Did you ever wonder what went into designing your dog’s favorite place in the park, the dog run? The city of New York has given Animal Fair some insight into the inception and design of dog run. There are currently over 40 dog parks in New York City, but this is a pretty recent development. The first dog run in NYC Parks opened in 1991 in Tompkins Park. The designs of the dog runs vary from park to park. According to the Parks Official, “Who designs the runs can also vary. Parks & Recreation and outside contractors are responsible for the design of some, while the local community takes on the design of others. Those designed with capital funds are often more detailed and may include play features.” Some of the features that you may find in a dog park are a fence, a double gate, a water supply and soft surface that is easily cleaned and safe for paws (such as wood chips or pea gravel). The Parks and Recreation Department has received requests from Maryland to as far away as Paris about the designs of the New York City runs. If you are interested in designing a dog run in your local park, the best advice is to contact the organization that runs the entire park. For example, in order to have a dog run created in a NYC Park, community interest is imperative because the users of the dog run take care of the maintenance and rules enforcement.
Before you head out to the expertly designed dog park, Animal Fair is here to make sure you are up to date on dog park etiquette. Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Executive Vice President of National Programs and Science Advisor at the ASPCA, advises to understand your pooch’s social abilities. “If your dog does not enjoy being with other dogs, or causes problems, don’t go. Be honest with yourself about your dog’s behavior. If your dog is obnoxious or a bully – don’t go back until you can work with a trainer to correct the problem.” If your dog can play well with others, then let him. Just remember that he’s not the only one that has to follow the rules of the dog park. “As your dog becomes accustomed to the social structure of the dog park, you will need to integrate yourself into the social structure of the owners,” says Zawistowski. “Each dog park is its own little culture. Get a feel for it, and respect it.”
10 things to know before visiting a dog park
1. Make sure your pup has the proper vaccinations and parasite control before visiting the Dog Park.
2. Don’t bring your dog if he has never played with other dogs before. Know your dog’s social behavior before visiting the Dog Park.
3. Obey the park’s leash laws. Keep your pup on a leash until you enter the play area.
4. Always carry bags with you and make sure to scoop the poop!
5. Do not bring kids to off-leash Dog Parks; doing so is just asking for trouble.
6. Follow the Dog Park’s individual posted rules and regulations.
7. Never bring dogs in heat to the Dog Park.
8. Only bring toys you know your pooch is willing to share with other dogs.
9. Take you dog for his first visit to the Dog Park at a quiet hour when there are only a few dogs there. The first visit should be brief and give you an idea of how your dog will handle himself during a longer visit at a busier hour.
10. Never bring sick dogs; sick or injured dogs endanger every dog in the play area.
Stacey Brecher
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