Last week was the first dog park visit for me, Nelson. I’m two, but Mom has never taken me. No one goes much to dog parks in our family anymore. Bailie doesn’t appreciate the mobs of dogs, Madison doesn’t care either way, and Olivia is afraid of dogs she doesn’t know. I like other dogs and am easy going. Mom thought I might like it at a dog park.
We went to the Ritter Farm Dog Park. It was one of the colder days we have had in a while with a nasty wind and we went on a week day. The goal was to give it a try at a not so busy time. I’m not neutered and Mom worries about owners bringing dogs who may be in heat. That is a big reason I have never gone to one of these places before.
When we arrived it was perfect for the first dog park visit. Only one other car was in the parking lot. As soon as Mom got me through all the gates, the only other dog ran up to greet me. We took off racing right away.
This guy and I got along swell. Mom practiced calling me to make sure I would come back and I got a treat when I listened. My new friend also wanted some of my treats. We did a bit of wrestling too.
One big reason I got a trip to the dog park is the mud at home. Thankfully, the dog park had put down a lot of wood chips on the best trails. I ran around like a fool for almost half an hour and was clean as a whistle when I left.
Unfortunately, someone else arrived at the park, which happens to have a limit of two dogs per person, with four dogs. They were big, and the gang saw me and started to chase me. I was scared and took off running. Since it is a new place for me, I ran but forgot to remember where I left my mom. I came back over the hill looking for her. First I ran to the wrong person and then panicked before seeing my mom.
The guy behind me here is one of the big scary gang. One on one is fun, but it is not fun when a whole gang plays chase Nelson. Their human didn’t seem to care and totally ignored the situation.
Mom took me away from the craziness and we took a nice perimeter walk, just the two of us. The gang left to do their own thing and didn’t bother me anymore.
Even though I feel safe with my mom, did you know I’m a mom’s boy, I still kept my eyes peeled for that scary gang.
Since it is a big place and I was off leash, Mom practiced my coming when called a few times. She says I will generally do anything for some food. I know she has cheddar brats in her jacket, which makes my ears work better.
Now I can say I have the first dog park visit behind me and I probably won’t be a dog park guy. I have my sisters and my girlfriends to play with at home. Gangs of strange dogs isn’t my thing either. It is fun to run off leash in a new place but it isn’t a thing I see myself doing often. How about you, love or leave it when it comes to dog parks?
We’re joining our friends at Living Laughing and Barking in Our Backyard for their Nature Friday blog hop.
Everything started out so fun for you, Nelson. Shame on those nasty dogs for scaring you and thank goodness you reconnected with your mom. You had us worried there for a wee bit!
I was quite afraid since my sisters were not there to help me out but Mom was there and she did take care of me. I managed to have fun again once we got away from that mean pack.
Gail and I think you did very well on your dog park visit Nelson, but as you have playmates at home, we think you are best off staying away from any scary gangs of big dogs. Dog parks aren’t really a thing in the UK (though there are, I think, a few). It’s probably because in general having dogs off leash is tolerated in more places. We are allowed to run free in the park where I visit every morning, although Gail only lets me off the lead early in the morning where it’s mostly other dogs and their humans, plus the odd jogger or cyclist. Later in the day, when there are more people including children, she keeps me well reined in.
Toodle-oo!
Nobby.
We hounds can’t be off leash unless the area is fenced because we go deaf if we are busy and Mom calls us. Our city allows off leash dogs but they need to be obedient and that we are not. Mom only goes to the really big dog parks that are several acres or more so there is plenty of space and usually she only goes during the week when most people don’t go. If our yard is a mess after the snow melts, I may go again just to run for a bit. We will see, but in general, Mom rarely goes do one these days.
aaah man that bad gang dogs… that happened to da phenny, he bullied one of this pesky aussies and then 4 came after us and the mama had to fight for us… that is the last thing ever if your mama jumps on the battlefield… our reputation is gone with the wind…
It was a weird situation and they were all bigger than me. I don’t like to fight, so I ran and ran and ran. Mom says I got lots of exercise at least trying to run away from them.
