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koalathebear
The above is the sign outside our favourite dog park which is just across from the Springbank Rise development in Casey, on Yeend Avenue, off of Horse Park Drive. In Canberra, we are very lucky to have a lot of places where we can take our dogs. (Where Can I Take My Dog?
For those of us like us whose dogs don't have fabulous recall and we don't really trust the off leash, dog parks are a good choice. As mentioned in another post, Forde and Casey are our preferred ones.
If you read dogzonline, they will tell you never, ever, EVER EVER EVER EVER take your dog to a dog park as it will be torn limb from limb. This is entirely possible if you are not careful. A lot of owners who don't train their dogs will use dog parks as a way to exercise them. A lot of owners don't supervise their dogs. Some thoughts/suggestions based on our own experiences are below the cut. These are totally personal and subjective and other people will of course have other views.
Also - if your dog is good off-lead/has good recall and prefers the company of humans - you may be better off just going to one of the many off-leash areas around town like Mount Rogers, local ovals etc.
1. Don't go to the dog park when it's too crowded, especially if you have a dog that doesn't love being with lots of other dogs. Pick 'off peak' times. We go to Casey every Sunday at about 10 am and the number of dogs there is just right. Try Forde on a Sunday afternoon.
2. When you first start going - arrange play dates with people and dogs you know. That way your dog can run around with familiar dogs. As you go more regularly, you'll see which dogs your dog gets along with and you can make sure you go at roughly the same time.
3. Keep an eye on dog numbers. We never stay in a dog park if there are more about half a dozen dogs, especially if they are strange dogs. It's just too hard to control and predict what will happen. All you need is one fight to break out and all the dogs get involved.
4. Keep an eye on the dogs themselves. Don't make assumptions based on breeds - some dogs you might think are aggressive are not. Check out the dog's body language, its owner, its responsiveness to its owner's command, how it interacts with other dogs. If it looks aggro, move away or to another pen.
5. Dog parks in Canberra tend to have a pen for small dogs and large dogs. If the small dog pen is empty, it's fine to use it but if a small dog arrives and your dog is medium/large, you should leave - owners can get very angry and impolite. No, I am not making a dig at little dog owners.
6. If any of the dogs look like they are resource guarders (aggro/possessive over toys/food) - then do not bring out toys or food.
7. Do not let your dog fence run/hump another dog/chase another dog if the other dog looks like it is not happy about it.
8. Don't just dump your dog in the dog park and talk to your mates/talk on the phone/leave the yard - this happens all the time and it's very unwise.
9. Do not bring more dogs than you can handle. The rules say 3 per person but I would suggest that 2 is about the limit.
10. Just stay vigilant - keep an eye on warning signals, watch your dog.
As you'll see below, my dogs have had many, many positive experiences at the dog park.
Yarralumla Dog Park. We don't go here anymore - owners are too cranky. Our dogs loved it though :) If you're going to go here - don't go when it's crowded or after rain. It gets really stinky and muddy.
Forde Dog Park
Casey Dog Park