New park will socialize dogs

We are pleased to hear that there is a five-acre dog park under consideration at the Armory sports field complex. We believe that is a wonderful location for a dog park, as it would offer a family one place for all members to recreate.

Being new dog owners, we have been surprised to learn of all the recreational areas in the city that dogs are not welcome. In most cases, we understand why. While some owners may not behave responsibly in controlling and cleaning up after their pets, we believe that these problems can be addressed through the training and educational opportunities that would be offered within the confines of a park dedicated for dogs and their owners.

A "socialized" dog is a well mannered one around other animals. They learn this from other dogs by being in an unrestrained place to interact. A happy, well exercised dog has fewer behavior problems, and the owners can learn from each other. Even those who love dogs and aren't owners could recreate in such a place.

I believe that a dog park is an opportunity for the city and business owners to realize unexpected benefits. One reason is the tremendous growth in the number of people who travel with their dogs and plan their itineraries accoding to how animal-friendly a place is. Most hotel chains now offer pet-friendly rooms, and many restaurants in resort areas allow dogs to accompany their owners.

Mary and Larry Delaney

Whitefish