From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
On the surface, off-leash dog parks sound wonderful. A safe space for dogs where our companions can roam freely, interact with their own kind, and come home tired? Sign us up!
In reality, though, these environments are a mixed bag. For years, Sniffspot has been educating about the limitations, drawbacks, and safety concerns of public off-leash dog parks. Now Sniffspot has conducted a national survey of dog owners across the country to better understand the state of public off-leash dog parks.
Here’s what to know to keep you and your furry friend safe.
While the popularity of public off-leash dog parks has been skyrocketing in the United States, so has the number of professional trainers who caution against their use to keep our furry friends safe.
Here are some of the top risks associated with public off-leash spaces.
26% of survey respondents reported that they feel other dog owners are irresponsible with their dogs in public. This is a common theme with public off-leash dog parks, where often there are a group of park attendees there with their dogs — and in a dedicated space that might make them more likely to let behavior slide.
It only takes one irresponsible owner to cause issues for other owners at the public dog park. Since these dog areas are open to the public, this limits the controls park users have available to prevent canine aggression, bite injuries, and other issues between social animals.
Many owners are drawn to public off-leash dog parks because they want to socialize their pets. We’re inundated with messages of the “perfect” friendly dog. Our social media feeds feature viral videos of animal best friends that echo the cutesy movies we loved as children — but they often show a false reality.
The truth is that while dogs are social mammals, it’s typically not natural for them to regularly engage in play with strangers. Doing so can create an uncomfortable social structure among a variety of dogs — instead of providing the social benefits we hope for at off-leash dog parks. Dog sociability can be viewed as a sliding scale:
Ultimately: It’s perfectly normal for our furry friends to not want to play with other pets outside of our families. What’s not normal is putting them into a confined environment with other canines and expecting everyone to get along perfectly. This is especially true when toys and food are involved. Resource guarding is a common behavioral problem.
We were surprised by how dangerous public off-leash dog parks actually are: 15% of dog owners report their dog having been attacked at a public dog park!
Aside from the obvious injuries and deaths that come from dog attacks, even minor dog attacks or brief interactions with aggressive dogs can have a long lasting impact on the psyche of the victim, leading to future issues with reactivity. This is especially common in urban parks or small park playgrounds that don't have adequate space dogs and pet owners to spread out.
On top of actual attacks, there are additional risks that might outweigh potential dog park benefits. Canines can be mismatched in size or inadvertently break skin while wrestling with untrimmed nails.
It’s also impossible to eliminate all infection risk, no matter how hard a city works to keep their parks clean. There’s no way to confirm that every dog entering an off-leash space has been fully vaccinated — or has had appropriate screening for parasites, like tests for hookworms and intestinal parasite infections. Bacterial diseases like leptospirosis often thrive in muddy terrain.
While effective dog park setups try to mitigate these risks, there is no way to remove them completely in any public park setting, and the prevalence of infection is often high in urban parks.
Public off-leash dog parks, being free and open, do serve an important community service in cities. Park access can enable dogs and their guardians to live a more active lifestyle — and effective dog park setups can reduce the risks of injury and transmission of disease that are inherent in any city parks. If choosing to use a public dog park, park attendees can do a lot to manage the safety of their dog:
When things go right at public parks, dogs can find benefits there:
Here are the United States’ regions, ordered from worst to best public dog park rankings, based on our survey.
The West came in last place for their public dog park amenities.
Unfortunately, other options for dog exercise are limited in the West as well:
Within the West, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico had the lowest public dog park safety scores. The Bay Area was a bright spot, however — none of the survey respondents there report feeling unsafe in off-leash parks.
The Northeast came in third place for public dog park safety. It scored slightly better than the West on most criteria:
There’s one exception the Northeast has going for it, though. Only 10% of respondents say they feel their public dog parks are dirty — that’s the cleanest report of every region we surveyed.
The South’s public dog parks came in second place on our survey.
Based on our survey, the Midwest has the best public dog parks.
Unfortunately, 22% of respondents — more than one in five dog owners who completed our survey — feel that local dog owners are generally irresponsible. Despite the better public dog park statistics, this reality can still make it difficult for pets and their people to safely get the exercise they need.
In order to accurately weigh the benefits and costs of visiting public dog parks, potential dog park attendees should carefully consider:
Ultimately, every owner should make their own decision and rely on their common sense about whether or not to frequent public off-leash dog parks with their own dogs. The more information available, the more thoughtful that decision-making process can be!
Sniffspot surveyed more than 1,000 dog owners nationwide about their perceptions of local public dog parks. These dog owners are not Sniffspot users; respondents were sourced using SurveyMonkey Audience.
We asked about their dogs’ sociability, if they’ve ever been attacked by another canine, how often they’re approached outside of public dog parks (like in neighborhoods and other leash-required spaces), and how they feel about public dog park safety and cleanliness overall.
Sniffspot’s mission is to make the world a more dog-friendly place. We understand that life in modern human society can be tough for our canine companions — on even a casual walk many pets are assaulted with unfamiliar noises, movements, other dogs, and people.
Public off-leash parks work for some dogs but cause problems for others. We believe every dog deserves the opportunity to have their needs met in a truly safe environment. That’s why we’ve created a community of private spaces for owners to explore.
It’s also why we’re committed to helping owners understand the risks and benefits of any activity we do with our dogs. The more we know before entering a public dog park, the better we can protect our pets.
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.