DogBoy's Dog Blog

Here at DogBoy's Dog Ranch, we live and love dogs so much, and we are thankful every day that we get to do this job.  In the early days of DogBoy's, things where very different than now, but very much the same still.  We use to say that we "create wild-domesticated dog packs", meaning we would pick our play groups to run the same way that wild packs or wolves would run their pack...with a heirarchical social structure.  Although we now know this isn't necessarily the true way dogs "run" together, the basic idea still stands. The dog world has changed A LOT in the last 25 years and even more in the last 10 years.  One of the biggest changes is the explosion of dog parks around the country, especially in the super-dog friendly cities like Austin and the surrounding areas.

"I don't know that there was anyone more exited about the opening of Dogboy's Dog Park than I was! I've always had large dogs, and even though I would take them walking and jogging each day, I knew they needed more. I've previously taken advantage of public off leash areas, but was concerned with the hidden dangers (old barbwire, concrete with protruding rebar, etc.) that resulted in more than one injury to my dogs while they bounded in and out of the woods. I've visited several public dog parks with initial success, but later became disappointed with the number of irresponsible owners who spent more time socializing with friends or using their cell phones than watching, picking up after, or interacting with their dogs. Irresponsible behaviors led to numerous altercations between dogs and consequently the owners, and took the joy out of the visit.

Visiting DogBoy's private dog park is a great way to spend some quality time with your dog. Whether visiting for a private reservation, or coming on the weekends as a dog park member, following these tips will help you have a safe visit and a fun time too! 

Dogs are Social...
Dogs are very social beings, not only with us but with other dogs as well. It’s important for our dogs to spend time with other dogs. By interacting with others, dogs get exercise, the ability to socialize, mental stimulation, and play can be just plain old fun. 

Dog parks allow us the opportunity to have our dogs off-leash, get exercise and enjoy the company of other dogs. Knowing what to be aware of when dogs are playing can mean the difference between a safe, fun time, and our dogs learning unwanted behaviors, becoming injured or having traumatic experiences. Safe dog play generally consists of two dogs both participating and playing in a similar style.

 What do the best dog parks look like?

 Don't you wish people knew how to behave at Austin dog parks?  So many times, you take your dog, hoping and planning on giving your dog a fun place to play, and then your experience is less than stellar. Your dog was behaving perfectly, but those other dogs were bullies, and nobody was doing anything to stop it.  What went wrong?  Chances are, some of you (or maybe even all of you) don't know the modern rules of Austin dog parks.  Lucky for you, we DO!  

 You have been patiently waiting for a long time...and we are so grateful!  Noodle and I are SO EXCITED to invite you to our Dog Party!

What:   DogBoy's Private Dog Park Open House
It's a place where dogs can run and play and swim, with other dogs who like to run and play and swim!  We have acres of beautiful rolling prairie with a pond for swimming - so BRING A TOWEL!

Where:  DogBoy's Private Dog Park
(behind our Training & Wellness Center, on the back of the property)

When:   Saturday, February 25th, Come anytime between 10 am - 2 pm

Why:     Benefiting the Austin Humane Society
Raffle tickets will be for sale to win a 2012 Mazda Miata!

Bring:

• A friend and win a Gift Certificate for future use!

• A towel (or two!)
  

• Your friendly dog(s) with collars & tags

• a blanket or chair (only if you NEED to be able to sit - we prefer you to be moving around and having fun with your dog!) 
  

• NO FOOD, please.  Cold water will be provided.

We will have poop stations, kiddie pools, and lots of cool water to drink.  Kids under 6 must have dedicated adult supervision.

Parking: Park on the grass inside DogBoy's Main Entrance.  You will see signs for special event parking.

What is DogBoy's Private Dog Park?

Starting March 1st, DogBoy’s Private Dog Park will be open to clients and their dogs only, who have been evaluated and given a behavioral card color designation. Click here for details on our Card Color Policy.  Reservations and/or Dog Park Memberships will be required.  So by coming to the open house on 2/25, you'll be getting a sneak peak!

So it's not FREE?  There are dog parks all over town that are free.  Why would I pay to go to a dog park?

The Open House is absolutely free.  And it's true - there ARE dog parks all over town that are free, like Bull Creek, Red Bud Isle, even Pflugerville has a couple now!  The difference between those parks and DogBoy's Private Dog Park is that at DogBoy's, your dog will be playing with other dogs who have all been evaluated - and given a GREEN Card color designation.  This means that they are generally good with lots of other kinds of dogs.  This also means you are at a park with a more controlled dog population, and your dog is at a much lower risk for problems with other dogs.  Of course, there is a risk anytime you take your dog to a dog park, but wouldn't you like to have more control over who is there when you visit?

If your dog is not great with other dogs, or only good with specific kinds of dogs (i.e. has an Orange or Red card designation from DogBoy's), you can make private reservations during the week for your dogs and/or your friends' dogs (who you know your dog likes), so they can play in a safe, fenced in area, with no risk of interaction with dogs you don't know.  If you bring your friend and your friends dogs for a private reservation, they don't have to be a current customer.  We think there is value in all these differences, and we hope you'll think so too.

Owners of Green card dogs can purchase monthly dog park memberships ($30/month per family), and with those memberships will be allowed to visit any Saturday or Sunday from 9-6.  Additionally private reservations can also be made during the week from 3pm till dark.

Owners of Orange and Red card dogs can make private reservations on weekday afternoons for as little as $10 for your family of dogs.  Group rates are available.  You will have the park all to your self from 3 pm till dark!

If your dog has not yet been evaluated for a color card designation, we can take care of that evaluation during a day of day care.  Call our office or email us for details on getting evaluated.

All the details about the dog park pricing and rules can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you!!  If you have any questions about the dog park, just email dogpark@dogboys.com.

Photo by Norah Levine Photography