Dog Park Rules and Etiquette
Rules
- Small dogs up to 30lbs are allowed in small dog park.
- Medium to large dogs over 30lbs are only allowed in large dog park. Dog owners of dogs under 30lbs may use the large dog park if they decide.
- Close all gates to Dog Park after entering and exiting the park.
- Corral areas will have an outer and inner entrance gates. First, close the entrance gate behind you. Then remove the leash from your dog. Then open the inner gate and let your dog in and close the inner gate behind you.
- Keep your dog in sight and under voice control at all times. Owners may not leave the park without their dogs.
- Clean up and dispose of feces left by your dog both inside and outside the off-leash area. All waste must be disposed of properly in the designated on-site containers.
- All required dog vaccinations/shots must be current. All Dogs must be wearing current dog/license, name tag and rabies tags as required by law.
- If you bring any chews, food, dog toys, balls, water bowls, etc., into the dog park, be aware that these are a primary cause of dog fights. Other dogs will probably want to play with any toys your dog is playing with; if ANY dog gets possessive about a toy - whether your dog or another dog in the park - simply put the toy away.
- Users are limited to two dogs per visit.
- No animals other than dogs are allowed inside the fenced area.
- Female dogs in heat and dogs under the age of four months should NOT be brought in to the dog run.
- Unneutered males must be removed at the first sign of aggression. It is strongly suggested that unneutered males not be brought to the park (neutering reduces aggression in male dogs).
- No aggressive dogs allowed. If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash it and leave immediately.
- Please stop your dog from digging holes and fill in any holes it has created.
- No prong, spike or choke collars are permitted.
- Dogs that have not socialized with other dogs should initially be brought to the dog park during hours when the park is less crowded. If that is not feasible, watch your dog carefully and learn the difference between play and aggression. Encourage the former, stop the latter.
- Dogs owners should not allow their dog (s) to jump on other dog owners.
- Know your dog's behavior. You are solely responsibility for it.
- Glass containers, alcohol and food are prohibited in park.
- Bike riding, skateboarding, rollerblading, scooters, and roller-skating are prohibited within park grounds.
- The Village reserves the right to remove a dog owner's membership status when owners violate the rules of the park.
- All other Valley Stream Dog Park rules apply.
- No Smoking or eating in Dog Park please.
- No pet grooming in the park.
- Children 12 years of age and older are permitted in the dog parks and must be under adult supervision at all times.
- Members are allowed to bring Guest(s).
- The purpose of the dog park is enjoyment for all users, canine and humans. Let's make it so.
- USE THE PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK! Owners are responsible and liable for the actions of their dogs.
Etiquette |
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- Know your dog! Not all dogs are good candidates for off-leash dog parks. If your dog has not had regular interaction with other dogs, it may lack the necessary social skills to make your visit safe and enjoyable. If your dog has never been to a dog run before, make your initial visit with your dog at a time that is not as busy. Daytime hours during the week and late afternoons on the weekend are generally quieter times at the dog park. Early socialization for puppies - after they have received all their shots - is one of the most important things you will ever do for your dog!
- Remember that many dogs who visit the dog park may not have been socialized to children. Children should be kept close to their parents. Train your children always to ask permission from the dog owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog. Many dogs have not been socialized to children. Understand that dogs see direct eye contact as confrontational, and children may provoke a dog unintentionally by staring into its face. For their safety, children should at no time be allowed to run with, chase after, or scream around dogs in the dog run; their actions may be interpreted by dogs in the park as those of another dog or wild animal. Children attract dogs when playing, and can be knocked over or injured by playing dogs.
- You must be able to reach or recall your dog when necessary, even around other dogs, in crowds, around skateboards, etc. Training your dog in basic obedience is highly recommended prior to bringing your dog to the park. When trying to recall your dog, do not instigate a game by chasing your dog- instead call its name while walking away. Do not send mixed (angry) signals with your body while asking a dog to “come,” and practice “come” often, not just when you are leaving the park.
