone to step in. I considered asking the perpetrators to pick up after their pets at the park, but it’s Texas and they’re all armed to the teeth. Reply695 RecommendShareFlag 5 REPLIES Jenifer commented 11 hours ago J Jenifer Issaquah 11h ago @Layla The Texas thing kind of explains it all. Don't tread on me actually means you can't make me do what I refuse to do. Picking up dog doo is way too politically correct. The irony is that it is the dog doo that gets treaded on. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag Carter O'Brien commented 11 hours ago C Carter O'Brien Chicago 11h ago See, Texas and Chicago aren't so different after all. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Hector commented 10 hours ago H Hector Bellflower 10h ago @Layla At our dog parks we'd offer poo bags to people whose dogs leave messes, and the owners usually used them. I carried a large Chukit ball tosser that worked great for beating aggressive dogs and pepper spray to deter their owners, but I never had to use the spray. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES 617to416 commented August 6 617to416 617to416 Ontario via Massachusetts Aug. 6 Remember the Christian Cooper / Amy Cooper confrontation in Central Park? I'm totally on the side of Christian. Besides being unabashedly pro-woke, I've been an avid birdwatcher for 57 years, since I was 6. I know the damage dogs can do to birds and habitat. Dogs off-lead are an environmental disaster. But here's where I have just a tad bit of empathy for Amy. You see, I married into a family of bird hunters. My wife, mind you, is even more unabashedly woke than I. She doesn't hunt, but her dad—well he was out putting on his dead list the very birds I wanted on my life list. I'm more tolerant of unwoke dads and father-in-laws than you might think. So I could adjust to my father-in-law's wingshooting as easily as I could to my own father's obsession for Rush Limbaugh. But here's the rub: my wife, having grown up with hunting dogs all around her, could not imagine living without a dog. I couldn't imagine living without my wife—and it quickly became evident that my fate was either a wife and a dog or neither. So I agreed to the dog—and decided I had to come to like the dog, which meant I had to find something to do with this four-legged birding disaster. Why not hunt him? my father-in-law suggested. I won't horrify you with all the gory details, but indeed hunting a dog is an amazing way to bond with the dog. But what to do with this bundle of boundless bird-destroying energy when not hunting? I confess, I'm not totally above the occasional Amy Cooper off-lead sneak. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Somewhere commented August 6 Somewhere Somewhere Arizona Aug. 6 Our two dogs loved the dog park but eventually we stopped going because of irresponsible owners who brought in dogs that really shouldn't have been there or brought food. The best example was when a dog owner gave her young daughter a bag of Cheetos made even worse when she tried running away from the 30 dogs or so who had surrounded her. Reply27 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY CB commented 12 hours ago C CB NJ 12h ago @Somewhere Oh my with the Cheetos! That would be hilarious if it weren’t so dangerous! I’ve seen parents allow small children wander around inside fenced dog oh park while my 80 pound dog and others of similar size came barreling through in a chase game. So scary! I took my dog out. I knew adults at the park we went to that got distracted when the pack was coming their way and wound up with a broken leg. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Dale Newman commented August 6 Dale Newman Dale Newman Fernandina, FL Aug. 6 Our dog park in Florida is 3 fenced acres with an inground pool, is monitored by cameras, has a dog park manager there daily,and upwards of a hundred of members or more who pay 275.00 to bring their dogs to this park most days. Vaccinations are strictly enforced. Problem dogs are banned after a third incident (unless the first or second is egregious (like causing serious injury). By and large, the owner of a dog who causes a minor injury steps up to pay resulting vet bills. I've owned dogs for nearly 50 years, am a dog trainer and a dog walker and have read comprehensively about dog behavior and communication. I feel our dog park is a wonderful place for dogs and the vast majority who come really enjoy being there. Every day I bring my dog who, on the drive over, acts like she is going to an amusement park for only the second time (second because being there once before taught her how wonderful the experience was). She's been going daily for 8 years. Sure, there are occasional conflicts, and occasional injuries. These are animals who have a different way of resolving conflicts. Serious dog fights happen less than once a year. No dog that I know of has ever had an injury as bad as having an ear torn off. If possible, attend a dog park that has some supervision and is well run. Get used to the idea of paying for a quality dog park experience. You and your dog may discover what a great experience it is for canines. Reply198 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES John Brown commented August 6 J John Brown Washington D.C. Aug. 6 @Dale Newman Florida is such a beautiful state! Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Kristin L commented 6 hours ago K Kristin L Chicago 6h ago @Dale Newman Your dog park sounds utopian. If they were all this way, I’m certain this article would have never been written, for lack of inspiration! Unfortunately, most city dog parks are little more than oversized, overcrowded, under-monitored dog runs… settings of far too many horrific and/or heartbreaking stories. Most here in Chicago have a faded-out list of “rules” near the entry, but beyond that, you’re on your honor. If this kind of dog park is your only option, I agree with the author- steer clear. However, the sprawling and exclusive doggy country club you describe sounds like a much safer and enjoyable experience for those privileged enough to have access. #goals ReplyRecommendShareFlag Susan commented 2 hours ago S Susan Asheville 2h ago @Dale Newman Where is this dog park? Sounds super. Do you know of others like it? About 20 years ago we took our dogs to a boarding facility with a pool in northwest Pompano, as I recall. The dogs took turns using the pool, it wasn’t a free for all. ReplyRecommendShareFlag JVK commented August 6 J JVK Brooklyn Aug. 6 Please consider the point of view from non-dog lovers for a moment. These days, dogs are often off the leash on the streets, in the grocery stores, on the subway, even in my office. Dog runs are certainly better destinations for dog owners to engage in some quality time with their pets than the above mentioned locations, no? Reply102 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Dmitri commented August 6 D Dmitri NYC Aug. 6 @JVK exactly. Many of these dog owners feel entitled to break the law by taking them into Whole Foods of local delicatessens. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag Isabel commented August 6 I Isabel NY, NY Aug. 6 @JVK very good point. The problem is the same thoughtless owners that are letting their dogs roam free in the streets and in stores tend to be the same ones who permit their dogs to misbehave in the dog runs. Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Andy. commented August 6 A Andy. New York, NY Aug. 6 In the late 1970's, Union Square, New York City, had a "natural" dog park, separated from the rest of the park by hedges. On any given day, there could be 5 - 15 dogs romping around. There was more than enough room for runners, sitters, and others. The dogs ranged in size from my beagle to a great dane. No one planned or build the "dog park." Maybe that is the key to a good dog park. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag Carmine commented August 6 C Carmine Rural Midwest Aug. 6 Good, I couldn’t agree more, and I have been to many different dog parks. There are too many people who bring their large, aggressive dog to the dog park, and too many people who take off the leash and go back to looking at their phone, letting their (often large, aggressive) dog terrorize others. A friend’s pup almost died after drinking from a parvo-laced mud puddle. The whole purpose of a dog park, it seems to me, is to eliminate all other off-leash opportunities in favor of one small, cramped, dirty area. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @Carmine Vet assistant here. Parvo, once it gets in the ground, can stay there for 50 years. And a dog who has had it and survived will shed parvo in its feces for 6 months. Never take a puppy that has not been fully immunized to the dog park. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag luigi commented August 6 L luigi New Jersey Aug. 6 Your piece furthered my own pov on dog parks and - more to the point - owner behavior. Many owners do a 180 at dog parks when it comes to their instinct to protect their pets. When walking a leashed dog and coming upon an unknown leashed dog, EVERY dog owner I know approaches the interaction with caution trying to assess if the two dogs should have a nose to nose up close encounter. Sometimes it works other times the dogs will unexpectedly (seemingly on cue), begin aggressively barking and pulling on leashes. Good job owners! You protected your (and the other) dog from an altercation where a pup could get hurt. However, these same people will go to a dog park filled with unknown canines and release their dog into the pack