Dog Park Rules / Law

[Remarkabull]

Rebanne, I have considered printing and laminating that article and attaching it to the gates at the dog park in the hopes that it may enlighten even just one dog owner to their dogs behavior and their responsibilities. Most likely it would either get ignored or ripped down by some idiot who thinks leash free areas are there so they can let their dogs run riot while they sit down and pay no attention to them.

[Guest donatella]

I think you will be the one in trouble seeing as its an off lead dog park and dogs are in general going to be off lead. I'd be very worried if people took aggressive dogs to off lead dog parks as its in most dogs nature to check each other out and get up close and person so if your dog is going to react to that then it should not be in that situation.

I do not take aggressive dogs to the park.

I understand there are people with dogs who do not know basic dog behaviour

and/or

who project the sum and possibility of their dog onto others' dogs;

however to me I feel I have just as much right to utilise public space as every other person. As long as I follow the rules of that public space.

General rule of thumb if your dog has potential to get aggressive or attack others it has no place in an off lead dog park.

Then according to this rule of thumb, no dog has any place at an off lead dog park.

true that wasn't well thought out.

I don't go anywhere near them, hear nothing but trouble, not willing to take the risk to be honest, to many dickhead owners around these days.

[BJean]

General rule of thumb if your dog has potential to get aggressive or attack others it has no place in an off lead dog park.

Then according to this rule of thumb, no dog has any place at an off lead dog park.

true that wasn't well thought out.

I don't go anywhere near them, hear nothing but trouble, not willing to take the risk to be honest, to many dickhead owners around these days.

Yes until recently I have never gone to an offlead dog park.

Actually i didn't even realise I was 'in' one until I realised that dogs were offlead week after week.

And if DOL is the barometer of everything DOG, I never even replied to an offlead dog park

discussion and am still omg that I started another dogpark :rolleyes: here-we-go again thread.

lol

[dancinbcs]

if you look at your local council rules, have a read about what 'effective control' and 'vocal control' actually mean. If you CANNOT call your dog back or it rushes another, this is unacceptable and if your dog ends up bitten because you cannot call it back (read that, control it) it's your fault. Particularly if the other dog is on lead. Off lead means simply off lead not run around like a lunatic.

Absolutely agree with this. Any offlead dog needs to under effective control and it is never acceptable for an offlead dog to rush at any person or dog unless invited. It doesn't matter of it is an offlead park or not. Offlead parks are not for the exclusive use of offlead dogs. They are public parks and all the normal laws apply except it is acceptable to let a well trained dog off lead for exercise. provided it does not bother anyone else. Where on earth the idiotic idea came from that offlead parks are free for alls, where dogs can do as they like, I have no idea.

[pie]

I don't frequent off lead parks but I remember a year or so ago people at training were talking about how Rangers were going to off lead dog parks, asking the owners to recall their dog to demonstrate effective control, and fining them if the dog was running loose and didn't recall (which I think is a good idea and might make people try harder to get a good recall on their dogs)

[fuzzy82]

I don't think it's right to keep a dog on leash in and off leash area. If another dog does approach yours, your dog will feel trapped and is more likely to lash out. Not only that, but you know your dog is aggressive and still take him to an off leash area, where he's likely to be approached by other dogs and be put in a situation where he's uncomfortable.

On leash or not, I wouldn't be happy if there was an aggressive dog at the dog park. Even a highly trained dog can never be 100% reliable, and might approach yours. I dare say that in an off leash area, you can't blame the off leash dog if there is a fight. I'd blame the silly owner with the aggressive dog that was on leash.

[Chris the Rebel Wolf]

Those who use offlead parks:

If your dog runs up to another dog after the owner has asked you to call your dog away -

and your dog is bitten because the two dogs did not get along -

do you consider it the fault of the dog onlead

or

the fault of your offlead dog who you did not call back?

I guess I should call the Council and ask them also.

I would consider it the fault of the dog who was not called back, especially if the owner of the dog has asked me to call my dog back.

