A New Adventure at the Southern Village Park

Jenn took me to the new dog park near Southern Village on our way to Barbara Long's Therapy Dog class at Carolina Meadows. First of all the park is big! It has two different sections you can go into, one for little dogs and one for big dogs. There were about six other dogs there and I was little nervous about meeting them all at once as they crowded me a bit at the entry gate. But they sniffed me and I sniffed them and then I could sort out who I wanted to play with. This little spitz was very cute and wanted me to chase her.
The ground is covered in mulch, so there isn't any grass to smoosh my feet into which is too bad. The dust sure gets kicked up when dogs start running. There are plenty of trees and a shaded gazebo too. And a water station that provides drinking water to all the dogs. That is really cool. Here I am chasing my little spitz girlfriend again.
There were a couple people that really weren't paying any attention to their dogs at all. They just sat around as their dogs did whatever they wanted. One dog was being a big bully holding other dogs down by the neck and not letting them up while they screamed for help. One dog was crying so loud and getting so stressed out and her person just stood around talking, paying no attention. I felt so sorry for her.

Jenn is always watching out for me. She says that humans need to monitor their dogs while they are playing in the park so they don't become bullies and so they don't get bullied. Some dogs need help keeping their play at an appropriate, safe level. And dog parks are not the right thing for every dog.

How can you be a good advocate for your puppy in the park?? Here's a great article by Pat Miller called "Dog Park Ettiquette"