and hope for the best? To your point , dog parks are mostly for human socializing. Reply18 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Mikey commented August 6 M Mikey Providence Aug. 6 @luigi Dogs behave differently towards other dogs depending on if they're leashed or not. I avoid on-leash encounters because they're the most likely to go wrong. Reply2 RecommendShareFlag Heyjude commented August 6 H Heyjude Florida Aug. 6 Dogs are sentient beings with the intelligence of a two year old. Responsible owners is what is needed most, but often time fails when dogs misbehave. I agree with the author's observations and experience in dog parks and stay away. And yes, dogs become extensions of families for most of us with a kind and compassionate heart for such amazing animals. Most breeds are very friendly and offer unconditional love and affection in return for our care. I succumbed to my Australian Shepherd's unconditional loyalty, affection, and gusto for playtime. A fantastic book to understand dogs and help them is "How dogs think" by Stanley Coren. Cheers! Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Sean commented August 6 S Sean Europe Aug. 6 Dog parks are disease magnets. Let's face it: humans are awful and irresponsible. They never pick up their pooch's poop, and therefore, diseases like giardia are teeming in these places. I'm currently dealing with this with my puppy and it's a nightmare. PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. As for me, no more parks for puppy. Reply68 RecommendShareFlag Francine commented August 6 F Francine NYC Aug. 6 I used to take my Labradoodle to the dog park in Riverside Park daily . She sniffed around , though was never very interested in playing with the other dogs . She was more interested in throw and catch of the ball , which we did . That was until 2017, when I was playing ball with my dog and a 75 lb dog spotted the ball in my hand from across the dog run and at full speed charged towards me and knocked me down crashing to the floor . Screaming in excruciating pain I had to have two men lift me up to help me walk to the bench, while I waited for one hour on a bitter cold day , for an ambulance to take me to the hospital. With a severe fracture of the knee and torn meniscus, I didn’t walk for 5 months and eventually had arthroscopic knee surgery . Though , I’ve never completely healed and walked the same again. The last few years , I have a daily dog walker , who takes my 12 year old dog out for a walk once a day , avoiding the dog run. Reply76 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES Ruth Bonnet commented August 6 R Ruth Bonnet Ex UWS Aug. 6 @Francine yikes. I’m so sorry for your experience. I had my 11 month old pup in the West 72nd Street run when an over enthusiastic lab came tearing towards me, meaning no harm. I landed hard and woke up with humans and my beloved puppy all staring at me. I had no insurance (early 2000s) and the lab’s owner had disappeared so I dealt with the concussion on my own. M dog never left my side. Reply19 RecommendShareFlag Diane R commented August 6 D Diane R Iowa Aug. 6 Wgat an awful experience. I hope that dog's owner paid your medical bills. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag Poppy commented 9 hours ago P Poppy CA 9h ago @Francine I'm sorry that happened to you. Two playing dogs barrelled into me from behind at a dog beach, knocking me to the ground. It knocked the wind out of me. I am wary of dog parks and dog beaches after that. Reply1 RecommendShareFlag D commented August 6 D D Upstate bordertown NY Aug. 6 So sorry that your dog lost an ear! This highlights the underlying issue: humans refusing to take responsibility for the messes we create. In this case, humans not taking the time to respect and understand the unpredictability of the animals they claim to care for. We humans love to think we are capable of controlling everything, even as it is obvious that we can't. And it is always other species that suffer the most from our arrogance. Reply25 RecommendShareFlag JWhite commented August 6 J JWhite Louisville, KY Aug. 6 Sounds to me like the author needs a cat. My dog goes to the dog park and loves it. The biggest problem I see are owners who haven't trained their animals and can't control them. I had a dog approach me last week barking as if it was totally freaked out. The young owner came up to me and I quote, "I've never seen him do this. But I've only had him a week." This is the biggest problem I see. Reply219 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES JFJ commented 10 hours ago J JFJ Takoma Park MD 10h ago @JWhite "I've never seen him do this" is one of those stock phrases every dog owner knows, along with "he's friendly" and "he is just saying hello" and "he's just being protective." Reply3 RecommendShareFlag Gil Batzri commented 4 hours ago G Gil Batzri Oakland and DC 4h ago @JFJ or you know, he/she is terrified and barking because she is scared and doesn't want to fight. People that say these various nonesense kinds of things don't understand their dogs, and speaking frankly shouldn't have dogs. