Dog parks offer important social and exercise opportunities but create welfare risks from disease, aggression, and inappropriate interactions that require careful management.
Dog parks can provide positive welfare through socialization, exercise, and the opportunity for natural canine play. However, poorly managed parks expose dogs to disease, overwhelm dogs with inappropriate temperaments for chaotic group play, and create conditions for fearful experiences that can worsen social anxiety. Dogs who are fearful or reactive at dog parks but forced to attend experience these outings as aversive rather than enriching. Understanding individual dog needs and finding appropriate social opportunities is more important than park access per se.