I think my feelings in such a situation would vary though; if the owner of the leashed dog had a dog who was really super reactive/aggressive, I would expect that owner to have taken the precaution of muzzling. I think dogs should be able to greet other dogs normally without getting bitten in that sort of environment but also, I respect owner wishes and if their dog wasn't that friendly and they say so and I proceed... my fault. However if my unleashed dog went to greet a on leash dog in friendly manner, no rushing and with good manners, and the owner said nothing, that would bug me. So to some extent I think it would depend on circumstance.

I do not agree with the mentality I see in some offleash parks where the owners are all 'It's an offleash park and I'm not going to take any responsibility because it's an offleash park so my dog can run around like crazy and barge up to anybody offleash' I liked dancinbcss term of 'Free for alls' which is how I find some people think about offleash areas.

Should be noted I don't use offleash parks very often, in part due to location and in part due to this sort of attitude that they are not always used by responsible owners.

I think ringing with council and writing down what they tell you (and the name and date of who you spoke to) is a very wise precaution to take.

[dancinbcs]

I don't think it's right to keep a dog on leash in and off leash area. If another dog does approach yours, your dog will feel trapped and is more likely to lash out. Not only that, but you know your dog is aggressive and still take him to an off leash area, where he's likely to be approached by other dogs and be put in a situation where he's uncomfortable.

On leash or not, I wouldn't be happy if there was an aggressive dog at the dog park. Even a highly trained dog can never be 100% reliable, and might approach yours. I dare say that in an off leash area, you can't blame the off leash dog if there is a fight. I'd blame the silly owner with the aggressive dog that was on leash.

What part of "public park" and "effective control", do you not understand. Everyone has a right to walk their dog on lead in a public park without being harrassed by other dogs. If your dog is not well enough trained to come immediately when called it has no right being offlead anywhere there are other dogs or people. Why should anyone have to risk their dog running on the road because other dogs are offlead. By your theory all dogs should be off lead in an offlead area even if they do not have an effective recall, or they shouldn't be walked. That is ridiculous.

[Blackdogs]

Am I the only one confused about the term 'dog park'? Are we talking about parks specifically designed for off-leash dogs, or any old park people can use that doesn't dictate that dogs must be on lead?

I do not allow my dogs to approach any other dog in any situation without the express permission of the owner.

I do have similar concerns though, as I take my dog to off leash parks to play ball with him and there are some types of dogs he doesn't like. He is not on lead but he is well trained and I call out to others to please keep at a distance if they have one of these dogs. He will never approach a dog he doesn't like. I do worry about what might happen if the owner has no control over their dog, but my dog needs running time.

[sandgrubber]

There was a time when the only way I could allow my dog to go to a full run and to interact with other dogs was to go to an off lead dog park. My dog at the time had good recall, unless she found something choice to eat/roll in (typical Lab) and hadn't one iota of aggression toward dog or man. I found lots of interpretations of 'effective control', many of which didn't accord with mine. Eg, one regular user of the dog park had four Basenjiis, who tended to gang up on other dogs and do some nasty hock biting, but who never did serious harm. People learned to recognize and steer clear of this person and her dogs. In the year or so that I used that park, I found most everyone got to know each other and their dogs, and developed ways to work with one another or avoid each other when it was no-go. There were many dogs in the six months to two years category who were not fully trained, but had a lovely time goofing off, running and playing. These were commonly unrestrained about bounding up to another dog, on or off leash.

A large guardian breed dog who was new to the park and who had protective reactions would be a hazard in this circumstance. Young dogs brought there to play, many of them basically untrained but friendly, would be likely to bound up to the dog. On leash dogs tend to be defensive, if not aggressive. That can spiral out of control. Dogs, like humans, tend to react to defensive behaviour as though it were an offense.

Personally, I don't thing the formal RULES are all that important, except when things go seriously wrong. Off lead dog parks can be a great thing. Each park develops its own culture and helps people who love their dogs but don't have a big yard to fulfill their pets needs for exercise and socialisation. Its important to watch and understand what is going on in the environment and play along with the unofficial rules of the game.