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Linda Abraham commented August 6 Linda Abraham Linda Abraham Near UF Aug. 6 All true. My first and last experience at the dog park... 3 pit bulls (2 different owners) attacking my dog, another dog all-too-friendly, and me having to wade into the pond to save her from drowning. The only socializing your puppy needs is exposure to likely animals and places you will go to when she is an adult. For example, if you have or will have cats, or chickens, or goats, or another dog, etc., then the puppy should be sniffing those animals before the age of 10 weeks, and she herself should be treated kindly and with respect (no teasing, no neglect). Otherwise, taking your pup to the dog park is like dropping your kids off at the pool without a lifeguard. Reply122 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY JZ commented August 6 J JZ Northeast Woods Aug. 6 @Linda Abraham taking your pup to the dog park is like dropping your kids off at the pool without a lifeguard. This is one of the best analogies ever. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Lauren Noll commented August 6 L Lauren Noll Massachusetts Aug. 6 My dog loves playing fetch with a ball, and that’s primarily what we do at the dog park. I’m eagle-eyed about the body language of other dogs there, and more than once have left or not gone in if I was concerned about an other dog. She ignores the other dogs. Walks are one thing, but running off leash is another. Reply24 RecommendShareFlag Kristen commented August 6 K Kristen Dexter, MI Aug. 6 We love our Detroit-rescued dog, but his prey drive was off the charts. So we've maintained a close watch on him for many years with minimal interactions with other dogs. Now that he's older and has slowed down considerably, he romps with a couple of neighbors' dogs in our adjoined yards and seems to enjoy their company.🐕‍🦺 Reply12 RecommendShareFlag Barbara8101 commented August 6 B Barbara8101 Philadelphia PA Aug. 6 This is a terrific piece. Dog parks are dangerous. My dog was traumatized in two different dog parks. In one, he got buried in a pile of dogs that were playing rough. In another, he was attacked. The owner of the culprit ignored the incident completely and didn’t even get up out of the chair she had brought with her. He now won’t go in to fenced areas and will only meet new dogs happily if we are in an open area. I have tried meeting up with some of his friends in a dog park but he just hides behind my legs. Dog parks are also filthy. Owners don’t clean up after their dogs even if asked to do so. Meeting up with other dogs provides opportunities for the spread of disease. And who knows whether the dogs you meet have had their shots? And no one maintains many of them, either. Dog parks may be well intentioned. They are badly executed, however. Reply288 RecommendShareFlag Ken commented August 6 K Ken Rancho Mirage Aug. 6 This opinion on dog parks does not reflect my experience. Luckily, Rancho Mirage has two great parks, one for large and one for small dogs. They are clean, pleasant places. Reply20 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Terry McKenna commented August 6 Terry McKenna Terry McKenna Dover NJ Aug. 6 @Ken Sure.... a small town. I like the dog park near me (which is routinely empty). But urban dog parks are not really safe places. Until 2022 I worked near Madison Square Park in NYC. The dog park there was small often crowded and I would not trust it to be sanitary. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Brendan Varley commented August 6 B Brendan Varley Tavares, Florida Aug. 6 Interesting, I’ve seen dogs refuse to leave the park, they lay down, resist the leash and have to be carried out. To some of them it’s clearly their favorite place. The Naples Florida Dog Park is well run and as clean as can be, Mt. Dora Fl Dog Park is a “think tank” for the pet owners. Reply43 RecommendShareFlag NC Mo commented August 6 N NC Mo Winston-Salem, NC Aug. 6 I have a 10 month old poodle that is well trained and very social. I took him to our local dog park a couple of times and then stopped because my vet and dog trainer strongly recommended against going to dog parks. My vet’s POV is dog parks spread diseases. My trainer’s POV is in addition to spreading diseases, dog parks are where better trained dogs pick up bad habits and aggressive breeds are not appropriately monitored by their owners leading to fights. That said I’m fortunate I have a yard and active kids (along