Canine Behavior/Communication

Don’t overreact to “normal” dog park behavior. Being overprotective just makes your dog nervous and a scared dog is an aggressive dog. If you’ve never been to a dog park, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with canine play before visiting the park with your dog. Take some time and observe the different canine play behavior. There are dogs that like a rough and tumble style with lots of growling, grabbing, wrestling and tackling. Some dogs are daintier with bowing and chasing but not much physical contact. Some dogs like to herd other dogs, and may bark and nip at them. The most important thing to know is what behavior is normal for your dog, and what the warning signs are that your dog may be ready to leave.

Children in the Park

The Dog Park is NOT necessarily a safe place for children. It is strongly urged that small children not be brought into the park. The dog park was created as a place for people to enjoy their dogs off-leash. If you do choose to bring your child to the Dog Park, it is very important you supervise your child closely. You must take full responsibility of your child’s safety while at the Dog Park. The safest place for your child while in the Dog Park is standing by his/her parents’ side or holding their hand.

The dog park is not a petting zoo, or a place for a child to get over his or her fear of dogs. Most dogs are curious and friendly; not all dogs are child friendly. Some dogs are not used to small children and may feel scared or threatened if a child runs toward them or grabs at them.

Dogs often run fast and play vigorously with each other while in the park and they may inadvertently knock down and hurt a child who is standing out in the open.

Dogs can jump high enough to investigate babies in front/back packs. In this case, a dog may inadvertently knock the parent down causing injury to the parent and infant.

If you decide to bring your child to the Dog Park, please make sure your child follows these rules:

Also, teach them how to react if an emergency situation occurs:

Remember that your main responsibility while in the park is to monitor your dog(s) and to be prepared to intervene if there is any sign of trouble. Before bringing children to the park, consider whether you can effectively supervise both the dog and the children at the same time.

Preventing an Accident Before It Happens

The best way to prevent a fight is not to allow it to happen in the first place. Know your dog, understand canine communication, monitor situations carefully, and be prepared to intervene before stress, over-stimulation, or aggression escalate into a full-fledged fight.

Do not bring dogs with known aggressive tendencies to the park. You are risking harm and creating a potential liability for yourself.

Try to keep your dogs out of the corners of the fenced in area. Dogs playing in a group that get ‘trapped’ in a corner may feel threatened or fearful.

If a dog fight occurs, owners are responsible for immediately breaking it up. Both owners must get control of their dogs immediately. If one owner gets control of his or her dog but the other owner does not; this creates a very dangerous situation for the first dog and owner.

The safest way to break up a fight is to pull the dogs apart from behind. Grab either the tail or the hind legs. Do not grab the collar or put your hands anywhere near the dogs head. Both owners should grab their dogs and pull them away from each other at the same time. Then each dog should be leashed and removed from the park immediately.

Other owners should get hold of their own dogs, and divert their attentions elsewhere. The sight of a fight breaking out sometimes incites other dogs to get involved.

If your dog inflicts an injury, you must give your name and phone number to the other owner before leaving the park. Owners are legally and financially responsible for their dogs’ behavior.