Tiny dogs, big personalities, bigger gossip

Sonoma County is renowned for its dog-friendly hikes, beaches, rivers, restaurants, hotels — and yes, dog parks.

Cotati does boast a fenced doggie area tucked into Putnam Park (Helen Putnam Park) on Myrtle Avenue — a compact, family-friendly space perfect for neighborhood pups . But if you ask locals where the real dog‑park magic and people‑watching happen, there’s one standout: Sebastopol’s Ragle Ranch Regional Park.

Enter the small dog hour — where the fur flies

Ragle Ranch is widely considered one of Sonoma County’s best dog parks, tucked inside a 157-acre regional gem on Ragle Road. It features:

  • A fully enclosed, off‑leash dog park
  • Daily Small Dog Hours (11 a.m. — noon & 3—4  p.m..) with a 30‑lb. limit
  • Agility equipment, shaded seating, and scenic trails alongside Atascadero Creek
  • And for those who enjoy the human spectacle as much as the tail wags — this is your people‑watching prime time.

Where gossip and pups collide

Sebastopol’s Ragle Ranch Park isn’t just for dogs — it’s a stage for social drama. Yes, the wildest moment yet? A full-on cat fight among humans during SDH. Not quite UFC levels but wildly entertaining.

After a squabble, participants often vanish, triggering a wave of speculation — parkgoers trying to piece together who said what and why. Such drama can spring from anywhere, often fueled by human anxieties projecting onto their pups…

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