Photo Credit: Charlene Dunlap of Canine Horizons
For dog lovers, one of the best places to take their dogs for exercise and socialization is a dog park. For people lucky enough to have a dog park in their neighborhood, off-leash dog play in a safe environment is a dream come true. People and their dogs look forward to these outings and make visits a priority in their lives.
One of the challenges facing dog park managers is keeping the interest and excitement alive for both people and their dogs. While it’s fun for dogs to run off-leash and burn off some energy while socializing with other dogs, people can soon tire of the same old routine. Some dogs may get bored after a while, too. Smart managers (whether employed by a governing municipality or working as a volunteer for a park) realize that organizing special events such as “Yappy Hours,” “Poochie Picnics,” and seasonal events like “Barktoberfests” can keep the momentum going. While these events may spark interest for a day or a weekend, long-term activities will keep current users coming back and will attract new patrons as well.
Most dogs love the challenge of exploring new places. Climbing up, over, and through obstacles can be particularly delightful to them. Creating a “confidence course” is one sure way to keep dogs and their owners coming back time and time again.