Author |
Message |
   
Cdp
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 2:19 pm: |    |
Hello, I'm from Raleigh, NC and am planning on moving to the area in the summer. I enjoy the msg board, and am learning a lot about the area (I have an ongoing thread in the Reval area now--"Purchasing...". I was wondering if some of the dog owners could tell me what the situation is in the area, as far as dog parks or other good places to take an active, 80# mutt who loves to chase a Frisbee? Are there some empty wooded areas in the Reserve that you can let a dog off the leash to go and sniff and romp w/o risk of offending someone? (Even friendly dogs like mine can offend someone who doesn't want to be greeted and sniffed, of course!) Thanks! cdp |
   
Mem
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 3:22 pm: |    |
cdp, In Maplewood Park there is a large hill where dog owners can let their dogs loose to run and play with other dogs. |
   
Imacgrandma
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 3:38 pm: |    |
The South Mountain Reservation is a great place to take the dogs for a romp. Usually, you can let them run, but there are a few risks, like people do walk there and deer do live there. Brooks run thru' for dunks. The Maplewood Park hill where people bring their dogs is a good thing, but control is practiced, e.g. the dog has to be introduced on leash and has to obey commands (hopefully). All in all, Maplewood is very dog-friendly. |
   
Napes
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 3:57 pm: |    |
We take our border collie mix to the reservation and let him off leash there, but as Imacgrandma says, you always have to be prepared to reel him in - lots of little kids and other dogs. That said, at certain times of day (early morning on weekdays, especially) he can run undisturbed. It's great. We don't do "Doggy Hill" (Memorial Park) because we've had some negative experiences there in the past with untrained dogs getting aggressive. Not everyone knows what they're doing when they introduce their dogs to the hill. Welcome to you and your dog! |
   
Cdp
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 4:17 pm: |    |
Thanks for all the responses so far. Sounds like the reserve is similar to some of the "wild" parks here. I.e., you'll probably be alone, but be wary. Luckily Bruce (named after NJ's own!) is very well-trained in that regard. There could be a pack of wild dogs nearby, and if I hold up a fetching-stick, he'll hang on my every command. Also, he's great with other dogs, so the hill might be an option, if others are well-behaved. As big as he is, he doesn't understand a thing about aggressive behavior from other dogs, and will merrily wag his tail while another dog tries to seriously bite him! (it's happened more than once!) That said, if I've attracted some dog owners, I might as well ask: has anyone used "Preferred Pet Care" (advertised here) or any other dog walking services? Just curious. I've never used/needed one before, but since my wife and I will be working/travelling more, I'm keeping it in mind. Don't really know what to expect of dog-walkers, in general. Thanks. -cdp |
   
Joancrystal
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 5:21 pm: |    |
I know dogs run off the leash in Memorial Park but doesn't the town still have a leash law? |
   
Ffof
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 6:09 pm: |    |
Isn't a bigger concern in Memorial Park the dog poop?! I heard that owners who don't clean up after their dogs are shunned! |
   
Napes
| Posted on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 10:29 pm: |    |
Cdp, we use Preferred Pet Care, and I can't say enough good things about them. We've used them for two years now, and Seth, the company's owner, is like a member of the family. Now that he has a few employees, they too have become regulars around here. They walk our dog five days a week, letting themselves in with a key we provide to them (we trust them 100% and in fact even give them access 3x a day when we are on vacation, so we don't have to use a kennel). Our dog thrives on the walks, and they've also helped train him on good walk "etiquette," like pooping on the strip of grass between sidewalk and street instead of people's lawns (though it goes without saying they scoop the poop wherever it lands). Best of all, they do group walks for any dog that likes it, so he gets to socialize every day with a gang of four or so other dogs, who have become his buddies. He has a better social life than me sometimes! I really hate to sound like a shill for Preferred Pet, but they are TOP NOTCH. Worth every penny (we pay $55 a week). |
   
Cdp
| Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 1:38 pm: |    |
Thanks for your post, Napes. I'll keep them in mind. I really want to make sure that Bruce enjoys becoming a Jersey dog. cdp |
   
Chico
| Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 9:31 pm: |    |
Joan: Yes. Chico |
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