I recently got a puppy. I want very much for her to be socialized--confident around strangers and strange dogs. It strikes me that a great way for her to learn how to be a good companion is to be around older dogs who know how to behave. One popular way is to take her to the dog park. But I don't trust people. Why should I, when they're strangers? She is very rapidly becoming more my daughter than my pal. My great fear is that in her enthusiasm, she'll sniff the wrong ass, and some dude's pit bull-mix or something will eat her.

What have been everyone's results with these places? Are owners largely concerned and attentive, or are they going there to just let their dogs run around and do whatever so they can check out for a few minutes? Are the dogs that tend to go to these places tolerant of headstrong puppies?

Crap or Not Crap?

Yes, dogs that are regulars at runs tend to be tolerant of most doggie behavior. But put her in a dog run with dogs her own size. Do you have that option? One run for small dogs and another for larger ones?

In the meantime, go to the run without the dog and ask around. Watch the dogs playing. You'll get a feel for their usual behavior and be able to pick out any potential troublemakers.

I've found dog owners at runs tend to be relatively attentive, though complacent. Introducing a new dog has to be done correctly and with attention, but once the dogs known one another, dog run people tend to go on auto-pilot.

There are many nice dog parks in Chicago. In my experience, the folks who frequent dog parks in Chicago are generally nice and conscientious people.

From the looks of the location identified in your post, though, I assume that you are looking for advice regarding dog parks in "Hell".

Sorry.

Never been.

I have a small dog, and he is an asshole (part of his charm) so we don't usually frequent dog parks. But all the ones I've been to seperate dogs according to size, so it's a pretty safe environment for you pooch.

Just don't be one of those people who set there dog loose then completely ignore him. As long as you keep a watchful eye, you dog will be fine.

I've only been to a dog park once. It was in Philly, right next to the river, on the coldest day of the year. Of course I wasn't helping the situation by wearing shorts. Was there for way too long.

I got to live with an Alaskan husky due to a friend of a roommate needing a place to crash "for awhile." The husky was a big sweet dog that smelled like pepper. One day no one was around to walk him but me so I took him to the dog run on the corner.

It was great to give him space to run around (we were in NYC at the time) until it was time for us to go home. He was a very disobedient dog and he didn't really know me that well so he wasn't having any of it when I called his name. He ignored me and made me chase him around. The other owners were very suspicious and acted like I was stealing him. Persona non grata at the dog run.