The Dog Park

The Union County Dog Park trail system is equal to 6,216 feet or a total of 1.18 miles. That's a lot of dog walking! The dog park trail goes through shady woods and open fields. There is lots to see inluding a covered pavilion, dock, and the beautiful Nottely River.

The Dog Park also has a new off leash area that is completely fenced in. There are two pens and a state of the art doggie drinking fountain. Clean-up bags are available on site. It is a wonderful place to spend some qualtiy time with your pet.

Exercise your dog

Some daily activity and exercise is essential for a happy and healthy dog. Lack of exercise leads to poor muscle tone, obesity, heart ailments, bone disorders and often results in emotional problems. Dogs that never get any exercise develop a great variety of physical and emotional disorders.

An exercised dog may rest more calmly at home and be less nervous when left alone. Exercise can improve dogs bone and joint health, heart, and lung function. Exercise makes a dog healthy and happy!

Dogs need a social life

If you are a dog owner, you are probably aware of the importance of socializing your puppy. Dogs have a sensitive period for socialization between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks. This means that pleasant exposures to people, other dogs, and other animals during this time will have long-lasting influences on the sociability of your dog. Well socialized dogs tend to be friendlier and less fearful.

Regular play dates with other dogs and trips to the Dog Park can help continue socialization. If your dog is unfriendly to other dogs, it means he is not adequately socialized to dogs.

A well-socialized dog may still chase, hump, and argue. However, socialization ensures your dog has the requisite social skills to confidently interact with unfamiliar dogs that he may meet. Socialization will also help your dog to resolve arguments with other dogs without doing damage. It is easiest to socialize your dog when he is young, but it is never too late to make him more dog friendly.

If your dog is uncomfortable with another dog, tightening the leash distorts your dog's body language and all but forces him to lean forward on his front feet - a posture that the other dog may perceive as somewhat threatening.

Keep your dog on leash for safety, but please control your dog without tightening the leash. By keeping the leash loose and acting calm, you may convince your dog to do the same!

Don't punish your dog for barking or growling at other dogs. The punishment may teach your dog "I don't like being around other dogs because I am punished whenever they show up, so I'll bark to keep them away."

Instead, try to focus on making your dog enjoy the presence of other dogs by associating them with things he likes. For dog-to-dog aggression, the method of choice is reward training, and the best feedback is kibble and praise. Start by hand-feeding your dog and getting him fixated on an object like a favorite toy or treat. This way, you can expose him to one dog at a time, at a safe distance, and give him something to do, such as chewing a toy or eating his kibble. It will give him something to focus on and associate the presence of strange dogs with things he likes.