Dog Parks

Dog owners want the best for their furry friends. From the best food to the best leashes and doggie accessories, dogs these days are more pampered than ever. They even have their own parks!

The local dog park is a place for dog owners and their dogs to get together for some social interaction and outdoor fun. The parks provide pets and owners time to bond and play but also serve a wider purpose: to bring together likeminded members of the community.

Dog parks come in many different shapes, sizes and styles. Some are enclosed in fences, while others are not. Some allow dogs to frolic without their leashes, while others require dogs to be leased at all times. No matter what, though, dog parks always feature two things: dogs and dog lovers.

If you live in a dog-friendly community, chances are you''re close to a park and other dog owners. However, even if you don''t know any other dog owners in your area, you can still interact with the dog community: Online groups promoting dog parks and other dog-focused activities have grown as the Internet has evolved.

Search for a Dog Park in Your Area

If you are new to your area or if you just got a dog, you might not know where to find a dog park in your area. Don''t worry: There are many simple ways to do a dog park search and find a dog park to suit the needs of both you and your dog.

For a successful park search, check out the following suggestions to find a dog park in your area:

• First and Foremost: Use the Internet to park search. Simply perform a dog park search by typing "dog park " into your favorite search engine. This will provide you with a whole host of sites dedicated to dog owners and their beloved pets.Many sites have national listings for dog parks and offer zip code searches so in your dog park search you can locate the closest and most convenient dog parks for you and your pet.
• Next: Check out your local parks and recreation department. Most large cities have specific Web sites that detail dog policies at various parks. Most of them also list city parks that have been specifically earmarked as dog parks.
• Finally: If you cannot find a dog park in your area, and your dog park search has come up empty, consider starting a dog park of your own! While it might seem like a big task, starting one doesn''t have to be complicated. Start by getting community support from both dog owners and non-owners alike. Next, contact your local parks and recreation department to find out the protocol for starting a dog park.

Successful Coexistence

Keep these tips in mind the next time you and your dog visit a park:

• Always pick up after your dog.
• Be honest in assessing your dog''s ability to play nice with other dogs of various sizes. No matter how sedate you believe your dog to be, there is a always a degree of unpredictability that comes when many dogs are off-leash together.
• Be sure to never leave your dog unattended.
• Be sure your dog''s vaccinations are up to date. This is for your dog''s benefit as well as for the benefit of other dogs at the park.
• If a dog park allows you to let your dog off his leash, keep in mind that you still must watch your dog. Being in an off-leash dog park doesn''t give your dog the right to do whatever he pleases.

Keep in mind that the success of a park comes from all of the dog owners using the park. A certain camaraderie and spirit of cooperation is necessary to make your neighborhood dog park a success!