Dog Park Accidents, Unspoken Rules & Wardrobe Ideas
I received complimentary product from Orvis for this review. All opinions are my own.
If you follow me on Facebook, you probably saw the photo I posted a couple weeks ago of Rosie Roo. It wasn’t a pretty photo. I wasn’t ready to talk about it for a while, but I’m finally opening up about dog parks (and how I feel about them) today, along with sharing some thoughts on proper clothing for outdoor outings with your furry friends!
Dog Park Accidents
About 14 days ago, Rosie and I spent the morning at the local dog park so she could get some energy out before I went to the hair salon to get my hair done. She was playing being chased by a sheep dog but as she started to slow down, the dog that was chasing her caught up and tackled her back end, ending in a wipeout. Before I knew it, Rosie was screeching. The other dog immediately backed off and I noticed a quarter sized chunk taken out of her side and a huge gash right below it. I immediately knew she needed stitches and after trading numbers with the very apologetic owner of the dog who hurt her, we left for the vet. One emergency surgery and 17 stitches later, I had a very sore and shaken pup on my hands and felt pretty traumatized myself.
I haven’t written about this experience on my blog yet because after I shared a photo of what happened to Rosie on my Facebook page, I had a surprisingly large amount of people comment or message me saying “this is why I don’t take my dog to the dog park” or “If you want to socialize her, you should take her to puppy play dates instead.” I’m not going to lie, that felt like a slap in the face. I’m sure it was coming from a kind place but after having a traumatic and emotional day, it felt like people were saying: “I’m a more responsible dog owner and because you aren’t, your dog got injured.” I already felt terrible enough that she got hurt, so those comments felt like salt being rubbed into a wound.
Listen, I get it. Dog parks are not for everyone or every dog. But Rosie loves them. She’s a very social pup and grew up in Idaho playing EVERY day with 4 of her best puppy pals, so she’s used to getting up and going to play with other dogs on a daily basis. And, because we didn’t have a yard in Scottsdale, taking Rosie to the dog park to get her morning zoomies out was the best option I had. Dog parks help socialize dogs, help them learn how to play nicely, help them get pent up energy out and teaches them not be afraid of other dogs AND people! They really can be beneficial and I have no problem taking her there to play.
I always am very aware of the dog park surroundings and any time a dog comes in with an aggressive energy, Rosie and I leave. The dog that hurt Rosie was NOT an aggressive, he was herding her and was too rough when he caught her. In the emotional state I was in, I claimed that she was mauled, but I was wrong to use that word because the dog was not trying to hurt her. This incident could have happened ANYWHERE! She could have been at a puppy playdate and have the same thing happen. She could have been playing with one other dog in a huge field and it could have happened. Just because I take my pup to the dog park does not make me any less of a dog owner. I’m a dang good dog mama, actually. Sometimes accidents just happen.
Unspoken Rules of Dog Parks
Of course, I’m going to be a bit more weary of going to dog parks in general after this incident, but I’m not going to avoid them all together. I know I’m a responsible dog owner, but in order for everyone to have a good day at the dog park, everyone needs to be responsible. Here are some of my unspoken rules for going to a dog park:
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR CAR! You need to be paying attention to your dog at all times. Make sure that he/she isn’t being too rough playing and he/she isn’t getting picked on.
- Follow your dog around the park. Don’t stand on the far end of the park and watch your dog play on the other end. Stay close so you can monitor your dog and stop any unwelcome behavior (such as mounting!)
- Pick up after your dog! I don’t want to deal with my pup stepping in poop because you didn’t pick up after your dog!
- Don’t bring your dog’s favorite toy to the park to play with. Your dog may get possessive over it and snap at other dogs who try to play with it or another dog might steal it and ruin it.
- Don’t bring treats into the dog park! Same reason as above, some dogs might resource guard the treats and snap at other dogs who are trying to eat one.
What to Wear to the Dog Park:
I would hope it’s obvious to not wear your spring dresses to the dog park! I always opt for a pair of jeans at the dog park because pups can get dirty and I would rather get my jeans dirty then get mud on my legs! After going through a couple pairs of jeans, I knew I needed to turn to a company that knew all about outdoor clothes to find a pair of suitable dog park jeans! I stumbled into
I stumbled into Orvis while shopping in Scottsdale Quarter a couple months ago and immediately knew I would be able to find a pair of dog-park/outdoor adventure approved jeans there. Orvis actually originated in New England (Vermont, specifically) and started out as a fly-fishing supplier! Today, they continue to offer fishing equipment and they also specialize in outdoor sportswear. And while I originally assumed that outdoor sportswear meant “not very fashionable” Orvis’s new spring line quickly changed my opinion. They have so many bright colors and flowy fabrics perfect for the changing of the seasons.
When Orvis asked if they could send me some clothes, I immediately opted for their new skinny jeans. They are a bit more on the pricey side, but I truly believe that if you are going to invest in something in your closet, it should be good jeans. These jeans have a really nice dark wash and feel really thick and durable, so I know that they are high quality. I will say that the fit on them is a bit more relaxed than the typical skinny jean I would wear, but for my days at the dog park and adventuring with Rosie, wearing really tight jeans would be uncomfortable. Plus, they are long enough on my legs, which is a huge plus!
I also ended up getting a pair of Sperry sandals from Orvis as well. While these aren’t ideal for adventuring, they are perfect for throwing on when I come home from the dog park and need to change up for some errands. I change from my sneakers to my sandals and throw on a nicer blouse and away I go! These sandals are super comfortable and go with everything! Perfect for spring and summer!
If you want to get shopping now, you can use the code ICSPRING to get $25 dollars off a purchase of $50 dollars or more! Make sure you check out the site here!
Okay, I know I got a little passionate about dog parks, but I want to hear below how you feel about them. I also would love to know what you wear when you go on adventures (and what you like from the new Orvis spring collection!)