Yep. My brother and sister had an awesome park they went to in Denver. We have never found as good a park. The people have to be aware and the dogs can’t be too aggressive. I really didn’t like the one near our house. The dogs were wild and the people didn’t care!! I sat on mom’s foot until we left. Glad you had a pretty good time and you didn’t get muddy! Check it off your list. Your friend Chester
Mom used to go a lot with Katie and Emma, but then she started going less and less. Olivia isn’t a fan of other dogs, she prefers to be left alone, so she has only gone once. Bailie and Madison kind of enjoy them as Mom only goes to ones that are at least a few acres so there is plenty of space. Still, they won’t be a regular thing for our family but I know what they are now at least.
We have been to dog parks a couple of times. Just not our thing. I suppose if one goes to the same park a lot and makes a group of friends, the dog parks are OK. Our Mom tells us they are more for the humans’ socialization than the canine’s.
Mom chooses the really big ones so she walks and her dog(s) follow along. She isn’t into chatting with the humans and we are content to run along with her being off leash. It isn’t a thing she does much anymore. It’s been like two years I think since her last time at a dog park.
Except for the gang, I’m glad you had a good time at the Dog Park. That’s a lot better than romping in the mud at home!
It was really weird to just be let loose in a huge place that I had never been to. I was not sure what to do until I found the one friend. Once we got away from the gang, it was nice to walk off leash with my mom.
Nelson what an interesting tale of the Ritter Dog Park.
The first friend was well mannered and polite…and new the K9 rules of play.
I 100% agree with you about the big guy. He appears to be a stalker and not a player.
Yep happy to went and even happier you have your sisters to run with and Best gal next door to run the fence
Hugs Cecilia
We normally don’t really need a dog park, but it is a place to go maybe once and a while at a non busy time of day. I’ve been now, so I know what it is all about.
Nope…no dog parks for us either. Looks like you had fun at the beginning, but things can get scary quick when humans aren’t paying attention to their pups!
We think one on one Mama time is better anyways!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
It is fun to have a huge new area to run around in, but Mom gets scared when she can’t see me and I get scared when I’m being chased by a pack. I will probably go again some day, but Mom rarely goes anymore. Shopping was more fun, and hopefully I can run in my yard still.
Parks are great when they aren’t overly busy and the other pet parents are good pet parents, but mostly if I am dog-sitting one of my grand dogs I just let them run in the big field across the street.
We have to be on leash because we don’t always come when called, and we have our yard normally. The dog park is just something different.
I’m glad you had some fun before the gang attacked. We have been thinking about turning our back yard into woodchips or gravel. Mud, and today SNOW (3 inches and more coming down) are hard on our furs and the inside of the house! It is our first REAL snow since we moved to our St. Louis home. We are doing zoomies!!! Dog parks? Mom is not a fan just because they cost a lot and you never know who will be there.
We only go to the free ones which are really nice too, but you never know what other dogs will be there.
I am not a fan of dog parks at all, you have to be careful because many dogs are often there unvaccinated. When we take Levi to daycare they have strict vaccination rules…….we have a “dog park” where we live but we only go there if Levi is the ONLY dog or if we know a dog who is there. It has a fence and a gate. My Vet is super anti dog parks as well for the vaccination reason (or the lack thereof).
We rarely go, and it is my first time ever. When we go, it is during the daytime during the week so not many people are there. Mom goes to the big ones that are at least several acres so she can walk and we follow along.
As dog parks go, that one sounds quite tame compared to the ones here. We never go for that reason. It’s hard to fault the dogs, and there’s much better things to do than to fuss at clueless owners.
Mom is very selective about the dog park and the times she would go. It has been about two years since she last went. I did enjoy running around once we ditched the gang of four.