Oh dear, I think I am about to step in it! First, I don't agree with the ultimatum in the thread Title. I think a better Title would be, "Use caution and judgement when visiting a dog park."
Some history: When Ricky first came to live with us, we lived in a house with a VERY small fenced back yard and no way to expand it. To socialize Ricky and introduce him to his surroundings I started the first ever Dog Owners Group (D.O.G.) in our community HOA. I organized a community pack walk every Saturday morning along the trail system that runs throughout our 1854 home, gated, 55+ community. After the intervening 5 years we have expanded to include Wednesday evening pack walks as well. The pack walks are limited to residents only and no retractable leashes are allowed. We have as many as 20 dogs on a pack walk that range in size from 7 pounds to 100 pounds. All the dogs are best friends and there is little barking (usually at an intimidated Cottontail) and no disagreements. We clean the trails from poop left by other less responsible dog owners who choose not to be part of the group as well as 'scat' left by coyotes, raccoons, etc. D.O.G. members have become a valued asset to our community.
When Momi, Popi, and Ricky visit our vacation home in Mexico we have a play group that meets on the big lawn in front of our condo. The play group consists of a Papillon, mini-Schnauzer, K.C. Cavalier, Ricky and another Havanese "loco CoCo" from Boulder, Co. All the dogs play together in the afternoon with games like chase the ball, doggie tag, tug of war on a piece of rope, doggie hide and seek in the bushes, and chase me-chase you. After 30/45 minutes all the dogs are exhausted and crash and it is time to call it a day. Unfortunately, loco Coco has sold their place and will not be returning. :frown2: BUT we have met a new Havanese, Oakley, who is a full time resident in Mexico and he will be introduced into our play group. This is a play group that most (but not necessarily all) dogs would enjoy, no stress, no strain. The Cavalier prefers to hang at the edge of the activity and enjoy the other dog's presence and that is fine.
About the time I started D.O.G. in California, I started to lobby the community Board of Directors for a 'Fenced Off Leash Area' for community dogs to play in. Our community rules require that all dogs be on a leash when outside the private fenced area. The idea has met with a lot of resistance even though we have around 1000 dogs in our community. But many of these homes have no fenced private yards or very small yards. But Ricky's Popi does not give up easily!
THERE ARE 'DOG PARKS' AND THEN THERE ARE 'DOG PARKS.' (context is important!)
An update:
After 5+ years of persistence by Popi and other dog loving enthusiasts in our community, a suitable site for a fenced off leash area was found within the gates of our community last December. It was quickly dubbed the Canine Corral by a member of the Board of Directors. An anonymous community donor contributed $15,000 to erect a fence and other amenities for the Canine Corral, so there will be no expense to the HOA at large. The Board of Directors approved the Canine Corral by a unanimous vote last month. They established an advisory committee, the Canine Council, to self-administer the area. The fence was erected last week. There are a couple of details that need to be added to make it complete (e.g. addition of doggie waste stations) with a Grand Opening scheduled for February 29 (LEAP DAY :grin2
But there is a fly in the soup :surprise: A group of 7 community homeowners have filed a lawsuit against the Canine Corral. The complaint is: will not be kept clean, will be noisy, visually ugly, will raise HOA fees, will result in lawsuits for dog related injuries, etc. None of these are true, so they will lose in the Courts.
This is what makes the Canine Corral different from a public dog park:
* only residents of our community and resident dogs will be allowed - NO DOGGIE GUESTS WILL BE ALLOWED
* there is a large dog side and a small dog side (under 25 pounds) with a double gate for entrance
* gate(s) will be constantly locked with entrance only by a dedicated key fob that records residents name and time.
* dogs will be screened first before granting a permit for use and a dedicated key fob
*resident will be required to show a current insurance policy that includes dog related injuries coverage
* dogs MUST BE spayed/neutered
* female dogs in heat will not permitted in the facility during that time
* over-stimulated, aggressive dogs must be removed immediately
* no doggie toys, food, treats are permitted in fenced area
* dog will need to show current vaccinations signed by a Vet
* dog will need to show a current City license
* photos of both owner and dog are required on application
* there will be an annual fee to use the area because repairs and maintenance will be completely self funded.
* if any owner does not clean up after their dog, if a dog exceeds the community guidelines for barking, if they grant entrance to friends or guests, they will permanently lose their privileges.
*if a dog shows any sign of sickness (loose bowels, vomiting, etc.) they must be removed from the facility immediately.
* actually, there are 23 requirements to be met before a permit and key fob is granted for entry
These restrictions are tough, and one community dog owner said to me that they were not going to do all of that, just too much bureaucracy. I agreed with them, the Canine Corral is not for everyone. Ricky's play style is exuberant, enthusiastic, rough and tumble, with some playful growling at times. Many dog owners and their shy dogs do not recognize this type of play. I understand. If Ricky becomes too aggressive in his play, I will move him to the large dog side, where his play style will be less intimidating, or put him in "time out", or remove him from the facility for the day until he calms down and is less stimulated. I have met Kodi, Panda, and Pixel. In my opinion Kodi and Ricky would be great play mates, and even Panda maybe, but I think sweet Pixel would be overwhelmed by Ricky. I have seen pictures of a dozen or more Havanese in a play group in a fenced area on this Forum. In reality, this a temporary dog park by invitation only. What is the difference between that 'dog park' and the Canine Corral, a private, pre-qualified, with lots of rules 'dog park'?
Ricky and I are excited about the Canine Corral. it will gives us the opportunity to play with other like minded dogs; it will allow us to train off leash ( when appropriate and we are the only occupants at the time) so that we can get back to training for the next level of obedience competition; and it will build camaraderie among the dog owners in our community.
The Canine Corral will not be appropriate for all dogs in our community. Although there will be screening provided by the Canine Council, ultimately it is up to the owner to determine the suitability of their dog in the facility at any time. There are around 1000 dogs in our community, but I expect only 50 to 100 dogs that will meet the requirements, want to participate, agree to the rules, and will take advantage of the Canine Corral. I will be surprised if there are more than 10/12 dogs in both sides at any one time. Probably fewer than 4 most of the time.
Ricky and I have been to public dog parks and the experienced has been mixed for us. At public facilities, Ricky becomes surprising shy - "Popi, I don't know any doggies here" look and he will hop on the bench next to me and just survey the activity. But on a pack walk with dogs he knows, he tries to instigate an insurrection and get other dogs to play with him rather than limit the activity to a pack walk.
So there are 'dog parks' and then there are 'dog parks.' It just depends............ and I think our Canine Corral has a great chance for success.
Ricky's Popi