One of the nicest dog park (BUT it sad the people don't take care of there pet my baby Bella as been bite three time at this park. She take to the vet twice after leaving the park I got a chocolate lab my baby who watch over me. I'm handicap my Bella is my life she take care of me. I can't even go to my dog park that right I pay TAXES, so it my dog park too. A few mean people don't allow me to use the park for my baby, so I go to union city. It is hard on me to drive but it is for Bella SO I GAVE THIS PARK BIG FAT SAD:(

We have been to this dog park a lot, due to its proximity to our house. If you are looking for a place where your dog can engage in healthy play, this is probably NOT the park for you. Our experience is that the overwhelming majority of dogs (small and large) either just want to be left alone and not be bothered the other dogs or are looking for a fight (of which there are plenty, especially in the large dog area - blood and all). Or when our dog does find another dog to play with, more often than not the other dog owner steps in and discourages their dog from playing . . . why come to the dog park in the first place?

This review regards the small dog side of the park.

We take our 7 lb poodle puppy to this park at least 5x week. I don't agree with the review from 2008 re: crazy weekday dog people. I think it's the opposite. People who make an effort to go home after work, get their dogs and drive over to a dog park during the week, are usually the regulars who understand and follow rules. There are regular "crowds" during 9am, 2pm and 5pm. The only exceptions are a bad dog named Charlie Bird and a crazy blond lady with three beagles. You'll know her because she'll be passed out on the picnic table. Most regulars don't come on the weekends so you will be taking your chances but I have never had any problems. If you have a bad experience, give it another try because that person probably won't be back anyway.

The park is basically a dirt pit with burrs. My dog is filthy when we leave, as are my pants and shoes. You can sit on either dirty donated chairs or dirty picnic tables. It is not a glamorous place but it's close to home and my pup loves to run and play here.

Oh, and Marta, if your dog bites another dog, you should pay "all" not "some" of the Vet bills. Sorry - your dog, your fault. If you even think your dog could snap or bite, you need to stay home. Thanks!

Hi,

I'm not sure what California laws are, but I BELIEVE that he is not able to get back money for lost time at work. Unfortunately, you may be stuck paying for the bandage replacement, even though, if he wanted, he probably could have done it himself.

Pretty much, if your dog bites, it is your responsibility. The only time it may not be is if your dog is on leash, the other is not, and it jumps on your dog or makes some kind of move that your dog may see as aggressive. Even then, you may be held responsible, especially if someone gets bit while breaking the dogs up, even if it is unintentional. Fair or not, those are the rules.

While MANY of us understand dog behavior, and that an improperly socialized or overly rambunctious dog can cause a problem (i.e. either cause a dog to snap defensively or to reprimand the offending dog using "dog talk", which often includes snapping, rolling, or other "aggressive" behavior), there are too many uneducated dog owners out there who don't understand that Fifi's cute habit of running up to a strange dog and nipping at its ears while barking hysterically is very RUDE in dog language, and many dogs, especially alphas, will respond with a snarl, snap, or worse. I had an alpha female cattle dog, and I could only take her to parks where I KNEW the regulars were well educated dog owners with properly socialized dogs, and we did fine. They even encouraged her to reprimand the puppies when they got out of line. My suggestion is that in the future, seek out dog parks that have good owners, and stay away from the others. There are far too many blissfully ignorant owners out there, and the rest of us have to pay for it, especially since a lot of them are sue-happy.

I just have some questions, and would really like to know what other responsible dog owners think
My dog and another dog, off leash in Alameda's Washington Park, got in a scuffle and my dog nipped the others tip of tail and it bled. No stitches or anything were required! I volunteered to pay for some of the vet bills and now the other dog owner is taking me to small claims court for $430.00. Again, no stitches or anything. I offered to pay for the initial visit at $258.13 but he refused it. The dog's tip of tail bandage kept coming off so he kept going back to the vet at $40 a shot to have it reapplied. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it seem clear that a tip of tail bandage would be chewed off on the ride home from the vet and considering no stitches be unnecessary? The dog owner wrote in an email that his dog was doing great but kept flipping his bandaid off because of wagging his tail too vigorously. I'm sick over this ridiculous situation. What do you think? Also do you know if there are dog park rules about single incident scuffles. Isn't it a given risk to take dogs off leashes and let them run around? I'm a very responsible dog owner, I have 3 great dogs that I rescued and all with behavioral and temperment testing which they passed with flying colors. I thought I was doing the right thing by offering to pay some of the bill although his dog ran up and jumped up to my dogs face. Now I wish I had never gave him my name and contact information. Is there any written laws about dog park dog behavior and liability?
I'm just beside myself over this. On top of it all, I don't have even $258 to give him, I told him I would make payments. Now he's suing me for lost days of work to go to court and 5 bandaid applications.
Please give me some feedback.
Marka aka Winx Mom

As the previous reviewer stated, this is a very nice park.  There are lots of trees, ample drinking water, chairs, etc.  There are two sections of equal size and quality; one for dogs over 35lbs and one for dogs under 35lbs.  The problem with this park is not the park itself but the people who visit.  There seems to be very little regard for following rules for the big dog vs small dog sections.  Each time I have visited (weekdays), the small dog section was full of dogs well over 35lbs and prey driven breeds such as pit mixes, chows, etc.  The big dog section was either empty or had a few small and senior dogs that were forced into it.    I'm told that on weekends, people tend to keep their dogs in the appropriate section.  If you have a big dog, this park is great because no one will enforce the rules and you can pretty much do as you please.  If you have a small dog, you may want to go somewhere else. 

Earl Warren is a pretty nice dog park.  It's a very spacious fenced area with a few picnic tables, benches and some random chairs.  It has lots of trees, bushes and shade.  There is a collection box for plastic bag donations, and everyone is expected to pick up their dog's waste.  Shovels and trash cans are also provided.  Also, the park is divided into two sections, one for the larger dogs and one for the smaller.  However, I've seen people bring small dogs into the "big dog" section with no problems.  It's discretionary.  Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.  The only negative is that there seems to be a prevailing clique among the old timers.