Kids at the dog park

[Anonymous]

Kids are 3 and 6. We sometimes take the dog to the dog park as a family, sometimes DH takes the dog and kids. Turns out DH lets the kids run around and play with each other regardless of whether there are other dogs there.

I think this is incredibly risky for both kids and dogs. DH thinks I’m ridiculous.

What day you DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Dog parks are the only place dogs are free to be dogs. Children do not belong in dog parks.

[Anonymous]

It is very risky. Kids need to be right by parent. Many dog parks have signs stating this.

Not all dogs are good with kids.

And it is incredibly easy even for adults to get their legs knocked out from under them when dogs are running and wrestling. Imagine what would happen if a kid got caught up in that.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t.

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty sure there is a stated age restriction for kids in dog parks. I know Fairfax County parks have one on the signs. Regardless, that is extremely dangerous. I’ve seen way too many stupid parents bring kids into the dog park and many many near misses with kids being jumped on, knocked down, or narrowly avoiding a skirmish. Not to mention kids who plop down and play in the gravel that is just completely pee-soaked.

[Anonymous]

3 year old is too young, 6 year old is on the fence. I think dog parks generally want kids to be at least 7, or 8. Your 6 year old needs to be on his or her VERY BEST behavior the entire time. Does not run up to other people's dogs, asks the owner first if it okay to pet the dog, no wild running around the place, etc.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the size of the dogs at the dog park. If they're Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Pits etc, then yes, it could be dangerous to let kids run around. But small dogs, I don't see the problem.

Didn't anyone here ever run around when they were kids with dogs around? I know I did and I'm still in one piece.

[Anonymous]

Extremely dangerous.

First, children under 5 aren’t allowed at most dog parks. The 3 year old shouldn’t even be there.

Dogs are predators. All it takes it one small child running to set off prey drive, and once one dog starts, others can be triggered and join in.

You’d think dog owners would be smart enough to not bring aggressive dogs but they aren’t. I’ve seen extremely aggressive dogs at the park and more dog fights than should be happening.

Plus some dogs aren’t outright aggressive, but have poor play skills and could knock a child over while trying to play. If that kid gets scared and starts screaming, it can trigger other dogs to join in and attack.

I don’t even let my young kids be alone with 2 of our 3 dogs because I don’t think it’s worth the risk (one is older and cranky, the other we found out has pit in her. So they are locked up when they can’t be fully supervised with the kids). Absolutely no way would I ever let my kids even go to the dog park, let alone run around unsupervised. Way too many horror stories of what has happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog parks are the only place dogs are free to be dogs. Children do not belong in dog parks.

To some degree but I took my kids with strict instructions to standby by me and not to interact with dogs. They were (uncharacteristically) well behaved. A dog approached and began to bite my younger child and when I asked the owner to leash his dog, he started screaming at me. I’m sorry, kids are people and dogs are dogs. If dogs bit people they are dangerous. As long as kid walk is the rules and abide by them, they should be able to be at the dog park. Dog people are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog parks are the only place dogs are free to be dogs. Children do not belong in dog parks.

To some degree but I took my kids with strict instructions to standby by me and not to interact with dogs. They were (uncharacteristically) well behaved. A dog approached and began to bite my younger child and when I asked the owner to leash his dog, he started screaming at me. I’m sorry, kids are people and dogs are dogs. If dogs bit people they are dangerous. As long as kid walk is the rules and abide by them, they should be able to be at the dog park. Dog people are crazy.

What were you doing at the dog park?

[Anonymous]

Here are the rules for Fairfax County:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rules/dog-park

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog parks are the only place dogs are free to be dogs. Children do not belong in dog parks.

To some degree but I took my kids with strict instructions to standby by me and not to interact with dogs. They were (uncharacteristically) well behaved. A dog approached and began to bite my younger child and when I asked the owner to leash his dog, he started screaming at me. I’m sorry, kids are people and dogs are dogs. If dogs bit people they are dangerous. As long as kid walk is the rules and abide by them, they should be able to be at the dog park. Dog people are crazy.

People are not going to leash their dogs in a dog park..a park specifically built for the purpose of off leash exercise for dogs. Children don’t belong in dog parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the size of the dogs at the dog park. If they're Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Pits etc, then yes, it could be dangerous to let kids run around. But small dogs, I don't see the problem.

Didn't anyone here ever run around when they were kids with dogs around? I know I did and I'm still in one piece.

I absolutely ran around with dogs when I was a kid -- mine and our neighbors who I'd known my whole life. And my son runs around with our 2 large dogs. I do not let my son's friends run around with our dogs. And we don't let our kid run around the dog park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids are 3 and 6. We sometimes take the dog to the dog park as a family, sometimes DH takes the dog and kids. Turns out DH lets the kids run around and play with each other regardless of whether there are other dogs there.

I think this is incredibly risky for both kids and dogs. DH thinks I’m ridiculous.

What day you DCUM?

Your kids do not belong in the dog park whether they are running and playing or standing still by you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog parks are the only place dogs are free to be dogs. Children do not belong in dog parks.

To some degree but I took my kids with strict instructions to standby by me and not to interact with dogs. They were (uncharacteristically) well behaved. A dog approached and began to bite my younger child and when I asked the owner to leash his dog, he started screaming at me. I’m sorry, kids are people and dogs are dogs. If dogs bit people they are dangerous. As long as kid walk is the rules and abide by them, they should be able to be at the dog park. Dog people are crazy.

This story is so bizarre.

Your children do not belong at the dog park. The fact that they were standing by you doesn't change that. Also, a dog was biting your young child, and you stood there and asked someone to leash the dog? You didn't move your child to safety? You just let the dog bite your child?