Fellow dog-lovers: do you have examples of rules for off-leash dog parks that have been successful?

Question

Our town allows dogs in parks only on leash. We are trying to propose modifying the regs to allow dogs off-leash in city parks during limited hours (eg. late night/early morning). Do you have examples where this has been done successfully? Any strategies for winning this battle with city council? thanks!

Answer 1

these rule apply to St. Paul dog parks>
1. Keep your dog in sight and under voice control at all times.

2. Clean up and dispose of feces left by your dog. Owners must possess a device for removal of feces.

3. Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.

4. No aggressive dogs allowed. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash it and leave immediately.

5. Female dogs in heat and dogs under the age of four months are prohibited.

6. Use at your own risk. Owners are responsible and liable for the actions and behavior of their dogs at all times.

7. Users are limited to three dogs per visit.

8. It is recommended that children be supervised by a parent or guardian.

9. Keep your dog within the designated Off-Leash Dog Area boundaries.

Here is Seattle's > http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/yodogs.htm
and Pheonix'> http://phoenix.about.com/cs/anim/a/dogparks.htm

Answer 2

There are many off-leash dog facilities in my general area, but all of them have some things in common.

1. They are completely fenced.

2. They are exclusively for the use of off leash dogs.

Leashed and unleashed dogs together does not work very well.

Dogs and small children does not work very well.

Even generally obedient dogs can "take off" after wildlife which is why you need the fences. Walking a dog off leash in a remote forest preserve isn't a great idea for everyone for that reason.


By all means try to get your locale to establish an off leash facility ... but I think the problems of allowing off leash use in a general use park are insurmountable.



The following web site has some of the general stuff (but is not where I go - too far for me.)

http://www.dupageforest.com/recreation/dogs/dogs.html#rules

Answer 3

Where I live we have dog parks that are small, and the
dogs are allowed to be off the their leash. But I havn't
taken my dogs there. I don't like other dogs around mine,
only because of things like fleas, and you never know what
that other dog might have. I let my dogs run loose when
I know it is safe, but I don't do it in a park.

Answer 4

There are cities everywhere that have offleash dog parks.
There is a yahoogroup devoted to announcements about successful dog parks:
[e-mail]

Here is a website about dog parks:
http://www.dogpark.com/

You might try this yahoogroup:
[e-mail]

for information on their fight for dog parks.

Rules that are very important:
NO ON leash dogs in off leash areas, except for bringing dogs into and out of park

No unattended children under the age of 12 in dog parks

No intact (unspayed and unneutered) dogs in dogpark

Scoop your poop.

No aggressive dogs

Etc.
good luck!

Answer 5

Believe me when i say you dont want to do that . Because no.1 is that most people do not watch their dogs close enough to be aware and alert when their is a problem begining to start. 2. most ppl that take their dogs to the dog park are not vaccinated .3.and the flea control is somewhat less than satisfactory . Ewwwww......... Please take all i mentioned into consideration . I avoid these dog parks like the plague.