| 
What to expect on your first visit | Petiquette: Behavior Expectations | Community Chat: Dog Parks
First-Time Visitors
So you've never been to a dog park before? Well, get ready for a fun and entertaining time at one of the Kenosha County Dog Parks. You've picked a great place to start on a new adventure for both you and your furry friend. We believe that after your very first visit you will call one of the Kenosha County Dog Parks your "home away from home."
If you're a bit apprehensive or just want to see what it's all about, it may be a good idea to check it out before you bring your dog out. All of us, people and pets, have to follow the same rules so familiarize yourself with the dog park "petiquette." Stop by one of the parks and watch the fun in action. Ask those who are going into the play area for some pointers or what they did on their first visit.
Is your dog ready for a visit to the dog park? If your pet is well socialized and does not show dog aggression, there is only one way to find out. Make sure you pack your doggy-bag, which you should always have with you on play dates to the park. After each visit, make sure to repack your bag as well. Things to bring:
- baggies to clean up after your dog
- a leash
- if your dog does not have its license on its collar, bring it along, as it must be displayed while at the dog park
- a favorite Frisbee or toy (Note, however, that pets, like children, do not always like to share. If the thought of another dog taking your pet's toy away or destroying it will hurt your or your dog's feelings, or if your pet gets aggressive around his/her toys... it's better to leave the toys at home.)
- fresh water
- a bowl or container to drink out of (Please note that water bowls are not permitted inside the fenced areas of the dog park for health reasons.)
|
|
Each dog will react differently depending on its nature, age and home environment. A new off-leash environment may be stressful for your pet, so try to arrive at a non-peak time when there are not as many dogs at the park. On leash, walk your dog around the outside of the park fence line. Let the dogs that are on the inside come over to the fence and sniff. If your dog acts curious and sniffs back, it may be ready to join the others in the park; however, if he/she lunges, barks and acts aggressive, you may need more socialization before using the park.
 |
When it's time for the big moment to enter into the park, keep your dog on leash until you have entered the first 'entrance gate.' At this time (before entering into the play park through the next gate) please take off your pet's leash. If the gate behind you is secure, enter through the second gate. No doubt at this time you will be bombarded by the other dogs already at play in the park. No worries. This is the welcoming committee. Similar to when you host a party and greet your guests at the door, our dogs meet their new friend at the door (gate) as well. This will happen every time you come to the park. After a few brief moments of sniffing and getting to know each other... off they will go! Your pet will naturally choose a friend that likes to play like he/she does. At your first visit, your pet will keep an eye on you, needing reassurance that it's okay to be in this new environment. |
It will take several minutes for your pet to become accustomed to his/her new park. A tail curved down between the legs, lying down while other dogs hover about or staying as close to you as possible are all common signs of 'the new guy.' Reassure your pet and stay close. While your dog is getting used to the new surroundings, introduce yourself to the others at the park. Explain that this is your first visit and perhaps ask for tips for your future visits. Always keep an eye on your dog and always SCOOP THE POOP.
Your first visit should probably be a short one as this entire experience is so new to the both of you. No one should become overwhelmed. Make sure you leave on a positive note and there will be many more visits to the dog park in your future. Your pet's vocabulary will increase as the words, "Do you want to go to the dog park?" will bring on new meaning in his/her life. Any sentence uttered containing the words "dog park" will result in perked up ears and eyes filled with hope. And forget about trying to surprise your pet with a visit to the dog park... he/she will be able to smell the park if you come within a one-mile radius of it.
Like people, dogs have good days and bad days. If your pet is having a bad day, just cut your visit short and try again at a later time. Each person is responsible for the actions of his or her own dog.
