Dog parks and young kids

[Anonymous]

Do you think kids should be expected to be dog-friendly in a kid park?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, you are a fool and 100 percent at fault here.

A dog park is for dogs - not a petting zoo for your child

[Anonymous]

Ugh. KEEP YOUR YOUNG CHILD OUT OF THE DOG PARK. S/he (zie?) does NOT belong there. I would not bring my child to the dog park -- and I'm sure as shit not taking responsibility for YOUR poor judgment if you do.

[Anonymous]

Young children in dog parks are the exact same as dogs at people playgrounds and sports fields...they do NOT belong there. Period.

Keep your little kids out of designated dog parks.

Keep your dogs off playgrounds and little league fields.

How on earth do dog people have such little sense?!?

[Anonymous]

I don't particularly like dogs and most of the time I hate dog owners and their entitled attitudes. But they're totally right on this.

A dog park is pretty much the ONLY place where a dog should be. It's not a shopping mall or a restaurant or a concert or a party. It's a dog park. What else do you think it is for? Seriously. It's not a petting zoo or a playground for kids. Dog parks are for dogs.

It's honestly unbelievable how stupid some people are.

[Anonymous]

I have the sweetest gentlest 25 lb mutt. He's great with little kids, and if we are walking and you meet us he'll sit quietly and let your kid pat him (assuming you give permission of course).

But he's also lightning fast. The kind of dog that gains on squirrels when he chases them. And the only place he can run like that is the dog park, because we live in an apartment and while I him jogging, my dog is way faster than me, so he craves the dog park.

A few months ago, we were at the park and I was throwing a ball, and my dog and bigger dog both went for it. They were so focused on the ball, that they collided, and the force that my dog hit with caused the other dog, who was maybe 60 lbs, to fly through the air. He hit the ground yelping, and took a while to get up. I was worried he'd broken a bone, because the hit was so hard, but he left limping the owner thought he was OK.

That was a 60 lb dog. Now imagine my dog hitting your child. He could do serious damage. It won't happen, because every time someone brings a dog in the park, I leash him up and leave. I'm not taking that chance. Because I care about your kid's safety, even if you don't.

But inside, I'm cursing you. I'm a single WOH parent. Finding time when my own kid isn't with me so I can go to the park is really hard. Having to leave because someone like the OP is infuriating.

[Anonymous]

The guy who told you it was "good you were holding your daughter" was trying to find a polite way to tell you to leave. Now.

[Anonymous]

Many dog parks have rules stating that children under a certain age are not permitted. I know of one that has a minimum age as high as 10.
This is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the sweetest gentlest 25 lb mutt. He's great with little kids, and if we are walking and you meet us he'll sit quietly and let your kid pat him (assuming you give permission of course).

But he's also lightning fast. The kind of dog that gains on squirrels when he chases them. And the only place he can run like that is the dog park, because we live in an apartment and while I him jogging, my dog is way faster than me, so he craves the dog park.

A few months ago, we were at the park and I was throwing a ball, and my dog and bigger dog both went for it. They were so focused on the ball, that they collided, and the force that my dog hit with caused the other dog, who was maybe 60 lbs, to fly through the air. He hit the ground yelping, and took a while to get up. I was worried he'd broken a bone, because the hit was so hard, but he left limping the owner thought he was OK.

That was a 60 lb dog. Now imagine my dog hitting your child. He could do serious damage. It won't happen, because every time someone brings a dog in the park, I leash him up and leave. I'm not taking that chance. Because I care about your kid's safety, even if you don't.

But inside, I'm cursing you. I'm a single WOH parent. Finding time when my own kid isn't with me so I can go to the park is really hard. Having to leave because someone like the OP is infuriating.

I have a greyhound and when she was far younger, she could get up to speeds as fast as 40 mph. She one time ran right into my leg at the dog park and I spent time on the ground praying the leg wasn't broken. I was fine, she was fine - but again. Not a good scenario for a wee one.
Mid you must go, gonwhen not crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the sweetest gentlest 25 lb mutt. He's great with little kids, and if we are walking and you meet us he'll sit quietly and let your kid pat him (assuming you give permission of course).

But he's also lightning fast. The kind of dog that gains on squirrels when he chases them. And the only place he can run like that is the dog park, because we live in an apartment and while I him jogging, my dog is way faster than me, so he craves the dog park.

A few months ago, we were at the park and I was throwing a ball, and my dog and bigger dog both went for it. They were so focused on the ball, that they collided, and the force that my dog hit with caused the other dog, who was maybe 60 lbs, to fly through the air. He hit the ground yelping, and took a while to get up. I was worried he'd broken a bone, because the hit was so hard, but he left limping the owner thought he was OK.

That was a 60 lb dog. Now imagine my dog hitting your child. He could do serious damage. It won't happen, because every time someone brings a dog in the park, I leash him up and leave. I'm not taking that chance. Because I care about your kid's safety, even if you don't.

But inside, I'm cursing you. I'm a single WOH parent. Finding time when my own kid isn't with me so I can go to the park is really hard. Having to leave because someone like the OP is infuriating.

I have a greyhound and when she was far younger, she could get up to speeds as fast as 40 mph. She one time ran right into my leg at the dog park and I spent time on the ground praying the leg wasn't broken. I was fine, she was fine - but again. Not a good scenario for a wee one.
Mid you must go, gonwhen not crowded.

No. Don't go when it's less crowded. Do not go with your young child AT ALL, especially if you are going to do daft things like let them carry and throw balls.

Young children do not belong in an off leash area, unless being carried, and even then you run a risk of a dog jumping on both of you.

[Anonymous]

This is yet another reason people get frustrated with parents of young kids these days. Not every place is child friendly so please don't bring the little ones to places that could be dangerous for them. But especially, please do not bring a young child to a dog park then complain when dogs act like dogs. This is their time to run and play without the restrictions of a leash in their specifically designated park area.

[Anonymous]

I won't even take my dog to a dog park -- they aren't safe for dogs, much less small children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never take a small child to the dog park, and I'm a dog lover and a parent. Both children and dogs are too unpredictable to make it a safe situation for either.

This- I like dogs just fine and play with others' frequently (allergic to most myself so I don't have one) but I think we have really lost it in our culture in the way that we elevate dogs right up there as sort of equals with kids. These are animals, they are NOT as predictable as we like to think they are.

[Anonymous]

You were wrong to bring your LO to the dog park and you also shouldn't bring personal dog toys to the dog park. Leave your LO at home, even if she likes dogs. I would apologize to the other owner as well. I have both a dog and LO and I would never have done this.

[Anonymous]

About three weeks ago, I was at the dog park when a 2-3 y/o ran up to my dogs and started grabbing them. My dogs are gentle and didn't think anything of it. I chatted with the mom a bit and she told her son not to grab dogs. Within 5 minutes the kid approached a pit bull mix who bit him in the face with such force it took out a chunk of his face. The police came and he was taken away in an ambulance. It was traumatic to witness. I'm sure his mom will feel guilty forever for letting him run around the dog park.