Dog Park Etiquette
Over the past couple of months, the Friends have been fielding phone calls and answering questions regarding breaches of dog park rules and etiquette. Some of the questions involved incidents in which the police needed to be called. Others were mattersfor which we were able to offer advice and assistance. Most, however, were issues between the humans and their canine park users that really need to be addressed and resolved by the parties involved. Having said that, however, often, one party has been willing to work through the matter, while the other either denied there was a problem, was rude and threatening (even using abusive language in a couple of cases) or just plain did not care to resolve the matter at all. Please remember, everyone, that the dog park is a community resource that should be treated, and used, with care and respect for all. As the summer months approach, the park will be busier than ever. Please be courteous to all park users, supervise your dog at all times and be prepared to step in if your dog (or your children) are disrupting other's enjoyment of the park. With this in mind, let's address some of the issues that have arisen:
- Unsupervised dogs - This is the biggest issue at the park. If you took your young child to a playground, would you stand on one side of the playground and talk to other parents, leaving your child to play out of your sight? Would you allow him to jump on other kids and bully them? or bite them? or harrass them if they wanted to be left alone? If another parent whose child your child was bothering asked you to control your child, would you? or would you just say 'Kids will be kids,' and let your child continue his bad behavior? If you continued to allow your child to exhibit bad behavior, you would soon find that you would not be very welcome at the playground. Well, the same goes for the Dog Park. Dogs are more like children than many people realize. Some of us even refer to our dogs as our furry children. In any case, we are just as responsible for our dog's behavior as we are for that of our children. In order to ensure that all park users can enjoy the park with their dogs, everyone is asked to supervise their dog at all times. If you see your dog harrassing another dog or person, exhibiting aggressive behavior (this includes non-stop barking, jumping on other dogs and humping them or biting their necks, etc.), jumping up on people, etc., please get your dog to stop the behaviour - immediately. If he will not stop, please remove him from the park. Some dogs exhibiting this behaviour are just having a 'bad day', and really do know better. Feel free to bring them back another time. If, however, your dog almost always exhibits disruptive behaviour when at the park, then its time to think about providing some remedial training, so he can learn to 'play nice with others' before bringing him back to the park. If you need help with this, please let us know, as we can put you in touch with a good trainer or animal behaviorist.
- Unneutered dogs - While there is no requirement that a male dog be neutered to use the park, it is strongly advised. This is because unneutered male dogs have a full load of testosterone and this makes them more likely to exhibit aggressive, dominant behaviours toward other dogs using the park than a neutered dog would. Unneutered male dogs also pose a risk to the unspayed female dogs at the park. While females in heat are not allowed in the park, it can sometimes be hard to identify the beginning of a dog's heat cycle. This means that there is the potential for 'unwanted pregnancies' if unneutered males are present. It should be noted that, once the dogs 'couple', which happens very quickly, there is no way to get them apart until the deed is done. Also, just as with human 'dads', canine dads can be held liable for medical and child/pup care costs associated with a pregnancy. On a final note: Neutering (or spaying) your dog will help your dog to live a healthier and happier life. Click here to see the top 10 reasons to spay and neuter your pets.
- Muzzled dogs - If you feel your dog needs to wear a muzzle as you can't fully trust him around other dogs, then we suggest that the dog park is really not the place for him. A muzzled dog, when surrounded by lots of other unmuzzled dogs running free, will feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. He will know that he can't defend himself should another dog become aggessive . . . and so will the other dogs at the park. Dogs, like kids, are really good at spotting and exploiting vulnerability in their peers. A muzzled dog amongst lots of umuzzled ones can easily disrupt the energy of the pack, leading to unpleasant confrontations and even serious fights. If your muzzled dog can't defend himself, he could be seriously injured. Please work with a trainer until you can be sure your dog is ready to enter the park, unmuzzled.
- Small Children - While the dog park is a great place for dogs, and older children are welcome to come along and watch the dogs play, it is not adviseable to bring small children into the park, especially at busy times and especially not into the large dog enclosure. There have been several incidents where young children wandering the park were knocked over by large dogs as they raced by in play. Also, just entering the park can be hazardous for small children, as the dogs in the park are likely to come over and offer a friendly greeting, which can cause the child to fall or get scared and run away (which of course, the dogs will take as play and head off in pursuit...). Please consider before bringing small children to the park. If you must bring them, please keep a close eye on them and keep them near the fence at all times.
- Food - Please DO NOT bring food into the dog park. This includes both human and canine food. (The exception is a small amount of well hidden training treats, if needed.) Dogs can smell food a mile away, and they WILL harrass you for 'their' share. With 15 to 30 dogs in the park at any one time, this can lead to food fights - not a good thing!
- Poop Pick-Up - Dogs brough to the park will poop - always. Pet parents are required to pick up their dog's poop while at the park (and while on any city property) - always. Please utilize the new dog bag box located in the lobby area of the dog park. It is full of donated bags. It helps us to save money and to be 'green' as the specially made bags for the poop dispensers are expensive!
- Park Hours - Like all Shelton City Parks, the dog park is open dawn to dusk. As dusk approaches, please gather your canine crew and head on home.
- Foul Langauge - There have been several instances where park users have used foul language and even become verbally abusive when asked to control their dog (or their child) or to abide by park rules, including poop scooping. Please remember, bad behavior is never appropriate. The park is meant to be a place where all dogs and their humans can relax and have a good time. If you, your dog or your child are disrupting the enjoyment of other park users, or failing to abide by park rules, then be prepared to be asked to take appropriate action to restore pack equilibrium and to help maintain the park.
- Water - While there are plans to install running water at the park, there is currently no water supply. Please bring water for your dog. Please take the empty water containers away with you. Don't leave them in the park for other users. No one will use them and they quickly pile up and become unsightly trash.
Please note the following resources and actions you can take to help us make the park a pleasant place for dogs and their humans:
- For criminal behaviour (abusive or threatening language or behavior, public drunkeness, etc.) please immediately call the Shelton Police Departement to report the incident and to request a police cruiser be sent to the park. The police can be reached by dialling 911 or by calling the dispatch desk at 203-924-1544.
- For repeated violations of park policy (allowing dogs to exhibit aggressive behavior, etc.) please provide the name of the individual and a brief summary of the behavior to Ron Herrick at the Parks & Recreation Department so he can address the issue with the individual concerned. Ron can be reached at 203-925-8422.
- For matters involving routine park maintenance (poop patrol needed, safety issues, flower beds needing work, etc.) please contact the Friends of Shelton Dog Park via e-mail at arianowl@yahoo.com or by phone at 203-922-2643.
Thanks to all park users for helping us to make the Shelton Dog Park the best it can be - for all park users!
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