[Greg Nelson]

wag more bark less

[Mleeja]

I guess a lot depends on where you live. I've been told of a place on the far north side behind the Baptist Church where you can let you dogs run off leash. I hear it is about 50 acres and is fenced. I have not been there so I am passing second hand information.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Hi Barefoot: As in anything/everything there are those who just don't care. I've seen some dog owners walk the courses early morning and some who find out of the way public locations to use so they don't have to pick up. Their facial expression are saying dog hurry up so we can get out of here undetected. fortunately most residents are very responsible and respectful

Yes like the person who lets his collie take care of business behind the landscaping at the south entrance to the Village of Glenbrook on Tally Ridge...

[Jima64]

As much as I like to see a dog running and having fun, rules are rules and from my experiences it's the person that creates the pet problems. My dogs were spay and neutered at 12 weeks per my vets advice since we had no intentions of breeding them. Curious as to was it a health or personal preference for not doing this with your dog.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

I've been told of a place on the far north side behind the Baptist Church where you can let you dogs run off leash. I hear it is about 50 acres and is fenced. I have not been there so I am passing second hand information.

Careful passing on second-hand information!
I have been to the place you're mentioning. It isn't 50 acres and it isn't fully fenced.
Lots of dogs go there, so the owners probably wouldn't appreciate a dog that hasn't been neutered (same as a dog park).
There are a few areas on private land that are used by dogs, but if word "gets around", I think that will probably change.
There was a dog attacked on one of the "unofficial dog parks" in the Rio Grande area.
That is a good example of why it may not be a good idea to let your dog run off leash in places that aren't dog parks.
Sometimes the owners of dogs that are too unsocialized to be permitted in dog parks use these other spaces.
I think the Church property is part of the land recently acquired by The Villages for development.

[kittygilchrist]

Well there is never just one can of worms open at a time. To the OP, I regret that my boxer was neutered before I rescued her. i would have loved to allow her the pleasure of puppies.
It is your choice to neuter or not, and and I respect the choice you have made. Your question is one that shows your priority in loving your dog.

I am a Floridian with 62 years of experience with swamps, woods, and water, alligator sightings, boar chases. I make judgement calls about of freedom versus risk in the environment. IMO, most people unfamiliar with here are as terrified as I would be on snow and ice.

I have a shrub-lined courtyard off my designer home for quick, off-lead dog potty. When I first moved to TV, I considered buying a couple of acres for my dog. I simply do not enjoy the stress of not knowing how animals and owners will behave at a park or anywhere! Dogs do not like every dog they meet. If you visit or decide to move, I would be happy to show you a few appropriate places.

[CFrance]

Well, dog parks aren't for anyone whose dog is not socialized. That's why "puppy kindergartens," obedience and good citizen classes are so essential if you plan to exercise your dog with other dogs.

If you're planning to breed your dog and cannot neuter him/her, then you have to live with that decision. I've been coming to Florida for 30 years, and I know and have a healthy respect for what lives in the woods, by the ponds, and even on the ground (fire ants, for example). I've been taking my dogs to dog parks for over 20 years. They are safer, and if your dog has all its vaccinations, healthier than running in the wild, IMO.

BTW, I never heard of neutering a dog at 12 weeks. That's a new one for me. I've heard of having it done at 6 months, and that seems young too, and vets are starting to shy away from it for fear of health issues down the line.

[Opmoochler]

Doggie Do Run Run is wonderful to learn about. Thanks for sharing. We are moving to TV with our 15m/o neutered lab right after Labor Day, and I was worried about him having the opportunity to run and play. We've already had our yard underground fenced since we're on a golf course and, of course, close to neighbors.

[Eastwind53]

Originally Posted by DruannB

Thanks for this post. This has also been on my mind. I think my 2 dogs will largely determine where I live, or I will at least try to live near a dog park.

