Cambridge DOG - General Questions

What is a Dog Park?

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 00:24:04 -0700

A dog park can take one of several different forms:

A fenced area within a park
A "dog-zone" within a park created by natural barriers, not fences
Certain hours or days in a park when off-leash use is permitted, with few changes to the park

So, it doesn't always mean taking over a whole park?

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:56:36 -0700

No. In fact, we think "dog park" has been a problematic term-- people tend to think that a "park" will get turned into a "dog park" with no room left for humans. So, let's use terms like "off-leash space" as much as possible.

Okay, I'll still have "my park" to go to. But I don't want to be hassled there by dogs running up to me or to my little child.

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:55:41 -0700

Dog owners don't want that either. We want fences around our areas, keeping our dogs away from ordinary citizens and ordinary citizens' dogs.

If being off-leash is so great, why not have dogs run free all the time?

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:54:39 -0700

Because civilization involves compromises.

Besides, we're not talking about a wilderness experience here. We're trying to get dogs and people to live together in healthy ways. Both dogs and people need to learn how to be off-leash in good ways rather than destructive ways.

Why have off-leash space? Why not keep exercising dogs while they are tethered to their owners?

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:55:12 -0700

Leashes do two things of concern to dog owners: 1) they limit the dog's space and speed to human limitations, and 2) they get tangled up if two dogs are playing.

To explain more:

Dogs NEED exercise. An off-leash dog is free to sprint and leap at will --- for many dogs, this means a level of exercise that humans just can't keep up with. The cardiovascular effect is great for the dog's longevity and weight control, and the overall effect (endorphins? who knows?) makes most dogs calmer and better behaved at home. Neurotic activities such as destructive chewing, nuisance barking, separation anxiety, and overall obnoxiousness are definitely reduced by regular, intensive exercise. Ask any dog owner or trainer. These effects are so well known that they hardly need further proof.

Why are the proposed dog parks equipped with fences? Off-leash is about freedom, why limit it?

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 00:30:06 -0700

There are a few dog owners who want the run of things, but most dog owners realize that fences are to everybody's benefit. They keep dogs from getting smushed by cars, and keep owners from the ire of parents and others.

Isn't the publicity about dog parks threatening the freedom we now have to take our dogs off-leash?

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 23:48:26 -0700

Some dog owners have argued that while it's against the law, we do it now with relative impunity. Let's not rock the boat and increase enforcement or fines. But the fact of the matter is that complaints have already been lodged by our neighbors.