Madison is known for its dog-friendliness, in part because it offers plenty of off-leash public dog parks, as well as an increasing number of private places for off-leash play. Generally speaking, dog parks can help reduce anxiety and behavioral issues by promoting mental stimulation for your pet and fostering community for you among other dog owners.
The Dane County Park System has eight off-leash dog parks covering almost 270 acres — including some with separate areas for small dogs — making it a national leader in this category. Here’s a rundown:
• Capital Springs Recreation Area
You must have a dog license from your municipality to purchase a Dane County Dog Permit. For more information, visit the “Dogs in Parks” section of the Dane County Parks website.
There also are nine fenced, off-leash dog parks within the City of Madison, three of which offer separate fenced areas for small dogs. As with Dane County dog parks, a permit is required to use them. For more details, visit “Dog Off-Leash Parks” on the City of Madison’s website.
But dog parks aren’t for all dogs (or their owners, for that matter). Sometimes, the experience can be wrecked by the presence of untrained, unsocialized or simply unfriendly dogs. Which might help explain the proliferation of opportunities for solo dog experiences in the form of private yards that can be rented by the hour. For example, if you live in an apartment In downtown Madison and own an Australian Shepherd that needs to run, mobile apps are available to help you find a huge, fenced backyard where you can throw a ball with your dog and let him play without worrying about other dogs. Or maybe your own dog is the aggressive type and you have concerns about how it might interact with its peers. Private spots are designed for them, too.
My app of choice for this kind of solo experience is Sniffspot, a marketplace connecting pet owners with land hosts to provide safe and private off-leash time. Booking, payments and messaging are done through the mobile app or Sniffspot website. This of it as an Airbnb for dogs.
I love this option and know a foster owner who will pay for sniff spots out of her own pocket because she took in a very abused Cattle Dog whose response to fear is biting. Thus, that dog does not do well in situations with other dogs, and private exercise spaces allow her to burn off energy. Sniffspot includes locations all over Dane County, in sizes ranging from 0.1 acre to several acres.
Whether your dog enjoys the company of other dogs or prefers to be on its own, consider taking advantage of some fine outdoor spaces designated just for them this spring. The ground should be drying up real soon…
Photo by Brixiv via Pexels