Dog Park Days
Jennifer Maurer • Mar 31, 2020
As we move into the Spring and Summer months, it is time to relieve ourselves and our dogs from our cabin fever by getting outside to enjoy the nice weather. Some of my favorite times with Simone and Gabe have been time spent at the dog park. It has allowed my dogs to socialize, exercise and re-energize. While most of the parks are closed during the pandemic, this is a good opportunity to investigate membership for ones in your area so that when the quarantine is lifted, you are ready to get out and enjoy some play time with your pooch!
Here are my top 5 dog park picks in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Click on the links below to learn more!
- Treecourt Dog Park – So far, this has been my favorite dog park in St. Louis. I believe the reason this is run so well is because it is a private dog park. Located in Kirkwood, the space used to be the grounds of a country club but was on a flood plain so the owners converted it to a dog park (lucky us!). The park is HUGE and even includes a nature trail. The owner, Wayne, requires a temperament test prior to joining which I find extremely important. Wayne really does a great job ensuring everyone follows the rules and dogs are well-mannered to alleviate dog fights. They have monthly, quarterly and yearly memberships. While expensive, I definitely think worth the cost. I take 44 West to get there and drive right past a Culvers when getting off the interstate. So . . .on the way home, the dogs and I stop off to get ice cream. Culvers offers free pup cups for your dog! It makes for a great day!
- Tails and Trails Dog Park in Queeny Park – While I am not a member, I have visited this dog park and have clients who have joined. It is a beautiful park that I hear nothing but great things about. A real positive is that they have both a small dog and a big dog area which I think is very important. Located in St. Louis West County, it is a 5 acre park so lots of space for your dog to run and play. They also have agility stations which are really fun. Membership is very reasonable at only $50 annually. What is really great about the park is that you can buy a day pass for only $5! So, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the park for even just a day.
- Southwest City Dog Park – I believe this is probably the largest dog park in St. Louis City. I had a membership last summer and enjoyed my time there. There is a very tight knit community in this dog park. Everyone chips in to ensure the park is maintained properly. They also have several events throughout the year. If you are looking to make new friends both canine and human in the city, this is a great park to do just that. Membership is annual and very reasonably priced. This is a grass park and does close down for a couple of months in the spring so the grass has a chance to grow back. It doesn’t open until June 1 but be ready when it does. They do limit the number of people who can join the park but it is open for membership now so be ready when the park does open!
- University City Dog Park – This is another park in the city that I had a membership although it was years ago. I really enjoyed my time here. There is both a big and a small dog area and a beautiful grass park. Membership is very reasonable. The park requires a University Dog License before you can become a member and there are breed restrictions. I made a lot of friends when I was a member of this dog park and highly recommend.
- Broemmelsiek Park Off-Leash Dog Area – It’s a bit of a drive for those who live in the city but well worth it. This dog park is located in Defiance, Missouri. It is
a 4.7 acre park and even includes a shelter to get out of the sun and a pond for those dogs that love to swim. It was voted “Best Dog Park of the Region”, and I can see why! There is no charge for this park but upon entry, you must show proof of vaccination and that your dog is licensed. This is worth the day trip!
These are just a few of the dog parks that I enjoy in the St. Louis area, and I know there are more out there. Please share your dog park experiences and recommendations. The pandemic isn’t going to last forever and dog park days are definitely something to look forward to!
Many of my clients look at me in astonishment when I say it is OK to feed your dog human food from your plate! We have always been told that this act creates begging behavior and causes intestinal problems. Under certain circumstances, this is indeed true. However, if done correctly, using foods that are safe for your dog (click on the link to see a list of foods that are unsafe ) and in moderation, it is actually a wonderfully, positive thing! There is a new trend in teaching and relating to dogs called bond-based learning which I incorporate into my dog training programs. The thought process behind this type of teaching is that by having a strong bond with your dog, it will ensure your dog makes positive choices when it comes to good behavior. A technique used in this type of training is food sharing. Food sharing provides an opportunity for social learning with you and your dog. It has been shown that food sharing helps reinforce the bond you have with your dog and allows them to feel safe and secure around you. Sharing food with your dog does not always equate to begging. Begging behavior can happen even when you don’t feed from your plate. Since their sense of smell is more heightened than ours, smelling you cooking and serving dinner can be overwhelming as they salivate over all the deliciousness. Many dogs can’t contain themselves from their desire to join in and beg which becomes a big distraction during meals. I have found that the opposite is true when you are sharing your meal with your dog. Now, I am not saying you should feed your dog when they beg. What I am saying, is that you can feed your dog when they are laying calmly next to you and not begging which in turn teaches your dog not to beg! This is where marker training comes in. Give your dog the “Down Stay” cue and after just a couple of seconds, mark the behavior with your marker word (i.e., good) and treat off your plate. Begin to spread out the length of time that you are marking and treating. If your dog does beg, ignore them until they settle back down for a minute or two and then mark and treat. Your dog will soon learn that being patient and quiet during meal time leads to tasty things! This opens up a whole new world of possibility for you and your dog! Imagine a holiday dinner that includes your favorite, furry family member! And next Spring and Summer, think about all the outdoor dining experiences you can have! Food sharing is a great for socialization and a wonderful bonding experience! If you are interested in learning more about my positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods, reach out for a free phone consultation. You can learn more at PetImpact.com .
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