Best Practices – Kids
Please think twice about bringing your small child to the dog park.
It can be a scary and dangerous place for a child, even one who is generally comfortable with dogs.
Remember that the park is primarily a place for dogs to do dog things off-leash. That means run, herd, sniff, etc.
If you do decide to bring your kids,
1. Keep them close and
2. Never let them run
For some helpful tips about bringing kids to dog parks, see
http://www.hillsborodogs.com/park/kidsatdogpark.html
Dog Park Tip – Watch your dog
Tip 3: Watch your dog
It can be tempting to lose yourself in conversation or your phone when your dog is contained in an off-leash park. Don’t.
For the safety and well-being of your dog and others’, make sure you know what your dog is up to at all times.
Photographer’s note: all subjects featured in the dog park tips are willing volunteers.
Dog Park Best Practices
Tip 2: Unleash
Remove your dog’s leash–assuming it is safe* to do so–before entering the main park.
A dog on a leash is disadvantaged when first meeting and greeting the unleashed park dogs.
*You should remove your dog’s leash in the front vestibule separating the street from the main park IF both gates are closed and there is no danger of your dog escaping.
Dog Park Best Practices
Tip 1: Don’t Crowd the Gate
Keep your dog from crowding the park entrance when new visitors are coming through the gate.
Dog park entrances can often be conflict zones. By preventing pack behavior at the gate, you can help to
- Reduce territorial behavior (dog park dogs ‘protecting their turf’ from newcomers)
- Reduce likelihood of the new dogs feeling threatened (some dogs behave more aggressively when they feel threatened)
- Give incoming dogs room to get their bearings and meet the park dogs in a less confrontational way