What are the best places you can go to train your dog in Columbus?
As a dog owner, it's important to find places where you can take your pup to train, have fun and burn off some energy. Columbus, Ohio has a variety of dog-friendly parks, trails, and attractions that provide plenty of opportunities for both you and your dog to get in some serious training time! In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best places to take your dog to train in Columbus.
We have a few dog parks on this list and we always like to caution people on the risks associated with them. Dog parks can be great, but a lot of fights do occur at dog parks and you and or your dog could be injured. Some parks are great on certain days and not so great at other times when a different crew of owners and dogs are there. Our suggestion is to get to know the dogs and people at the park and leave immediately if a dog you don’t trust enters the area.
If your dog is not super social with other dogs and people you will need to do a lot of prep work before considering a dog park. We would suggest doing a lot of on leash training in public to ensure your dog is friendly, social and responsive to their obedience command before letting them off leash at a dog park.
If you are looking to do off leash training at a park that isn’t a dog park, you should check their rules carefully. Some parks are more flexible than others and a lot of it comes down to space. If you are at a smaller park in town they are more likely to require a leash at all times than at a bigger park in the country. Also, most parks consider a long training line to be a leash so you can generally work with a long line as long as your dog isn’t causing a nuisance.
10 Best Places to Train with Your Dog in Columbus
Scioto Audubon Dog Park:
- 4 acres of doggie play areas
- Dog Beach
- Benches and Shaded Seating
Scioto Audubon Dog Park is one of the largest dog parks in the Columbus area. It features over four acres of fenced-in play areas for dogs of all sizes, as well as a separate small dog area. The park also has a doggie beach area where dogs can swim and cool off on hot days. There are plenty of benches and shade structures for owners to relax while their dogs play, and water fountains and waste stations are available throughout the park. This is a great place to socialize your dog and to work on off leash obedience. If your dog can come when called at the dog park, they can probably do it anywhere! This is also a great place to train your dog on how to swim. If you decide to train your dog on how to swim, make sure to take some time with it! Forcing your dog into the water quickly can scare them. Teaching them should be a slow and fun process!
Land-Grant Brewing Company:
- Dog Friendly Patio
- Beer for Dogs - Profit donated to animal shelters
- Great place to socialize your dog
Land-Grant Brewing Company is a dog-friendly brewery located in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus. The brewery features an outdoor patio area where dogs are welcome. They also offer a special dog-friendly beer called "Beers for Woofs," with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit local animal shelters. If you want to work on socializing your dog in public this place is very high on our list. It is also a great place to proof all of your obedience commands. Listening to commands around new people and lots of food can be a great challenge for your dog! If you have never had your dog at a restaurant and are worried about how they may do, we recommend just going for a drink to test it out. That way you can leave in a hurry if needed. Once you know your dog will do well then go back, order a full meal and have fun while socializing and training your dog!
Alum Creek State Park:
Alum Creek State Park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping, but it also has a great dog park. The park features a large, fenced-in play area with separate sections for large and small dogs. There are also agility equipment and a water fountain for dogs to enjoy. The park is located on the shores of Alum Creek Lake and has plenty of scenic views. This is a beautiful place to work on your obedience commands. Having your dog practice their downstays while you take in the sunset is a lot more fun than doing it at home! Working on your obedience commands for an hour at the park will pass very quickly which is nice if you have gotten a little bored of training in your yard.
Godown Dog Park:
- Fenced in Dog Park
- Dog Agility Equipment
- Puppy Water Fountain
Godown Dog Park is another great off-leash dog park in Columbus. It features a large, fenced-in play area with separate sections for small and large dogs. The park also has agility equipment, a water fountain, and waste stations. The park is surrounded by trees and has plenty of benches and picnic tables for owners to enjoy. This is another great place to work on off leash obedience and even practice your agility! Agility equipment can be dangerous so think about your dogs age, breed and personality before letting them get too wild. We recommend training dogs on how to use agility equipment properly before letting them explore it on their own. There are some great options for getting your dog ready for agility work without being at a park that has the equipment. Think about each of the movements your dog might do in agility and find ways to recreate them around your home. For example, you can use sticks placed in soil of your pup's yard as weave polls. A bench could act as a jump for your pooch. Practicing these things before encountering real dog agility training equipment can make a huge difference in your dog's skills.
