Archive for July, 2016

Dogs: Our Four-Legged BFF’s

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Sitting on a bench next to your dog…what could be better? To Fido…nothing!  While your mind is on the house and car and kids and work…his mind is on the feeling of being next to you. Just enjoying the casual scratch of his ears and listening to all the sounds and smelling all the smells the world has to offer. Dogs are incredibly therapeutic; their calming presence reminds us to slow down and their curiosity is a good reminder to appreciate the small things. They love us unconditionally, are pure in their intent (especially if it involves treats!), and spread love and joy with a happy wag of their tail.

BFF

 

Dogs add almost an immeasurable value to the family unit. With childhood obesity becoming an epidemic in the United States, getting a dog could be a way to help your little munchkins stay fit and healthy. If your child wants a dog that means they will be outside playing with their furry friend and taking their dog on walks, not to mention the regular trips to your local dog park! All of this can mean less time playing video games or watching television, and instead developing new and healthier habits.

Young girl with golden retriever walking away into sun

Pets can also provide a sense of security in a family, especially by “alert barking” when they let you know they’ve heard something out of the ordinary or become protective of you when strangers are near. Many dogs have gone above and beyond to protect the ones they love. There was a recent story of a dog who saved its seven-year-old human from a rattlesnake by allowing itself to get bitten while the girl made her way to safety. Who doesn’t need a hero in their family?

Hero

Now you don’t have to pay extravagant prices for special pups when you’re looking for a furry friend. While many people do pick out a breed they are fond of and purchase their pets through reputable breeders, that is not the only avenue. Adopting or rescuing a dog is incredibly rewarding (just ask the guardians of our office dog Rory!), and you save a life while doing so. Visit your local humane society for more information on the adoption process, as each rescue organization does things differently.  It may involve a home visit, a meet and greet with all family members including your current pets, as well as an adoption fee or recommended donation.

Here at Dog-ON-It-Parks, we encourage you to take a moment and give your pup a hug…but only if they enjoy it!  Even better, take them for a walk or visit your local dog park to show your appreciation.  Dogs have the ability to enrich and change our lives for the better…that’s what makes them best in show!

 

The Essentials of a Good Dog Park – Guest Blog by ResMan

Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

While multifamily properties are high in demand for a wide mix of renters, they have an unexpected demographic to cater towards. As more residents move into these developments, their pets are coming with them. Residents in the multifamily setting enjoy convenience and helpful amenities, but when looking for a new community, a good dog park is quite the deal breaker.

To accommodate residents and their furry friends, properties must adapt to be more pet-friendly. Making this shift will make your development more attractive to renters and keep current tenants (and their beloved pets) happy. We sat down with Nora VandenBerghe, the Sales & Marketing Manager of Dog-On-It Parks to learn just how to set your community apart with pet-friendly playgrounds.

Why Are Dog Parks Essential in Multifamily?

Dog parks have the versatility to entertain all age groups, making it the perfect meeting ground in the multifamily arena.

In 2015, the millennial generation surpassed the baby boomer generation as the largest cohort in history with 75 million members.

This generational shift means a shift in lifestyles, attitudes, and mindsets. Since millennials are waiting longer to have kids, they in turn, become parents to their dogs and are willing to spend more money on their dogs than ever before.

According VandenBerghe, “Our culture in general is becoming more pet friendly, as the pet service industry is the second largest revenue-generating industry behind consumer electronics,” says VandenBerghe. “This year the industry has raised about 62 billion in revenue.”

The point? This is a gold mine industry your development can take advantage of. According to Pet Food Industry, 57 percent of millennial households own a pet and 39 percent plan on owning a pet in the future. Dog parks have an incredible experiential value for residents that rival other popular amenities. In addition, there is a great social aspect associated with pet parks since dogs act as great icebreakers and conversation starters. What’s your puppy’s name? How long have you had her? Is she a social dog? It’s a great way to meet fellow neighbors and build a connected community.

Hartford 21 POD system - Hartford, CT

How Can a Dog Park Fit Into My Property?

Avoiding the 15-minute drive to a local dog park and simply walking outside to play with your dog is a definite luxury, but most developments have limited space to build a full on park. This is where you can get creative. Dog parks are a lucrative investment for developers. VandenBerghe points out that it’s actually cheaper to build a dog park than a children’s playground… and it serves a larger audience.

Companies like, Dog-On-It Parks, work with developments from start to finish when creating a dog park. Either they can help to build one from scratch or implement one after the complex is already built. By working directly with property managers, they find the best place to build a park, and they can get pretty innovative. VandenBerghe says she has seen it all. Communities are beginning to convert tennis courts, parking lots, parking garages, and open green-belt areas into dog parks.

