Kids And Dog Parks

[Prydenjoy]

What are peoples thoughts about taking kids to dog parks?

My dogs love going to the dog park of an afternoon, but I do worry that taking my 20 month old toddler might pose a risk to her if another persons dog is not well socialised to children. Berri has a lot of energy and really needs a good off leash run every day or he loses the plot. Going without Meika is not an option though.

What do other people with kids and dogs do?

[Nik]

I take my kids to the dog park. Usually the dogs are too wrapped up in each other to bother the kids (I have 4 aged 9, 6, 4 and 2). But I don't let the kids wander off by themselves as they are more than likely to get knocked over by a wayward dog. I keep the youngest in the pram most of the time (much safer, and I can watch him and the odd inquisitive dog easier) and the other kids know to stay near a grown up for protection. It's amazing how the dogs have the full run of the park yet do their zoomies around and through the group of owners!

[Odin-Genie]

I think it's ok to take kids to dog parks as long as they are completely supervised, know not to approach or play with strange dogs, and don't run around the park. Even if the dogs are well socialised, a medium sized dog doing a zoomie can throw a kid down. Some dog parks in my area have children's park next to them, which I think is the best option.

[Tilly]

I think if you are responsible for your childs welfare then it shouldn't be a problem. It worries me when I see little kids crawling around and the parents are too busy talking to keep an eye on them.

I tend to avoid dog parks when they are used by others. Our local dog park has the group in the afternoon otherwise it is generally empty during the day. I tend to take my boys late in the evening or early morning and we have the park to ourselves.

Slightly off-topic ... but I have actually seen people sitting at the picnic table in the off-leash area ... having a picnic. When an woman had taken her young lab into the off-leash area the people complained about the dog coming near the tables (due to the smell of the food). I had to stop and ask the people why they thought having a picnic in an off-leash area was a good idea ... when there was a number of tables scattered around the park (outside the off-leash area) ... and then I had a go at them for throwing their chicken bones on the ground (which they did in front of us). They left shortly after ... after picking up chicken bones ... of course.

[wuffles]

I usually don't mind well-behaved, well-supervised, dog savvy kids at dog parks, but to be honest, I have had to leave the dog park a few times before because kids have been there. I have no kids of my own yet so probably less tolerant than others ;)

One of my dogs is 37kg without much self awareness, and he could do a heap of damage bowling over kids by accident. The other is just a pup, so does a lot of silly things, and I don't want her puppy teeth or enthusiasm to get us into trouble. I think if I had kids, I'd only take them in there if the park was very quiet.

Also, I have had some bad experiences where kids who seem well behaved at first, do things to my LARGE dog like physically open his mouth, throw a ball at his head, crawl underneath him, pull his tail and even HIT HIM. He is SO tolerant and I trust him 100% but IMO he shouldn't have to put up with that. I know all kids are not like this but I have had too many bad experiences to scare me off, so I now tend to avoid the park when kids are in there

Edited March 29, 2010 by wuffles

[Greytmate]

Don't let the kids take their shoes off or sit or roll around on the ground in a dog park. They could catch hookworm.

It is unlikely a dog would try to hurt a child if the child was leaving the dog alone. Even if that dog hated kids or feared them, it will most likely keep its distance.

Boisterous unruly dogs are more likely to be a problem. People are supposed to have their dogs under control, but if a dog accidentally knocks your child over, nobody is going to be too concerned, except maybe the parents.

So I would make the decision based on how carefully you supervise your toddler, and also on how traumatised she would be if a big dog rushed up and accidentally hurt her. Some kids just get up and keep playing, other kids lose it completely.

[16Paws]

We're usually the only people/dogs at our off-leash park but we have had a few 'interesting' experiences in the past.

When our lab girl was about 6 months old, 2 ladies (mum and grandma at a guess) bought in a pram with a 12-18mo in it. Our lab being the happy and bouncy girl she is, ran up the pram and put her front paws up on the bar thing (I don't have kids or a pram hehe) to peer in. Child started screaming, grandma starting yelling at our horrible evil dog. I don't even think they had their own dog there

Before that incident, there was a young girl who entered the park screaming and running at all of the dogs trying to get them to chase her. When she saw our lab pup (probaly just shy of 5 months then) she ran over squealing (awwww puppy!) and tried to lift pup up by 'hugging' her around the middle and yanking. ;)

On a positive note, I once saw a lady with a little girl who was probably around 3 years old. She stood next to her daughter the entire time and was keeping a very close eyes on things. At one stage, the little girl got bumped by a dog and fell over. Before bub could start crying, mum knelt down, talked to her and the little girl stood straight back up and didn't seem worried at all. I watched for a few minutes because it's pretty rare to see a child behave well around dogs (in my epxerience) and it was obvious mum was teaching her the right things

[SchnauzerBoy]

As an owner of a dog who will bark at kids purely as a warning system, if we see a parent come in with kids (under 4) we'll walk over and tell them that our dog will park, but just to get the kid to stand still and we'll distract the dog.

it is when the kids do things like cry and run that Aubrey will get a little bit anxious, but she is getting much better.

It is a dog park, if your kid is scared of dogs and will cry / run / shout etc then don't bring them in... it works both ways too!

