Being a dog owner is very rewarding. But not every person or place is accepting of dogs or dog-friendly. This is an issue particularly when it comes to finding a place to walk and play with a furry pal. So it is important to understand where dogs and their humans are allowed to go in public while in Akron, Ohio

1. Parks

Many parks in the Akron area are dog-friendly. However, they do not allow dogs to be off the leash for the most part. For dog owners in Akron, a better idea is to find a dog park. Dog parks are exactly what they sound like. Fellow dog owners bring their dogs to the park and the dogs are allowed to run free off of the leash.

Dog parks are wonderful for many dogs because it promotes socialization, play, and exercise among the dogs. For some dogs, visiting a dog park is overwhelming. Reasons for this include overstimulation, anxiety, and aggression among others. If a dog has trouble being at the dog park for any of these reasons, going to a regular leashed park is an alternative.

Dog parks in Akron include:

• Portage Lakes Dog Park
• Akron Dog Park/BARC

2. Stores

The majority of stores across the country do not allow dogs to accompany their humans, no matter how many humans do it anyway. There are some stores in Akron that do, however. One such store is Petsmart. Since they cater to animals including dogs, being able to spend time with them here is so much fun!

Shopping is one of the first things to do with your dog. Just like at a regular park, a dog must have a leash on. Furry friends who enjoy the treats will take the opportunity to grab any items at dog height, such as treats, rawhide, or toys. Keep them close to avoid unnecessary purchase.

In addition to shopping, Petsmart also offers training to dog owners during set store hours. Trainers at the store help pet owners address behavior or training issues by teaching positive reinforcement techniques. Last but not least, in-store events are held. This gives pets and their owners a safe place to spend time together. Events include things like costume contests and ornament decorating among many others.

3. Restaurants

In the course of spending time with your furry friend, food becomes a factor, particularly for the human owner. Thanks to websites like Bring Fido, it shows dog-friendly restaurants in a chosen area. Aladdin’s Eatery is one such place. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The latter is dog-friendly. They even take the time to put water bowls out in the area for the dog. So go ahead, have lunch or dinner. Your dog has the option to sit right beside you and eat their own dinner, or beg for yours!

Loving your dog is easy. Getting around in the world together is not always easy. But as this article has revealed, some places love a dog just as much as their owners do. The key is to know where to look.

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