with myself) to play with Cosmo. I can appreciate though that if you live in an urban area with little to no outdoor space, dog parks would be very appealing. Reply67 RecommendShareFlag Cathy commented August 6 C Cathy North Wales Aug. 6 Dog parks are easily avoided if not suited for your dog. My rescue dog would be extremely stressed if I took him to a dog park. What I can’t avoid, when walking him, are the people who approach us and assume all dogs want to meet and play with other dogs. As I try to give my dog a wide berth from other dogs, they will approach and say ‘my dog is friendly’. If I’m keeping my dog far from yours, it’s for a reason, so don’t let your dog (especially on it’s retractable leash) come charging at us. The other dog may not be as social. Reply1264 RecommendShareFlag 34 REPLIES philly joe commented August 6 P philly joe Philadelphia, PA Aug. 6 @Cathy Happened to me. I was walking my son's mixed pit bull, a lovely dog who loathes other dogs, on the periphery of a park with dog people. A lady came up to me and asked me to join them and I told her why that would be a bad idea. I continued to the next, empty park, when out of nowhere, a smaller dog comes charging us. I pulled on the leash to get away and the owner of the leashless dog said his dog was friendly, In a second, my dog had his dog by the mouth. Panic ensued and the guy got a shrub?, put it under their noses and they broke a part. Blood was on my dog and me. The guy didn't know what to do and ran away. I took my dog home and cleaned her up. She was in shock and slept for the next 10 hours. Took her to the vet who sympathized and said she didn't understand why people unleash their dogs in public places. Daisy, the dog, to this day, still has a scar on her nose because of this totally preventable incident. Reply155 RecommendShareFlag JZ commented August 6 J JZ Northeast Woods Aug. 6 @Cathy Same. I am soo tired of hearing "Don't worry, he's friendly" being yelled from the people of the off-leash dog/s that is barreling toward mine, who are leashed. Maybe it is. *I don't care.* You don't know if mine are! And off-leash dogs interacting with leashed dogs is a whole other ball game, not one that usually ends well! We have been attacked three times, resulting in various *avoidable* injuries to my pets. No dog parks for us ever. Grrrrr!! Reply252 RecommendShareFlag Brooklyncowgirl commented August 6 B Brooklyncowgirl Down In the Pines Of Jersey Aug. 6 @Cathy I agree. Dog parks can be ok for friendly, outgoing, confident dogs. They are not great for shy, sensitive dogs. Obviously dogs with a history of aggression should not go to dog parks. I prefer to take my dog at off hours--never on the weekend. I always ask the other owners if it's alright for my dog to enter. I keep an eye on my dog and play with him. If my dog picks a fight with another dog or is being bullied I get him out of there pronto. As far as off leash dogs go you have hit upon one of my pet peeves. If the rules say keep your dog on a leash then do it. Yes, maybe you've trained your dog to such a high level of obedience that Ceasar Milan looks at your hound green with envy. Most likely you have not. Then there are the shock collar fanatics. I remember one encounter with a labradoodle whose owner was waving his button shouting "Don't worry! I have her trained." The labradoodle had her jaws around my dog's throat before he could push the button. Then she interpereted the pain from the shock as coming from my dog, making her attack him even more fiercely. The guy had to wade in and and grab his dog's collar the old fashioned way. "You need to get one of these" he told me. Grrrrr! Reply53 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Mary Sears commented August 6 M Mary Sears Ondara, Spain Aug. 6 Keeping a dog in an apartment is dubious at best. The dog may not get enough exercise. It may spend the entire day in solitude while the dog owner is at work. It may bark all day, a headache for the neighbors. (And not very healthy for the dog, either.) It often seems to me that owners who keep dogs in apartments are exploiting their dog to satisfy their own emotional wishes. The happiest and most well behaved dogs I have seen live in houses with big fenced-in gardens, usually with a fellow dog for company. Reply404 RecommendShareFlag 21 REPLIES Ruth Bonnet commented August 6 R Ruth Bonnet Ex UWS Aug. 6 @Mary Sears I beg to differ. I lived in Manhattan in 400 square feet with a border collie. We played frisbee during legal off leash times in Central Park, which is big enough to accommodate an assortment of dogs. We ran errands together. He performed therapy work with the elderly and was the most friendly, well-mannered creature anyone has ever encountered. He converted non- dog people and lived an extraordinarily happy