Dog Park Features and Benefits

Dog parks provide a safe, secure enclosure for you to let your dog run free. Some dog parks split the un-leashed areas so that small dogs can play separately from larger dogs. Park opening hours will vary for each park, but usually they are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Features of dog parks include dog park equipment such as exercise equipment, doggie drinking fountains, dog waste receptacles, benches and no harmful plants.

Exercise equipment that your local dog park may have include a doggie crawl, which is an elevated tube that even large dogs can crawl through, jumping hoops, adjustable height jumps, teeter totters, inclines and declines. Less common, but a very popular feature of some dog parks is a swimming lake.

Dog parks provide useful facilities that help both the enjoyment of dogs and their owners when visiting the park. Benches to relax on, shaded areas and lights are all features you'll find in many parks. Dog parks have a double gated entry to increase the safety of the dogs in the park. It ensures that when visitors enter the park, un-leashed dogs already in the park can't run out. Parks will often have grassy and non-grassy areas for your dog to play on. If a park does not have a swimming lake, it may provide a doggie wash area, great for hot days or a stinky dog. One very important rule to follow when visiting a dog park is to clean up after your dog straightaway. All dog parks will provide waste receptacles, specifically for the disposal of dog waste. Many parks will also provide tools that you can use to clean up your dog's waste.

Speaking of rules, make sure you are familiar with the rules of the park. Owners must keep an eye on their dog at all times and remain close enough to them so that they can intervene should that be necessary. Parks will not allow aggressive dogs, females in heat and puppies younger than four months. For the health and safety of all dogs that enter the park, dogs must not have any communicable diseases and have an up to date license and vaccinations. When not inside the park dogs must stay on a leash. Other rules dog parks enforce include, dog park permits, no glass and some will not allow any food or drink.

Besides providing a safe area for your dogs to burn off some energy, dog parks provide both social and health benefits. For dogs, the parks allow them time to bond and play with their owner and other dogs. Dogs that are happy have less stress which reduces behavioral problems such as barking and chewing. For owners, visiting a park provides a great way to socialize with people. Research has found that accompanying a dog makes it easier for people to start talking to each other, since they share a common focus enabling them to easily start a conversation. Dog parks also provide a way for elderly owners that may not necessarily be able to walk their dog long distances to still enjoy the companionship that owning a dog brings. Studies have shown that owning a dog can lead to lower blood pressure and help you have a calmer, more relaxed life.