Advantages:

• Dog Socialization Advantages
  • Excellent source of dog-dog social interaction
  • Excellent source of dog-people social interaction

• People Socialization Advantages
  • Excellent source of people-people social interaction
    • Dog-oriented people can meet and interact
    • Doggy play dates can be arranged

• Physical and Mental Stimulation Advantages
  • Excellent source of off-leash exercise for active dogs
    • Dog parks allow dogs to get adequate physical and mental exercise, thereby lessening destructive and annoying behaviors in general which can benefit society as a whole

• Educational Advantages
  • Good opportunity for owners to learn about dogs through observation and provides the opportunity to learn from more experienced owners
  • Opportunity for well-mannered-dog advocates to demonstrate how they turned their dog into a well-mannered dog

• Community Advantages
  • Dog parks which are designed for dogs only, lessen the chance of owners letting their dogs off-leash in on-leash parks
  • No cars, rollerbladers, skateboarders, bikes, etc. likely to be encountered
  • More likely to encounter people who enjoy dogs
  • Could provide location for community dog activities

Disadvantages:

• For People
  • Potential of danger from aggressive dogs
  • Potential of danger of physical injury from dog-related hazards
  • Potential of lawsuits arising from dog fights
  • Potential for parasites

• For Dogs
  • Potential of danger from aggressive dogs
  • Intact dogs may create problems
  • Potential for parasites and disease
  • Potential for lack of impulse control and over-excitement
  • Not appropriate for small and large dogs at the same time
  • Potential for injury

• For the Community
  • Some people will not understand the concept and will abuse the park
    • Won’t pick up after their dog
    • May leave dog unattended
    • Allow their dog to indulge in inappropriate behavior
  • Some people will not be educated enough about their dogs to know if a dog park is appropriate for their dog
  • Potential for noise
  • Potential liability issues

Things to consider:

• City, County or Municipality Sponsored Park
  • Responsible Pet Ownership – Who will maintain the park?
    • Will maintenance cost more than for other community parks?
  • Will there be rules and regulations?
    • Will there be any type of overseer or park personnel to enforce regulations
  • Is there the possibility of a core group of volunteers who will maintain the park and enforce rules & regulations?
• Private Park
  • Knowledgeable person/business could charge for admission and establish rules and regulations

• Small Dogs
  • Separate hours exclusively for dogs under 20 lbs.
  • A separate, fenced area of the park for dogs under 20 lbs

• Costs
  • A city, county or municipality sponsored park could have special interest areas dedicated to dogs as is now done with soccer fields, swimming pools or tennis courts
  • The park could charge a nominal fee to take care of maintenance costs

• Consider having parks monitored by a core group of park goers to save the city funds
• Physical design also plays a big part. Separating big dogs from little and providing several gathering spots for humans (tables, shelters etc) and visual barriers helps direct the flow of the dogs.
• A written and posted set of rules with an ‘if….then you must leave’ clause is important
• Bringing treats or toys into a park can result in problems (Some dogs will attempt to protect valued resources.  An owner with treats or toys can be a very valuable resource so fights could occur over such objects of desire)