Our Story

In the past 30 years dogs have gone from being a family accessory relegated to the back yard, to being an integral member of the family. Dog ownership is on the rise. With the growing number of households integrating dogs into their lives, the need is also on the rise for a conveniently located place where people can safely exercise and play with their dogs off-leash. That need is quite apparent in the Des Moines area.

Rover's Ranch is a park-like setting in the country filling a need for dog owners near Des Moines, Iowa and those visiting the area. Rover's Ranch provides a convenient place where dog owners can safely play with, socialize, exercise or train their dogs off -leash in large fenced areas designed especially for this purpose. Rover's Ranch is dedicated to the fun aspects of responsible dog ownership, offering memberships with unlimited park usage during open hours, and occasional dog-related organized activities for enjoyment and education.

The owners of Rover's Ranch have combined dog ownership experience of over 50 years. Their veterinarian heralds their dogs as the finest examples in his career of well-trained, well-behaved, and well-adjusted dogs of their kind. They are passionate about responsible and fun dog ownership!

Rover's Ranch is ideally located only 5 minutes from the east side of Des Moines and only 20 minutes from the western suburbs, all hard-surface road, and yet no neighbors are closer than 1/2-mile.

A winter sunset at Rover's Ranch

 Rover's Ranch offers:

• Classes, private training, educational & recreational events
• The best dogpark location in the Midwest! Conveniently accessible from I-80 and I-35, yet the park itself is 200 feet back from the road in a country setting with no neighbors closer than 1/2-mile, and owners are on-site
• Five country acres, fenced for off-leash dog training, exercise and fun
• Separate areas for small dogs, large dogs, and puppies
• Sunny & shady areas
• Agility Practice Area
• Drinking water
• Benches & walking paths
• Everything you need to quickly & easily dispose of your dogs' waste
• Security-protected access through a coded gate to ensure members' safety
• Ample off-road parking
• Kiddie pools and sprinklers for Rover to enjoy
• The most durable dog toys on earth
• Lighting for extended evening hours during months when sunset occurs before 8:00 p.m.
• Indoor play area & space to rent for doggie birthday parties

Help us grow more by taking a look at our wish list and see if there is anything you can help us out with. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Things to come :

• More landscaping (pretty trees & bushes)
• A stream and foot bridge
• Memory garden
• The farm pond will get bigger each year!
• The prairie grass will get better each year
  

Rover's Ranch.. All Sticks, No Stones These three dogs all came from separate homes and had just met at Rover's Ranch for the first time just minutes before this photo was taken. Rover's Ranch offers a fun opportunity for your dog to make friends and become more socialized and well adjusted, while getting some great exercise! Why Rover's Ranch Dogs that are trained, socialized and properly exercised are less aggressive and less prone to nuisance behaviors such as barking, chewing, or destroying property You get unlimited use of a place to take your dog legally for off-leash training, exercise and play! No more looking over your shoulder while your dog's illegally off-leash in a public park or cemetery No more harassment from non-dog people in public parks who'd rather you kept your dog inside your house all the time For people with mobility constraints this may be the only place to safely train, exercise & play with their dog without risking injury to themselves Get some exercise while training, exercising, or playing with your dog off-leash Meet like-minded people and socialize with each other Properly trained and exercised dogs are healthier, more well-behaved, more fun to be with! Membership encourages responsible dog ownership, since you have to keep vaccinations current, clean up after your dog, and control your dog's behavior! It's good for you and your dog and your neighbors and the community as a whole! Properly trained and exercised dogs are physically and mentally healthier It's Fun!