life until I moved to the suburbs into a large house where he was isolated. I miss him every day. Reply166 RecommendShareFlag John Brown commented August 6 J John Brown Washington D.C. Aug. 6 @Mary Sears Like everything else in life, your blanket statements are pretty pointless. Every breed is different and many breeds do not enjoy activity nor do they need it (they DO need to use the bathroom though, so breaks are necessary). Age also plays a role. My older dog has absolutely no interest in doing anything but sitting by his spot on the couch right next to the window. That's his happy place now, when not on our lap. Reply118 RecommendShareFlag Lisa Elliott commented August 6 L Lisa Elliott Atlanta, Georgia Aug. 6 @Mary Sears Your blanket assumption presumes that dogs will only have owners who can afford to buy large homes with large yards and have the means to own two dogs rather than just one. Are those of us who are stuck renting for the long term will just have to do without the gentle comfort and love of a dog? Reply79 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Ken commented August 6 K Ken MA Aug. 6 Dog parks are another example of how problem-solving should not begin and end with the first notional off-the-cuff ad hoc solution that seems to make sense. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag CBRLVR commented August 6 C CBRLVR Pennsylvania Aug. 6 Amen. Dog parks are another example of the anthropomorphization of dogs. Look at any movie featuring a scene of a park in the 1950’s or 1960’s where mothers sit on benches and watch their children play on swing sets or in sandboxes. Change the clothing on the mothers and replace the children with dogs and ask yourself if you are OK with animals being treated like children. If you are, we’ll that’s fine, but in so doing you are denying them the opportunity to be what they are - dogs. Reply79 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES CN commented August 6 C CN Trenton Aug. 6 @CBRLVR There's a grain of truth to what you're saying, but that actually applies to any animal being taken into a home and cared for there, not just taking dogs to a park. All pets are anthropomorphized and we care for them like parents. It's misguided, but I suspect if animals had the capability of answering the question "Would you rather be infantilized and locked up in this space, fed regularly, cleaned and kept healthy or would you rather be out in the elements in an aggressive daily competition for food and shelter?", I'd like to think most of them would choose the human home lifestyle. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag Smilodon7 commented August 6 S Smilodon7 Gilead, State Formerly Known As Missouri Aug. 6 @CN Hey I found my cat at a day old. I bottle fed him and cleaned his behind. So he thinks he’s a tiny human but the alternative would have been leaving a litter of kittens to die. I couldn’t do that. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag April commented August 6 A April NYC Aug. 6 A follow up article on how cities are bad for some dogs would be appreciated. In my area you see breeds that are not meant for a city and it’s very sad. Reply184 RecommendShareFlag 8 REPLIES Fitzgibbons commented August 6 F Fitzgibbons USA Aug. 6 @April Yeah, I try not to be judgmental but in my slice of suburbia alone, I’ve seen young couples with pairs of German shorthaired pointers, blue tick hound dogs, walker and redbone hounds, packs of beagles, and other dogs meant for hunting life and I have to wonder…what were they possibly thinking? Even the most large and expensive houses here have limited backyard situations due to density. What business do they have having these breeds in this environment? Reply18 RecommendShareFlag Roberto commented August 6 R Roberto Massachusetts Aug. 6 @April No doubt rescued dogs, brought to the city after abandonment or straying in rural areas. Reply6 RecommendShareFlag Ceilidth commented August 6 C Ceilidth Boulder CO lol Aug. 6 @Fitzgibbons Do you know how people who use hounds for hunting keep them when they aren't hunting? Mostly they are kept in outdoor kennels because they love to run off and people in the country are remarkably unhappy when hunting dogs (or any dogs) chase their livestock. In many places, livestock owners have the right to shoot any dog harassing their livestock. Reply5 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Superchemist commented August 6 S Superchemist Burnt Hills, NY Aug. 6 Don't be so judgemental. It all depends on the park, the dog, and the owner. Our older dog, a lab loved the park and the socialization, as did its owners. Second dog was somewhat people shy, but loved to play with other dogs (husky/shepherd). She was tireless. Current dog is a rescue who was a stray down south for more than half her