No matter how chilly it gets, some of our furry friends STILL love to spend as much time as possible outside. They don’t mind the weather, and share a huge smile when they are free to run. Boulder is a very dog-friendly community, and there are several dog parks in Boulder as well as in the surrounding areas. But before you head out to your local park, please consider the following points made by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley:
Before you go:
Many communities throughout the United States now have safe, legal and enclosed dog runs and dog parks where friendly, well-behaved puppies and dogs can play together off-leash. Consider some safety measures before taking your pet to any dog park!
- Don’t bring dogs younger than 4 months to a dog park. Puppies who have completed their inoculation series can safely interact with other animals.
- Visit your veterinarian and make sure your adult dog has all of his/her vaccinations before visiting the park for the first time.
- If you have a new dog, wait until you and your dog know each other. A good guideline is your dog knows his name and will respond to voice commands such as “come” before you visit an off-leash park. Observe how your dog interacts with other dogs before taking him/her to the park.
- Use the appropriate park d on the size of your dog. There are small dog areas and large dog areas in the parks. Small dogs can be injured or killed by large dogs in the parks. Keep your pet safe from other dogs.
- First-time users should visit the area at non-peak times. Peak times are Monday – Friday, late afternoon until dark. Saturdays and Sundays are busy by 9:30 a.m.
- The first visit can be a little stressful for both you and your dog. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash him/her and leave immediately.
- Be aware that dogs have different play styles. Educate yourself on dog behavior. Always keep your eye on your dog. Mischief can happen quickly.
Dog park rules:
There are a few standard dog park rules to ensure playtime is fun for everyone:
- Guardians must be present within fenced enclosure and are responsible and liable for behavior of their canine companions at all times.
- Guardians are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of dog waste.
- All dogs must be current on vaccinations and display a city license.
- Guardians must have in their possession a leash for each dog.
- Aggressive animals are prohibited.
- Guardians are responsible for obeying all park rules.
Once you and your friend feel ready, make sure to visit some of these local dog parks:
- Valmont Dog Park: 5275 Valmont Road, on the north side of Valmont Road just west of Sterling Drive.
- East Boulder Community Park: 5660 Siux Drive, behind the East Boulder Recreation Center at 55th and Sioux.
- Foothills Community Park: West of Broadway between Locust Avenue and Lee Hill Road.
- Howard Hueston Dog Park: On 34th Street south of Iris Avenue and east of 30th Street.
Next week we’ll share some dog parks outside the city limits! Until then make sure to bundle up, eat, sleep, play–repeat!!