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A dog park is a park for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. These parks have varying features, although they typically offer a 4' to 6' fence, separate double-gated entry and exit points, adequate drainage, benches for humans, shade for hot days, parking close to the site, water, tools to pick up and dispose of animal waste in covered trash cans, and regular maintenance and cleaning of the grounds. Dog parks may also offer wheel-chair access, a pond for swimming and a separate enclosure for small dogs. ==Benefits of off-leash dog parks== Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Dog Parks )〕 and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play. Dog parks allow owners and their dogs to spend time together and offer dogs a space for play and companionship with others. Leashes can cause dogs to become territorial. Roaming free is beneficial for dogs. Organizations like the ASPCA view that dog parks are beneficial to dogs and dog owners. According to Dan Emerson of Dog Channel.com, proponents of dog parks cite the following benefits: "They promote responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws; give dogs a place to exercise safely, thus reducing barking and other problem behaviors; provide seniors and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and provide an area for community-building socializing." Dog park regulations vary from park to park, but some are quite extensive and comprehensive. In the United States, Great Britain, and Australia, the number of dog owners has grown by several millions from the 1990s to the 2000s, and the number of dogs per household has also increased.〔(The Humane Society of the United States: Pet Ownership Statistics )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=PetNet - Promoting Socially Responsible Pet Ownership )〕 In her 2007 Master's Thesis, (Dog Parks: Benefits and Liabilities ), author Laurel Allen wrote: "In urban environments dogs are generally confined to a crate, portions of the home, or small sections of the yard most of the time. Typically, dogs are taken on daily walks, but because of strict leash laws, they cannot run free or easily socialize with other dogs." Studies have shown that people find it easier to talk to each other with dogs as the initial focus, breaking down the usual social barriers that make people perceive others as strangers.〔(Therapeutic Aspects of the Human-Companion Animal Interaction, Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D. ) Retrieved 3-18-2009〕 many of whom are unable to properly exercise their dogs and who stand to benefit from taking their dogs to a dog park. Additional benefits of a dog park to the community include promoting responsible dog ownership〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/dog-parks )〕 as well as accommodating dogs and their owners in a public open space, which has been shown to lead dog owners to higher levels of compliance with relevant laws. The benefits of exercise for dogs are well documented, although dogs can learn and reinforce bad behaviors if owners are not vigilant or careful.〔(Dog Parks: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly ) Retrieved 3-19-2009〕 Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, cautions that the dog park should not be used as a substitute for a daily walk. He suggests that the owners walk their dogs briskly for 35 minutes to calm them before placing them unleashed inside a dog park enclosure. Dogs that are highly socialized and exercised are healthier, happier, and less aggressive in behavior. They are less likely to bark or be destructive or aggressive if they are able to expend pent-up energy during regular play or exercise. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dog park」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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