An enclosed dog park is a fully fenced park where owners can bring their dogs to play with other off-leash dogs.
Enclosed parks can be fun for our dog, and can be a good way to expend some of his boundless energy. However, these parks are not for everyone. The often chaotic environment may be stressful for some dogs, may encourage dog-to-dog aggression, and may also result in dog fights.
Note: Do not leave an aversive collar (e.g. prong collar or choke chain) on a dog at the dog park. Only use a flat collar, or remove all collars. Choke chains can easily get caught in teeth while the dogs are playing, and become a choking hazard.
Enclosed Dog Parks – The Good
1. Provides good exercise for our dog.
An enclosed park gives our dog some nice off-leash time, in a fairly large space. Most dogs will enjoy the freedom to run, jump, smell, and play with other dogs. Friendly, energetic, and well-socialized dogs often enjoy this environment.
When I got my first dog, I did not have a backyard. I took him out on many walks (3 hours total daily), but our on-leash expeditions were insufficient to drain his puppy energy. He really needed an enclosed place where he could play and run.
2. Helps socialize a dog to people and other dogs.
Bringing a dog to an enclosed park will get him accustomed to a wide range of people and dogs. This may help build his confidence, and make him more adaptable to new things.
A well socialized dog is a joy to have. We can take him everywhere with us, and not have to worry that he will get stressed, or show dog aggression when something unexpected happens.
3. Is convenient and free.
Enclosed dog parks are free and open all day long.
Enclosed Dog Parks – The Bad
The most dangerous aspects of an enclosed park is that our dog –
- May get into fights.
- May get injured.
- May accidentally hurt a person or child.
- May develop fear and aggression issues. Once a dog has had some bad experiences with dog fights, he may become aggressive toward other dogs.
Dog fights usually occur because of irresponsible owners.
The most common problems we may see in an enclosed dog park include –
1. People who focus on socializing with others, and pay no attention to their dog.
When at the park, most of our attention should be on our dog. In this way, if any problems arise, we can quickly stop our dog from getting involved.
It also helps to pay close attention to the other dogs there. If I feel even a bit uncomfortable with any of the dogs (e.g. too dominant, too rude, too energetic), I always just leave. Better to be safe than sorry.
2. People who bring dominant, aggressive, or fearful dogs.
Some dogs are just not appropriate for enclosed parks.
Dominant dogs can become aggressive, when they think they are being challenged. Fearful dogs can become aggressive, when they think they are in danger. This may occur if they get surrounded by other dogs, and feel trapped.
If our dog has gotten aggressive with other dogs in the past, i.e. been in a dog fight or bitten other dogs, it is best not to bring him to an off-leash park until he is fully rehabilitated.
Fix dog aggression problems in a lower stress environment, and not in a chaotic park environment. Even in the absence of aggressive dogs, problems can occur. Some dogs may dislike rough play, some dogs may dislike barking, and others may dislike being chased. In fact, a dog may dislike another, for no discernible reason.
It is crucial to always be on alert, and diffuse problems before they escalate into a fight.
3. People who “correct” other people’s dogs with physical force.
DO NOT correct other people’s dogs in an enclosed dog park.
If we do so, we will get bitten sooner or later.
When my dog gets involved in a disagreement (before it escalates into a fight), I just separate him from the others and go to a quieter part of the park. I make a loud noise to briefly distract the dogs, and then remove my own dog from the group.
If the dogs are already in a fight, then do not introduce more aggression into an explosive situation by manhandling unknown dogs. Here is a useful article on how to break up a dog fight.
Someone at the dog park once told me, “You have to hit, slap, or beat the dogs when you separate them, to show them who is boss. Otherwise, they will bite you.”
That is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard in my life! Doing so would definitely get us bitten, and we would deserve it!
4. People who bring really young children who do not know how to interact with dogs.
Young children may inadvertently cause a dog attack by making a lot of noise, and running-around like prey. Because of their size and fast movements, small children are likely to trigger a dog’s prey drive. This may cause otherwise calm dogs, with good temperament, to chase and even nip or bite at the child.
For the safety of both child and dogs, do not bring young children (below 10) to an enclosed dog park. Note that a small child may also be knocked over by dogs who are running or wrestling.
If we want to bring a child, please make sure he/she knows how to interact with dogs. Absolutely no teasing and no running around.
Should I Bring My Dog to an Enclosed Dog Park?
The quality of an enclosed dog park depends on the people who frequent it. If we want to explore this dog activity, first, get all the information we can on the park. If we are happy with what we see, then visit the park before bringing our dog.
I am not a big proponent of enclosed dog parks, because all it takes is one irresponsible dog owner and his under-socialized dog, to start a fight.
If our dog absolutely loves playing with other dogs, we can consider dog daycare, group dog walking, or inviting friendly dogs over to our house.
An enclosed dog park can be very stressful on both owner and dog. Unless our dog is very balanced, and we have good off-leash control over him, a chaotic park environment may not be a good idea. If a dog just wants to play fetch, or if an older dog just wants some peace and quiet, it is best not bring him to an enclosed park. In such circumstances, an off-leash trail, or a large school field will probably make the dog much happier.
