Do you take your kids to the dog park? I feel like taking kids to the dog park is a big topic for debate and one that I am very passionate about. So, let me start out by saying, I take my kids to the dog park and I have since they were new-borns, but I do it at my own risk and I’m not stupid about it, plus I am pretty good at reading and understanding a dogs body language. Some people are dog people and some people are not. Some of us have kids, and some of us don’t. I am obviously a very big dog person, but I am also a mum, so I am really passionate about this topic and I understand it from both sides. In the end, we all need to learn to be responsible for our kids and dogs and be respectful of one another. So, today I’m going to share with you some great tips and things to look out for both parents and dog owners when it comes to dog parks.
Some general tips about dog parks.
An off-lead dog park is a place for dogs to run off lead and have fun! They need to have brilliant recall and socialisation skills if you are letting them off lead with other dogs and children around. That is number one to remember here!
Dog parks can be dangerous at any time, even without children there. I have seen plenty of irresponsible dog owners at the parks. So you need to be aware of how the dogs are playing, especially big dogs. For some reason, despite a dog park being huge, dogs often love to play at your feet. The last thing you want to do is get you or your child in the middle of rough play or a dog fight. My mother in law very recently got knocked over at a dog park and broke her wrist. Hence why I say, do it, but do it at your own risk.
For those of you who take your dogs to off-lead dog parks, ALL the time, here’s some food for thought for you too, I only take Cooper to the dog park a couple of times a week. Although you might think that running around off lead is the best way to tire your dog, this isn’t always true! Taking your dog for a long on-lead walk is often more mentally and physically stimulating and exhausting for them. Mix it up. It’s better for their bodies to not always be doing that crazy off-lead play.
Specific advice for ‘dog people’.
Make sure your dog has brilliant recall if letting them off lead.
The bottom line is, “official” off lead dog rules state that dog owners must have full and total control of their dogs at all times. It’s also wise to only let your dog off-lead if they are well socialized around all other dogs and people, puppies and children included.
Be able to understand their body language and how the communicate.
Lot’s of dogs don’t actually like dog parks. They can be a scary and overwhelming place for them. So learn to recognise if your dog is feeling uncomfortable at the dog park and make that the time you pop the lead back on and keep walking. Click here for more on understanding and reading your dogs body language.
Know your dog and what they are like with children. When in doubt, pop them back on the lead.
I know it totally sucks…. you’re at an off-lead dog park with your dog and you’re all having fun and then some children or toddlers turn up, and you’re not quite sure how your dog is going to react. “But I was here first” you might think, or “why don’t those kids go and play somewhere else”. This is where a lot of the debate comes in; who’s right is it to be there? In my view, it’s not about who’s right or wrong but more importantly it’s about how we all can enjoy this space SAFELY together.
If you are at all unsure about how your dog is going to react with kids around, your dog gets too excited around kids or your dog doesn’t like children, the safest thing to do is put your dog back on the lead. I know it may seem unfair, you are in an off-lead dog area, however, there are no rules to say that children are not allowed, so you need to be respectful of them. As a puppy, until the age of about two, Cooper was incredibly excitable around toddlers. He would literally see them in the park and just want to run over to them and lick them. As a responsible dog owner, I knew this behaviour was not on. Some children are frightened of dogs, especially big dogs and how are they to know that he is friendly when he’s charging at them? So, when he was little if I saw young kids approaching in the distance, I would immediately put him back on the lead. It didn’t mean we would have to leave the park. In fact, I knew we wanted to have kids in the near future so I made a big effort to try and use it as an opportunity to socialise him and get him used to young kids. I’d put him on the lead, walk him over to the child, get him to sit and see if the child wanted to pat him. I’d reward him if he was calm and gentle. By the time we had our own kids, he had thankfully grown out of this. Click here for a step by step on teaching your dog five important skills when around young children.
Know your dog and what they are like with prams.
Some dogs absolutely love prams. Cooper is a big culprit of this one. He has learnt that prams equal food. So again, if he sees one in the distance he will want to go and check it out. So I do the same thing as above, I pop him straight back on the lead and we head off.
If you have an anxious or aggressive dog, always avoid the risk.
If you know that your dog can be anxious and/or aggressive around children, be smart about it, don’t put your dog under that stress or a child at risk, make a judgement call and put your dog back on the lead and head off, it’s not worth the risk.
My advice for ‘kid people’ bringing their children to dog parks.
Be aware of on and off lead areas in the park and be respectful that certain areas are designed for off lead dog play.
If you know you or your children are not dog people or don’t feel comfortable with dogs coming up to you, then please make sure you keep an eye out for signs for off lead spots in a park. Please respect that there aren’t many places for dogs to run off lead and have fun, but there are plenty of places that you can take your children where you won’t be bothered by dogs. If you’re a parent who doesn’t have a dog, please keep that in mind when getting angry at a dog owner who’s dog comes up to say hello (yes, I have seen this happen plenty of times).
Scope it out first.
