why do parents think it is ok to take their children to dog parks?

Question

I don't take my dog to children parks!

A general observation: most children only know how to behave around their own dog and not others.

For example, at child picked up a toy the dogs were playing with and put it over his head. The dogs thought he was playing keep away and jumped up to get the toy and one of the dogs knocked over the child. Mom gets mad but I say, why did you bring your kid in here anyways???

First of all, this is one example. I see this happen all the time. No maybe its not realistic to get a sitter everytime you take your dog to the park. However, if you choose to take your children, you should teach them to behave properly around dogs. If my dog needs to be well behaved, your children should be also.

Answer 1

Probably just because its appealing as family time with their dog.

Miscommunication on both parts in my opinion.
Some people should understand some families see it as a family outing, something nice to do.
And others should understand that if they dont watch what their children are doing and they get hurt, it isnt the dog or the dog owners fault their child got knocked over/etc

Answer 2

Did the mother have a dog of her own at the park? People are free to take their children to any public place they choose. The Mother should have been keeping a better eye on her child since she did know that there was dogs at the park. She should not have let her child pick up another dogs toy, first it is nasty to let a child just handle a dogs toy and second the child could have easily been hurt. I know my children love dogs so she could have just been taking her children to the park to see all the dogs and have a nice wuite time

Answer 3

Interesting! I had never thought about this before.

Our people park has an adjecent dog park, but is in an area with mostly senior citizens with small dogs and no kids.

I do agree with you that small children don't know how to behave around strange dogs, and a mother should not be upset about a DOG possibly jumping on her child at a public DOG park.

The fact that the child was allowed to play with a strange DOG's toy is unsafe and, at the very least, unsanitary.

Answer 4

If she was so worried about that then she should have never brought her child to that type of park because let us be real my son was bit in the face when he was 3 years old for no reason at all by a dog and we were at home and it was a neighbors dog and we were in our own yard at that, now this is a little different where as we as adults should know that sometimes even if a dog isn't even trying to hurt anyone being that childern are small there could be an accident

Answer 5

You never know about people. Dogs are unpredictable and who do you think would you think would be the first named in the lawsuit when little Beevis has his face taken off? Take 'em to the children park if you can't teach them not to approach dogs they don't know or take away anything the dog might consider it's own. They're animals people and while your kids might be as well - they should be ever so much slightly more trainable.

Answer 6

Well lots of people have dogs and Children, What are we suppose to do with our kids, get a sitter so we can take our dogs to the park. People should not take their dogs to dog parks unless they are well behaved. You can't judge all children by the actions of 1.

Answer 7

I'm inclined to agree with allowing the family to go to the dogpark with their dog. It doesn't matter whether the family makes a childrens event with their dog!

The important fact is to remember to teach children the respect for others property and animals. Just because you own a friendly pet doesn't mean others are like your own.

It's unfortunate that some parents tend to forget that children are inquisitive and should be supervised closely when around others and their animals!

Answer 8

The mother shouldn't have gotten mad at you. I guess it is were I grew up with animals and was learnt to respect them I have taught my adughter the same, she knows to not approach strange dogs annd definately knows not to take thier toys...The mother should have been watching the child better. This is another example of poor parenting skills, and people wonder why so many other people are anti-children (not saying you are)

Answer 9

The only way that they are going to learn how to behave around other people's dogs is by experiencing it, with an adult who is guiding & teaching them.

Answer 10

I think if they want to bring children to a dog park they should put them on a leash. Just like dogs have to be on leashes at a public park. Its only fair!