A SAFER ALL-WEATHER DOG PARK

Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Good Dog Bar & Park is a 14,000-square-foot fenced-in daycare billed as the "happiest place on turf.” This indoor park has an outdoor feel with features that include dog pools, tunnels, play ramps, and sitting areas. Have a drink and relax as your dog socializes and explores this spacious off-leash wonderland fully covered with a paw-friendly synthetic lawn. The park's fully trained staff, known as “Bark Rangers,” are on hand to politely monitor the park to keep it safe and clean.

Good Dog offers daycare, boarding, grooming, and training, as well as private events.

Weekly special events include various breed and rescue meet-ups, dog art days, holiday photos, live music nights, and birthday parties. Housed inside a muralcovered warehouse, Good Dog is equipped with ceiling fans and skylights making it an ideal place to escape a sweltering summer day. There is also a huge rolling electronic window that can be opened to let in a natural breeze.

Owner and Birmingham native Clint Carmichael says that Good Dog’s mission is to provide a safe, fun place for pups to play, as public dog parks are often underfunded, muddy, and have no safety protocols. Giving back to the community, one percent of Good Dog’s sales are donated to two local animal-related charities, Hand in Paw Animal-Assisted Therapy and Underdog Rescue of Alabama.

Humans can enter the park for free. Dogs must have a day pass or a membership. For safety, all dog entrants must be social and friendly and show proof of updated vaccinations before entering. Also, for safety concerns, no food is allowed inside; instead, a food-truck area is provided outside of the park. The in-house bar serves beer, hard seltzers, wines, and soda. The facility also has multiple TVs for game night and plans for a jumbotron.

With all the rain that we have been having in California this year, dog guardians would sure appreciate an indoor space for exercising their pups. Locally, we have some good ones available: California Canine in Pacific Grove, From the Heart Dog Training in Salinas, and Dawg Gone It in Monterey.