life. She loves us, the older owners, but is very aggressive toward other dogs. Fortunately, our local park is large, and often empty, so when that's the case, she's off-leash and runs very happily until tired, maybe 5 minutes. We can see she enjoys that, but would never go there if other dogs were present. Reply389 RecommendShareFlag 8 REPLIES Isabel commented August 6 I Isabel NY, NY Aug. 6 @Superchemist the problem is that there are too many irresponsible owners. You sound responsible but you are in the minority. I stopped taking my dog to the dog parks- too many people ignore their dogs’ aggressive behavior, which of course reinforces that behavior. My dog also developed fear aggression as a result and now as a responsible owner I wouldn’t take her anyway. My future dogs will go to off leash park hours but never a dog park. It’s just not worth it. Reply52 RecommendShareFlag Salix commented August 6 S Salix Sunset Park, Brooklyn Aug. 6 @Superchemist Anecdotal evidence is nice, but of no help to those of us with small, feisty dogs that do not like big dogs "in their face." Dog parks have their place, but are not for all dogs. Do take you own advice about being judgemental. Reply23 RecommendShareFlag Rachel commented August 6 R Rachel nyc Aug. 6 @Isabel Also, Burnt Hills NY is a very different environment than NYC. In NYC, generally speaking, dog parks are over run and crowded. In places like Burnt Hills, a lovely community in way upstate NY, this is not the case. Reply4 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Barbara winslow commented August 6 B Barbara winslow Brooklyn NY Aug. 6 If you live in Brooklyn, Prospect Park is THE perfect place for dogs and their caregivers. We all frolic off leash, and thanks to our dog association, FIDO, we take good care of each other and the park. The safety and utility of dog parks depend on the space and the care of the humans who use that park. Reply96 RecommendShareFlag 8 REPLIES Flint Hasset commented August 6 F Flint Hasset Brooklyn, NY Aug. 6 @Barbara winslow Can I request that FIDO help enforce the extremely liberal off-leash laws that it has been given? Far too often I get charged at by an out of control dog on the paths, far away from the legal off-leash areas, and then cursed at by the owners for requesting a leashed dog. Reply203 RecommendShareFlag Sarah commented August 6 S Sarah Brooklyn Aug. 6 @Barbara my on-leash dog was rushed by an off leash dog at prospect park whose owner was somewhere behind and paying zero attention to their pet. It terrified him and ruined the park for us that day. Maybe it’s not the panacea you think. Reply37 RecommendShareFlag Vincent commented August 6 V Vincent New York Aug. 6 @Barbara winslow. No dog should ever be off leash in the park unless in a gated dog run. Never. Ever. At any time. For any reason. Reply70 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Cindy commented August 6 C Cindy Md Aug. 6 I tried dog parks over and over again with my loving and energetic dog. I paid attention to her and supervised carefully, but she would sometimes bully other dogs. I wanted her to love dog parks as much as I did. I used to go by myself when I was between dogs. Sometimes she had a wonderful time! But the dynamic between the dogs changed every time one entered or left the park. Eventually I realized that she was very stressed and I liked the dog park more than she did. Reply358 RecommendShareFlag dante's mom commented August 6 D dante's mom Montpelier Aug. 6 The town I moved from last year has a large grassy field with a small playground, a track, two baseball fields and spaces for frisbee and soccer. And it's a wonderful place for dogs and their people. It's also large enough that there are varying groups of people andntheir dogs. My 35-pound Italian water dog saw the same friends every morning, and they frolicked together as pups. The dog owners police their own dogs, and the occasional bully dog's person soon found they weren't welcome. In winter, dog owners would shovel paths for them and their dogs. I miss it! Reply27 RecommendShareFlag Paul commented August 6 P Paul Brooklyn Aug. 6 Whether a dog park is good or bad is like beauty, it is in the eyes of the beholder. I don't know about you but almost every day for 5-6 yrs my husky. pulled me on the 1/2 mile walk to the park. One day I drop the leash going there and he went 1/4 of a mile alone and found the park alone, waiting for me at the gate. Can it be dangerous? Yes. I had my two fingers on my right hand hyperextended but no permanent damage. The injuries are mainly caused by dog owners who don't know how to handle the dog, break up a fight, don't follow the rules etc. My dog loved every minute of it. Reply78 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Erik commented August 6 E Erik Minneapolis Aug. 