For years, the dog park was the default answer for everything: your dog needs exercise, go to the park; your dog needs friends, go to the park; your dog is energetic, go to the park.
For years, the dog park was the default answer for everything: your dog needs exercise, go to the park; your dog needs friends, go to the park; your dog is energetic, go to the park.
But more and more pup parents are catching on to something smarter dog pros have known for years: not every dog thrives at the dog park.
Structured playdates — small groups of known, matched dogs in a controlled space — often give your dog a better, safer, more meaningful social experience than the chaos of a public park.
Here's how to pick what's right for your dog.