I don't.
Will never go there again, because it is the most stressful and unsafe environment I have ever experienced – because of the dog owners - NOT the dogs <3
Dog parks are very popular and “in” in many cities. Everyone knows it – it is an area in a forest/park or similar that is either fenced in, or it is just an area/area where they are allowed to run freely without a leash.
THE DREAM is that it is a place where dog owners can let their dogs run free and socialize with other dogs in a safe area. In theory, it sounds wonderful and “happy go lucky”. The dog handler can relax, while Fido gets a treat and plays and has fun with all the other dogs in the dog park – very rosy. And unfortunately, all too often, SO far from reality, precisely because the perception of a dog park is completely MISUNDERSTANDED!
Quote: “A dog forest is a specially designated area in nature where dogs can run freely without a leash and explore the surroundings in safety. These forests are created to give dogs the opportunity to exercise and play in nature, while their owners can enjoy a relaxing walk in the forest surroundings. Dog forests can be found all over Denmark, and they have become a popular excursion destination for many dog owners who want to give their four-legged friends a fun and active experience in the outdoors.”
Rules for dog parks: Quote from the Danish Nature Agency :
"In the dog forest"
Provided that your dog comes to you immediately when you stop or call it to you.”
Look, that sounds perfect, and I could very much agree. The problem is that none of the above happens in reality (well, maybe in some places) – but I haven't experienced it yet.
Not all dog owners take responsibility for their dogs. There are dog owners who do not keep their dogs under control and therefore create chaos. Dogs that do not properly trained to interact with other dogs can become a source of fear and frustration for both other dogs and their owners. In the worst case, it can lead to serious accidents.
There are several types of dog owners in the dog forest - WHO ARE YOU:
Dog owner 1 : Actively walk around with the dog throughout the entire walk, and constantly keep an eye on the area and the dog and be ready to act if a loose dog comes out of the owner's control - running towards you. Conversely, you also call your dog to you if you see it making an attempt to run over to other dogs. You are the "leader" and your dog knows and trusts that you are protecting it.
Dog owner 2: Have been to the bakery on the way to the dog park, and there is coffee in the thermos, and you look forward to the weekly meeting with the regular dog owners every Sunday morning. Open the gate to the park, Fido lets himself in, and you set the table - eat and have fun with the others, all the while your dogs run and have fun together in the park without supervision. So far it's fine, since the dogs know each other, BUT it's a public dog park, and then Fido xx comes along, whom they don't know, and then there's trouble, but you don't realize it while you're sitting and drinking coffee! It's then Fido xx's dog owner who has the problem and has to chase them away.
Dog owner 3 : You actively walk with the dog, but have absolutely no boundaries for the dog – it runs towards a dog owner walking their dog – but you say, “it’s a dog park, they have to accept that”
I was definitely dog owner number 1, but was mostly met by numbers 2 and 3, and that's why I stopped, simply to protect my dog.
It has become a bit of a “wild west” – and with the super misunderstood “all dogs can play with everyone”. NO – not all dogs can play with everyone. It is exactly like with people, there is just some chemistry that cannot be neglected. It does not always have anything to do with a lack of upbringing or socialization, there are just dogs that do not get along, and it is the dog owner’s duty to discover it in time (body language/signals) before it goes wrong. And you only discover that if you are actively with your dog and actively observe.
In addition, there are also diseases to think about. Many people do not pick up dog droppings in the dog park, and since there are so many dogs - with so many droppings - there is a high risk of infection transmission (Giardia, roundworm, heartworm but also E. Coli and Salmonella).
Solution: Book a private dog park with the people your dog loves to play with. That way you're sure not to meet anyone else - and they can play and have fun undisturbed <3
A little about the blogger.
Her name is Lotte. She spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is an 11-year-old beagle girl. They have trained and competed in Schweiss tracks for several years. Agility without much success (you can't lure them with treats) and now they train Nose Work. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply <3 – because the most important thing for this dog handler is that the DOG has fun, and that you learn the most from the mistakes you make. So instead of being angry/disappointed about a test that didn't go as planned, learn from it! - in most cases it's not the dog that makes the mistake <3
Do you dare to go into the dog park?
I don't.