My Enclosed Dog Park Experience
When we bring our dog (a Shiba Inu) to the dog park, we closely supervise him. We always stop him from humping, and other anti-social behaviors. However, it is difficult to keep an active dog out of trouble, all the time. Sometimes, he will redirect and bite on us, when we try to separate him from other dogs.
In all our dog park experiences, Shiba Sephy only got into one almost-fight with another male Shiba Inu. There were no injuries, and no breaking of skin, but it was an unpleasant experience for everyone involved.
After experimenting with enclosed dog parks for several months, we decided to stop going. Given our Shiba Inu’s personality and his interaction style, it is simply too dangerous for him to mingle with a large number of unknown, and often untrained dogs. We also did not want our Shiba practicing bad dog habits, such as redirecting his frustration and biting onto us.
Boy, that sounds like a great place to live. You could have a pack of Shibas, take over the dog park, and charge people for entry š
It is pretty amazing that Toshi was still chasing rabbits at 13 years of age. Dogs, especially Shibas, really know how to live life. We could definitely take a few pages from their book.
Our dog park is about twenty acres – partly treed – never crowded – at most 10 other dogs – we live in Coupeville on Whidbey Island north of Seattle. We live on the beach and our first shiba, Toshi, had the run of the neighborhood for 13 years. Very few cars, few neighbors etc. I looked down upon the dog park idea until Toshi, chasing a rabbit, ran under one of those cars. I never want to go through that again! And yet Toshi died doing what he absolutely loved to do – hunting. Bittersweet.
Hi Johnnystop. It is always great to hear from Shiba owners like you. You are lucky to have found such a good dog park. My dog park experiences have been a lot more spotty. Part of it is probably because I am a bit worry wort š
Shiba Sephy sounds similar to Kenji in many ways. He generally likes all dogs except the ones that try to dominate him. We *did* meet a few of those, and intervened before things escalated; but it was not pleasant, especially from a people standpoint.
Sephy also seems to irritate certain types of dogs, especially GSDs and related breeds. I think he is a bit rude and goes into their space without the proper dog greeting procedure. We have done a range of one-on-one dog sessions, under the direction of a trainer, to try and teach him some dog manners, but that has been slow going. I think Sephy thinks that he is pretty dang cool and other dogs should just get with the program š
I have stopped dog parks because I was really not comfortable with it. Probably being a worry wort has a lot to do with it š But there were also some real issues including:
1. People bringing kids to the park. Sephy has strong prey drive and the kids running around and shouting gets him excited. Sephy also plays pretty rough with the other dogs and while playing, I am concerned they may accidentally run into the kids.
2. Sephy annoying GSDs and other large dogs. If there were a real fight, I don’t think Sephy would come out of this very well.
Also, welcome to HubPages! I am looking forward to reading about Kenji š
I take our 1 year old shiba, Kenji, to the dog park 3 or 4 times a week (since he was 4 mos. old) no problems – he loves to play with other dogs and it is fantastic exercise. He is something of an alpha dog but in a friendly, outgoing way – never met a dog he didn’t like. A couple times he has bared his teeth to make a another dog back off. We have used reward based training right from the start and his manners are pretty good and getting better as he matures – sometimes we expect too much from a puppy. Kenji really won’t come when called but will eventually show up when he’s ready to. I know this would drive many dog owners around the bend – but after 15 years experience with this breed – I have come to see it as a common trait. The dog park is a must for off-leash.
[mitzidog] – Yeah definitely a fun place for some dogs. One of my dogs really likes to play with other dogs, so I used to take him to the dog park; almost every day. However, the park that I really liked started getting too crowded and something always turned up – aggressive dog, little kids running around, fearful dogs, etc. It can be tough to find a good dog park with responsible owners.
Very good point about the choke chains. I generally oppose using those in any case, but at dog park they are an absolute no-no. There’s plenty of nice stuff out there that is both stylish and comfortable for the dog.
I think dog parks are generally a good idea. However, only responsible dog owners should be allowed on. Because as you mentioned dog can become stressed sometimes due to unruly dogs around.
A good place though for your dogs to socialise and use up there energy in preparation for their dinner and afternoon nap.
[The Dog Files] – Very good advice. In general, if I start feeling even a bit uncomfortable with any of the new comers (e.g. too dominant, too rude, too energetic), I usually just leave. Better to be safe than sorry.
[Ryan] – Thanks for the link. Some good advice there. One thing I would add is DON’T leave an aversive collar (e.g. prong collar, or choke chain) on our dog in the dog park. I use a flat collar. Choke chains can easily get caught in teeth, while the dogs are playing, and cause extreme choking or even death.
We take our Westie to dog park almost every day without problems. Most dogs there are well-trained and behave, but there are always exceptions, usually due to bad owners.
I only go to the dog park near me on weekday mornings. There are less people and dogs there and the ones that are there are regulars and all the dogs know each other.
If you have to go when it’s packed, keep an eye on your dog and be sure to break up roughhousing before it hits the point of no return.