What We’re Seeing in Dog Park Trends

Planning a good dog park is just as important as planning well-developed apartments. You must think of safety and how to accommodate dogs and people of all shapes and sizes. The best dog parks are those that provide amenities and equipment that make it fun for both the dogs and their owners.

Every dog park is unique to the community, so capture the atmosphere of your development and reflect it in the park. This is the fun part. Dog-On-It Parks manufactures all equipment within the U.S. and customizes the equipment to each customer. They strive to reinforce your brand on their products by customizing the products, creating a color theme to match the community, and engraving names and logos on the equipment.

The tail-friendly equipment is endless, but the most popular equipment pieces are one that incorporate agility. This gives residents something to do alongside their dogs, instead of sitting in the background on their phones.

VandenBerghe says, dogs are naturally curious, therefore agility structures entice them to explore their surroundings. Although dogs are curious, they are also extremely cautious. Keep structures low to the ground, sturdy, and slip resistant.

Along with agility equipment, water features are always a huge hit in parks. Try to find a water line nearby to build your park around. This adds a fun and convenient element. According to VandenBerghe, “We build pet fountains to play in, spray fire hydrants, and water stations so residents don’t have to lug water to the park.”

Get as creative as you want with your dog park, but keep in mind these fundamental aspects all dog parks should have:

  • Leave plenty of open space for running so the park doesn’t become overcrowded on a busy day.
  • A sturdy fence is one of the most important pieces of the whole park.
  • Plenty of seating for owners to take breaks on is critical. If there is no natural shading in your area, provide some type of roofing.
  • The busiest time to visit a dog park is in the warm months, so be proactive about residents needs.

City Market at O St - Washington, DC

How Dog Parks Benefit Property Managers

Investing in a dog park offers many benefits to your property, but the biggest are new potential residents and increased resident happiness — leading to retention.

“When we’re showing the building to prospective tenants, nine out of ten times we’ll be asked if we’re pet friendly,” says property manager Mary Swanson. “It gives us an advantage because we have a few more amenities than some of the communities in our area.”

An apartment with pets can be chaotic if property managers do not provide ways to accommodate the pets. Providing an outlet for pets to exercise on a daily basis reduces the chaos sprung from restless animals within the units. In other words, less noise complaints caused from neighbors annoyed by the barking dog next door.

VandenBerghe stresses that there is also a lot of responsibility placed on the property manager. Managers need to do their best to educate owners about dog park rules and city regulations. Just like a playground, liability falls on the manager. Be proactive about possible issues that can arise and know how to handle them.

For example, waste clean up is the top issue in dog parks. VandenBerghe suggests providing waste pick-up stations around the park stocked with bags for residents to easily use. Ultimately, it is up to the pet parent to know if their dog is a good fit for a park, but some owners may not know what behavioral signs to look out for.

VandenBerghe says she has seen managers bring in pet trainers to educate residents or check regulations with animal control to make sure dogs are healthy enough to interact with other dogs.

Since a dog park is a great socializing scene, take advantage of this as a property manager! Create monthly socializing events centered around the dogs, such as puppy playdates or Yappy Hours. Dog parks are a great way for property managers to build a strong community. Everyone loves to bond over common interests and this is especially true for pet lovers.

Colonial Grand Apts

Office Dog of the Month: Buddy

Friday, July 8th, 2016

Buddy 1

Say hello to Mr. July and our featured office dog, Buddy! Buddy was born in Redding CA, the most docile of his brothers and sisters, and oh so sweet and loving. The minute we saw him…we just fell in love! He loves to be pet so much he’ll even do a back bend over your legs to get your attention and some rubs behind the ears. He, like all dogs, is perceptive to his surroundings and the feelings of his family and loved ones. His big bark echoes through the house when the doorbell rings, but he wouldn’t hurt a soul.

When Buddy was about 2 years old he found a bird and as Golden Retrievers were bred to do, he tried to “retrieve” it.  However, once he cornered the bird, Buddy just sat there…he didn’t know what to do with i! He just waited patiently with his new best friend until we came over to get him and of course told him he was an amazing pooch. It was so cute and proved just how loving he really is.

One of our favorite things about Buddy is that he seems to have forgotten how to jump when it comes to getting in and out of the car. He can leap up a hill in one stride, but refuses to get in the car unless someone picks him up and puts him in it, no matter how low to the ground the vehicle happens to be. Just one of his funny little quirks!

Buddy 3

As dog of the month, Buddy would like to thank everyone for nominating him and taking the time to recognize what a wonderful pooch he is.  He knows there are 16 other office dogs to choose from (you’ll meet them all soon!) so he appreciates his five minutes of fame!  Cheers to Buddy, a gentle soul, who will play with everyone, loves babies and children, avoids judgement (except when you’re slow giving him a treat!), and sees the world as we all should…with a loving heart. Woof!

Buddy 2


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