Gig Harbor Dogs Need a Dog Park

People often ask me how much exercise their dog needs every day. The answer will depend on the age, size and breed of dog. But every dog needs both physical and mental exercise every day. A bored, under exercised dog frequently displays unwanted behaviors like chewing, digging and escaping the yard. An under exercised dog also may appear to be very hyper and anxious.

I have had Golden Retrievers since December of 1971. Golden Retrievers, a breed from the Sporting Group, as well as dogs from the Working and Herding groups all crave exercise. I am fortunate to be able to hike and cross country ski with my dogs.

A responsible pet owner looks for ways to provide their dog with daily exercise. Hour long walks on leash and games of fetch in the yard provide the dog with some exercise. But the very best exercise for a dog is free running. Free running gives a dog a chance to move at its own pace and to explore the environment, thus providing the dog with both physical and mental exercise.  If a dog is to run free safely it must have a reliable “Come”, a good “Leave It”. But most importantly the dog must have a safe place to run.  It is truly unfortunate that the Gig Harbor area does not have a large fenced dog park.

C.H.E.W. a non-profit organization has been actively advocating for a large 25 to 35 fenced acres for the last 6 years.  It seems the neither nor the are able to see the need for this activity for its human and canine residents. Pen Met currently has $239.000 in its budget earmarked for a dog park. The money sits there while endless meetings to discuss property uses are held and input from the dog community is ignored.  That input included a petition for a dog park signed by 1,440 Gig Harbor peninsula residents.

A well designed dog park is fenced with double gated entrances and exits. It includes wooded trail areas for hiking as well as an open clearing for play. A dog park needs to have available shade, good drainage and ideally safe available water. A dog park provides a social outlet for dogs and their human partners as well as a place for a dog to run free and get both the physical and mental exercise it needs.

Another outlet for a dog’s mental exercise is K9 Nosework. Nosework allows a dog to use its superior olfactory sense, its nose, to find hidden treasure. Hampl’s Dog Obedience will be starting an Introduction to Nosework class in January at the Gig Harbor Grange.

So as you enter the busy Holiday Season and are thinking of New Year Resolutions keep in mind that both dog and owner benefit from more exercise.