Tag Archives: dog park

Dog park designs

If I ever win Lotto, I’d like to sponsor a major dog park development.

Dog park designs are an interesting line of work for landscape architects.  James Harrison Melnick of the University of Arizona did a review of A Successful Southwest Dog Park in 2013.

His report is still a useful document with various designs, their pros and cons, reviewed and discussed.

Chaparral Dog Park Scottsdale AZ

The Chaparral Dog Park in Scottsdale, Arizona

His report is downloadable through this link.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

The Gloucester dog park

Whenever I travel, I like to visit dog parks, independent pet stores and other locations to see what works and to pick up on new ideas.

Today, I was able to visit the Gloucester dog park.  In this case, it was quite by accident – the dog park happens to be located across the road from the Welcome Center.

I particularly liked to see that prong, choke and spiked collars are specifically prohibited and that dog owners are encouraged to make donations to the upkeep of the park.

The double gated entries to both the large and small dog areas were spacious and easy to manage.

Well done to the Town of Gloucester (Massachusetts)!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

A frosty morning at the dog park

Izzy and I make a regular weekly date to go to the dog park on Sunday morning.  For most of the year, especially in winter, we have the dog park to ourselves.

This morning was frosty and cold but with lots of birdsong.

Here she is, chasing down a tennis ball and coming back to me:

Because Izzy has lost some teeth, her tongue usually hangs out of the side of her mouth

Throw another one, Mum!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

Zoomies

It’s been feeling a little warmer over the last couple of days; the clear days with sun make me think that spring isn’t far off.

Izzy is feeling it, too.  On Sunday, she got so warm after chasing her tennis balls at the dog park that she sat down in mud puddle to cool off (she wasn’t so keen on the bath that followed).

Yesterday, she did ‘zoomies’ in the back yard; something she hasn’t done for over a month since it has been so cold…

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

Helping each other – a Valentine’s lesson

On this Valentine’s Day, I hope you will consider your dog your furry Valentine.  Make time for each dog in your life.

And as a little Valentine’s Day lesson, here’s a video of a Labrador helping out his brother so they can get to the dog park:

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

Going to the dog park via public transport

Eclipse, a Black Labrador living in Seattle, has made the local news…  She’s so enthusiastic about going to the dog park, she often takes herself there – on the bus!

Enjoy this story about a special black Lab!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

Nose soccer (football)

Since Izzy is a Greyhound, a breed that likes to ‘nip’ at each other when racing, I put a muzzle on her when she goes to the dog park – just in case she gets too excited or playful with other dogs.

Since Izzy loves to chase the tennis ball, she’s developed a new game – nose soccer.  You can only play this when wearing a muzzle, since you bounce the ball off your muzzle…

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

A new dog park for Christmas

The dogs and residents of Prescott, Arizona got an early Christmas present this month:  the opening of the Willow Creek Dog Park after $500,000 in expert renovations.

The Willow Creek Dog Park has a firefighting theme to honor 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shot firefighters that died last year

The Willow Creek Dog Park has a firefighting theme to honor 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shot firefighters that died last year fighting a wild fire

Linda Nichols, a Prescott resident, entered the park idea in Beneful’s Dream Dog Park contest and won.

This canine play equipment has a fire engine theme (Photo by 12 News)

This canine play equipment has a fire engine theme (Photo by 12 News)

Prescott dog park

What a wonderful Christmas present for all of the dogs in Prescott.  Enjoy!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

The notice at dog park

Flynn's death noticeI had seen Flynn at dog park a number of times before his owners asked for me to give him a relaxation massage.  Then I received an email several weeks later informing me that he had died suddenly.

His owners felt it was important to let everyone at dog park know of his passing.

Rest in peace, Flynn!

Help! Needham needs a dog park

Needham, Massachusetts doesn’t have a dedicated facility where dogs can run and exercise off-leash.  For a town that is home to approximately 3,000 registered dogs, it’s a real shame.

Dog park image

Thankfully, a group of dedicated owners led by Mike Verdun and Bill Paulson are hoping to change that.  They and a group of about 10 other passionate dog owners have located a suitable site, the Nike Site, next to Ridge Hill Reservation. The group is now fundraising to establish the park.

Needham Dog Park map

$25,000 is needed to establish the facility; the bulk of the money is needed for the fencing, combined with signage and a wood chip base.  Double gates will ensure that dogs are kept safe as they enter and exit the park.

‘We’ve talked to other communities in Massachusetts that already have dog park facilities,’ says Bill.  ‘We’re confident in our design.’

So far, the group has raised $3,500 – so there’s still a long way to go.  If you and your dog benefit from off-leash exercise in your community, maybe you can consider making a small donation to help the dogs of Needham be rewarded with their own dog park.

The Needham Dog Park donation form has all of the instructions you need.  And you can follow progress via the Needham Dog Lovers Facebook page.