6 @Paul Oh great, so you let your dog run a quarter-mile OFF-LEASH to the dog park? How very self-centered. And huskies often bully other dogs in dog parks. This is exactly why dog park should be avoided. Reply9 RecommendShareFlag Scott commented August 6 S Scott Ohio Aug. 6 @Erik I think he was saying he accidentally dropped the leash and his dog took off. Happens to all of us dog owners sometimes. Reply8 RecommendShareFlag AT commented August 6 A AT NYC Aug. 6 Dogs seem more territorial when there's a fence around them, as in a dog park. Walking through Prospect Park during "off-leash" hours is a great way to exercise your (well-trained) dog while avoiding the "pack" phenomenon. Reply17 RecommendShareFlag 1 REPLY Flint Hasset commented August 6 F Flint Hasset Brooklyn, NY Aug. 6 @AT Gentle reminder that off-leash is also restricted only to the large lawns, and is not allowed on the paths in Prospect Park. It's something many owners neglect far too often at the expense of other park users. Reply30 RecommendShareFlag Denise commented August 6 D Denise Montclair Aug. 6 I love this! My dog and I never go to the dog park and I hate when other dog owners insist that I should take my dog for his benefit. Your article confirms all the reasons why I think it would be a terrible experience for my dog. Reply168 RecommendShareFlag 2 REPLIES Dina B commented August 6 D Dina B Manhattan Aug. 6 @Denise I would have been one of those people until not only reading this, but experiencing it first hand. I dog-sat for a friend once and brought her dog to a dog park. I spent a majority of the time breaking up fights w aggressive dogs that were bothering her dog, and watching bored owners on their phones ignoring their dog while I was the one throwing a ball that every dog except the dog I was caring for would catch and run off with (I just left the ball.) I am no longer pushing anyone into this experience. Reply66 RecommendShareFlag Chris M commented 7 hours ago C Chris M Cincinnati 7h ago @Dina B Most dog parks are dangerous, disease filled places. Lazy, distracted owners, far too many dogs eliminating in the same spots day after day. If you want a socialization experience for your dog, invest in a weekly stay at a quality day care facility. ReplyRecommendShareFlag Left commented August 6 L Left Massachusetts Aug. 6 Keep them on a leash in all public venues. Clean up after them, all the time. Keep them off of others' private property. Public parks are for the public. That means people. Dogs okay, provided they do not hamper people's enjoyment. And, no, dogs are not an alternate form of children. Reply937 RecommendShareFlag 55 REPLIES Bill commented August 6 B Bill Cheshire, CT Aug. 6 @Left Thank you! These simple common sense practices make sharing spaces with dogs enjoyable. Otherwise trying to navigate around defensive dogs or their droppings can ruin a walk in the park. Reply76 RecommendShareFlag Phyliss Dalmatian commented August 6 P Phyliss Dalmatian Wichita Ks, Homosassa Fl Aug. 6 @Left Dogs are the best form of children. Your mileage may vary. Reply273 RecommendShareFlag Gawkward commented August 6 G Gawkward Mountain West Aug. 6 @Phyliss Dalmatian People buy, sell, sterilize and euthanize pets. Animals that belong in a pack live alone for most hours of the day. They are locked inside or locked outside. Hunters aren’t allowed to hunt. Most pets are not treated like people, they are treated like accessories for people. Most people would be horrified if a person treated a human child the way most people treat most pets. Reply79 RecommendShareFlag VIEW ALL REPLIES Joe C commented August 6 J Joe C NY Aug. 6 Are a few 2-3 mile walks per day with my pup better for him than lets say 30 minutes expending all his energy at a dog park? I'm confused about that. Reply7 RecommendShareFlag 3 REPLIES CBRLVR commented August 6 C CBRLVR Pennsylvania Aug. 6 The answer is yes. Dogs need to exercise their brains and walking on a leash (assuming that you are controlling him, not letting him pull you) is an activity which exercises his brain. There is a lot of research on this. Even something like a puzzle toy or a snuffle pad will encourage your dog to use his brain which will ultimately use up a lot of his excess energy. Reply42 RecommendShareFlag Phyliss Dalmatian commented August 6 P Phyliss Dalmatian Wichita Ks, Homosassa Fl Aug. 6 @Joe C The walks are better for YOU. But use the park as a weekly treat for your dog. 🍀 Reply1 RecommendShareFlag Suzanne commented August 6 S Suzanne United Coastal States of America Aug. 6 @Joe C We do that with our 4-year-ols chocolate Lab and he loves it so much that he literally jumps up and down off all fours when we get the leash out. When he gets back home, he happily plops down on his dog bed, just the right amount of tired. ReplyRecommendShare