Currently, there are no dog parks in Clovis, though there is a recent push to add one. Whether this will succeed remains to be seen, and I will update accordingly if more definitive news arrives. From the article, “Dog parks aren’t a new idea for Clovis. A group actively campaigned for one in 2008 to the City Council, but the recession kept the city from continuing research on a project that wasn’t a high priority.”
Fresno Dog Parks
There are several dog parks in Fresno, including:
- The Dr James Thornton Park at Valley Animal Center. There is a (very modest) membership fee, which some people won’t like, but I think some screening and oversight is probably a good thing considering the very high number of injuries and illnesses that result from standard dog parks.
- Woodward Park Dog Park in Woodward Park.
- Basin AH1 Dog Park over by 99 on West Alamos Ave.
***Disclaimer***
These listings are just intended as a quick answer to a question I receive regularly. They should NOT be read as a personal endorsement for these specific dog parks. Nor should any of the warnings listed below be interpreted as a directed criticism or indictment of any of these specific dog parks.
My professional view is that dog parks are NOT a good choice for a MAJORITY of dogs.
But I also recognize that certain dogs (and people) thrive in them.
So remember:
- Be safe
- Be honest with yourself about whether your dog is a good fit (NO SHAME if they’re not)
- Be aware of the disease risks. Even with vaccines, your dog can catch things like giardia, kennel cough, ringworm and fleas.
- When in doubt about the other dogs, JUST LEAVE. I know that it feels unfair that you’re bearing the cost for someone else’s irresponsible behavior or uncontrollable dog (or kids). But it’s better than something bad happening.
- There is absolutely nothing wrong with never taking your dog to a dog park in its life. Yes, dogs are social creatures. Even so, dog parks just aren’t the best type of social activity for most dogs. (And if your dog does awesome at dog parks, great! Just please don’t make people whose dogs have different needs feel bad for making a different choice.)
Finally:
Dog parks are not a solution to behavioral problems.
For this, training is much more effective (and much safer for everyone involved). If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unable to tire out your dog, we can solve those issues in other ways. Contact us below to find out how.
Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, LLC., which provides comprehensive dog training and behavior services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He lives in Clovis, CA, with his wife, Elaine, and plenty of dogs.