Dog park in Limerick?

WritersLife15

As far as I know, there are no places in Limerick where dogs can be let off the leash, though I know many people allow their dogs off leash in cratloe woods (Which can be dangerous for small kids, and other dogs). There are also no plans for a dog park in Limerick, and the closest ones are in Dublin/Cork (which is much too far away for most).

There is space in the old racecourse that is currently unused and for the most part enclosed (if not fully enclosed) that would be a great space. Family friends who live near there have seen people walking their dogs on-leash there, but with permission and a bit of planning, it could definitely be transformed into a great place for owners and their dogs to go to socialize.

Would anyone else be interested in seeing a dog park in Limerick, and if so, does anyone know how to go about getting it?

muddypaws

How can it be dangerous for small kids and other dogs in cratloe woods with off leash dogs?

sillysmiles

To be honest, I would never bring my dog to a dog park - a small enclosed area with lots of dogs and lots of potential for dogs to spark off each other.
I would prefer to see a world where a dog off leash is not seen as a danger to all comers (because it is not)

I walk my dog off leash on the lanes near my house, by the canal paths or in the woods. If we meet other people or dogs he goes back on the lead and we move past. No drama.

I think dog parks may be great places for dogs who are well socialised to socialise with other dogs but that shouldn't be the only place they are allowed off lead.

tk123

muddypaws wrote: »

How can it be dangerous for small kids and other dogs in cratloe woods with off leash dogs?

You never know when they might get peckish :P

Latatian

If a dog isn't obedient enough off lead to be safe for other dogs and kids walking along a path, it isn't going to be safe in the dog park where the area is smaller and more stressful. Not trying to reprimand or anything, just this idea is something that causes problems in dog parks when people bring dogs in that they don't have voice control of.

WritersLife15

Latatian wrote: »

If a dog isn't obedient enough off lead to be safe for other dogs and kids walking along a path, it isn't going to be safe in the dog park where the area is smaller and more stressful. Not trying to reprimand or anything, just this idea is something that causes problems in dog parks when people bring dogs in that they don't have voice control of.

I see you're point, and the more I think about the more sense it makes. The main reason I'd love to have a dog park in Limerick is that my dog is very friendly with other dogs, but we don't have anywhere to let her play with them, or socialize with them, without the worry of her running off and not coming back (she isn't fully trained yet, and we're struggling to train recall without a safe space outside of the house to do it). I'd love a world where dogs could be off-lead in normal parks, or in forest trails (I know it's legal in some wooded areas/beaches).

muddypaws wrote: »

How can it be dangerous for small kids and other dogs in cratloe woods with off leash dogs?

I am re-thinking my earlier statement of it being dangerous. I do still think that there are issues with it, but I understand now they are more often from owners who have no control over their dogs, and never really from those who know their dogs and have trained them.

sillysmiles wrote: »

To be honest, I would never bring my dog to a dog park - a small enclosed area with lots of dogs and lots of potential for dogs to spark off each other.
I would prefer to see a world where a dog off leash is not seen as a danger to all comers (because it is not)

I walk my dog off leash on the lanes near my house, by the canal paths or in the woods. If we meet other people or dogs he goes back on the lead and we move past. No drama.

I think dog parks may be great places for dogs who are well socialised to socialise with other dogs but that shouldn't be the only place they are allowed off lead.

I agree with you about preferring a world where off-leash dogs are not seen as a danger, but I think getting to that world would take time. I know that there are a lot of people who are scarred of dogs, including little kids, and in an ideal world, that wouldn't be the case. I do, however, think my previous statement of it being dangerous is not the case, and after reading the comments on it, I have realized that. So, thank you.

I also understand the concern about the small area being more likely to spark fights and such, which is why I was suggested somewhere bigger like the race track. It is a wide open place, and there is quite a bit of room. It may not be as big as somewhere like Cratloe, but it is still a lot bigger than you'd think. The main reason I want an enclosed space for dogs to be off leash, is I know that for some people (including myself), training recall can be a challenge, especially if there is no safe spots to train (backyards just don't measure up to forests and beaches and parks, ect.).

And I wholeheartedly agree that it shouldn't be the only place dogs are allowed off leash. It was never my intention for this suggestion to come off like that.

tk123

OP I don't know what world you're living in lol but I'm already in one that allows dogs off lead in parks! . Have you tried a long line to practice recall?

WritersLife15

tk123 wrote: »

OP I don't know what world you're living in lol but I'm already in one that allows dogs off lead in parks! . Have you tried a long line to practice recall?

