Private dog parks (for hire)

What is a private dog park?

A private dog park - also called a private off-lead area or a private fenced dog area - is a fully fenced area that a private landowner or business hires out in fixed time slots. Unlike the public dog parks, the area is not free and does not have open access: you have to book a time and pay before you can go in.

The core of the idea is that you hire the area exclusively for your time slot. In other words, you have the enclosure or woodland entirely to yourself for the hour you have booked, and no other dogs come in - unless you invite them yourself. The areas range from small fenced dog areas of a few hundred square metres to several hectares of fenced woodland and meadow, and they are often linked to a dog hotel, dog centre or training centre.

How it works: book, pay, close the gate

Booking a time

You book a fixed time slot - usually 30 minutes or 1 hour at a time - through an online booking system, a "Book now" button on Facebook or, with smaller providers, directly by text message or email. At many places you are sent a code for the gate once your booking is confirmed.

Payment

Payment is usually made in advance or just after booking, often by MobilePay, Dankort or card. The price normally covers all the household's dogs for the time slot, and there may be a small supplement for an extra dog or an extra person.

You are alone behind the gate

When you go in, you usually lock the gate behind you to show that the area is in use. This makes sure no unknown dogs suddenly turn up in the middle of your visit - the whole point is a closed, predictable and controlled environment.

What does it cost?

Prices are low and paid per time slot. Half an hour often costs around DKK 25-60, while a full hour is typically about DKK 50-100 - a few larger areas of several hectares are hired out more cheaply per hour. Many places sell punch cards at a discount if you come regularly, and some offer monthly or annual cards with free booking, often costing around DKK 1,000-1,200 a year. Prices vary from place to place, so always check each park's own page for current rates and cancellation rules.

Why choose a private dog park?

For reactive and anxious dogs

The most important reason to choose a private dog park is control over the environment. For nervous, reactive, insecure or aggressive dogs - or dogs that have been attacked in a public dog park before - it is essential that no strange dogs come close unexpectedly. When you have the area to yourself, you control the distance to other dogs instead of being caught off guard.

For training and rehabilitation

The empty, fenced space is ideal for training: recall, puppy training, rehabilitation or behaviour training, where calm and no distractions are essential for success. A long line of 3-5 metres gives your dog freedom to explore while the fence keeps it safely inside. Several areas can also be hired by associations and clubs for training evenings, dog meet-ups or competition days.

For undisturbed exercise

The fence means your dog can safely run free, sniff and play off-lead - including dogs with poor recall or a strong hunting and prey drive that cannot simply be let loose elsewhere. For many owners it is simply about a calm, undisturbed outing without having to deal with other dogs and people.

Private dog park vs. public dog park

The two types each do their own job, and the difference is worth knowing before you choose:

• Price: Public dog parks are free. A private dog park is paid for and booked in advance.
• Access: Public dog parks have free, spontaneous access for everyone. You can only use a private park during your booked time.
• Other dogs: In a public dog park you never know which dogs, or how many, you will meet. In a private park no unknown dogs come in.
• Ownership: Public dog parks are usually run by Naturstyrelsen (the Danish Nature Agency) or the municipality. Private parks are owned by a private landowner or business.
• Atmosphere: The public dog park is social and lively; the private park is controlled, calm and predictable.

Choose the public dog park when you want free, spontaneous access and are happy to meet other dogs. Choose the private dog park when you need the area to yourself - for a safe, predictable outing or for focused training.