Where is the pet walk near Loop 300? Quickest access?

[kaguilbeau]

We've booked a preferred site, and since we'll be traveling with two dogs - I'm assuming they'll put us in loop 300.

In looking at Shan-mans Google Earth, where do you access the pet walk? Is that it towards the back, near sites 331? If you were in site 320, (or that area) could you access it from the back of your campsite?

What about the Dog Park? Is it only accessable from the sidewalk?

 

[2goofycampers]

The pet walk is a third of the way back on the right of the loop near the canal. The last few sites before the road entrance to the walk are accessible from the back of the campsite.

The dog park is to the right of the loop if you were standing and looking at the front of the loop, just beyond the play area. Only accessible from the road area.

 

[Shan-man]

Right-o. If you are looking in GoogleEarth, the dog walk area is the grassy stretch next to the canal. Some of the woods behind the sites on the outside of the loop, say 314-329, are rather dense so you may or may not be able to walk directly to the canal. And as Deb mentioned, the dog park is only accessible from the front, since the park is fenced in and there is only one entrance. The imagery in GoogleEarth is currently too old to show the location of the dog park, but I have tagged it in my placemarks file (you should see "Waggin Tails Dog Park" marked about the location of the pictured sand volleyball court).

 

[cajunpeach]

sorry to highjack... can I ask a question about the dog area??? I saw it is fenced, what type of fence is it? The reason I ask is I have a 4lb Yorkie and we always, always keep him on a leash. I'd love to let him frolick for a change if the area is completely enclosed. I'd hate for him to scoot under a rail type fence and be snatched up by a gator TIA

 

[2goofycampers]

It is well fenced even a little feller should be well contained.

 

[kaguilbeau]

Thanks for the info. I am really not wanting to be on the far side (left-hand side) of the loop and having to walk all around just to get to the dog walk.

 

[2goofycampers]

Even from the far side of the loop it's not that far of a walk. Also there are paths thru the middle of the loop, look for the mulch.

 

[BradyBz12]

Found these dog park pics on AllEars...

(in case you can't see, there is wire fence up against the wood rails - holes are small enough to keep even tiny dogs in)

Also found this pic of the 300 dog walk...

And yes, the entrance is right around 331 and several of the sites along there back right up to the dog walk so that you could just walk out the back of your site.

 

[cajunpeach]

Wow, thanks BradyBZ12 for the great pics of the dog park. My Beaux will be so excited to play in nature

 

[BradyBz12]

You're very welcome. Our Bz had a blast there every morning in December.

 

[terri01p]

Before we went to WDW in April my cockapoo ( the white dog) had never been to a dog park before, we were scared but it ended up to be the best thing that could have happened to my dog, he quickly bonded ( as you can tell ) with the other dogs. It was so great, we hated leaving it.

They became quick friends for the two weeks we were there :

Love at first sight :

This is when my dog first came in, he was a little scared but quickly recouped, this little girl is one with the bigger dog ( I think), her dad was there also. These were the friendliest dogs you could ever meet, sweet in every way, I have tons of pictures of them playing:

 

[kaguilbeau]

If you are unsure how your dog will react, is it o.k. (or even advisable) to leave her/him on the leash?

 

[terri01p]

I think most if not all the folks that travel with their pets know if they are agressive or not, if you keep a dog on the leash at a dog park, I was told, that it makes them feel very defensive???? If you have an agressive dog, there are other dog walk trails within FW for you to be able to walk your dog.

 

[BradyBz12]

I have a reactive dog and have been doing rescue a long time, so I'll speak from experience...

Leaving the leash on actually makes things a LOT worse. Dogs have totally different reactions to meeting other dogs on leash than they do off. Some will defend "their space" (taking the range the leash reaches to be theirs) and others will feel like they can't get away if scared and will react because of that.

They can also be very dangerous in a dog park situation, and dogs can easily get tied up in knots, hurt, or worse. A lot of dog parks prohibit leashed dogs inside for this reason.

If you're really unsure how your dog will be, walk him/her outside the fence on leash for a while and see how they react. If they seem really unsure or actually react to the other dogs inside (growling, lunging, barking...), don't push your luck. And if any of the dogs inside freak out at your dog's presence at the fence - play it safe and do not go in.

I find it helps a lot to scope out the other dogs already inside when you arrive - particularly their sizes/ages and play styles and how closely their owners are paying attention to them. (Loads of problems occur at dog parks when clueless owners don't pay attention to their dogs or allow inappropriate behavior). I always watch for a few minutes before going in with my dog to make sure the dogs already there seem friendly and appropriate in the way they're playing and interacting with each other.

The first time out, you might want to steer clear of dogs that are a lot bigger than yours or who have really boisterous or "forward" play styles.

It's also really helpful if your dog has a good recall and can be called away (even with distractions) if it looks like things are getting a little out of hand.

In general, if you're dog isn't well socialized with other dogs already, a dog park is not a great place for them to start. And if they have a bad experience there, you now have a new (and hard to fix) issue to deal with.

Trust what you know about your dog and when in doubt, err on the side of caution. Remember that FW has lots of nice dog walks you can use as well. And while it's great if your dog can do well at the dog park, they definitely aren't for everyone.

Of our 3 dogs, I know that 1 isn't great meeting strange dogs. He isn't out to hurt anyone, but his greetings are obnoxious and can come across really badly. I don't think it's fair to subject anyone else's dogs to that (or let him practice bad, self-rewarding behavior) so he and I will go to the dog walk together while DH takes "the girls" to the dog park to play.

 

[terri01p]

I will always say that I love campers they are the most personable, helpful group of people.
Whenever I took my dog to the dog park for the first time, I anounced to the dog owners there that this was our first time. One man suggested that I let him in the first gate and get a reaction from him with the other dogs coming up, that was positive so we let him into the park on the leash, people were saying " take him off the leash, so he doesn't feel defensive, we have your back", so with confidence we let him off and he shot off like a bat playing, jumping , running with the pack, it made us feel so great to see him having fun, he looked forward to it everyday we were there.

 

[rapriebe]

sorry to highjack... can I ask a question about the dog area??? I saw it is fenced, what type of fence is it? The reason I ask is I have a 4lb Yorkie and we always, always keep him on a leash. I'd love to let him frolick for a change if the area is completely enclosed. I'd hate for him to scoot under a rail type fence and be snatched up by a gator TIA

Just be very careful with such a small dog in the park. There are some pet owners that just let their very large dogs run while they sit and socialize. There is a slight hill and if people are sitting on the benches near the tetherball, they cannot see their pet over the hill. When we were there last fall, I had to be real careful with my 6 lb Maltese because the larger dogs were very friendly and kinda trampled my little guy. It scared the "ba-gee-bees" out of her until she got used to them. This coming fall we will also have our 2 lb Pommie with us and there is no way I'll turn her loose in the park. I really wish they would fence off the lower section (over the hill) so the small guys can run free without being scared by the larger ones. As several posters have mentioned, you need to really watch the dogs inside the park before you take your little guy in.

 

[BradyBz12]

I anounced to the dog owners there that this was our first time. One man suggested that I let him in the first gate and get a reaction from him with the other dogs coming up, that was positive so we let him into the park on the leash, people were saying " take him off the leash, so he doesn't feel defensive, we have your back"

PERFECT way to handle it, and so great to have considerate, responsible dog people there to help you out.