Here in Oneonta, NY, a new dog park just opened in Neahwa Park with two, very large fenced-in areas: one for bigger dogs and one for smaller dogs. The ribbon-cutting ceremony by the City of Oneonta yesterday was fantastic with many coming out for the occasion, not to mention a great gathering of local dogs, excited for a new opportunity to play with other dogs.

After really enjoying seeing many dogs having fun, meeting and playing with some new furry friends, I can't wait to bring my dog Beethoven (Tovi) to the park to give her a chance to meet some new friends!

Oneonta Dog park (Credit: Chris Kuhn)
Oneonta Dog park (Credit: Chris Kuhn)
loading...
Entrance to new Oneonta dog park (TSM Oneonta)
Entrance to new Oneonta dog park (TSM Oneonta)
loading...
There were quite a few dogs in attendance to check out the park for the first time. (TSM Oneonta
There were quite a few dogs in attendance to check out the park for the first time. (TSM Oneonta
loading...

My dog Beethoven (a.k.a. 'Tovi') is a rather unsocialized 6-year-old and has never been to a dog park before. Every time I walk her and we come across other dogs in the neighborhood, I can tell that she really wants to enjoy some canine company. There's one problem. I'm a nervous "parent" and since she can be unpredictable with other dogs, I don't know how the dog park experience will be for her. At the same time, I certainly don't want her to be aggressive with other dogs. This will be a whole new thing for her and for me as a person who has never had a dog before her.

Because I really wanted to make sure I introduce Tovi in the best possible way to the dog park so that she has the best possible experience with other furry friends, I connected with certified dog trainer Sarah Cummings who has a lot of experience as a staff member of our local animal shelter, the Susquehanna SPCA.

DOG LOVERS: 5 Tips On Introducing Your Dog To A Dog Park

We all want to be responsible dog owners and create a wonderful experience for our dogs at a dog park. If you have a dog that you think would love a chance at playing with other furry friends at a public park, here is some very practical and simple advice from certified dog trainer Sarah Cummings who has a lot of experience as a staff member of the Susquehanna SPCA.

Here's what Sarah has to say to us dog parents...

RANKED: Here Are the 63 Smartest Dog Breeds

Does your loyal pup's breed make the list? Read on to see if you'll be bragging to the neighbors about your dog's intellectual prowess the next time you take your fur baby out for a walk. Don't worry: Even if your dog's breed doesn't land on the list, that doesn't mean he's not a good boy--some traits simply can't be measured.

LOOK: The least obedient dog breeds

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

More From WZOZ