If you are lucky enough to have a Dog Park in your city, and even luckier to have a certain four-legged pet or three, then you may already know of the delights offered to you and your pets at the local 'Dog Park'!

So what is a Dog Park? Wikipedia states, "A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners..."

A typical dog park is well-fenced, has separate areas for large and small dogs, is entered and exited through double-gated areas, has water availability for drinking if not also for swimming. There is regular maintainence done on the grounds, and trash receptacles for the disposal of four letter 'happenings' (i.e. poop. :-)  You are expected to pick it up via small special plastic bags just for that purpose.) Benches and shade should be available for people, and also shade areas for dogs. Local parks have various grounds/grass/gravel/water areas, but each is a planned place of safe exercise, sociability and fun. Most are free-use, but donations are acceptable at some 'bins' provided, or mailed to the proper address as posted in small signs usually at the entrance of the park.

The first USA dog park opened in 1979 in Berkeley, California. In the United States at present, there are over 600 registered such pet play sites for dogs.

Canada has over 500 such play sites for dogs. Austrailia has dog park sites, and some areas in New South Wales have solar lights for night use. Tel Aviv, Israel has parks available where the pets may lie on benches or tables. British dog lovers have afforded their precious pets several such playgrounds, for the British peoples have one of the highest 'pet ownership' rates in the world.

Dog parks are designed to be leash-less, for non-aggressive dogs and owners, are meant to afford particularly urban canines a sociable interaction that is not met elsewhere. Actually, the parks may also afford welcomed interaction with the pet owners as much as the animals themselves! Everybody wins!

The dogs don't seem to relegate strangers to anything but becoming friends - most of the time! Sometimes they do have strange ways of accomplishing that!

And they happily play without any boundry except freedom and fun. It is the responsibility of the caretaker to immediately interfere if any aggressive signs should begin to surface, though this seldom occurs.

Dog trainers have stated that since it is the owner who is the 'dominent' leader, the owner should be the first to interefere with any signs of aggressive behavior. Early signs of this happening are, body stiffness with staring, standing beside and muzzling over another dog's shoulder, rather unfriendly throaty growls, unmoving tails held straight up. These likely occur before any actual attempt to begin to fight another dog.

It is not permitted for females in heat to enter the dog parks. Generally the requirement also lists that all protective shots must be current, and ill dogs are not permitted. It is not an absolute requirement, but strongly suggested that NO leash be worn inside the park, as a leashed dog would tend to be more intuitively protective of his owner.

It should be graciously noted that one brave two-footed dog does visit this park occasionally, and has a wonderful play time with the other dogs. His little pulley-wheels contraption supports his rear quarters and the dog has learned to run and play amazingly well with others.