[huga]

I wouldn't take my kids to a dog park. They are young (1 and 3), but quite used to dogs, so don't chase or pull tails. Too stressful to keep an eye on all 4 creatures though. But I go to the dog park to get time away usually

[Lady Flying Furball]

Yeah, I have found it is fine as long as the real little ones are in the pram (toddlers), and the parents or adult stays with the child. As an adult visiting a dog park without kids and being there when others have brought their kids,I have only reaped the benefits...little ones enjoying to take over the ball throwing for Tonka and I often teach them how to throw properly with that plastic handle

[poodlefan]

In an ideal world, I think small children wouldn't be in dog parks.

However its not an ideal world and parents don't always have the luxury of having someone mind the kids while Fido gets an outing. That said, very very close supervision of children is required and of course that makes simultaneous supervision of the family dog challenging.

I don't go to dog parks but the presence of kids would probably make me hesitate to enter. So many things can go wrong on both sides of the equation.

[sallyandtex]

You should probably go to a leash area with the little kids. Even so, keep her close by and supervised. Maybe get hubby to take care of the littlies in the evening and have a kid-free walk with your pooch! (good for you and pup!)

My kids are older now, but when they were smaller, my daughter got bowled over by a large dog, very frightening.

[sas]

I think you're taking a risk taking a child into a dog park which can be a rather primal place however you are the childs Mother and I'm sure you'd supervise that child and ensure it behaved appropriately and safe guarded it from dogs that didn't seem to behave in a manner you felt comfortable about.

For whatever reason, my boy as a young dog tried to hump children who were sitting down, no idea why, probably the easiest way to feel a sense of dominating something when he was feeling his oats but I'm not sure if that is common with other dogs or just my brat...he doesn't do this anymore however if I saw children in an off lead dog park I'm not sure I'd want to let my dogs off, not that I don't trust them but because they're big dogs and children are unpredictable and don't often make the best decisions of you know what I mean.

Edited March 29, 2010 by sas

[Spot.]

I love kids, but I really don't think that a busy off-lead dog park is an appropriate place for a young child/toddler to be walking around in.

[LizT]

If I had a 20 month old in a dog Park I wouldn't let it "OFF LEAD"!

Your child will be safer in a stroller as you can be in front of it and the back is protected. The dogs are protected from the child and visa verca. Then if you have a problem with other dogs (or children) your child is in the one place.

Edited March 29, 2010 by LizT

[darlingdog]

What are peoples thoughts about taking kids to dog parks?

My dogs love going to the dog park of an afternoon, but I do worry that taking my 20 month old toddler might pose a risk to her if another persons dog is not well socialised to children. Berri has a lot of energy and really needs a good off leash run every day or he loses the plot. Going without Meika is not an option though.

What do other people with kids and dogs do?

I look at it this way, we have all had bad experiences with other people's dogs at dog parks at various times, that is clear from all the posts that have been listed over time. Usually caused by human owners of dogs who have no insight into dog behaviour and no idea how to read a dog. Bearing that in mind I would not want my toddler child or small child anywhere near the dog's of owner's who fit that category. I think the potential for trouble is huge and it only takes a moment of inattention on your part for a tragedy to occur. Someone else on here suggested you wait till the kids can be looked after and have some one on one with your dog. I think that is the most sensible course of action.

[Bully]

I love kids, but I really don't think that a busy off-lead dog park is an appropriate place for a young child/toddler to be walking around in.

I agree.

An off-leash dog park is for the dogs. Some owners would feel uncomfortable that there are kids present in case their dog bowled them over and may feel as tho' they must leash their dog. What is the point of an off-leash dog park then? It's not fair to the other users of the off-lead park. Please take the kids to a playground with your dog for an on-lead walk and visit the off-leash park without the kids

[Dame Aussie]

I don't have kids but if I did I wouldn't take them to a dog park.

I think the parents have to be aware that when dogs are at a dog park they can get a tad excited and silly, I have a 45kg boofer who loves everyone and everything but if he was in the middle of a zoomie.....he could knock a kid down very easily.

I don't think it's fair that dog owners may feel as though they can't let their dogs zoom around because there's a toddler in the way when there are plenty of other parks that would be safer.

If the child was safe in a pram I wouldn't have a problem.

[Red Fox]

I dont that think children should be allowed in dog parks at all. Just as I dont think that dogs should be allowed in childrens playgrounds

[megan_]

It depends what you mean by a "dog park". Where I live, there is no such thing - there are public parks where you are allowed your dog to go off leash, but they are not dedicated dog areas. People play footy, jog, sit and chat in the park, with a few dogs running around. For the most part, it works really well.

At most times, there are only a few dogs at the park at once. There are a few families that come every night with their small kids. The families get to spend time together, and the dog learns how to play and interact with the kids. The parents speak to the kids about their day and have some fun time together. I think it is a great idea - beats sitting in front of the TV not talking. The family that plays together, stays together and all that...

That said, I wouldn't take my child (or myself) to a fully fenced, official "dog" park at peak time.

Edited because "fotty" is not a word - neither is "teh"

Edited March 29, 2010 by megan_