This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Beneful for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Dog parks have many benefits for both the dog and the owner and Beneful has just launched its 2016 Beneful Dream Dog Park Project, which is an annual effort to help improve and build dog parks across the country. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a dog park in every city across America? If you have never been to a dog park, it’s a place where dogs and their owners can socialize and play. We started taking our Gemma to the parks and the dog beach when she was a pup and she’s quite the pro now. She loves to play with other dogs her size and the freedom to sniff, run, and jump all she wants. I love knowing that she’s totally safe and also getting to know other like-minded owners!

How To Get Your Dog Ready For A Dog Park

• Enroll your dog (at any age) in an obedience class taught by a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques
  • Your trainer will have you build on each level of success, starting first inside your home, then your fenced backyard and eventually, when he is running off-leash in a dog park Every dog learns at a different pace and truthfully the key is for us to be trained. We need to be consistent and you will have your dog obeying your commands in no time.
• Ask a friend or a dog trainer who has such a well-mannered dog to serve as your dog’s “big brother” who can teach your dog manners in a secure setting before bringing your dog to a dog park. If your dog has aggressive tendencies, a dog park is not the place to work on this behavior.
• It’s not a rule but at first I kept my dog in the leashed area so I could have control of her at all times. She can now be in the unleashed area and she loves it.
• Be sure your dog is up to date on vaccinations. 

What Is The Beneful Dream Dog Park Project

A safe place for our dogs to play and interact is exactly what the vet ordered. Our Gemma gets to meet other dogs her own size and play. Gemma is a large breed and loves to play with others but it seems that all our friends dogs are much smaller and I’m always worried that she’ll pounce and hurt one of them. When we go to dog parks we hang with the larger dogs and Gemma can play her heart away. The Beneful Dream Dog Park Project wants every dog to be able to experience this! Beneful is looking for financial and hands on support for at least 12 dog parks in the US this year. Their goal is to create or improve dog parks which in turn makes owners happy.

When a mom takes her children to a park, the kids interact and moms get to know each other and they talk about their children. Well at a dog park, we get to meet other dog owners and we talk about our dogs. We share tips and stories and make new friends. It’s important to me that I get to take Gemma to a place that makes her happy. Beneful is made with good-for-you ingredients like real meats & vitamin-rich veggies. A dog food that brings your best buddy tons of tastes & textures to nourish both inside & out. Now Beneful has partnered with GoFundMe to make our fur babies happy when they’re done eating!

Beneful Dream Dog Park Survey

The 2016 Beneful Dream Dog Park Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Toluna from February 22-24, 2016 among a sample of 1,060 American dog owners 18 years of age and older. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ± 3% at a 95% level of confidence. 

Key Takeaways

• Most dog owners say their local dog park is a great place to bring the community together, but feel it could use some improvements.
• Dog park outings provide a great opportunity for exercise – for both dogs and owners.
• The majority of dog owners would like a dog park right in their community and would volunteer their time to spruce one up.

Dog Park Personality

When asked to identify their pooches’ dog park personality, owners said:

• Scratch and sniffer: Explores everything he/she comes into contact with (44%)
• People pooch: Prefers to hang with the humans (19%)
• Party-hardy hound: Always in the middle of the pack (19%)
• Wagging wall flower: Sticks to the perimeter or right by your side (17%)

Dog Park Improvements

More than a quarter (78%) of dog owners surveyed agree their local dog park is a great place to bring people and dogs from the community together, but 73 percent also agreed their dog park could use some improvements.

When asked to select up to three features that were their favorite and/or ones dog owners would like to have at their local dog park, responses included:

• Shaded areas (34%)
• Drinking fountains (31%)
• Water features for dogs to play in (28%)
• Dog-safe turf (25%)
• Better/more secure fencing (24%)

70 percent of dog owners agreed that they would volunteer their time to get a dog park built or spruce up their community dog park

Health Benefits

• 42 percent of dog owners take their dogs to the dog park several times a week or more, and one of the key benefits dog parks provide for both dogs and their owners is allowing the dog to get exercise. In addition:
• Nearly 80 percent (79%) of dog owners agree their local dog park provides a place for them to exercise and be healthy with their dogs
• More than a third (37%) of dog owners say their dogs most enjoy the opportunity to exercise when they go to the dog park

Community Gathering Place

Dog parks aren’t just for dogs. Two-thirds (66%) of dog owners agree they love their local dog park. Some of the most enjoyable parts of going to the dog park for owners are being surrounded by other dogs and likeminded dog lovers (23%) and meeting new people (21%).

The Need for More Community Dog Parks

• 66% of dog owners agree they love their local dog parks; however, when asked, 78% agreed they wished they had one in their community
• The number one challenge to building or improving a local dog park, according to dog owners surveyed, is a lack of funding (41%)
• Other barriers include:
  • Rallying community support (29%)
  • Lack of space (28%)
  • Not knowing who to contact for approval (28%)
  • Access to resources and information (25%)

Win A Beneful Dream Dog Park ‘dog park pack’!

Get involved in a Dream Dog Park! Want one of your own or maybe you just want to help.

1. Each month, Beneful will select a new GoFundMe dog park campaign to spotlight on www.beneful.com/dream-dog- park and on Beneful’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Beneful will provide dollar-for- dollar donation matching support, helping the projects reach their goals. If you have a park in the community that needs support, you can make a campaign for it on GoFundMe and Beneful might spotlight it and help increase the funds raised!
2. Simply share a post of your own – whether it’s your dog or a friends dog at a local dog park or a link to the Dream Dog Park Project website – on social tagging @Beneful and using the hashtag #DreamDogPark. Beneful will put $1 towards the Dream Dog Park Projects this year (up to $50,000) for every social share.

ENTER The Giveaway Here!

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