I live in the U.S and Tiger & I are regular dog park goers. Its a good way to socialize your dog and practice recall, fetch, and let dogs teach each other how to be dogs. I don't quite understand how people in the UK socialize their dogs? How do you do it on leash?
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? The main reason is that most (but not all) dog owners see no need for them, and many (but not all) dislike the idea of them. We use normal parks, commons, countryside and beaches - where we let our dogs off lead. I live in central London, and exercise my dog off lead in London parks, along with hundreds of other dog owners. Young puppies get let off the lead in the area where I live as soon as their vaccinations are over, sometimes even before. My boy was off lead at 12 weeks in my local park, Wimbledon Park, and off lead on Wimbledon Common a couple of weeks later where he met tens of new dogs, also off lead, every day of the week. Soon after, we took him to the coast, to the beaches, and let him off lead there too where he met loads more off lead dogs.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? We don't have the same leash laws as in the US, Tigersmom. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, dogs are generally allowed to be off the leash, so dog parks aren't that necessary.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? I guess it depends where you live. Here in North Yorkshire a dog rarely has to be on a lead and has oodles of wonderful countryside for fun and dog encounters.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? my walks are mainly off lead, an hours walk i might see at least 20 plus dogs off lead,
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? Dogs are allowed off lead in all my local parks, and in the countryside too. It's pretty much the same all over the UK. The main restrictions seem to be on beaches where you have some that are dog friendly all year round, and others they only allow dogs between the 30th September and 1st May.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? Actually, there's a dogs' park near me but it's the first I have seen and not particularly attractive!
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? I have lots of walks for Tatze - all off lead. Four different reservoirs, the woods, the moors, a local nature reserve, a lake, by the river and two local parks and my brother's farm! Yes, we are very lucky and meet lots of friendly dogs and owners (far, far less when it's raining!) So no need for dog parks round here at all.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? Very lucky owner here too , beaches, woods, fields , nature trails ,all places where our two can be off lead
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? I hate the sound of dog parks. the idea i have to be corralled in there makes me feel like there's something wrong with us and we have to be isolated. I suppose that you are used to what you're used to. I really ought to do more town and street walking really. they're too spoilt and it is good to make them keep some street manners.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? Yep - we are mainly off lead too. But the downside, as you say, is developing "street manners" and also to some extent the socialisation. The latter certainly for me being fairly rural, and not bumping into dogs on our average walk (off lead) every day. I think that is why I have kept going to training classes for longer - the social aspects for me and the dog! Although Sophie (my daughter) has kept us away from them for a few months because of her football. Dog parks have their merits, but if this is the only time you are off lead, then your need for good recall is less acute. Pros and cons :-\
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=6254.msg82233#msg82233 date=1401131834] Yep - we are mainly off lead too. But the downside, as you say, is developing "street manners" and also to some extent the socialisation. The latter certainly for me being fairly rural, and not bumping into dogs on our average walk (off lead) every day. [/quote] The lack of socialisation is definitely a rural thing (unless you go to some extremes to avoid other dogs in the city). Really good street manners is not though, I don't think. Before Charlie was injured, I rarely had him on lead in London. I just drove to the local park, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Kensington Gardens, Putney Commons...he jumped out of the car, off lead, and off we went. Sure, we did our lead walking practice, and got the tube, walked through high streets, all for practice and socialisation etc - but when he was injured, and that's all we could do, boy, we found ourselves lacking in street manners!
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? [quote author=Stacia link=topic=6254.msg82277#msg82277 date=1401135926] I am wary of walking mine in town in case they have a poo!! [/quote] Really? You mean yours don't need the requisite 7-8" of grass? ;D Lilly gets quite upset pulling if she can't (on the rare occasion) find a grass patch. I guess they are all different.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? [quote author=Stacia link=topic=6254.msg82277#msg82277 date=1401135926] I am wary of walking mine in town in case they have a poo!! [/quote] Poo bags! I have purple lavender scented bio-disposable ones, and a pink flower dickie bag to put full poo bags in! Oh you country folk! Really! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? I like the sound of purple lavender scented poo bags - are they strong? Are they on amazon? :
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? We sometimes walk Lilly at the football pitch at the local psychiatric hospital whilst Sophie plays football. I know what you are thinking....that sounds really quite bizarre....but.... The nub of the story is that there are no handy bins, so I usually end up hanging it on the lock bit on the boot/trunk and have it dangling at the back of the car until I get to the nearest hands bin, half a mile in the opposite direction. Yeah...okay....still bizarre ;D One of these days I will get a Dickie bag.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=6254.msg82304#msg82304 date=1401137786] I like the sound of purple lavender scented poo bags - are they strong? Are they on amazon? : [/quote] Yup. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pantries-Outdoor-Stations-Lavender-300-Count/dp/B00DSJ9BTG The ones I'm using right now are eco-baby nappy sacks that come in a pretty pale blue.
Re: Why doesn't the UK have dog parks??? [quote author=TigersMom link=topic=6254.msg82303#msg82303 date=1401137774] Off lead??? They won't run away and get hit by a car?? [/quote] Well, some dogs might, of course. But no, mine doesn't or hasn't yet, anyway! But I've worked really hard at getting him to come back when I call him.
