I wouldn't walk my baby through the off-leash area. If your park has the paths go through the off-leash area, they are crazy. The off-leash area is supposed to be separate.
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
Same here. Wouldn't take baby through off-leash area...
![]()
Sure there's rules... and then there is reality.
![]()
I don't think you can rely on rules. I would have picked up the little dog as well. I am the alpha dog but if an 80 pound dog bites a 5 pound dog there may not be much left over.
People are supposed to be watchful but it's still likely some people won't and some dogs that are not suitable for off-leash will be off-leash, etc.
There is just no gain in taking unnecessary risk while clinging to the fact that there are rules. If something happens it's not going to much consolation that you were right and others weren't.
I don't think you can rely on rules. I would have picked up the little dog as well. I am the alpha dog but if an 80 pound dog bites a 5 pound dog there may not be much left over.
People are supposed to be watchful but it's still likely some people won't and some dogs that are not suitable for off-leash will be off-leash, etc.
There is just no gain in taking unnecessary risk while clinging to the fact that there are rules. If something happens it's not going to much consolation that you were right and others weren't.
The area is not really fenced off, it's just sort of a circular area at the end of the trail which leads into a small parking area, then the street, then the rest of the part. It is not a "sectioned off" or enclosed area (in other words we didn't specially enter, the path just leads into it--sort of like a pond at the end of a stream or something
![]()
)
As for picking up our dog--he was on his leash, but is TERRIFIED of other dogs, so he was trying to get away from them and I was afraid that might trigger a hunt/chase instinct if they thought he was going to run.
Anyway, I just thought people would be paying more attention and was surprised by their reaction. But then I wasn't sure if perhaps they were right about us being in "their" territory.
As for picking up our dog--he was on his leash, but is TERRIFIED of other dogs, so he was trying to get away from them and I was afraid that might trigger a hunt/chase instinct if they thought he was going to run.
Anyway, I just thought people would be paying more attention and was surprised by their reaction. But then I wasn't sure if perhaps they were right about us being in "their" territory.
ITA w/Dar.
We are dog park regulars and for the most part, people watch their dogs. Those who don't are always reminded by the self-appointed dog park police that you need to follow the rules or get out. One of the rules is that your dog has to be within range of your voice at all time. Another rule is that if your dog bites, they either need to be muzzled or need to leave the park immediately. Our dog park has two areas: one for dogs less than 40lbs and one for bigger dogs. If your small dog has issues with big dogs, then don't take them around bigger dogs.
It doesn't sound like those dogs were doing anything out of the ordinary. When you walk into an off-leash area, expect the dogs to be off-leash. If you don't want other dogs around you when they are off-leash, don't walk your little dog or your baby through there.
We had a man show up at our dog park with a 40-or-so lb. Heinz 57 that was obviously afraid of bigger dogs. He complained to our whole group because our Danes, Mastiff, Borzoi, and Greyhounds (the BIG dogs) were chasing and scaring his dog. Our dogs were all playing and chasing each other. I guess he didn't bother to notice the teeny little rat terrier chasing my 115lb Dane all over the place. It's not our fault or problem that his dog didn't like bigger dogs. He had several options:
1.)Take the dog to the little dog side.
2.)Take the dog to the other end of the park.
3.)Take the dog home.
Yes, owners are always responsible for the actions of their dogs. But people are responsible for their own actions as well and if you don't want unleashed dogs around your baby or your little dog, don't walk in areas where there are unleashed dogs.
![]()
We are dog park regulars and for the most part, people watch their dogs. Those who don't are always reminded by the self-appointed dog park police that you need to follow the rules or get out. One of the rules is that your dog has to be within range of your voice at all time. Another rule is that if your dog bites, they either need to be muzzled or need to leave the park immediately. Our dog park has two areas: one for dogs less than 40lbs and one for bigger dogs. If your small dog has issues with big dogs, then don't take them around bigger dogs.
It doesn't sound like those dogs were doing anything out of the ordinary. When you walk into an off-leash area, expect the dogs to be off-leash. If you don't want other dogs around you when they are off-leash, don't walk your little dog or your baby through there.
We had a man show up at our dog park with a 40-or-so lb. Heinz 57 that was obviously afraid of bigger dogs. He complained to our whole group because our Danes, Mastiff, Borzoi, and Greyhounds (the BIG dogs) were chasing and scaring his dog. Our dogs were all playing and chasing each other. I guess he didn't bother to notice the teeny little rat terrier chasing my 115lb Dane all over the place. It's not our fault or problem that his dog didn't like bigger dogs. He had several options:
1.)Take the dog to the little dog side.
2.)Take the dog to the other end of the park.
3.)Take the dog home.
Yes, owners are always responsible for the actions of their dogs. But people are responsible for their own actions as well and if you don't want unleashed dogs around your baby or your little dog, don't walk in areas where there are unleashed dogs.
Well, I've just come to the conclusion that it's not my fault and it's not their fault (although I don't think they should have been rude about it). It's the dog park's fault.
From all the posts, I've gathered that this is just the stupidest dog park in the world.
1. There is NO fence whatsover.
2. If you are walking along this path (one of only two in the park and the only one that's not paved, meaning you don't have to dodge bicyclists every 3 minutes as you do on the other path) the dog park is UNAVOIDABLE. There is no "leash" area that you could walk in with a small child, and even if there were, there's no fricken' fence.
3. There is very little grass for the dogs to play in--it's basically more like a section of the parking lot than the park.
4. It's adjacent to the street--again, with no fence (which is why our dog doesn't go off leash there, even when there are no other dogs around).
Stupid, stupid dog park
![]()
:
From all the posts, I've gathered that this is just the stupidest dog park in the world.
1. There is NO fence whatsover.
2. If you are walking along this path (one of only two in the park and the only one that's not paved, meaning you don't have to dodge bicyclists every 3 minutes as you do on the other path) the dog park is UNAVOIDABLE. There is no "leash" area that you could walk in with a small child, and even if there were, there's no fricken' fence.
3. There is very little grass for the dogs to play in--it's basically more like a section of the parking lot than the park.
4. It's adjacent to the street--again, with no fence (which is why our dog doesn't go off leash there, even when there are no other dogs around).
Stupid, stupid dog park
2
GRRRRR! I have to wonder why the hell people would want to take their dogs off-leash somewhere where their dogs could run off like that.
![]()
:
See, this is how it's done:
http://www.fortwoof.org/
My dog park was just voted #1 in the country by Dog Fancy!
![]()
See, this is how it's done:
http://www.fortwoof.org/
My dog park was just voted #1 in the country by Dog Fancy!
Quote:
![]()
Originally Posted by Dar My understanding of dog park etiquette is that butt sniffing, mild horseplay, and running up to people or dogs is generally considered okay, and jumping up on people or significant aggressiveness (more than just a warning growl to an overly friendly dog) requires owner intervention. I wouldn't take a stroller through a dog off-leash area either, but if you do I would expect your baby to be sniffed and perhaps slobbered on. I live in an apartment with a border collie, and I don't have many options to let my dog run for a bit legally, other than the dog park (or driving a long way). We have a huge dog park and I'm sure hundreds of dogs pass through on an average day. There are plenty of places to walk a baby and a leashed little dog besides the dog park. It does bother me when people bring small children to the dog park and then expect the dogs to stay away from them. I've seen a few small children knocked over by dogs who were chasing balls or running and playing and not paying attention, and I feel sorry for the toddlers... but I don't blame the dogs, I blame the child's parents. dar |
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
