Doggie parks in the Las Vegas Valley are a great way for newcomers with pups or a tourist traveling with pups to meet some of the locals. For the most part, the dog owners who frequent these parks are fantastic and very social people.

You must learn the rules and regulations. Not everyone thinks they need to follow them, and it is frustrating, but make sure you do and use common sense always when around so many dogs.

City of Las Vegas Doggie Park Amenities and Information:

• All American Park
• Barkin Basin Park
• Centennial Hills
• Charlie Kellogg & Joe Zaher Sports Complex
• Children's Memorial Park
• Jaycee Park
• Lorenzi Park
• Police Memorial Park
• Winding Trails Park
• Woofter Park

Clark County Doggie Park Amenities & Information:

• Desert Breeze Park Dog Park
  8425 W. Spring Mountain Road (at Durango)
• Desert Inn Dog Park
  3570 Vista del Monte
• Dog Fancier's Park
  5800 E. Flamingo Road (cross streets E. Flamingo/Jimmy Durante)
  Molasky Park Dog Run
  1065 E. Twain
• Shadow Rock Park Dog Park
  2650 Los Feliz (cross streets Lake Mead past Hollywood)
• Silverado Ranch Park Dog Park
  9855 S. Gillespie
• Sunset Park Dog Park
  2601 E. Sunset Rd.

1. Clark County Doggie Park Guidelines
2. Clark County Doggie Park Etiquette Videos
3. Clark County Unsupervised Doggie Park Rules
4. Clark County Off Leash Tips for Doggie Parks
5. Human and Canine Behaviors
6. Dog Park Dangers - Note on this one: Dog Parks are NOT Places for Children!
7. Dog Park Rules

My doggie park of choice is Desert Breeze so stop by and say hello some time!

My biggest pet peeves about the doggie parks are:

• Young Children Messing with Dogs: Last night a young child was bit by a pit bull who was teasing it in the Desert Breeze park. When you bring children (especially young uns) in, you are bring them into a dog world, not a child world. My lil guy even snaps at kids who teases them and gets in their face. Heed the Dog Park Dangers warning and DO NOT BRING CHILDREN!
• People who Bring Food in: Uh this should be a big "DUH" but it isn't.
• People Who Do Not Clean Up After their Pets: I guess they think that there is some magical park guy who cleans up after them. There is not and there are doggie waste baggies and recepticles located in every park I have been in!
• People who are in Denial that Their Pet is Aggressive or too Big for the Area: Dogs who are not socialized well will snap and send "wrong signals" that are warning signals to other dogs. This can start provoke the most well socialized dog into a fight.
• People who Hold Both Gates Open in the Holding Cage: There is a reason why there are two gates and a holding cage to enter and exit a doggie park. It's so the furbabies do not escape! Please observe this!
• People who get mad when dogs are exhibiting normal canine behavior: Humping is a natural behavior, that dogs play to show dominance. Don't get mad if you bring your intact female dog in that is in heat. Not only could she get pregnant but she can cause fights among other male dogs! Dogs pee to mark their territory. Do not get mad if a dog pees on your chair or bag. This should be another big "duh" but some people do not get it!

Join a Dog Meetup Group! I belong to the local Las Vegas Italian Greyhound Playdate, Education & Adoption Group. All of the pictures on this post are from our last meetup!

There are meetups available in Las Vegas for: Boston Terriers, Boxers, English Bulldogs, Large Breed, Beaglers, Golden's, Miniature Pinscher, Pomeranian, Puppies, Shih Tzu, Henderson Dog Lovers Off Leash, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Las Vegas Dogs, Labrador, Pug, Monsieur Pit Bull Rescue Inc. or just start your own group!

Make sure you come prepared with a water dish for your dog and a lawn chair :)

Also be sure to view the other "Skip the Strip" Series:

Skip the Strip Part 1: For the Outdoor Enthusiast

Skip the Strip Part 2: Shop till You Drop

Skip the Strip Part 3: A Restaurant Diner's Paradise