Whether you’ve moved to a new area, or are traveling with your dog on vacation and visiting a new town, you probably are asking yourself, where is the local dog park?
Maybe you like to hike or camp with your dog, but are not sure of which are pet safe and dog-friendly trails and sites. Or, maybe you would just like to meet other doggy parents and give yourself and your dog a chance to simply socialize. The big question is—how can you find where to do this?
Today, dog parks and pet-friendly parks are popping up in cities and towns all over, giving dogs who may not usually have the opportunity to get out and stretch, to have a chance to have some fun, make new doggy friends, and have a safe space to run free and just be, well, a dog!
According to the American Kennel Club, there are many benefits to a dog park, including:
Dog parks are fenced in and offer dogs the opportunity to be off-leash and have the safe freedom to run, play, and have fun in an enclosed environment.
Under the watchful eye of their guardians, dogs can play without the threat of danger, such as running away, being taken, or dodging out into a street with traffic.
Dog parents can share stories, tips, and be supportive of each other while bonding (and sharing some laughs) over their beloved dogs.
A dog park gives dogs a great place to run off-leash without violating leash laws or infringing on the space and/or safety of passersby, running up to and frightening neighborhood children, running after joggers, etc.
When visiting a dog park, it is important to be careful and considerate and know proper dog park etiquette, so all dogs and their humans can enjoy the playtime. This would include:
Not sure how to find a dog park, or even a dog-friendly beach, campground, or playground to go to with your dog? Check out the various iOS apps, including the 2019 Webby Honoree, BringFido! BringFido (both app and website) not only lists worldwide dog-friendly parks and beaches by state, but it also gives listings and reviews of many other dog-friendly places to visit, including hotels, restaurants, activities, events, and more! There are also some terrific blogs written by traveling pet bloggers who write about their experiences at dog parks, dog-friendly parks, and dog-friendly places.
For tips about traveling with your dog, dog-friendly places to visit, and much more, here are just a few websites and blogs for traveling dog families to check out:
Another way to look for like-minded dog lovers and a dog meet-ups at parks and other destinations in your local area, or an area you are visiting, is by checking out MeetUp.com. Go to their “Pets” category and do a search for “dog meet-ups” or “dog parks” with a desired mile radius of your location to find dog-friendly places near you.
Are you a Facebook fan? You can type in key words in the Facebook search bar, such as “dog parks,” “dog meet-ups,” or even breed-specific groups, then click on the “Groups” tab, and voila! There are tons of listings to search through right at your fingertips!
As a cautionary reminder, please keep yourself and your pet safe by doing a little research first to be sure the group you located online is legit by checking out the member list to see if you can verify its authenticity from a member you may already know, or talk to a licensed and/or recognized canine group, vet, or a town official. If possible, take a drive to the dog park or meet-up place to visually check it out ahead of time. Once verified, you and your dog can enjoy a happy, healthy, and safe outing together with some new friends—canine and human!
And don’t forget to get a 4Knines seat cover to protect your vehicle from those wet, muddy pawprints! Check out my 4Knines affiliate link here for a cover to fit your vehicle and your dog’s needs, and enjoy those happy tails on the trails!