- Let your dog off-leash as soon as you enter the park. Leashed dogs may feel threatened and growl or bark when off-leash dogs greet them. Alternatively, leashed dogs, and their humans, often display body language and behavior that is threatening to the free dogs and may provoke them to counter-defend. Only leash your dog for temporary control to redirect its activity or prior to exiting the park. If you are uncomfortable about letting your dog off-leash, DO NOT visit the off-leash park.
- Keep walking! Walking, rather than sitting or standing will help minimize defensive and territorial behaviors. This means that your dog is more likely to pass another dog with a friendly sniff instead of a stare down.
- Owners should educate themselves on dog behavior. Ask questions. Be alert for and able to anticipate and prevent unacceptable behaviors, especially dog-on-dog aggression (or dominance) problems. Pay careful attention to the behavioral changes that develop as your dog moves through the changes in its life, particularly once it has reached sexual maturity (typically 1 to 3 years). Research your dog's breed, including the history and original purpose of the breed so you can understand his behavior. A behavior that concerns some may simply be a rambunctious play style, but all park users reserve the right to ask other visitors to cease any activity that makes them uncomfortable. Leash up and leave if your dog is acting in an aggressive manner towards humans or other dogs or simply having a bad day.
- Be aware that dogs have different play styles, temperaments, and physical abilities. Many dogs love rambunctious play, but some dogs suffer from infirmities, some are more timid, and some prefer to remain aloof. Always respect the wishes of the handler and be prepared to move to another area of the park if your dog is too rambunctious.
- Owners should be aware of their dog’s level of socialization with strangers (including men, women, children, seniors, the disabled, etc.) and other dogs. Use caution when permitting unfamiliar dogs to greet your dog(s). Not all dogs like meeting new dogs. If your dog has not regularly interacted with other dogs, find out how he will react with a few mellow dogs in another neutral environment before forcing him to meet lots of unfamiliar dogs in the park.
- When fighting occurs, act quickly but remain calm and breathe slowly. Do not reach in to break up fighting dogs. Instead, squirt the dogs in the face with a water bottle or hose, distract the dogs by throwing a jacket on them, or if needed use a parting stick to separate the quarrel. Do not yell at the dogs or owners to avoid escalating the fight. Afterward, check for injuries but avoid “praising” your dog for fighting by paying a lot of attention or sympathy to it after the fight. Prevent your dog from posturing (learn what it does when fearful, submissive, hostile, etc.), provoking or packing with other dogs, and being possessive of you or any of its food or belongings.
- Pick up poop - always, everywhere! A dog park may be visited by several hundred dogs every day, and we want to keep it clean. Nobody likes to look at or step in, dog poop. Plastic bags, supplied by visitors who bring recycled bags from home, are generally available in on-site storage boxes.
- Keep the area safe and clean. Pick up trash and orphan poops. Don't allow your dog to dig holes, which can cause injuries to unsuspecting people and dogs. Leave the site in better condition than you found it. Small actions, multiplied by thousands of visitors, are what keep our off-leash dog areas a success.
- No prong collars, no spiked collars, no choke collars are allowed whilst in the dog run. If a dog wearing a pronged collar gets into an altercation, someone may easily grab the dog by the collar; it is just about impossible to grab a pronged collar without putting your fingers between the prongs. If your fingers are in between the prongs and a large dog turns quickly in a scuffle, you could easily lose fingers. It is actually recommended to prohibit ALL loose fitting metal collars including choke chains; if a dog grabs the choke chain of another and each dog turns quickly in the opposite direction, the loose fitting chain collar suddenly becomes a lethal tourniquet that is impossible to remove.
- At least one gate must be closed and securely latched at all times. Any gate not currently in use must be closed and securely latched. Do not open a gate if a dog is loose between the entry gates, wait until the entryway is clear. Ensure each gate closes behind you before you enter the next one: visually check all gates before unleashing your dog.
- Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by them. If your dog inflicts an injury, whether due to play or aggression, exchange your name and phone number with the other dog owner before leaving the area. Report to law enforcement any handlers who refuse to take responsibility for damages/injuries and who are endangering the safety of others.
- Extend common courtesy to all other users. This includes not letting your dog jump on or annoy other park users. Cooperation between dog owners is essential.
- Coming to the dog run should be fun for all users, canine and human. Let’s make it so.