A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. Parks vary in accoutrements, although a typical dog park offers a 4' to 6' fence; separate, double-gated entry and exit points; adequate drainage; benches for humans; shade for hot days; parking close to the site; water; tools to pick up and dispose of animal waste in covered trash cans; and regular maintenance and cleaning of the grounds. Dog parks may also feature wheel-chair access, a pond for swimming; and a separate enclosure for small dogs. In the U.S. the first official dog park opened in 1979 in Berkeley, California's Ohlone Park. Today, more than 600 city- or county-sanctioned off-leash areas in the U.S. exist, and more than 1,100 exist in the U.S. and Canada combined. (Dogpark.com, 2002) In Australia, dog parks feature water taps rather than hydrants, garden benches, and mature trees for shade. Some (e.g. Pymble, New South Wales) have solar lampposts for after dark use.
Benefits of off-leash dog parks
Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks the world over allow owners and their dogs to spend time together while the dog satisfies its cravings for canine play and companionship.
“My dog Darby and I visit the Minnehaha Regional Park off-leash area almost every day that I'm not at work,” enthused Robert Coffman, St. Paul. “It’s good exercise for the two of us. It’s a pleasant way for me to get some fresh air, and Darby couldn't be happier!”
Respected organizations like the ASPCA believe that dog parks are beneficial to both dogs and their guardians. According to Dan Emerson of Dog Channel.com, proponents of dog parks cite the following benefits: "They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing." Dog park regulations vary from park to park, but some are quite extensive and comprehensive, like this poster from The New York Council of Dog Owner Groups attests. The guide Public Open Space and Dogs includes plans and illustrations.
Pet ownership in the United States increased by over 1 million households between 1990 and 1992, up to 54 million, or 58% of all U.S. households. Of the pet-owning households, 38% included dogs, which translated to 1.5 dogs per dog-owning household or a total of 53.3 million dogs. By 2005-2006, the U.S. Pet Owners Survey showed that the number of dogs Americans owned had shot up to 73 million dogs, a significant increase. The Humane Society noted in 2007 that approximately 60% of U.S. owners had one dog, 25% had two dogs, and 15% had three or more dogs, and 75% of dog owners consider their pets to be a significant part of the family.
In Great Britain dogs and cats were owned by 39% of people. A 2007 Pet Club article noted: "The Blue Cross Pet Census shows that we spend an average of £406 per year on our dogs, a 20% increase from last year and £128 more than the average expenditure on pets." Australia has one of the highest incidence of pet ownership in the world, with 2.8 million Australians owning dogs in 2005. While none of these statistics address the urban dog, one can surmise that more dogs than ever live in urban environments where yards tend to be small and strict leash laws are enforced. In her 2007 Master's Thesis, Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities, author Laurel Allen wrote:
"In urban environments dogs are generally confined to a crate, portions of the home, or small sections of the yard most of the time. Typically, dogs are taken on daily walks, but because of strict leash laws, they cannot run free or easily socialize with other dogs."
A leash can cause a dog to become territorial. Dog parks where dogs can run unfettered can seem like a good solution for urban dogs, but before embarking on such a project designers should "consider legal ramifications, social behavior of dogs and dog owners, environmental and health issues for dogs and people, and the costs of building, maintaining, and policing dog parks." Proponents of dog parks are encouraged to advocate at the local level, work closely with public parks and recreation staff, and have rules firmly established before bringing their case to the public. As the dog population increases in high density environments, regulations need to be in place to promote responsible pet ownership, and facilities need to be provided to allow pet owners and their canine companions to exercise and play together. The provision of ample quality space for the human/dog companion recreation promotes the physical and mental well being of both dog and human.
Scientific studies have shown that people find it easier to talk to each other with dogs as the initial focus, breaking down the usual social barriers that make people in our society perceive others as strangers.
"Dogs act as social 'ice breakers' and help people strike up friendly conversation with others," says Dr. June McNicholas, senior research fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. "We are probably much more sociable than society allows us. It is difficult for us to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger – all sorts of ulterior motives may be suspected. But being with a dog (or other pet) gives a safe, non-threatening, neutral topic to start a conversation."
