Everywhere we look Facebook posts, Twitter, traditional media and of course when with friends, work colleagues and the guy on the train – someone has a dog park horror story.

Don’t get me wrong. Once upon a time, when they first came in, along with off leash beaches I was thrilled. Finally, places to take my dogs that was legal and safe. For a while they were. Like-minded people with balanced dogs that were there to connect and play. Who would dispute an enclosed space of decent size where dogs can run and play with each other? Certainly not those living in apartments or in homes with small yards.

The discussions that follow the ‘fight in the park’ story often border on ridiculous. There is always the statement ‘not my dog’s fault’ that follows the guilty around. Others claiming that they know how to break up these fights with several weird and wonderful techniques.

I do not think I am far off the mark in saying that any reputable dog trainer is not a fan of dog parks. They are not safe places for dogs to play.

Remember that dogs love consistency, familiarity and their family, whatever that may consist of. If the dogs in the park are all the same every day then there appears no real foreseeable danger. But they are not – are they? Different dogs, different owners always expecting that everyone will get along.

Then there’s the health aspect. Are the dogs all healthy? – remember most communicable diseases are contagious before they present with symptoms. Are the dogs vaccinated? Again, vaccination processes had changed this past decade. We can never really know. My least favourite part is that they are big, grassed toilets for dogs with shared water trough.

However, dogs are dogs, and for the most part they do okay adapting to whatever presents on any day.

Humans however are another story. For me, any outdoor space is a moment in time with my dogs. We might be walking, playing or laying under the shade of a tree. I am in that moment with my dogs. Handler and canine working and just being as one.

My experience with others has not been so. Humans oblivious to anything around them. Their dogs too far too recall or reach in the case of something untoward happening. Or the dogs that won’t recall having no respect for the two-legged animal that seems to just be there to carry the lead.

Now I am, both in my line of work and play, a fearless individual who will push handler’s and dogs to reach their full potential as a team. Confidence in one, builds confidence in the other. However, what I’ve seen in dog parks is how unaware people can be and how quick to blame ‘the big dog’, ‘the bully breed’ or anything else that they can target without once turning the focus on themselves.

So, what’s the answer?

For me it is easy. Find a great group of like-minded people for dog play in a controlled environment.

Have your dog behaviour tested for sound, balanced mind.

Most of the time though, its me and my dogs. I get the most pleasure out of watching the pack together. The environment sometimes becomes high energy and yet the balance of these dogs shines through in their play. They do not need other dogs, of unknown families to play with to live an authentic, happy life.