Highbanks Metro Park:
- 1,000 Acres of Forest
- Miles of Hiking Trails great for your dog
- Dog Friendly Picnic Areas
Highbanks Metro Park is a beautiful natural area located in the northern part of Columbus. It features over 1,000 acres of forests, meadows, and riverfront trails. Dogs are welcome on most of the trails as long as they are kept on a leash. The park also has a dog-friendly picnic area and a dog park that features separate areas for large and small dogs. We love practicing obedience in this park and working on the heel command is one of our favorites. Ensuring your dog can heel properly when passing people on the trails may be a challenge at first, but it is worth the effort. Having a dog that can heel perfectly in any situation makes life a lot more fun! Many dogs get “tunnel vision” when heeling on a trail, so you may need to work hard to prevent this. We recommend mixing in a lot of turns and random obedience commands to make sure your dog is focused on you.
Darby Creek Metro Park:
- 7,000 Acres of Forest and Wetlands
- Hiking Trails
- Dog Park for Small and Large Dogs
Darby Creek Metro Park is another great natural area located just outside of Columbus. It features over 7,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and prairies. Leashed dogs are welcome on most of the trails. The park also has a dog park that features separate areas for large and small dogs. This park is generally pretty quiet and is a great place to work on advanced obedience training commands such as off leash heel. The quiet nature of the park also makes it an awesome place to have a picnic with your dog!
Goodale Park:
Goodale Park is a popular destination for both humans and dogs. The park features over 30 acres of green space, including a fenced-in off-leash dog park. The dog park has separate areas for small and large dogs, as well as agility equipment and water fountains. One of our favorite things about this park is its central location. If you just have a few minutes for training, it is a great place to stop by to practice obedience for a few minutes. Long obedience training sessions are great, but on a busy day getting in a ten minute session is much better than nothing! When you live in this area, this is a great place to stop. When you have more time, we recommend heading out for a training session at one of the other places on the list that has more to do with your dog.
PetPromise Pet Carnival:
- Yearly Event
- Dog Costume Contest
- Pet Related Vendors
More of an event than a place, The PetPromise Pet Carnival is an annual event held in Columbus, Ohio. This dog event is dedicated to promoting pet adoption and responsible pet and dog ownership. The event features various dog activities and attractions for both humans and dogs. These include a dog agility course, a puppy costume contest, and vendors selling pet-related products. The Pet Carnival is a great way to spend a day with your furry friend while also supporting a great dog cause. It is also a great place to get out and socialize and train around a ton of other dogs. The costume contest is a wonderful way for your dog to see all sorts of things it has never seen before!
Three Creeks Metro Park:
Three Creeks Metro Park is another great natural area located in Columbus, Ohio. The park features over 1,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and meadows. Dogs that are on leash are welcome on most of the trails. The park also has a dog-friendly picnic area and a dog park that features separate areas for large and small dogs. This park is absolutely beautiful and is a very fun place to get in some obedience training.
Franklin Park Conservatory:
Looking for something different to do with your dog? The Franklin Park Conservatory is a beautiful botanical garden located in Columbus, Ohio. The conservatory features various gardens, including a butterfly exhibit, a tropical rainforest, and a desert biome. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor gardens as long as they are kept on a leash. The conservatory is a great place to take your dog for a leisurely stroll and to enjoy some beautiful scenery. We like taking dogs to places like this because it is enjoyable for the humans as well as the dogs. Make sure your dog is well behaved and well socialized before going to the Conservatory because you will be in close proximity to other people.
Training your Dog in Columbus
In conclusion, Columbus, Ohio has a variety of dog-friendly parks, trails, and attractions that provide plenty of opportunities for you and dog to do some obedience training. By exploring these locations, you can help your dog stay active, socialize, and enjoy new experiences. Just make sure to follow all park rules and regulations, and always clean up after your dog!!!
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