Babies and dog parks

Why or why not?

Re: Babies and dog parks

I said no for a couple of reasons. If this is a dog park where dogs run loose, any child could run the risk of getting bitten. Dogs act on instinct. They can't reason and see consequences for actions. Even if a child is in a stroller, a scent or a quick action could be interpreted by any dog as an attack and they would react in the only manner they know how.

If this is a dog park where the dogs are leashed, for sanitary reasons alone, I wouldn't think this was a good idea. Even if they are picked up after, particles can be left behind and, if the dog is sick (i.e. worms), a child can easily come in contact with it. IMO, it is better to keep the two separated.

Re: Babies and dog parks

Re: Babies and dog parks

I said yes, because I take my baby all the time. I carry him close to me in a sling -- he's not on the ground. DH and I go at our regular time when we know all the dogs and their owners. We watch and if there are badly behaved dogs (none, so far), we'll leave.

I agree that dog parks are for dogs. But, I think you can enjoy them with a baby as long as you are smart about it. I think it will be much more difficult when DS is a toddler and wants to walk around -- I wouldn't let him -- it would be way too easy for him to be knocked down and hurt by accident.

Re: Babies and dog parks

The problem I have is while your dog maybe be good with children, not everyone else's is. If I'm taking my dog to a dog run, I have to watch my dog (running loose) and my baby (in a stroller). If something happens with my dog and another dog, I need to separate them. Who is going to watch the baby?

As a toddler, I would say definitely not.

Re: Babies and dog parks

Re: Babies and dog parks

Here's my situation:

I went to the dog park with my sister and her dog. I had Steven in his Baby Bjorn. He is 4.5 months. There was a dog there that was not neutered and was a little older. This is not allowed at dog parks, but whatever. Needless to say this dog was antagonizing other dogs. The owner wasn't watching the dog very closely. My sister was getting nervous because some dogs were getting annoyed at this other dog. I told her that if I felt threatened I would go outside the fence. So this dog and another dog started barking fighting, but not visciously. Well, the owner called the dog over and my sister said "please watch your dog, there's a baby over there." All of theother dogs owners were watching their dogs closely. He apologized and watched his dog and kept him away from that area. Fine. Well, some woman (who had nothing to do with the whole situation) made a comment that I didn't hear. She said "well what are you doing bringing a baby to a dog park."

My sister dropped it, and I did not hear her. If I had, I would have said "there are no signs that say no babies, but there IS a sign that says no dogs who are not neutered."

Just because you have a baby, you can't go to the park with your dog? I don't get it. I used my senses. He was in a Bjorn. I was sitting so I didn't get knocked over and if a dog came to smell Steven, I held his arms and legs close to me so he couldn't kick and hit and the dog did not mistake it as him hitting the dog.

If I chose to bring my baby to the dog park, it is MY perogative and I do so at my own risk.

Re: Babies and dog parks

If I had a dog I would surely bring my baby with me in a sling or stroller. I mean what are you doing to do, sit at home and think about all the bad things that can happen to you on a daily basis! What are the odds that your baby will be attacked by a dog if you are with your baby watching them closely. I went to dog parks in the city with my sister and her dog every weekend for maybe 3 years and I never got knocked over, or attacked by a dog. Everyone is responsible for their own dog, thats the unspoken rule of the dog park. Just use your common sense and you will be fine in any situation!! (bar skydiving with a baby perhaps...)

You could walk out of your house and get hit by a bus, but still we all leave our houses!!!!

Re: Babies and dog parks

I think what you did was fine. It would be another thing entirely if you brought a baby or a toddler, put them on the ground, then got mad because dogs were around them. You were keeping him above the dogs and you were aware of what was going on around you.

The problem is an unneutered dog at the park. I'm glad his owner responded well, though.

Re: Babies and dog parks

Well I said yes because I will go with DH. He goes inside the gate and I stay with baby outside on the bench still able to see the doggies interact but safely.