Dog parks and young kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our 3.5 year old daughter loves taking our dog to the dog park. We've been 8-10 times without any problems. I'd describe her as high energy but well behaved and she knows not to be rough with dogs. Today a dog came over near us. He was wagging his tail and seemed calm so we let her put her hand out for the dog to sniff, and then pet the dog. No problems. Then she went to get a tennis ball to throw for our dog. Both dogs ran after her, and the dog we didn't know started jumping on her. My husband says the dog tried to bite her, although I didn't see it, but did did have a large scratch down the back of her neck. I ran over and picked her up within perhaps 15 seconds. My husband was pissed at the owner, who said the dog was a puppy and not great with kids, but also yelled at my husband that we shouldn't have small children there. Later on, I was holding my daughter because she was scared, and another guy (who hadn't been there when the earlier incident happened) said it was good that I was holding her, because his dog isn't good with little kid. After the first one, I thought the woman was irresponsible, but the second one has me wondering -- is it acceptable to bring dogs that aren't good with little kids to an off-leash dog park? Would most people assume there wouldn't be little kids there?

It's a dog park.

You let your child pet a strange dog. Now you're upset your child was jumped on and scratched.

No, you don't take your small child to the dog park. If you do, you certainly don't let them pet other dogs.

[Anonymous]

I have a big dog and a toddler and totally get the appeal of taking both to the same park as a family activity... however as all the PPs have said it's too risky for everyone and not respectful to the other dog owners who brought their dogs there to play with other dogs. Just as I wouldn't bring my super sweet dog who has never been aggressive ever into a playground.

[Anonymous]

Most dogs explicitly ban children, for very good reason. Keep your child out of the dog park.

[Anonymous]

Very, very rare to get a unanimous response on DCUM. You were wrong, OP - please stop bringing your child to the dog park. It is your fault she got scratched today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate dogs, OP, but you were wrong to expect a dog in a dog park to be on leash for your child. Kids in kids' parks and dogs in dog parks.

+1. I can't believe you took a small child around a bunch of off-leash dogs. There is always the potential for a fight, too.

[Anonymous]

Aren't there rules on how old your child has to be to enter the dog park? I swore I read it on a sign where you have to be 12.


Common sense. Get some.

[Anonymous]

Kids have parks. Dogs have parks. Please do not take your small child into the dog park. It is for dogs.

[Anonymous]

I posted upthread about how it is wrong for OP to expect the dogs at a dog park to behave as if they are at a cocktail party.

But our local dog park frequently has kids in it. (Not usually as young as OP's kid, but they aren't grown.)

They don't come in at the busiest times, and their parents are hyper vigilant. But they have a great time. I don't think it's right to say kids should never come in, but you just have to have the right expectations and know how to behave. Don't let your kid throw balls when dogs are amped up, etc.

[Anonymous]

Small children should never be at a dog park, and your husband was completely wrong. Google this if you don't believe DCUM.

[Anonymous]

OP really, you sound pretty stupid and clueless. A 3 yr old inside a dog park, and you get mad at other dog owners when their dog attacks your kid? You and your husband are pretty dumb and selfish.

No your little snowflake does not belong in the dog park. Take her to the kid park. This isn't rocket science lady.

[Anonymous]

It is incredibly irresponsible to bring a small child into a fenced in dog park! You don't know what kind of animals might be in there and they are all (obviously) off leash. Your kid could be seriously hurt especially if she is waving around a toy. How dumb can you get?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted upthread about how it is wrong for OP to expect the dogs at a dog park to behave as if they are at a cocktail party.

But our local dog park frequently has kids in it. (Not usually as young as OP's kid, but they aren't grown.)

They don't come in at the busiest times, and their parents are hyper vigilant. But they have a great time. I don't think it's right to say kids should never come in, but you just have to have the right expectations and know how to behave. Don't let your kid throw balls when dogs are amped up, etc.

Disagree. I don't even have a dog, but I would NEVER bring a little kid into a dog park. And it's not because of safety. A dog park is literally the ONLY place a dog is allowed to be off leash and just let loose and be a dog, unless you have a big backyard. The dog park is for dogs. LET THEM HAVE THAT.

JFC lady.

[Anonymous]

Hate to pile on but dogs occasionally fight in those parks and a 3 year old could get seriously hurt. That would be entirely the parent's fault, not the dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is incredibly irresponsible to bring a small child into a fenced in dog park! You don't know what kind of animals might be in there and they are all (obviously) off leash. Your kid could be seriously hurt especially if she is waving around a toy. How dumb can you get?

This. I stopped bringing my dog to one. No one in hell I'd bring my kid.

[Anonymous]

I used to bring my daughter to a dog park when she was an infant in another area, although always in a carrier (husband worked long hours including weekend, so I was the only one who could exercise the dog). Ninety-nine percent of the time it was fine, but a few times, a dog got excited and jumped up and put its paws on the carrier.

My daughter is almost 6yo now and not very high energy, but I would not feel super comfortable bringing her to a dog park. And definitely not a high-energy 3yo.