Since 1990, countless studies have been conducted on the pros and cons of dog parks and other group play environments, such as doggie day care and boarding businesses. These studies show that the benefits can far outweigh the drawbacks; however, a careful evaluation of the specific group play environment they currently or may participate in is important in assuring the optimal experience for both the dog and dog parent.
What factors are important in evaluating a group play environment?
Before you decide to take your dog to a park, daycare or boarding facility, I highly recommend that you visit the environment first without your dog. Consider visiting the park on different days and at different times of the day. Engage in conversation with visiting owners; knowledge of their experiences can help you to decide if your dog’s temperament is a good fit. Other factors to consider include:
Design: Environmental and health issues related to humans and their dogs can be addressed in the design of dog parks. Dogs that are overcrowded and boring greatly increase the likelihood of inappropriate behavior. A well-constructed dog park will include water, equipment to play on, and varied terrain. Individual pieces of equipment should be spaced throughout the whole park as opposed to having one large central play structure. This allows the dogs and their owners to spread out into play groups. The equipment should be kept clean and in good condition.
Separate areas for small and large dogs are imperative for any group play situation. In dog parks a third area, the solo dog area, should also be available. This area is for dogs that may not be ready for the dog park or dogs that are trying to integrate into the main dog park area. It allows the dog to experience the presence of other dogs, along with some social interaction, without exposing the dog or other dogs to potential risk.
The entrance to a dog park is an area where many incidents occur. Double-gated entrances prevent a dog already in the park from escaping as newcomers arrive. Dogs should not be taken off leash until they are through the first gate, and it has been securely latched. Then they can be allowed through the second gate to quickly get into the play area. Dogs and owners should not loiter around the entry gates to ensure others can get in and out without creating a bottleneck.
Cleanliness: Clean is healthy! Cleanliness is one of the most important factors in putting dogs in a group environment. When the owners and users of the facility share pride in keeping the area clean, time spent there will be more enjoyable for all. All dog waste should immediately be completely removed and disposed of in proper receptacles. Benches and equipment should be cleaned regularly. Grass should be kept short, including along fence lines; this will help deter harboring fleas and ticks in the area. Some park operators offer large spaces that include wooded areas or trails and ponds or lakes. These areas should also be maintained. A circulating pump, filtration system, and ultraviolet light should be in place to prevent algal blooms and insect breeding that are dangerous to dogs. There should be no wet, swampy areas in the play area. Wet areas attract insects and can harbor bacteria and algae.
Size: Larger spaces are not always better. Spaces that are too large can be hard to maintain as well as making it harder for pet owners to keep track of picking up their dog’s feces. If the space is too large, the dogs won’t have as much social interaction, (which is the whole point of group play!) A daycare or pet care center may have multiple group-play areas ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet per area. An appropriate size for a multi-family community or small single-family community might be 8,000 to 15,000 square feet of amenity space. A public park or municipality can sometimes be several acres, with some parks in the Unites States being over twenty acres. In the larger parks, dogs should be kept on leash or close to the owner if they do not have good recall. Dogs should always be visible to their owners to prevent an encounter with an unfriendly animal or a dog eating or drinking something that might be harmful.
Fencing: A minimum of five-foot tall fencing is advisable, particularly if your dog is a jumper. This will also keep wildlife out such as skunks, possums, racoons, and rabbits. If the fence is a picket-style fence, the slats should be no further than three inches apart to avoid injury.
Hydration and cooling: Drinking water should be fresh and unshared. Do not allow your dog to drink from community bowls. Good dog parks have drinking fountains for dogs that do not allow them to drink shared water. Bring your own water along in case water is not available, or the only water that is available is shared. A small pool or splash area may be in place in hot months. Make sure the water is clean before allowing your dog to play.
Management: Every good dog park and daycare facility needs rules and someone to enforce them. Municipal parks rarely have someone in attendance to deal with conflicts that may arise. Privately owned dog parks are more likely to have staff in attendance to assist in a timely manner with conflict resolution (both canine and human) and enforcement of rules. If staff are in attendance, ask about their training and credentials, as well as how many staff are assigned to manage a group of dogs. Some parks require registration and issue numbered arm bands that owners must wear while in the park. This also helps ensure that dogs and owners have been screened for health and behavior issues. If considering a doggie daycare or boarding facility, be sure that the facility is bonded and insured.
Exercise and play: Having play and agility products for the dogs to play and interact with each other, as well as their owners, is important. Rubber toys may harbor less bacterial and viral contamination than cloth or rope toys. Toys may not be desirable in group play as dogs can become competitive, leading to aggressive behavior.
Health: There are many aspects of health that should be considered before placing your dog in a park or daycare facility. Among these factors are vaccines, parasites, dental, first aid and diet. These factors are addressed in my blog “Naturally Healthy Care for Dogs in Group Play.”
In addition to the group play environment, be sure to assess whether your dog is a good candidate for participation. Consider their personality, play style, and level of training. If you are confident your dog is a good dog park or daycare candidate, ask some trusted knowledgeable friends or your veterinarian if they agree. If large-scale dog parks are not his/her idea of a good time, perhaps setting up small play dates with neighbors or friends in a backyard. Refer to my blog “The Importance of Socialization for Group Play” for more information.
Doing an upfront assessment of a prospective group play environment is important if you want to keep your dog safe and healthy. You and your pup can experience a fun time together, as well as with other furry and not-so-furry visitors! Your confidence level will be perceived by your dog, and they too will be confident and curious – not fearful, anxious and on-guard – when entering a play group environment.
Learn more in my book Naturally Healthy Dogs: Unleashed!