Really? There is only one park in Ireland where it's legal, so I've struggled finding somewhere close enough to let my dog off leash.

We have tried a long line, but it isn't working particularly well. We're still trying with it though.

tk123

The Dublin City council parks i walk in have allowed off lead times, the fingal park and beach we walk in allow them off lead all the time... My advice is to practice/get a trainer to help and teach her some recall and impulse control (ie not running off when she wants) at home and then move on to trying it on a long lead away from distractions.. Then slowly build up to distractions.

WritersLife15

Dublin is unfortunately much too far away for us, though I'm glad they've done that (Limerick should take a hint).

We've had a trainer already, and they helped a lot, but she still doesn't always listen, which could be dangerous for her, if she ran out onto a road, or got lost wandering on her own. Thank you very much for the advice, though. I'll definitely try building up the long-lead with distractions

muddypaws

What sort of dog do you have OP?

WritersLife15

She's a rescue, so we're not 100% sure of her breed, but from what we've been told she's most likely a Belgian Malinois x Labrador.

sillysmiles

WritersLife15 wrote: »

She's a rescue, so we're not 100% sure of her breed, but from what we've been told she's most likely a Belgian Malinois x Labrador.

Pic!

Maryannabel

I'd love a dog park, it would be great to have a safe spot away from non-doggy people to give my dog a run. I feel so sorry for the dogs who are always on the lead, it can't be good never to be allowed run.

puppieperson1

beale beach in north kerry fabulous bring a picnic -dog haven horse there, dogs there but its huge and wild and room for everyone without infringing on any one

WritersLife15

Hey guys, I'm stuck again.

I really feel I need to be socializing my dog, but I'm honestly lost for how. There is someone at home with her all day, so no need for a doggy daycare type thing, but I don't know anyone who has a dog I could let her play with/socialize with. Her recall isn't good enough to let her off lead, especially not around other untrained dogs. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions on how best to go about socializing her with other dogs?

muddypaws

Are there any training classes in Limerick?

WritersLife15

There are none that I know of. The only group training class as such that I know of is with Dave Brunnock, and we'd originally been going there for training. My rescue pup was absolutely terrified of Dave, and some of his methods were a little too rough for her and us.

We might be taking her to Waggy Tail Club, but I'd much prefer to be with her while she's socialising, which you can't do there.

Graces7

Where I am. my dog can run and run. She is not socialised as I have always lived alone in remote places ..I took in a collie for years but my dog never took to her. No aggression just ... ignored her.

I have very good voice recall and used to use a whistle.

Last week I took her out into the back field before my early bedtime as she needed to run.

A neighbour was working in an adjoining field and suddenly his huge black collie soared over the boundary wall bank .

I had no idea what might happen; my dog came to me when I called then the collie circled closer again and she would ?? get distracted??

The neighbour was shouting at his dog ( a working dog ) but she would not obey him at all . His dogs are beautiful .. he has a young merle with silver eyes

I was imagining a fight and blood etc etc etc and how to separate them.. I was waving my walking stick and the man was brandishing his pitchfork...

Finally my dog came to me and we went in.

Talking to my very expert family I am sure that if there were going to be a fight it would have happened immediately? Never a growl and all barking stopped fast

Made me think a lot though; we almost never meet a dog or a person here and I carry her lead. Am planning to reinforce whistle training now..Reading posts here I know how blessed I am to have all this space to run her in

I also realised how fit she is! She is over 12 and racing round like a puppy.

Maryannabel

Chez le fab in Arthur's Quay, formerly the tourist office, are dog friendly and a good place to go to have a coffee and socialise your dog at the same time.

They also have a trainer in from time to time on a Sunday morning. You have to book a place but the class is free, just give a donation for the trainer's time. The dogs and owners and trainer walk around the park first, then they go into the quiet part of the café and the trainer asks what the main problem is with the dog and gives solutions. It's all very practical. And enjoyable.

WritersLife15

Woah, that sounds quite scary. My dogs only ever gotten in a fight twice, both times because of dogs that were out without their owners, who chased/tried to bite her, and she tried to protect herself until we could get her out of the situation. The space you've got sounds amazing though :0


Thanks for the info about Chez le fab

sillysmiles

IMO socialising your dog doesn't have to be a full on experience, but a quick stop sniff and move on, when you meet other dogs out walking. I always check with the other owners if it is ok for him to say hello.