I usually walk Cooper and the kids to the park, so the kids are in the pram. Before I let them out of the pram at the park, we always scope out the dogs first. If there are too many, my kids stay in the pram. Especially if there are lots of big ones playing quite rough. If there are dogs I don’t know, and I’m at a smallish park, I’ll ask the owners before I let the kids out, if their dogs are happy and friendly around children.
Teach your children to ask before approaching and patting another dog.
My kids are obsessed with dogs (Gee I wonder where they got that from?). Because of this, it’s a big thing for me to have to educate them not to run up to every dog and pat them. Not all dogs are as friendly and patient as Cooper. I have taught them that you can’t just pat any dog, you always have to ask the owner and then ask the dog.Have a read of my three steps to teach your child how to safely say hello to dogs. This is very important, so if you haven’t already taught your child this, please get onto it!
Teach your Child to Stand Still Like a Tree.
If your child gets into a situation where a dog is chasing them. Or a dog is jumping on them or just making them feel uncomfortable, I want you to teach them to stand still like a tree. To defuse tense situations with a dog, or excitable situations with a puppy, teach them to move slowly and carefully rather than trying to run away. Avoid direct eye contact and do not make any loud noises or abrupt movements. If you are too close to the dog to move away without causing additional stress or excitement, stand in the “be a tree” pose with your feet planted for stability, your hands clasped in front of your body, and your eyes looking down toward the ground. Remain still until the dog moves far enough away that you can safely—and slowly—move away as well. Make sure to teach your child to interact safely with dogs and know the warning signs to look for.
Picnics are not designed to be had in off lead area.
If you’re at a big park, where there are on and off leash areas, and you want to have a picnic, do it in the on-leash area… PLEASE! And if you do decide to setup a picnic in the middle of an off-lead dog area, don’t be upset if a dog comes and steals your food! Yes, they are meant to have perfect recall, but in the end of the day, they are dogs! Lots of dogs are just totally food driven. I’m embarrassed to say, Cooper has done this before. He even bolted from the off lead area into the on lead area where a responsible family was having a nice picnic. It was so embarrassing. So now I’m on high alert for any park picnics, even if I see one in the distance I just put Cooper straight back on the lead. I guess this is where being understanding and responsible for your dog works both ways. Always better to be safe than sorry. But it does always annoy me if a picnic is set up right in the middle of the off-leash area, and there’s an on-lead picnic area in the distance.
Make sure your child does not have food.
If you are comfortable with your kids playing in an off lead area and they are good with dogs, don’t let them bring food. Always try and limit any risk. Just like what I said above, this is at your own risk based on lots of dogs being so food driven. But please if your child has to eat at the dog park, please make sure they don’t have sultanas, grapes, chocolate, etc., things that can be dangerous for dogs, just in case.
And finally, …
I can see and understand both sides! I am a mum with a dog and I want my kids to come with me to the dog park, they love it, Cooper loves it and so do I. However, we all need to be mindful. Not all dogs love kids and not all kids love dogs. Be clever about it. Always have an eye on your children and your dog. If you’re at all doubtful about your kids or your dog then don’t take the risk, pop the kids back in the pram or put your dog back on the lead. Be respectful of others and let’s all try to just have some fun!
Please feel free to comment below with any questions or any stories that have happened to you at a dog park. And make sure to Subscribe below so you don’t miss another Cooper and Kids post again, just pop your email address in below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mel xox
PS. I am very excited that this article was first featured on Mamamia.
PPS. Make sure to head to our SHOP if you haven’t already! Spoil yourself and your dog!!
Comments (2)
Geraldine February 25, 2024 at 3:59 am
In a dog park where there are signs stating no young children allowed in dog park. Children should not be in there WE had an incident where a man brought his young child in dog park they had a dog as well . The child brought human foid in as well which is against the rules. Then a while later this man’s child opened the gate allowing all the dogs to exit off leash. S o not only did the man endanger his iwn child but all of the other dogs that owners are told is safe to allow their dogs to run off leash . Now I go mainly in mornings when no one is there or if I see a child in their call the police so they can make the parents take children out.
Donna McKinney March 25, 2024 at 9:40 am
I just left the dog park with my 10lb recused dog. As he played in the small dog park I watched 3 young children, two not much older than 18 months roaming around in a very large area over the fence at the large dog park. I was concerned because their parents were not being attentive. The dogs were having a great time on a beautiful sunny Sunday. Suddenly, a large young dog knocked over one of the youngest children. I think he was playing, but the child had hit the ground very hard. The dog then knocked over the other toddler. The dog’s owner was unable to control her dog. Eventually, a man picked up both babies while the dog jumped and tried to claw them. The dog did not appear angry just overzealous. The mother of the 3 children yelled at the owner of the offending dog. Telling her to get out! The other large dog owners defended her and told the woman to remove her children from the DOG Park. A fight pursued over who should leave. The large dog owners were tired of trying to keep their dogs from accidentally hurting the children while they were at THEIR park to play. Young Children and Parents need to understand not all dogs or dog owners can be easily controlled. You do not know when or what type of dog will be entering the park while you are visiting with your children. Risking your children’s lives in this setting is never acceptable. I am relieved the children were not seriously hurt!