Community Corner
Dog Parks Should Be Comfortable for Both Owner and Dog
Whether it's rough play, other dogs or the condition of the dog park itself, it's a good idea to observe from a distance before letting your dog join in.
I was at the dog park, trying to be good and not open my mouth for a change. However, as I sat there, I heard a lady complaining about her dog being “pummeled” by all the other dogs. I looked, and her dog was on the ground with the other dogs playing around it.
I know that dogs tend to act out in packs, and there is always one that is getting picked on. Even if they are all playing together, there is usually one dog getting chased or rolled on the ground.
This lady was uncomfortable with the rough play. She said, “Someone’s dog is about to get thumped if they don’t stop picking on mine.” I was watching her dog, which looked like a 6-month-old pup, and the dog was playing. In fact, every time someone went and got their dog away from hers, her dog would come back trying to play.
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Well, folks, I opened my mouth. I told the lady that the dogs were just playing, and she responded that she was not talking to me. She then continued to get upset with everyone else’s dogs and said we all needed to keep our dogs off of hers.
Before long, she left.
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Maybe I should have said something, or maybe I shouldn’t have. After all, I am good at it.
But, if you are going to a dog park, make sure it is an environment that you are comfortable with versus one you are not. I am comfortable with my dogs running and wrestling with other dogs, and I'm OK with a dog jumping on me to say hi, get attention or just play, but others are not. Watch how the dogs play before going in and see whether you approve.
Ready to try out a new play area? Here's a list of dog parks in Largo.
- has an eclosed pet playground
, 101 Central Park Dr.
- There's plenty of green space to play frisbee or fetch with your pooch.
Belleair Dog Beach: under the Belleair Causway on East Bay Drive, right before you go over the bridge to the beach, there's an unofficial dog beach.
Indian Rocks Beach Nature's Preserve Dog Park, located on Gulf Boulevard between 9th and 10th Avenue.
- There's a small enclosed area where your dogs can play.
