Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carla on November 5, 2010 at 10:39am

Dog parks are such a mixed bag. I go almost daily, but I never go on Saturdays because Saturday's bring out the crazy's (and by that, I mean people who don't exercise their dogs other than bringing them to the dog park on Saturday afternoon's, where the dogs are uncontrollable and obnoxious due to lack of exercise).

In terms of the dog poop, if you see someone's dog going, and they are obviously not going to pick it up, just walk up to them and say "Oh, you're dog's going to the bathroom over there. Here's a bag in case you forgot one" and hand them a bag. An elderly Russian gentleman that Casey and I walk with does this DAILY to people at the dog park, and I started doing it as well (taking his lead - it works really well!) People are usually shamed into picking it up, and then when they know you're around, they make sure to pay attention.

Regarding the illness, there's not a lot you can do. Some people are just irresponsible dog owners. The best you can do is keep your dog up-to-date on vaccinations and do any preventative treatment available. And avoid the sick dogs!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on November 5, 2010 at 12:08pm

Hi Dana,

Pawsway on harbour front (far from you) is quite nice, they have corgi gatherings call corgi connections from time to time. It is indoor, heated and the staff are very nice.

My favourite outdoor park to date is Bronte Creek (closer to you), there are off leash trail and and off leash dog park (no fence), I was there 2 weeks ago and they had fresh apples and pears along the trails. Annual pass is about $150, that's less than $3 a week, plus you can camp, swim and cross country ski in the park.

Did you talk to the volunteers about the incident? Call 416-761-POOP(7667)
you can also email Hurricane Hazel, she's also a dog owner :) getmayor@mississauga.ca

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dana C on November 5, 2010 at 7:25pm

Thanks for Hazel's email Sam:) I did report the incident to the 761-POOP number but I did not report it to the volunteers because I have never seen any at this park. There is just a sign saying that it is monitored. The most convenient park is the one south of Lakeshore on Southdown Rd. BTW, I'd love to go to one of those corgi connections if you know the dates!

Carla, I will definitely try your tactic next time although there are full bag holders everywhere, I will point them out:) There is a woman that comes to the park with about 6-8 dogs, I think she is a dog walker, and you can tell that they get no interaction from her and this is the only exercise that they get so they are often out of control. We just leave when we see her coming. It ruins the fun for everyone else.

Jane, my yard is fairly large and fenced in but it is nice to have them socialize with others of their species as well. Although, having a choice Milly prefers the humans at the park:))

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on November 5, 2010 at 1:16pm

That is one reason I only take Franklin to the dog park once or twice a week. Giardia is HUGE at dog parks and the other day I saw a dog that had MAJOR watery diarrhea at the park and the owner couldn't pick it up since it was so watery and that resulted in a lot of other dogs just running right through it, so whatever was causing the issue is now all over the other dogs. I wouldn't worry about Lepto because it is transferred by water contaminated with infected urine, so unless you see dogs urintating in the water bowls you are probably safe. And make sure to keep your vaccines current (including lepto) to protect your pup. Franklin went to the dog park on Sunday and now has a green goopey eye and I can't help but wonder if he picked something up there. People are so ignorant and will bring there coughing dog to the park to play and spread bordetella (kennel cough) like mad (Franklin picked that up at the park last year even though he was vaccinated). I try to pay close attention to all the dogs that are there and if there is one with signs of illness I choose to leave than expose my dog.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jane on November 5, 2010 at 1:54pm

Dog parks are definitely hit or miss...ideally I'd like to never take my dogs to the park, but it's so nice to really let them run like crazy, not to mention it's great for practicing longer recalls. I have a fenced yard at home but it's just not the same really.

As far as the lepto, I don't think the dogs would need to be peeing in the water bowls for another dog to catch it...sniffing an infected aniaml's urine, or rain washing the urine into a puddle which your dog plays in, could all lead to possible infection. Wild animals can carry it too, so there could be raccoons, rats, opossum, etc. spreading it as well.

The Lepto vaccine is not very often recommended as it has a very high reaction rate and doesn't last very long (a year or less I think). It's definitely something I would discuss at length with your veterinarian before deciding on.

• ▶ Reply