We’ve all heard it said before – a dog is man’s best friend. Dogs are companions, playmates, guardians, rescuers, helpers and so much more. From tiny dogs that can fit in a purse or bag, to giant dogs that can carry a child, we humans certainly love our four legged friends! A dog typically becomes part of the family, and you don’t want to leave Fido out of any family fun. If you live in Branson, Fido has nothing to worry about – there are great dog friendly venues all around town for you both to enjoy – and you can bring the rest of the family too!
Table Rock State Park: Most dogs love to swim, or at least have a merry romp at the water’s edge chasing the waves as they roll in! So the next time you and your family visit Table Rock State Park, located off of Highway 165 in Branson, for a day of picnicking, swimming or both, bring your dog along for the ride! There are numerous picnic spots that have access to the lake shore, where kids and dogs can jump right in. Swimming is excellent therapy for older dogs, and great exercise for younger ones. For a really hyper pup, playing fetch in the water is a great way to burn off excess energy – as everyone knows, a tired dog is a good dog! Just make sure you monitor your dog to make sure that they stay within a safe distance to the shore in case they get tired.
Elmo & Rosalea Marrs Memorial Dog Park: Located within Stockstill Park in Branson, the Elmo and Rosalea Marrs Memorial Dog Park provides an awesome opportunity to dogs to socialize, play and exercise off leash. The dog park is a fenced one and a half acre area that features agility equipment, concrete pathways for walking, a pavilion and picnic areas, and doggie play equipment. Members of the Branson community can purchase a day pass to the dog park, or an annual membership. Dogs must be current on all vaccinations. More information about the Branson dog park can be obtained at the Branson RecPlex.
Side Kick Dog Training: For a full service training, boarding and grooming venue that will really help build your relationship with your dog, check out Side Kick Dog Training in Springfield, MO! About 20 minutes north of Branson, Side Kick Dog Training offers training classes for puppies, adolescents and adults, plus specialty classes like agility, therapy and rally courses. Side Kick Dog Training also offers testing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, plus private lessons, boarding, daycare and grooming. The trainers at Side Kick can even do private in-home lessons with you and your dog! Dogs are given the opportunity to learn and socialize in a safe environment with AKC certified trainers. Visit their website, www.springfieldsidekickdogtraining.com, to enroll your dog today!
There are so many places that you can enjoy taking your dog for play and learning in and around Branson. Make sure you always bring a bag to clean up any accidents – those with or without dogs will thank you!
