If I Take my two dogs to an offleash park section please do not take offence if you have stupidly decided that it would be a great place to hold a toddlers tea party. Do not freak out if the dog comes near your babies as it is A DOG AREA! DO You really think it is safe for you barefoot babies to be crawling about in an area that is pissed and pooped on by dogs? OK so next time I find you in the dog offleash area I will take my dogs to the swing set area Ok!!!
—Potcakes
This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2009.
Couldn’t agree more. I love taking my dog to the designated Off-Leash Parks in the city but it never ceases to amaze me the sheer number of parents who decide to bring little youngins (aka 2-5 years old) along for the ride. When did that ever become a good idea? Now granted, some kids are not bad and don’t freak out when the dogs come close – even better, their parents don’t freak out if little johnny gets knocked down as the dogs fly by. But, some are (quite noticeably) ticked off by the attention of the dogs. To coin a well-used, early 90’s phrase – well duh!
My dog is 10 months old and your little guy running around, waving his arms is like a 2-legged, rambunctious playmate. I respect the general public by taking our dogs to Off-Leash parks, so if you feel the need to take the kids along, please teach them some very important dog-park rules:
1) Don’t ever run around holding sticks/balls up in the air.
2) Don’t run around, period.
3) Don’t yell in a high-pitched tone and wave the arms around.
4)No pulling, pushing or getting into a dog’s face. My dog will wash your face but not every dog will be so nice.
5) Most importantly, if a dog approaches, be like a tree and stand still.
These are important rules that parents should be teaching their children regardless. My little one will be taught the above as soon as she can understand. Dog parks and children shouldn’t be mixed but if it happens, best to do it wisely.
/rant.
OP – tell the parents that its an off-leash area for dogs and that they should put their kids on a leash in that specific area instead 😀
I just thought of an ”all babies” area with Schnauzers and Bloodhounds invading the place.
my brother was leashed as a child…worked well…and we had lots of pets that knocked us over anyway
I remember being in a harness as a toddler when my nanny (nanny as in babysitter, not as in grandmother) took me out because she was older and arthritic.
A lot of people bitch about putting kids on leashes, but I’d rather put my kid on a leash than have him/her run away and get lost/kidnapped. Even the most attentive parent can lose track of a fast toddler in a crowd.
Oh my………….heavy sigh……….to be a dog again!
Is it really a ‘dog area’ or an area set aside where dogs are permitted to be off-leash. I’m pretty sure that even in off-leash areas owners are expected to have control over their dogs.
At all times, in all areas, in all circumstances, owners are expected to have control over their dogs!
I only wish parents had the same control over their kids. Or at least believed that they should try to.
I hate kids too, but I have yet to have one chase me on my bike (other than in a car) or try to chew my ball sack.
Oh my………….heavy sigh……….to be a kid again!
Ok a dog off leash area is an area set aside for dogs to be off leash, and yes technically anyone can be there. But dont be surprised, indignent, and rude when you are there having a picnic and a dog appears. Most dog owners are responsible people and we sick to the dog off leash areas out of respect for the local laws. What pisses me off is the crazy rantings of the parents who picnic there and dont like dogs near there children. Take note DUMBASSES ITS A DOG AREA, if you dont like dogs stay the hell away, alternately we could go with our pooches and go a play on the swingsets!!!!
My friend used to put a toy radio/PA system receiver on his dog while walking it and speak into the microphone with witty lines. One time I watched from a tree branch and some gal said, “You and your dog are like the Casablanca version of Lassie!”
There are plenty of areas that are not off leash for people to have picnics and whatnot. My dog in a full run can knock me over (not intentionally) and believe me, i have been knocked over by dogs before. Being an off-leash area, this is something i have to expect when i bring my dog there.
A running todler to a dog is just another play toy. Dogs won’t intentionally harm a child, they just want to play.
In conclusion, if you’re planning on going out to have a picnic or play with your children, use one of the hundreds of non dog areas in the city