Carefully read your Declarations of Restrictions relating to area you pick in The Villages. Orange Blossom Gardens restricts only one dog. Some areas, no more than 2 animals. Others state no larger than 40 lbs. As you drive around many don't pay any attention to the restrictions.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Careful passing on second-hand information!
I have been to the place you're mentioning. It isn't 50 acres and it isn't fully fenced.
Lots of dogs go there, so the owners probably wouldn't appreciate a dog that hasn't been neutered (same as a dog park).
There are a few areas on private land that are used by dogs, but if word "gets around", I think that will probably change.
There was a dog attacked on one of the "unofficial dog parks" in the Rio Grande area.
That is a good example of why it may not be a good idea to let your dog run off leash in places that aren't dog parks.
Sometimes the owners of dogs that are too unsocialized to be permitted in dog parks use these other spaces.
I think the Church property is part of the land recently acquired by The Villages for development.

I go there sometimes, right up the street from me. First off I would like to thank church for there kindest to dogs and I showed my thanks with donation. The area not fenced in, fenced on two sides, open road with traffic entry on the other. I never allow my dog off leach. She's predator focus breed and will not stop once she locked on something. For this reason for her safety can't be off lease. There are lots of big dogs off lease. Yes I pick up after her EVERY time.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Opmoochler

Doggie Do Run Run is wonderful to learn about. Thanks for sharing. We are moving to TV with our 15m/o neutered lab right after Labor Day, and I was worried about him having the opportunity to run and play. We've already had our yard underground fenced since we're on a golf course and, of course, close to neighbors.

There is even a little pool at DDRR in a fenced-in area surrounded by pavers to prevent muddy conditions. Granted it's not very big, but our 86-lb golden loves it.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I go there sometimes, right up the street from me. First off I would like to thank church for there kindest to dogs and I showed my thanks with donation. The area not fenced in, fenced on two sides, open road with traffic entry on the other. I never allow my dog off leach. She's predator focus breed and will not stop once she locked on something. For this reason for her safety can't be off lease. There are lots of big dogs off lease. Yes I pick up after her EVERY time.

And you bring up a good point. Know your dog. Ours is totally traffic stupid and would not even get out of the way for our car coming into the driveway while he's out on his line. No way would I let him loose in an unfenced area. We won't even put him on the line if one of us is out.

OP now has good information to make an informed decision, thanks to the forum.

[Goldwingnut]

Walking the dog, not a problem, there are plenty of sidewalks and multi-modal paths to walk them and most of the residential streets are quiet enough that walking on the side of the road is not a problem. I walk our two Goldens in the early morning hours when there are less people, no traffic, and much cooler. We've covered most of the streets and roads south of 466A all the way to Brownwood and Belle Glade with the only issues ever being with the small dogs who get nasty with the big dogs.

Letting them run is a problem outside of the dog parks definitely not a good idea. I did let mine run a little in some of the neighborhoods that were under construction when we first moved in. NEVER AGAIN. There are lots of alligators in the lakes and they move between them in the evenings and mornings. You never know when you will come upon one.

If you've not purchased yet, I suggest you find a courtyard vill end and/or corner unit, they tend to have large enough yards for the bigger dogs like ours. This was our choice and with the addition of a doggie door it has been great for our two.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I go there sometimes, right up the street from me. First off I would like to thank church for there kindest to dogs and I showed my thanks with donation. The area not fenced in, fenced on two sides, open road with traffic entry on the other. I never allow my dog off leach. She's predator focus breed and will not stop once she locked on something. For this reason for her safety can't be off lease. There are lots of big dogs off lease. Yes I pick up after her EVERY time.

I would go by the Mulberry dog park to get to the church. Mulberry is great. Clean, lots of grass, friendly people and dogs. I think the Paradise dog park does not have enough grass. Our yellow lab is gray after we have been there.

I know this is not on topic, but it would be great for a dog park with a pool for the dogs. Maybe two or three feet deep. Just enough so the dogs could swim.

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Careful passing on second-hand information!

What would this site be without second hand information?!?