Will never go there again, because it is the most stressful and unsafe environment I have ever experienced – because of the dog owners - NOT the dogs <3
Dog parks are very popular and “in” in many cities. Everyone knows it – it is an area in a forest/park or similar that is either fenced in, or it is just an area/area where they are allowed to run freely without a leash.
THE DREAM is that it is a place where dog owners can let their dogs run free and socialize with other dogs in a safe area. In theory, it sounds wonderful and “happy go lucky”. The dog handler can relax, while Fido gets a treat and plays and has fun with all the other dogs in the dog park – very rosy. And unfortunately, all too often, SO far from reality, precisely because the perception of a dog park is completely MISUNDERSTANDED!
Quote: “A dog forest is a specially designated area in nature where dogs can run freely without a leash and explore the surroundings in safety. These forests are created to give dogs the opportunity to exercise and play in nature, while their owners can enjoy a relaxing walk in the forest surroundings. Dog forests can be found all over Denmark, and they have become a popular excursion destination for many dog owners who want to give their four-legged friends a fun and active experience in the outdoors.”
Rules for dog parks: Quote from the Danish Nature Agency :
"In the dog forest"
Provided that your dog comes to you immediately when you stop or call it to you.”
Look, that sounds perfect, and I could very much agree. The problem is that none of the above happens in reality (well, maybe in some places) – but I haven't experienced it yet.
Not all dog owners take responsibility for their dogs. There are dog owners who do not keep their dogs under control and therefore create chaos. Dogs that do not properly trained to interact with other dogs can become a source of fear and frustration for both other dogs and their owners. In the worst case, it can lead to serious accidents.
There are several types of dog owners in the dog forest - WHO ARE YOU:
Dog owner 1 : Actively walk around with the dog throughout the entire walk, and constantly keep an eye on the area and the dog and be ready to act if a loose dog comes out of the owner's control - running towards you. Conversely, you also call your dog to you if you see it making an attempt to run over to other dogs. You are the "leader" and your dog knows and trusts that you are protecting it.
Dog owner 2: Have been to the bakery on the way to the dog park, and there is coffee in the thermos, and you look forward to the weekly meeting with the regular dog owners every Sunday morning. Open the gate to the park, Fido lets himself in, and you set the table - eat and have fun with the others, all the while your dogs run and have fun together in the park without supervision. So far it's fine, since the dogs know each other, BUT it's a public dog park, and then Fido xx comes along, whom they don't know, and then there's trouble, but you don't realize it while you're sitting and drinking coffee! It's then Fido xx's dog owner who has the problem and has to chase them away.
Dog owner 3 : You actively walk with the dog, but have absolutely no boundaries for the dog – it runs towards a dog owner walking their dog – but you say, “it’s a dog park, they have to accept that”
I was definitely dog owner number 1, but was mostly met by numbers 2 and 3, and that's why I stopped, simply to protect my dog.
It has become a bit of a “wild west” – and with the super misunderstood “all dogs can play with everyone”. NO – not all dogs can play with everyone. It is exactly like with people, there is just some chemistry that cannot be neglected. It does not always have anything to do with a lack of upbringing or socialization, there are just dogs that do not get along, and it is the dog owner’s duty to discover it in time (body language/signals) before it goes wrong. And you only discover that if you are actively with your dog and actively observe.
In addition, there are also diseases to think about. Many people do not pick up dog droppings in the dog park, and since there are so many dogs - with so many droppings - there is a high risk of infection transmission (Giardia, roundworm, heartworm but also E. Coli and Salmonella).
Solution: Book a private dog park with the people your dog loves to play with. That way you're sure not to meet anyone else - and they can play and have fun undisturbed <3
A little about the blogger.
Her name is Lotte. She spends most of her free time training with her dog Emma, who is an 11-year-old beagle girl. They have trained and competed in Schweiss tracks for several years. Agility without much success (you can't lure them with treats) and now they train Nose Work. They compete at NW3 level, and they have a party together when they apply <3 – because the most important thing for this dog handler is that the DOG has fun, and that you learn the most from the mistakes you make. So instead of being angry/disappointed about a test that didn't go as planned, learn from it! - in most cases it's not the dog that makes the mistake <3