Dog Park Myths

While dog parks continue to grow in popularity, IMO they pose some serious issues responsible dog owners need to consider. Parks that exist in urban areas without green space, or for specialty purposes like agility or swimming, are not the focus here. Rather, my concern is with the parks springing up across communities as "off-leash doggy playgrounds". Below are what I hear frequently from owners, and my usual rebuttals.

MY DOG NEEDS REGULAR PLAY TIME WITH OTHER DOGS
While dogs are social creatures, they are also domesticated. They are not wolves, and are perfectly happy living with human companions. While it's fine for dogs to be around other dogs, there is no intrinsic NEED for them to have regular visits or play with other dogs.

A DOG PARK WILL HELP MY DOG BE BETTER SOCIALIZED
Socialization should mean teaching a dog to behave properly with other dogs - not just allowing blind interaction. In a park, owners have little (or no) control of many variables such as other dog's temperaments, responsibility level of owners, etc. Healthy socialization requires teaching, and good teaching needs controlled settings - not a park.

MY DOG IS FRIENDLY
Home behavior is no guarantee of group behavior. Challenges among new visitors, toys, pack structure, etc. can bring out surprising behaviors rapidly. Few owners can cope with these dynamic changes adequately at a dog park.

IT'S GOOD TO LET MY DOG BE A DOG FOR A WHILE
If "being a dog" means getting rough with other dogs, not listening to an owner, or permitting pack and prey drives, then NO - it's not good. Such problematic behaviors can surface at dog parks where owners frequently relinquish control. These bad behaviors often remain when the dog leaves the park, and become long-term issues at home. Bad behavior can pose risks to all visitors at the park (human and canine), and is often downplayed by owners who don't understand what is occurring.

MY DOG IS EASY GOING AND WE KNOW THE OTHER DOGS
If you're going to a public park, there's no way to know what dogs may be there. If another dog "roughs up" your nice dog, it can erode the trust he/she has in you because you allowed a bad interaction to occur.

MY DOG IS SHY AND NEEDS TO BE AROUND MORE DOGS
Shy dogs are usually shy due to genetics and/or poor socialization. Forcing a shy dog into an uncontrolled setting can worsen anxieties or create new problems. Even momentary bad encounters can leave permanent behavioral scars.

MY SMALL DOG WILL BE SAFE
The number of large dogs in our society is growing. Few parks offer segregation based on size, and large breeds are more difficult to control and may be prone to prey drives around smaller dogs.

DOG PARKS POSE NO HEALTH RISKS
There's no way to assure the health of other dogs in a park. You may be exposing your pet to parasites, viral pathogens, or bacterial infections which can be easily transmitted in group settings. Dogs may be contagious before displaying symptoms.

DOG PARKS PROVIDE GOOD EXERCISE
Unstructured/unsupervised play can lead to injuries and provides no mental challenge for dogs. It may tire a dog out physically (which is temporary), but it will not help with long-term calming and good behavior. There are more beneficial ways (training) to challenge your dog mentally and physically. Trained dogs don't need fenced enclosures for exercise!

DOGS LOVE TO GO TO THE DOG PARK
Some dogs do, some are overwhelmed in these settings and cling to owners waiting to leave. Choosing other outdoor activities which are safer, and that enhance human-K9 bonds, are enjoyed by all dogs.