[BJean]

Am I the only one confused about the term 'dog park'? Are we talking about parks specifically designed for off-leash dogs, or any old park people can use that doesn't dictate that dogs must be on lead?

Sorry it is a normal park, playground, BBQ areas etc

and dogs can be offlead in this park.

It looks as if the park is specifically designed for people or families with young children.

Most of the people in the park have children playing on play equipment

and have their family dog with them.

I have no problem with the dogs from families with children.

I guess the dogs from these families, are raised to not stray from the parents' eye and have good obedience also :D

[aussielover]

I don't know much about offlead dog parks as I don't utilise them for that purpose.

Lately though I visit my friend who lives opposite an offlead park, so we have a chat in the park and I bring one of my dogs onlead.

Anyway each time I go, invariably someone sees a big dog and thinks its glorious that their offlead dog is now running towards the big dog.

So I yell out and tell the owner to call their offlead dog(s) away - I don't want their dog(s) near me or my dog.

Always I am told:

"I's an offlead park. If you dont like it you should not be here. My dog is not aggressive"

And I go, "yeah I know but my dog might be, so call your dog away."

I had one lady argue the toss with me, and I'm thinking wtf okay let your elderly GSD get bitten and taken to the vet.

So how do offlead dog parks work - do dogs in offlead parks have the right to run up to other dogs and these other dogs must be friendly?

If my dog bites an offlead dog that runs towards my dog and myself, is it my dog's fault for being reactive in an offlead park?

Basically I want to know, if my dog is in control on lead and bites / attacks an offlead dog that rushes us, is my dog okay legally?

And: am I void of financial responsibility for any damage that may happen to the offlead dog?

Those who use offlead parks:

If your dog runs up to another dog after the owner has asked you to call your dog away -

and your dog is bitten because the two dogs did not get along -

do you consider it the fault of the dog onlead

or

the fault of your offlead dog who you did not call back?

I guess I should call the Council and ask them also.

It should be the responsibility of the other owner to keep their dog away from yours. However, that has not been my experience in dog parks. The dog parks I go to are generally pretty relaxed with dogs greeting each other all the time, there are very few serious incidentss, a couple of annoying dogs and not great if you want to do training (although great for distraction work!).

Personally I would consider it my fault if my dog ran up to another and got bitten; however my dog is generally pretty good at reading other dogs and if your dog was giving off a "go way" vibe and stance, she probably wouldn't rush in and she is very submissive so can usually avoid a full on attack if another come sup to her in an aggressive manner.

While I think you have the right to bring your dog into a dog park and not harassed, I think it is asking for trouble to take a known DA dog to an off leash park because there is always bound to be a percentage of dogs there that are out of control and additionally it could be quite stressful and unenjoyable for them. Possibly if your dog remains on lead, you could be less liable for damage but if you let it off, I think you'd be the one considered at fault (even though you're not).

BTW I have been told the same thing about its a dog park, if you don't like it leave, when I've asked others to keep their dogs away (mainly when their dog is trying to hump mine).

[Dame Aussie]

This is why I don't go to off leash parks, there is SOOOO much room for error.

Personally, if I thought my dog might have a go at another dog rushing it, I wouldn't take my dog there, it may not be my fault but you know what some people are like :rolleyes: .

Especially when it's a big dog. People are very scared of Mosley when we take him out, some are ok and want to pet him but others are quite worried, just because he's big. Big dogs always seem to lose out when it comes to who was at fault IYKWIM?

I stopped going to off lead parks ages ago as I was sick of my dogs being attacked/rushed at, a lot of people who frequent these parks do not have effective control over their dogs, and because of that we have to be so much more careful.

Technically, if your dog is on lead and another dog is the one rushing I think it's their fault for not having their dog under control.

ETA: Spelling and sense....my heads away!

Edited November 10, 2011 by Aussie3

[Rebanne]

I don't think it's right to keep a dog on leash in and off leash area. If another dog does approach yours, your dog will feel trapped and is more likely to lash out. Not only that, but you know your dog is aggressive and still take him to an off leash area, where he's likely to be approached by other dogs and be put in a situation where he's uncomfortable.

