All Bark No Play; Why Dog Parks Might Not Be The Way

Boonie Babies Saipan

The truth about dog parks

If you’re following the Boonie Babies Instagram, you may have seen our recent post about dog parks. Dog parks are a popular destination for dog parents, and we can see why: there are benefits for your pet, like the ability to socialize with other dogs (and people!) and run with abandon in a large, enclosed space. However, dog parks can actually be dangerous environments for you and your pet.

There are many factors out of a dog parent’s control, especially the temperament and health of the other dogs. Not all dogs are compatible playmates, and that’s okay, but it’s important to find out play styles and training habits before letting dogs loose to play. Otherwise, they could end up traumatized rather than enriched.

Dogs are social creatures, but just like humans, dogs often take time to get to know one another. The dog park is a busy place full of unfamiliar faces. For your dog, this is like showing up to a party where you don’t know anyone there. This would make you anxious, wouldn’t it? Your dog is probably anxious—if also excited—too. Even the most social and well-mannered dog can feel uncomfortable in this environment, leading to bad or even aggressive behavior.

Dogs are smart, and they can tell when you have lost control. If you aren’t careful, you might be inadvertently teaching your dog that you have no control over them and cannot keep them safe. This can be damaging to your dog’s confidence and trust in you, either immediately or down the line.

We know that dog parks might be the only option for some dog parents to let their pets off-leash. If this is true for you, never fear; you may still be able to have a positive experience at the dog park, so long as you are cautious in selecting where and when you go. However, there might be safer options for your dog.

Alternative ways to enrich your furry friend:

• If you’re looking for socialization, create a playgroup. Ask friends and neighbors about their dogs’ play styles and vaccinations to find compatible dog friends. See if anyone has a fenced-in yard that can be used to host the playdate.

• If you’re looking to release some energy and let your dog run free, consider a long-line leash or look for quiet, fenced-in areas like empty baseball fields or tennis courts.

• If you do go to a dog park, look at the layout: try to find an area that has trees, hills, or other structures so your dog will not feel exposed.

Check out our new Hot Girls Rescue Dogs vlog!

Have you ever been curious about the day-to-day life of running a rescue on an island? Boonie Babies has a brand new YouTube channel where we’ve just released our first vlog, “Heartworms and Heartbreak.”

Watch now on our YouTube channel.

Boonie of the Week

Luckily, our internet star was rescued less than 24 hours after going missing, happy as ever—she was even fed three slices of pizza in our absence! Needless to say, she was not thrilled to come back home.

We first took in this spunky, intelligent little firecracker as a puppy after spotting her weaving through traffic on Middle Road. She came right up to us when we pulled over and has been an official Boonie Baby ever since. Billie is one of our more playful boonies, making friends with dogs and humans alike. She loves sprinting around the yard, long walks on the beach, play-fighting with her foster siblings, and her newest love…pizza! Billie does not like being left behind and missing dinner… We hope this article helps her forgive us and reminds her that she is loved and cared for.