These are your dog parks, and we want all our residents – human and canine – to enjoy them. Here are some simple things you can do to keep the park safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Please note: any "petiquette" point marked with an asterisk (*) is a Kenosha County Dog Park Rule and is enforceable by law. |
- PLEASE SCOOP THE POOP. All dog parks have disposal bags available, though we also appreciate people bringing their own bags. If you can't find your dog's deposit, please pick up one that somebody else left behind. You will no doubt miss some of the piles your dog has left at times, and if everyone works together, the dog parks will be healthier, cleaner places for our friends to play.*
- Dogs must be kept on leash outside of the fenced area of the park. Please do NOT keep your dog on leash once inside the dog park. Leashed dogs tend to act defensively, while other dogs get confused about why this dog is leashed when they're not, and unsafe situations can ensue.*
- Always keep your eye on your dog and stay alert to your surroundings. Lots of dogs mean lots of fun, but it also means that mischief can quickly erupt and escalate. Making sure that you can see your dog and your dog can see you at all times will help control the environment.
- Know your dog! Not all dogs are good candidates for off-leash dog parks. If your dog is aggressive, it’s best to work on remedying that behavior before bringing him or her to the dog park. As a general rule, well-behaved, well-socialized dogs do best at dog parks. Be prepared to leash up and leave immediately if your dog shows aggression.*
- Don't bring your unvaccinated dog or puppy in a park full of other dogs, as this could easily lead to the rapid spread of diseases, some of which may be fatal, especially to young puppies. At minimum, your dog(s) should be vaccinated for Bordetella, distemper, parvo, adenovirus, parainfluenza, Lepto-4. Preventive medications recommended include heartworm and flea/tick prevention.*
- If your dog is in heat, leave her at home. A dog in heat can cause male dogs to develop aggressive tendencies where there might not have been any before.*
- No smoking, food, alcoholic beverages or glass containers are allowed.*
- Smoking is not good for a pet's health, and cigarette butts are harmful to dogs if swallowed.
- Even good dogs have been known to lunge for human food.
- Dog supervising skills decrease dramatically with alcohol consumption.
- Glass breaks. Dogs don't wear shoes. Put your beverage in a thermos and save the paws.
- Individuals in the park should wear shoes at all times. Bare feet are discouraged for your own health and safety. (Scoop the Poop!)
- Water bowls should not be brought inside the fenced area of the dog park in order to reduce the risk of diseases spread by sharing drinking water. Please dispose of unused water outside of the fenced park area.
- For the health of your dog, please take out what you bring in (e.g., tennis balls, Frisbees, water dishes, dog toys, etc.). No "people" toys (e.g., toy guns, squirt guns, etc.) should be brought into the dog parks.
- Please keep treats to a minimum, and do not give treats to dogs that aren’t yours. Treats can cause competition between dogs. Also, the dog you don’t know might have allergies, or be on a special diet, or be in training and therefore only be allowed to have treats as rewards for certain behaviors.
- No children under the age of 18 are permitted unless accompanied by an adult. Some dogs exhibit unpredictable behavior around small children. Young children have a tendency to scream and run when excited, which can trigger dogs' prey drive or natural instinct to chase. For this reason and for the safety of your child(ren), we do not recommend bringing small children and infants into the dog park.*
- Please realize there is a risk to bringing your dog to the dog park. Any time dogs are allowed to play in a large group, there is the potential that your dog may be injured or may injure another dog. Kenosha County and the Kenosha County Parks Department are not responsible for any injury or damage caused by any dog or to any dog in the dog park.*
|
Community Chat: Kenosha County Dog Parks
"Community Chat" was a cable television show that highlights issues in Kenosha County through discussion between Annie Jones, UW-Extension Community Resource Development Educator, and citizens and local leaders.
In August 2010, Annie visited the Carlisle Family Dog Park in Petrifying Springs to learn more about how the dog parks started and what the Friends of the Kenosha County Dog Parks hope to accomplish in the future for our furry friends.
To download this community chat to view on your computer, please right-click the link below and select "save target as."
Kenosha County Off-Leash Dog Parks Community Chat (355MB, WMV)
Our thanks to Kenosha Community Media for permitting distribution of Community Chat. |
|
 |
|