On leash or not, I wouldn't be happy if there was an aggressive dog at the dog park. Even a highly trained dog can never be 100% reliable, and might approach yours. I dare say that in an off leash area, you can't blame the off leash dog if there is a fight. I'd blame the silly owner with the aggressive dog that was on leash.

My local off leash areas are not fenced and are in fact walking tracks popular with everyone. What do you suggest I do with my greyhound, that by law, can not be let off lead?

[Atanquin]

I think in a fenced off lead dog park designed for dogs to be off lead and not for children or picnics then I would be annoyed if a leashed dog came in that was aggressive when approached by other dogs as it is not a place for tho's sort of dogs to be. But if it was a public park with a non fenced area and dogs where allowed off lead then yes I would be annoyed if a dog went up to another dog that was on a lead as it is a public park free for ALL to use. Not just for off lead dogs.

[Niques]

If you asked them to call the dog off then it's their fault. Otherwise, I'd say you have to expect other dogs coming up. But I've been conditioned to Brisbane's small, fenced in dog parks where repeat contact is inevitable. If it's quite a large, unfenced space then I think you should be able to expect a degree of personal space.

[Dory the Doted One]

Interesting discussion!

For me....

In a fenced park I'd be peeved to have an aggro dog whether it is on or off lead. To me it invites trouble. Every dog in the place would be drawn to you. And whether we like it or not, most dogs ther have no recall. I'd also be wondering why you'd have such a dog there in the first place.

In an unfenced park, I'd be peeved to get bombarded by rude dogs with zero recall or over enthusiastic greeting behaviour. Wouldn't be worried about on lead aggro dogs unless not well controlled or managed. I'd expect that other park users would respect the space around an on lead dog.

[Alkhe]

Am I the only one confused about the term 'dog park'? Are we talking about parks specifically designed for off-leash dogs, or any old park people can use that doesn't dictate that dogs must be on lead?

Sorry it is a normal park, playground, BBQ areas etc

and dogs can be offlead in this park.

It looks as if the park is specifically designed for people or families with young children.

Most of the people in the park have children playing on play equipment

and have their family dog with them.

I have no problem with the dogs from families with children.

I guess the dogs from these families, are raised to not stray from the parents' eye and have good obedience also :D

Yeah, from what I gather in some other states (non-Vic) actual specified 'dog parks' are more numerous than regular parks with off leash areas. When I talk about my 'dog park' I just mean the area in the park near me, where dogs are allowed off leash. I'm not sure exactly which park you're talking about lilli, but can think of 2 that it may be (I'm in the inner north of Melbourne).

In my experience, non-fenced parks where dogs are allowed off leash tend to have more obedient and controlled dogs than those areas with fences. I've always assumed that people with less obedient dogs or those with less effective recall etc, take them to the fenced area because obviously they can't get out and run on roads etc. Probably true in some instances, but not exclusively.

I think I'm really lucky, actually, because my park is populated mostly by small dogs! The larger ones (biggest is a Bernese Mountain Dog, oh and the Borzoi) are all used to the littlies and play mercifully gently, or among the larger dogs. (I love my park... )

[Agility Dogs]

Legally I don't know where you'd stand. While the other dog is not under control it could also be argued that neither is yours (if it were to attack/lash out just because it was approached by anotehr dog) and into the bargain you have as much as admitted that your dog is aggressive by asking the other person to take their dog away because yours might not like it.

I'm not saying you are in the wrong or there is anything wrong with your dogs, my boy is exactly like this. I don't like dog parks for exactly this reason and won't put my dogs in a situation I don't think they can handle.

That said, I'd find it VERY frustrating if it were just a regular park where dogs are allowed off lead.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't I say. Best to just not invite problems.

[corrie]

Just repeating lilli's point for those that didn't catch it.

Sorry for not quoting (feel free to correct me) but think it was along the lines that the dog she takes would be regarded as dog friendly as she wouldn't take a known DA dog.

Also thought I'd mention that just because a dog runs around the park like a raving lunatic, that doesn't mean it would approach another dog.