I'm not a fan of dog parks. There are too many opportunities for things to go wrong. No matter how well trained/socialized your dog is, no matter what kind of temperament he has, and no matter how educated you are on dog behavior, it only takes one idiot to come along and ruin everything. I like the idea of dogs being able to run off-leash in an open space, but I don't see any real benefit in letting your dog do that with any number of strange dogs.

If you plan to use the dog park, the flea/tick/mosquito problem is no biggie. If your dogs are already on some sort of preventative maintenance for the three, you should be fine.

I am also not a fan although I have never been to one. And our small town is getting one soon also, I guess it's the big fad these days.

I would NOT recommend agility equipment for dog parks, it's far too easy for an untrained dog to get hurt. People love to "show off" their dogs and will put them over jumps that are too high, run them untrained over the teeter, they will fall off the dog walk - I personally think that agility equipment in a public dog park is an awful idea.

I would also worry about aggressive dogs (and possibly aggressive people). I would worry about dogs with intestinal parasites. I would worry about small children and large rambunctious dogs, I would worry about ..... so much to worry about.

On the other hand, I know many people just love them.

I would never allow my dogs into a dog park without being solidly protected from parasites by their monthly heartworm prevention and flea and tick control. As long as your dog is thoroughly protected, the other dogs' bugs won't bother him. But I'd do a fecal sample is done at least once a year to check for intestinal parasites, just in case. HWP is not 100% effective in controlling all intestinal parasites, especially in the face of overwhelming doses.

If mosquitoes are bothering your dog, you can use VIP fly repellent ointment (check at feed stores and places that sell products for horses) to keep them at bay. The mosquitoes won't be able to transmit heartworms if your dog is on regular prevention, but they are rather annoying.

I would be concerned about zoonotic diseases such as cutaneous, visceral, and ocular larval migrans from hookworm and roundworm infections in HUMANS. Not every dog at the park will be on appropriate parasite control programs, and because of that people are at risk for some serious zoonotic infections, especially young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people. It is extremely important to practice good hygiene while at the park- no eating, drinking, or playing on the ground; wear closed-toed shoes and socks, etc. I would wash your hands very thoroughly as soon as you leave the park. I'd also make sure your dogs are vaccinated for Bordetella once every 6 months (intranasal) to 12 months (injectible), and be sure all the other vaccines are current as your veterinarian sees fit given the exposure risks.

I would love to take my dogs to a park, but none of them around here are escape proof, especially for my Tatyana who can easily climb a 6 foot chain link fence. She needs a solid 6 foot tall fence, a double gate system, and something to prevent her from digging under a fence. That maximum security park has yet to be built here. But she'd love to run free if given the opportunity. I sure as heck can't keep up with her going full speed (she's a Husky).

As long as you are aware of the risks of taking your dog to the park, I think it can be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.

I take my dogs to the dog park about every other week very early in the morning. Two reasons for that - first, it's cool; second, there are fewer dogs at that time. They are at greater risk of being attacked by unleashed dogs on our walks than at the dog park during the early hours of the day.

Most dog parks have rules but the enforcement of those rules is questionable. Certainly no eating or small children are ever allowed and owners should be watching their dogs so that there is no inappropriate behavior or digging. Toys or training devices are not usually permitted either, but tennis balls are allowed.

The rules are that no aggressive dogs are permitted, but try to explain to a dog owner that can't read his own dog's signs that he has an aggressive or fearful dog? Ha! Those are the times you either do NOT go into the park, or you call your dogs and leave quickly.

Your dogs should be up to date on all preventives, that doesn't need to be explained. But you should also have good voice control over your dog(s) and he/she should be well socialized. The dog park is not the place to teach your dogs to 'get along' with other dogs. It is a place to maintain your dogs socialization skills.

Small dogs really should stay in the small dog area. The worst problem that we've ever had is with small dogs coming into the large area and their clueless people proclaiming 'Fluffy LOVES big dogs.' Well that's nice but the big dogs think fluffy is a stuffy to be chased and shaken. Please be consider of the large dogs and keep Fluffy in the small dog area.

Never go to a dog park on a Saturday afternoon. It will be mobbed and half of the dogs will be unsupervised while their people chat with each other.

Most dog parks have 6 foot chain link and double door entrances. Walk the outside of the park before going in to make sure there are zero gaps. Most are constructed safely.

Cynthia gave you great advice.
I've taken my dogs to several parks. The best of the best is in Redmond, WA. It's HUGE with wide trails that meander along a creek - plenty of opportunity to swim. Also has open field areas.
I've had no bad experiences there.

My second favorite is also on the water - the dogs are so focused on swiming out to fetch toys.

Going at times when you know it will be less crowded is always advisable.

