Dog parks and young kids

[Anonymous]

Kids always pay for their parents' ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for "you are completely wrong." The world does not have to cater to all the things little Larla wants to do and be at. Please don't take her to the dog park. She doesn't belong there.

[Anonymous]

Wow so I have a 2 year old and dog sit and have taken both the dog and kid to dog park and it didn't even occur to me that kids wouldn't be allowed. It makes total sense though. Guess we won't be going back!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP is likely the same kind of person who brings her dog to the kids playground so he can try the slides or to the neighborhood soccer game because he is so friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow so I have a 2 year old and dog sit and have taken both the dog and kid to dog park and it didn't even occur to me that kids wouldn't be allowed. It makes total sense though. Guess we won't be going back!!

Do you usually ignore posted signs?

Since you do, FYI it is against the law to bring your dog on ANY public school grounds. Period.

And against the rules fenerally to bring your dog to playgrounds and youth ball fields.

The rules are usually posted, but...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow so I have a 2 year old and dog sit and have taken both the dog and kid to dog park and it didn't even occur to me that kids wouldn't be allowed. It makes total sense though. Guess we won't be going back!!

Do you usually ignore posted signs?

Since you do, FYI it is against the law to bring your dog on ANY public school grounds. Period.

And against the rules fenerally to bring your dog to playgrounds and youth ball fields.

The rules are usually posted, but...

Let it go. PP was thankful to read this thread, and she won't be making the same mistake again.

[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.

I'm the PP above. If my 25 lb can have that impact, a bigger dog like a greyhound could do far worse.

I'll also point out that at most dog parks, 25 lbs is the limit between "big and little". So, even if you are in the little dog park, it's not safe.

I will admit that I've taken my kid at 10 or 11 into the little dog side, even though the posted rule is 12, and I might do a child in a carrier on that side if I had a baby, but a 3 year old doesn't belong on either side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow so I have a 2 year old and dog sit and have taken both the dog and kid to dog park and it didn't even occur to me that kids wouldn't be allowed. It makes total sense though. Guess we won't be going back!!

Do you usually ignore posted signs?

Since you do, FYI it is against the law to bring your dog on ANY public school grounds. Period.

And against the rules fenerally to bring your dog to playgrounds and youth ball fields.

The rules are usually posted, but...

Huh? Do YOU usually not read that well? NP but I don't get your point. PP said she was grateful to have read this thread bc she has taken her child and dog to a DOG PARK, where there's absolutely the chance that there's no age restriction sign posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP is likely the same kind of person who brings her dog to the kids playground so he can try the slides or to the neighborhood soccer game because he is so friendly.

I hate this so much. My kids have allergies and it infuriates me seeing people put their dogs down the slide. So obnoxious and entitled.

Also want to remind everyone that your baby isn't safe in your arms, no matter how strong you think you are. I once saw a man argue with another man that his chihuahua puppy would be fine to enter a yard with a doberman (who he knew to be friendly and non-aggressive from previous interactions) if he held it in his arms, because he would protect it, he said.... against the wishes of the dog owner who called him an idiot... and then I saw the doberman jump up and nip the puppy, which literally took a chunk out of it, before anyone could react. Literally a chunk, and it wasn't showing any aggression or trying to do any damage at all, it was just curious. So yeah, don't be delusional.

[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.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I do not particularly like dogs and do not have one. I have a 2yo who is obsessed with dogs and wants to pet each one she sees. I cannot fathom why you think it is acceptable to bring a toddler into an off leash dog park. I would be pissed if someone brought their dog to a fenced in kids playground because that is generally the only place I can let my kids roam free without worrying they will escape. Andog park is likely the only place the dogs can roam free. Leave them be!

[Anonymous]

I have occasionally taken my toddler to the dog park (ours doesn't have age restrictions). Always I carry her, always there is another adult there so I can take her outside the fence immediately off it gets rowdy. And I consider it a basic responsibility to not intrude on the dog's activities while we're there. The dogs come to the dog park to reign free, I can let my toddler watch because she loves her dogs but she doesn't get to change the way the park functions. It isn't kid friendly and it's basically the one place dogs should be able to do their thing in peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have occasionally taken my toddler to the dog park (ours doesn't have age restrictions). Always I carry her, always there is another adult there so I can take her outside the fence immediately off it gets rowdy. And I consider it a basic responsibility to not intrude on the dog's activities while we're there. The dogs come to the dog park to reign free, I can let my toddler watch because she loves her dogs but she doesn't get to change the way the park functions. It isn't kid friendly and it's basically the one place dogs should be able to do their thing in peace.

Why can't you let her watch from outside the fence.

I am the poster above who leaves whenever a young child comes in. So, if you came it would ruin how the park functions, but you wouldn't know it.

[Anonymous]

OP, you and your husband are in the wrong. I certainly hope he didn't get aggressive with the dog owner of the dog who scratched your child. Dog parks are for dogs, not small children.

[Anonymous]

My local dog park bans children under age 12, and I absolutely agree with that rule.