Dogs just want to have fun. They don’t care that those fun things are good for them, too.
Dog parks, agility activities and training keep dogs (and their human companions) healthy and happy.
"There's no better exercise than having your dog play with other dogs," says Victoria Stilwell, Atlanta-based dog trainer and host of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog." "And also having that social interaction as well can be very healthy for your dog, not just physically but mentally as well."
If you’re heading out to the dog park, read up on the do’s and don’ts before your excursion. You’ll find many resources online, but Stilwell offers one piece of advice that should be foremost.
“Make sure your dog is confident around other dogs,” Stilwell says. “Don’t try to take them before you’ve already introduced them socially. Make sure your dog is confident enough to deal with all the different characters that he or she is going to meet in a dog park.”
Dog parks aren’t for every dog, but there are alternative ways to get your dog out and about.
Sports and agility activities for dogs are more visible and accessible than ever, with a growing number of crowd-pleasing events such as the U.S. Disc Dog Nationals, which will hold a qualifying event at Dellinger Park in Cartersville on Aug. 27-28, 2016.
Dock diving, disc catching, lure coursing, nose work and even sheep herding are just a few of the possibilities for today’s dog on the go. There are plenty of local trainers to help you and your furry friend get started on the road to victory.
If you want to keep it simple, try a little shopping. Many pet supply stores welcome well-behaved and leashed dogs, and you’ll even find a few non-pet oriented stores with an open dog door.
We’ve gathered a few of the highlights of Atlanta’s canine social scene.
Dog parks
The metro Atlanta area is dotted with dog parks, some with an array of amenities, others a simple patch of dirt surrounded by a fence.
Adair Dog Park in Decatur (716 W. Trinity Place ) leans toward simplicity, but it's surrounded by shade trees that keep it cool and welcoming. On one side, the park is scattered with tables and the ground is mostly free of vegetation. The other side holds a small wooded area.
In contrast to the sweetly spartan Adair, Chattapoochee Dog Park in Duluth (4291 Rogers Bridge Road, Rogers Bridge Park) and Newtown Dream Dog Park in Johns Creek (3150 Old Alabama Road) really put on the dog, with water fountains and sprinklers and separate play areas for large and small dogs.
Check out a few more area dog parks below. There's sure to be one near you. You'll find even more dog parks here and here.
490-514 Park Drive N.E., Atlanta.
523 Highland Ave., Atlanta.
1121 Church St., Decatur.
Liane Levetan Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody.
3804 Lake Drive S.E., Smyrna.
680 Glendale Place, Smyrna.
150 Dupree Road, Woodstock.
Indoor play
Indoor dog parks/play areas are starting to pop up, too. Some even offer several areas to cater to specific behavioral, size or age needs. The recently opened
in Marietta (4958 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 124, Marietta;
) is one of those facilities.
There are play areas for senior dogs, for puppies and even for dogs that don’t want to be around a lot of other dogs.
“They really thought out the different kind of dogs you might have,” Stilwell says. “And how can your dog still enjoy itself and play and have good social interaction if it’s old, or if it’s slightly nervous or if it’s a puppy. I really like that. I think that idea is going to take off.”
The facilities below offer day care services that include play areas:
Wag-a-Lot (downtown)
840 Old Flat Shoals Road S.E., Atlanta. www.wagalot.com.
Wag-a-Lot (Decatur)
225 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur. www.wagalot.com.
2959 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. petsplayhouse.com.
1456 Northside Drive N.W., Atlanta. doguroo.com.
Docks, discs and more
“Get your dog into a great sport,” says Stilwell, “that can stave off so many behavioral issues.”
Teaching your dog to enjoy the water is a great activity for summer.
They can learn dock diving at the Canine Ranch in Canton (165 Doug Smith Lane, Canton).
You can even rent their pool if your dog is already proficient in the dock diving arts.
For the water-averse, there are many other activities to try. Test your dog’s sniffing ability with nose work training. It’s a great way for older dogs to get a mental workout without the physical impact.
Check out the website (www.thecanineranch.com) for many more activities and sports the Canine Ranch offers, or contact these organizations for more information on dog sports.
- The Greater Atlanta Dog and Disc Club (www.atlantadiscdogs.com)
- U.S. Disc Dog Nationals (usddn.com)
- Academy Dog Sports (www.academydogsports.com)
Shopping
It's no surprise that most pet supply stores, including the big chains such as PetSmart and Petco and smaller local shops like the Whole Dog Market (near Atlantic Station, Piedmont Park and in Vinings) and CityDog Market (in Brookhaven), welcome dogs. It doesn't stop there, though.
Second Life (1 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates) is an upscale thrift store with a main shop that sells gently used clothing, housewares, electronics, home decor and books. Next door is a furniture and decor store. The money generated goes to help animal charities, and your own well-behaved furry family members are welcome to accompany you while you shop. They also host rescue groups for monthly adoptions.
Home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot allow dogs in some stores, but not all. It’s a good idea to call and check with your local stores to find out their policies.
Most Tractor Supply locations welcome dogs, but again, it’s a good idea to check.
Bass Pro Shops, including the one at Sugarloaf Mills (5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville), are often dog-friendly. In fact, the sporting and outdoor retailer holds Dog Days events celebrating our canine companions.
If you really want to treat your dog on an outing, head to Taj Ma Hound Bakery (707 E. Lake Drive, Decatur ) for some fresh goodies.
Events
Our dog-friendly city boasts a full calendar of special events for our canine companions.
Man’s best friend and America’s game come together at the Braves’ Bark in the Park, which now happens twice a year.
You can dress your pals up for the annual Reindog Parade at Atlanta Botanical Garden, or take a run with your dog in one of the many events that pair human and canine athletes.
There are events that celebrate specific breeds, too, including Boxerstock and Howl-O-Weenie Dachshund Festival.
Get the details on some of these events below, and keep up with our weekly look at things to do around Atlanta at myAJC.com/goguide.
Patios
Looking for dog-friendly patios around town? You'll find those here and here.
Training
For training resources, check out Victoria Stilwell's Positively.
A word of warning
Please exercise caution when using dog parks, boarding facilities and other places where your dogs come into contact with other animals. Your furry friend should be up to date on all vaccinations, and keep an eye on your guy.
» If you're planning to add a furry companion to your family, take a look at our gallery of Adoptable Friends from PAWS Atlanta.
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