Our pups are on all the preventative meds and up on all their shots. It actually opens next week - the 14th. I will definitely check it out first and will see about the mosquitos, if not for the dogs, for me. i am like a magnet for any bug that bites.

I am sure it will be busy at least for a while, once the newness wears off maybe it will be better.

Thanks for all the advice for the pups and the people.

Fleas, ticks & parasites are unfortunately a fact of life. The best thing you can do is to use as many preventative measures as possible, check for ticks after every romp, and bring your pup in for yearly checkups for bloodwork, stool & urine samples. The only alternative is to keep your dog indoors during the summer months and if that's the case...then don't have a dog, IMHO. I am fortunate to have some parks nearby that allow dogs off-leash if they are under voice control, wooded areas with hiking trails and lakes for the dogs to go swimming, and I'm 10 minutes from the ocean so before Memorial Day & after Labor day, dogs are allowed on the beaches as well. The local dog officer has been making the rounds and giving tickets to folks who are not following those rules. While that seems extreme, it actually is a good thing in my mind because it keeps away those who have no business being in such parks to begin with. These parks are an excellent way to socialize the dogs, give them much needed exercise and besides, its so much fun to watch, that I hate to see irresponsible pet owners ruin it. My advice to you, is be sure your dog is trained to do the basics like "come" "sit" "stay" and "leave it", bring a can of bug spray for you, do the preventative heartworm et al, flea & tick stuff, check you & the dog for ticks before getting in the car, then have fun!

congratulation on getting a dog park!

Dog park rules are very important. Enforcing the rules is also important. There have been several very successful dog parks where there has been an active volunteer organization.

There are definite hazards with unleashed dogs, children, agression, small and large dogs, oblivious owners, and many others. Keeping yourself aware of the issues can help make the dog park successful.

I would not let my dogs off-leash in a dog park because my particular dogs do not return when called. I would enjoy a dog park for the camraderie of semi-knowldgable people.

Agility equipment would be OK by me if it was not high, like an A-frame or teeter board. Equipment like weave poles, tunnel, and wait table would be fine even for my elder dogs.

Here is a link that might be useful: how to build a dog park in your area

Our town has a very nice dog park. The fence is 6' tall and it is double gated. There are two areas fenced separately, with one are designated for small dogs.

Its about 5 acres fenced. Its rarely crowded and I have found that most dog's who are not socialized, are kept on a leash, by their prudent owners.

If a dog shows up that doesn't play nice, or seems like a potential threat, I just leave. But that has only happened once.

There was one incident of a dog fight in our park and the aggressive dog and his owner have been issued a restraining order from the local police department to stay away from the dog park.

You need to be real careful at the dog parks.
You'll get a lot of replies.
Keep your eye on your dog at all times. Do not let him/her drink from the water there. Bring your own. And unfortunately these dog parks seem to be designed by fence contractors. They should be small areas not big areas where you can not watch your dog. If it is acres and acres and you can't watch your dog and have your dog under your control the whole time, I hate to say it, but don't use that park.

Walk around the park before letting your dog go in there and also once you get inside the fenced off-leash area, observe the other dogs before letting yours off leash. You need to be on the lookout for dogs that are visibly not taking kindly to other dogs there and things like that and also watch out for owners who are not watching their pets nor have them under control. Try to stay away from people that are encouraging their dogs to act crazy and run around.

This is extremely difficult to do in a large dog park

As for mosquitos, we don't go to the dog park when it's hot out but I think you said once you're in Florida so much for that idea.

We took our two English mastiffs to dog parks several times but never could let them off-leash although both were highly socialized, loved people and other dogs, and were obedience trained to voice commands. Something about dogs that size triggered purposeful aggressive behavior in many people, and it was just too much hassle and potentially too dangerous for the dogs. Sadly, I suggest you consider the possibility of negative reactions by many folks, depending on the breed you own.

Likewise, if you did not raise your dog from puppyhood and there is any history or suspicion of abuse, I would stay away from a dog park. You just don't know all the triggers involved in an abused or neglected dog's history, and a public dog park is not the place to find out.

Since the park will be fenced some dogs have a pack mentality and want to MOB a dog at the gate. Wait until all the dogs have settled down and leave the gated area before entering the dog park. Keep your dog on a leash until it has met everyone. Keep in mind that just because there is a fennce does not mean your dog or you are safe. We have had more dog attacks in the fenced dog ark than outside of it. Mainly because of aggressive dogs and clueless owners, not minding their dogs. I have seen dogs jump the fence and take off and have seen dogs mob another dog and cause serious damage due to the insuing dog fight. Anytime there is an owner who is not watching their dog, but reading the paper or in some other weay ignoring their dog, I will either wait or go somewhere else. Fortunately I live in a place with much off leash open space as well as dog parks, both fenced and not fenced. I prefer the non fenced dog parks, where the owners seem more concientious.