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Helpful Tips On Taking Your Dog To The Ballpark

Helpful Tips On Taking Your Dog To The Ballpark

This weekend marks the beginning of baseball season for us. (Actually it’s the first tournament game. Practice started back in December)

After a 2 year break Bobby decided to go back to travel ball and I’m pretty excited.

After being at the ball fields every summer for 7 years I was happy to have a break from it but last summer I started to miss the sound of the ball hitting the bat, the smell of the field, the “strike” call of the umpire, the pit in my stomach when Bobby was pitching or up to bat, and of course I missed bringing the boys to the field.

It’s not easy to bring a Newfoundland to a ballfield in the summer, not only to they draw a crowd but you also have to pack appropriately and be prepared for surprises. Heck, Leroy’s baseball bag is bigger than my baseball bag.

Here are a few helpful tips that have helped us over the years have a fun and safe dog trip to the ballfield:

Check to make sure that the ballpark that you are going to is dog-friendly.

You can often call the city or just visit the field and see if any signs are posted. I only bring Leroy to home games because I know dogs are allowed there, I know which dogs to expect to be there and it’s only 2 minutes away from my house. We actually have a park that consists of about 12 baseball fields scattered throughout the park. All of them are dog-friendly. ( When I say ballfield I’m referring to local ballparks, not major league ballparks.)

Do a trial run at a ballpark.

Take your dog to the ballfield and walk around the area to familiarize them with it.

There’s a lot of different sounds and smells that can be overwhelming on a dog’s first visit.  Let them sniff and listen and watch how they react.  

While you’re there it’s a good idea to check out the stands and field.

Do they have sun shields? Are there any shaded spots for you and your dog to sit? I always try to picture where the sun is going to be when we’re there. I use to take Leroy for walks at the ballfield when there weren’t any games going on to get familiar with the park.

I also made a few short visits when games were taking place to let him hear the sounds. We would walk around the park and then leave. This way he wasn’t totally overwhelmed when we actually sat down and watched a game for an extended period of time.

Helpful Tips On Taking Your Dog To The Ballpark

Pack your dog bags.

Our list is probably longer than most but that’s because we are bringing a giant breed dog to an outdoor summer event so we need to be prepared:

  • Treats. For good boys who are behaving properly in public.
  • Brush. Why not? It comes with me wherever I go.
  • Slobber towel. For the dog and for the lucky people who come up to meet the dogs just after they’ve taken a nice cold drink from the water bowl.
  • Water bowl. This should go without saying. I actually keep a spare one in my car because I’ve been known to forget this very important item. And that is why I have at least a dozen stainless steel water bowls.
  • Poop bags. Accidents happen. Be prepared.
  • Bug spray. I use Wondercide spray because it really helps to keep the mosquitoes away and it’s dog and people safe.
  • First Aid Kit. Accidents happen and usually to me and Leroy. This isn’t actually in our bag but it’s in the car. I’ll be honest, I’ve used it more on myself than I have on the dogs. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
  • A cooler

Here is what’s in our cooler:

  • Ice. To keep everything cool of course but it’s also a great, cheap treat on a warm day. Leroy loves ice and expects a piece every time the cooler lid is opened.
  • Cooling mat.  The cooling mat that we have folded up nicely and fits perfectly into the cooler. Even though it’s pressure activated you can make it cooler by putting in the freezer. It provides extra comfort on a warm day.
  • Jug of water. I use an empty, cleaned Lipton Green Tea Jug that was filled the night before and chilled in the freezer.

Helpful Tips On Taking Your Dog To The Ballpark

Since I’m dealing with taking a double coated dog to a summer event we mostly go to games that are early in the season when the weather is cooler or games that are held in the evening.

Heat stroke is real and not something I ever want to subject the boys too.  We always have a great time and the boys love going. It’s almost like they’ve grown up on the baseball field just like Bobby has.

 

 

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CATHY BENNETT

Wednesday 20th of April 2016

I've got a ice cube chewer too! Cheap treat! Have fun at the games this season

Misty Shores Chesapeakes

Tuesday 19th of April 2016

Great tips!!

Funny how we always have more stuff packed for the dogs than ourselves :)

Kristin

Sunday 17th of April 2016

My son plays lacrosse and I've brought our Newfies whenever possible. Most stadiums don't allow dogs but there was usually a nice grassy patch within viewing area and some of the community fields were dog friendly. I agree, it helps to check out the area first, and I have my dog bag, similar to a diaper/baby bag, that goes where we go. My son is now in college and fortunately we are all able to attend. Kids and dogs, it's a family!

Jen

Tuesday 19th of April 2016

That is so fun that everyone gets to go! I love doing outings like this!

Julie

Saturday 16th of April 2016

We love to bring Cocoa to the park and it is so funny how you have to bring a ton of stuff for them. The slobber towels, haha. Cocoa is not the best on her leash lately though so it is not good to bring her where there are lots of people. Those boys must bring quite the crowd!!

M. K. Clinton

Saturday 16th of April 2016

I always wanted a dog to carry to the ballfield when my kids were young. Instead, I bought a miniature Schnauzer with a bi-polar problem. Not a good fit. LOL!

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