Dog Parks and Your Pointer

Every Pointer owner knows these dogs love to run, and they need plenty of vigorous exercise to stay healthy and happy. For city dogs, what could possibly be better than a trip to the community dog park? Being outside, playing with other dogs, the opportunity to run and run and run … what’s not to like if you’re a Pointer?

Well, like just about everything else in life, dog parks have their good and bad points.

Here are some of the good things about dog parks:

* They’re fun. Dogs get to play with other dogs, and their owners get to know other dog lovers.
* A dog park provides a place for vigorous exercise, which we all know Pointers need on a regular basis. There’s nothing better than long runs, and your dog can get those in at a dog park.
* They can be a great place to socialize a dog. Pups get to meet a large number of people and other dogs, while adult dogs get to brush up on their social skills every time they go.
* They provide a safe, fenced-in area where you can work on training your Pointer off leash.

Unfortunately, some bad things can be encountered at dog parks:

* Although Pointers tend to be non-aggressive, other dogs might be different and fights where injuries result are always possible.
* Parasites and certain diseases can be passed from one dog to another. Not all dogs at dogs parks have been fully vaccinated, and there’s always the possibility your Pointer will sniff at (or even eat – yechh) a mound of poop that’s infested with parasites.

Some vets recommend dog parks highly, while others frown on them. In the end, it’s your decision. I looked at the risks vs. the rewards and then made my decision. My Pointer loves going almost every day.