Pawsitive Aspects of a Good Dog Park

Do you ever look at your dog and think, how did I get so lucky to have a fantastic, furry friend like you?  For most of us canine lovers, this is an everyday occurrence.  It does not matter if we are put together nicely or having a day where everything seems to fall apart.  No matter the weather, or the state of our affairs, a dog will greet us with the same tail-wagging, butt-shaking, eye-sparkling affection upon our return from wherever we have been. Whether you leave for a two-week vacation or leave to check the mail, once you are back your dog will love you so ferociously you will forget whatever ails you.

I don’t want to discount the feline friends our readers may have, we love cats here, too!  But this article is about dogs and the special places that are designed just for them.  So, until they have cat parks, we are going to discuss some of the best dog parks in Sarasota County.  For those of us with dogs in our families, we want a few key elements included in a good dog park. Afterall, when you take your pet out, you are not only watching their behavior but also other animals who may not have the best manners, or even people who do not understand pet etiquette.  Then there are the environmental factors that are out of your control such as loud thunder or vehicles which can set your dogs off and send them running away from you.  Pets are our babies, so with that said, we want to make sure parks that are designed for them actually work for them.

The first consideration in seeking out a park for your pet is safety.  Proper fencing and seclusion areas need to be maintained. There needs to be separation for the bigs/littles in your canine group and visitors must follow those rules.  There’s nothing scarier than having a 10-pound fur baby with you and meeting up with a 50-pound larger fur baby in the small dog’s area.  Of course, the dog is accompanied by some guy or girl who says, “they’re really friendly and we wanted to socialize with the small dogs first.”  Trust me, regular dog park attendees do not want their little dog to be your big dog’s social experiment.  The other aspects of a great dog park include cleanliness with bags and garbage cans for owners to hopefully pick up after their pups.  Clean water areas and fun jumping features are great for the animals.  And please, don’t forget the shade because every dog in Florida needs some reprieve from the sun after a good romp around the park with fellow dog friends.

Pet parks can be a wonderful place for dogs and owners to socialize.  They offer variety to your pet as they need to get out of the house once in a while just like you.  Time out in the fresh air, running and playing is so important for your pet’s wellbeing.  We hope you’ll enjoy this guide to Sarasota County’s paw park offerings and treat your dog to a fun outing.

 Dog Parks and Dog-Friendly Parks | Sarasota County, FL Photos courtesy of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation.