If dogs designed dog parks, what would they look like? They would be the size of a football field, be unfenced, covered with grass, have plenty of trees for shade, have a lake for swimming, and have boulders for sunning. 

Why would a dog park designed by a dog be so large? The larger the space, the easier it is to avoid conflict with other dogs. It’s hard for your dog to notice or care if a dog is giving him the stink eye from 100 yards away. If that same dog gives your dog the stink eye from the five yard line, your dog may tackle the offender. 

Don't fence me in! Another strategy dogs have for avoiding conflict is being barrier free. Without a fence, if you miss your dog's "let's go" nod, she could wait for you at the car.  Being able to leave at will helps dogs avoid conflict with other dogs. Let’s face it, dogs would allocate the fence money for tennis balls.

Sure, trees provide a shady place to rest, but they also serve as speed bumps. Trees prevent dogs from gaining too much speed in a game of chase. Trees also provide visual breaks in the environment. Prolonged direct eye contact is a “Come at me, Brah” move for dogs. Trees can help mitigate staring contests by giving dogs a home base to hide behind. Boulders can do the same and provide a charging station for solar powered dogs. 

Why a lake? Well, every planning committee is bound to have some retrievers on it. Some dogs really love swimming and fetching in water!

Alas, with space at a premium, city dog parks designed by people look a lot different from the ideal.  Dog parks really are a human construct. Even so, some dogs thrive at dog parks – but many do not. If you are wondering if your new furry BFF would do well at a dog park, take him for a doggie daycare evaluation. The daycare can give you insight regarding the type of player you have, and whether or not your dog plays well with others. 

If you go to the dog park, here’s what you should know before you go. Before going inside the dog park, take a few minutes to observe what’s happening inside the dog park. 

Can you tell which dog belongs to which person? If so, people are engaged with their dogs and helping to keep everyone safe. When people aren’t actively engaged with their dogs, fun can quickly devolve into frenzy. 

Ask yourself, do you like the playstyles you see? Would your dog do well with these play styles? Do you want your dog practicing the behaviors you see? If you’ve answered “yes” to all of these questions, go into the dog park. If you’ve answered “no” please consider skipping the dog park and taking your dog for a hike instead. During the walk, you can talk about your dog's dream dog park.