Research has also shown that dogs improve people's health (by lowering their blood pressure) and increase resistance to disease by giving people unconditional love and companionship. They reduce anxiety and depression, stimulate people to exercise, connect people with others and help redevelop a sense of purpose. . The unconditional love of a companion animal is very beneficial for the elderly, many of whom are unable to properly exercise their dogs and who stand to benefit from taking their dogs to a dog park.
Additional benefits of a dog park to the community include:
1) Promoting responsible dog ownership, 2) Socialization and exercise for dogs (which leads to a healthier dog in both mind and body),3) Bringing dogs and owners together in neutral territory, which can reduce fear and aggression in dogs, 4) Offering elderly and disabled citizens a place to exercise their companions, and5) Accommodating dogs and their owners in a public open space (this has been shown to lead dog owners to higher levels of compliance with relevant laws).The benefits of exercise for dogs is well documented, although dogs can learn and reinforce bad behaviors if owners are not vigilant or careful. Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, cautions that the dog park should not be used as a substitute for a daily walk. He suggests that the owners walk their dogs briskly for 35 minutes to calm them before placing them unleashed inside a dog park enclosure. Dogs that are highly socialized and exercised are healthier and happier, and less aggressive in behavior. They are less likely to bark, or be destructive or aggressive if they are able to expend pent-up energy during regular play or exercise.
Problems with off-leash dog parks
Not everyone is enamored with dog parks and establishing one can create contention within a community when residents worry about noise, smell, and traffic. The town of Leesburg took eight years to approve a small dog park in Loudoun County, Virginia that will hold only 20 dogs at once. Laurel Allen, author of Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities points out that very few experienced experts in park design or dog behavior are consulted during the design process of dog parks:
Most dog parks result from the perceived needs of a local dog owners’ community without guidance or input from experienced park designers, veterinarians, or experts on dog behavior. There is no comprehensive reference manual outlining the requirements for the design of a safe and well-maintained dog park. The only available reference for local dog park advocates is Susyn Stecchi’s (2006) So You Want to Build a Dog Park? which was written from the perspective of a Certified Canine Massage Technician (C.C.M.T.) and dog owner; Susyn operates a business that promotes festivals, logos, web-sites, desktop publishing, and other enterprises. Untapped authorities who could be used to assist novices in the design of dog parks include livestock farmers, cattlemen and ranchers, game-farmers, veterinarians, kennel owners, and zookeepers most of whom have had decades of experiences with animal husbandry.
...
Find a Meetup Group Near You! - Pet Adoption Meetups ...
Enriching seminars teaching medical care & poison control, pet laws, pet communication, and training, & pet adoption. Houston has t …
Recurring Adoptions | Houston PetTalk
If you are looking for a new family member, cat or dog, please consider stopping by one of these recurring adoption events to see if you find just the right pet
Adopt a Pet Houston - Main
Come by to Have Fun, Listen to Experts on Pet Topics, Play with Your Dog and New Friends Shop for One of a Kind Pet Items, Win Prizes and have some Treats!
Adopt a Pet Houston - Main
Save Thousands of Pets from Needless Death Speak Up for Your Pet and Help Homeless Pets. They need you! March 28, 2009; 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Houston SPCA: Adoptions
Your adoption approval slip can be kept on file for up to six months. What about Spaying and Neutering? The Houston SPCA is working hard to prevent pet overpopulation.
Find a Meetup Group Near You! - Pet Adoption Meetups ...
Find Meetup Groups in Houston, TX, us about Pet Adoption ... Meetup with other wonderful local Dog and Cat Owners & anyone interested in adopting a pet and saving lives!
Pasadena Pet Adoption [Houston Area Pet Stores ...
Maps, info, and phone number for Pasadena Pet Adoption in Pasadena, TX, and other stores in the Houston area.
Houston Best Pet Adoption - Houston SPCA - Best Of ...
Houston Best of Award Winner - Experience the Best of Houston by Houston Press
Adopt A Pet Houston
Our Featured Pet... News Who We Are Adopting a friend Come Visit Us!