Is your inner-dog waiting to get out ?
Now that we're having this beautiful winter weather, it's a great time to spend some quality-time with your beloved companions. Phoenix offers a lot of dog-friendly places that you can spend time together and we have some terrific dog-parks where you can interact with other owners and socialize your furry friends at the same time.
Dog-parks are a great place to have fun and can be very helpful in socializing your dogs but remembering a few helpful tips will make sure you both enjoy the experience.
1.
You are the pack-leader - Stay in control at all times. Whether your dog is on a leash or free-running, he will be looking to you for guidance & approval. Don't see this as a chance to catch-up on phone calls or text messages - interact with them and bring along a ball or their favorite play-toy so that you can reel them in if need be.
2.
Be sure to bring treats - reward good behavior and be ready to discipline bad behavior. Dogs need boundaries and they like to meet your expectations.
3.
Be courteous of other dogs that may not have the same level of social skills that your dog has - don't let your babies be the "trouble-makers". Allowing your dogs to "run-up" on others is scary for the the owners, as well as the dogs and may cause them to go into "protect" mode. Even though you know your dog, strangers do not and it is very upsetting to be "rushed" upon by the unknown.
4.
Clean-up after your dogs - most dog-parks have some kind of "mutt-mitt" dispensers for your convenience, but be sure to bring your own just in case the dispensers are empty.
Some dog-parks are better than others. That's just the way it is. For instance, Indian-Steele Park in Downtown Phoenix is one of the most beautiful parks that I've been to in the valley. It offers 75 acres of diversely landscaped areas and has amazing views of the surrounding high-rises and the mountains. You can stroll the many walking paths and expansive lawn areas with your dog on a leash and you both can get some well-deserved exercise. However, the actual "leash-free" areas that have been designated as the "dog-park" areas are nothing more than desert-landscaped peripherals of the north-side that were just fenced-off and called "dog-park" areas. There's not one blade of grass in them and there's also no lighting for after-dark visits. Your best bet there is to keep your dogs on the leash and walk them through the park while you take in the mid-city scenery and the historic buildings that are currently under renovation. You are allowed to have your dog off its leash in the main areas of the park if you carry proof that your dog has completed an obedience course and that your dog will come to you when called. So that's one upside to this park for well-behaved dogs.
http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/features.htmlftp://www.phoenix.gov/pub/PARKS/sispmap1.pdf Cosmo Dog Park in Mesa is a fantastic place for you owners that have dogs that like to swim. It has a lake, specifically for your little swimmers, and there's plenty of fun to be had by all. It is named after Gilbert's first police
dog:
Cosmo van Blitsaerd of Holland.
http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/parks/popups/cosmo-park.cfm There are many other dog-parks throughout the valley and the links below offer information on those locations as well as others throughout the state.
http://phoenix.about.com/cs/anim/a/dogparks_3.htmhttp://www.doggeek.com/Dog%20Parks/Arizona.shtml The link below is a listing of dog-friendly places in Arizona, including hotels/accommodations, parks, attractions, shopping centers, stores, outdoor restaurants and organizations.
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityAZPhoenix.shtml I hope you have as much fun as I do and now you can "let the dogs out"
