Far West - Dog Parks and cool places to go with a dog

[igor2]

thank you all for your input - Allen park seems like a perfect destination for morning and afternoon walks with the official Far West dog park as an alternative.

The Bull Creek park seems like a great place - my dog loves water.

About recall training - me and my better half simply stood in the opposite corners of a fenced in yard with treats and called he back and forth to no end - within a week she needed no more encouragement and stays by our side ...

If you all see any omissions to what has been said - parks suggested, etc - please let me know.

One additional thing I wanted to ask - what is the best off leash park/area in Austin. I heard of the Red Bud Isle and others (City of Austin - Parks and Recreation Department: Dog Parks) - which ones you like the most and are there others - maybe at lake Travis or elsewhere that are good to note?

Thanks

Igor

[TrishaJ]

Originally Posted by igor2

Hey all - it seems I will be moving to Far West this fall with my Aussie.

We will be just behind the HEB (on the south side of the BLVD), west of Mo-PAC (Oak Ridge Apartments)

it seems there is an official dog park on the east side of Mo-Pac, but is there any place in the are to let my dog catch a frisbee, or run around that does not require crossing over MoPac? Something that would be close enough for daily trips?

Is there a cool place in the area for weekend / occasional trips with the dog?

Thanks.
As some of you know, me, my better half, and our Aussie are moving to Austin from Philly - so I am not very familiar with the city, or the area.

Igor

This has nothing to do with your post, but just in case you didn't know, Texas is huge for heart worms, please put your dog on preventative pills otherwise he'll probably contract the virus and become ill/die. When I was living there I adopted a dog who had the virus. Unfortunately she passed away a few years later even with treatment.

[igor2]

Originally Posted by TrishaJ

This has nothing to do with your post, but just in case you didn't know, Texas is huge for heart worms, please put your dog on preventative pills otherwise he'll probably contract the virus and become ill/die. When I was living there I adopted a dog who had the virus. Unfortunately she passed away a few years later even with treatment.

we have her on Interceptor - do we need something stronger / more advanced?

Thanks for the warning - I will talk to my vet.

Igor

[shaxs]

I also heard that we should start the dogs on heartworm prior to moving. I guess I should ask my vet, but when do we start? A few months prior?

[TrishaJ]

Originally Posted by shaxs

I also heard that we should start the dogs on heartworm prior to moving. I guess I should ask my vet, but when do we start? A few months prior?

Sorry I didn't read this until now. I'm not sure how soon, but I would for sure ask your vet about the brand etc. I know dogs usually have to be on the heart worm meds for at least a month before they are affective.

[Monkey Business]

Walnut Creek is a great place too. It is south of Palmer Lane, off of North Lamar. Watch out for bikers. This park is more trail oriented, but safe to excape into with your dog. There are some ball fields too... maybe you can play frisbee there? Welcome to Austin!

[RampageInAZ]

I took my pit to Bull Creek, everything was finewhen he was playing in the water, then he crossed over to the other side and ran up a trail out of sight. had to run after him and put him back on a leash, which is no fun for him.

The park on Riverside is the only fenced dog park I know of, but, that place is dull and boring. It needs a small pool or pond BAD.

Anyone who has been to some of the Dog Parks in Houston knows that we are lacking in SAFE parks for dogs in Austin.

[TedH71]

Personally I do not do dog parks because too often I've seen ill-mannered dogs start fighting or being bullies and their owners being obvlious..yapping away on phones and such. It's much better to have your socialized dogs to be socializing with your friends' better mannered dogs plus lots of times dogs who go to parks do not have their shots up to date and you don't know if they have or not. Not worth the risk.

[shaxs]

The dog park in Round Rock is fenced, very large, has an obstacle course (a crummy one, but hey), a water tower that sprinkles water for the dogs to run in, and has a little and large dog side. There is no shade however and the watering troughs do not work so bring your own water.

[waimeamom]

Originally Posted by igor2

thank you all for your input - Allen park seems like a perfect destination for morning and afternoon walks with the official Far West dog park as an alternative.

The Bull Creek park seems like a great place - my dog loves water.

About recall training - me and my better half simply stood in the opposite corners of a fenced in yard with treats and called he back and forth to no end - within a week she needed no more encouragement and stays by our side ...

If you all see any omissions to what has been said - parks suggested, etc - please let me know.

One additional thing I wanted to ask - what is the best off leash park/area in Austin. I heard of the Red Bud Isle and others (City of Austin - Parks and Recreation Department: Dog Parks) - which ones you like the most and are there others - maybe at lake Travis or elsewhere that are good to note?

Thanks

Igor

Has anyone been to the "official Far West dog park" off Mopac recently? Any idea what they are building there? Is this still accessible? I've driven by and looked on Google Earth, but would appreciate any first hand knowledge.
Thanks!