|
|
|
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Park Safety Tips & Etiquette
Now that The Northfield Dog Park is up and running, it's important that we keep it a fun and safe place to hang out. Follow these tips.
- Before entering the dog park, familiarize yourself with the site, read the posted rules, and observe the dogs present to determine if they are friendly and likely to get along with your dog. Make your initial visit when the park is quiet, generally midday on weekdays and late weekend afternoons.
- Know your dog! If your dog has had little interaction with other dogs, he or she may lack the social skills for a safe, enjoyable visit to the dog park. If necessary, find a trainer who will work on your dog's social skills and be there with you during your first visit.
- Let your dog off-leash as soon as you arrive within the boundaries of the fenced park. Mixing leashed and unleashed dogs commonly causes problems. Leashed dogs often feel threatened by the free dogs and will display provocative body language and defensive behavior.
- Entrance area. It's common dog park courtesy to call your dog away from the entrance gate when other dogs are entering or leaving. This gives arriving dogs a chance to enter as calmly and quietly as possible, and helps keep dogs from breaking free of the park's fenced boundaries.
- Keep moving! Walking, rather than sitting or standing, will help minimize defensive and territorial behaviors. If you do stand and visit, please do so in the middle of the park. This will help keep the main entrance free of disturbances and reduce the "packing" instinct in that area.
- Be cautious with children. Not all dogs are socialized to children. Keep children close and allow no running, screaming, food, or toys. Do not allow your children to approach a dog without permission from the dog's handler.
- Be courteous. Dogs have different play styles, temperaments, and physical abilities. Always respect the wishes of the handler, and be prepared to move to another area of the park if your dog is too wild or rambunctious. Leash up and leave if your dog becomes aggressive.
- Pick up poop and other litter. We want to keep our dog park clean. Plastic bags, supplied by visitors who bring recycled bags from home, are generally available in the PVC containers at the park. Use these to pick up poop from your own dog or poop that has been missed by other handlers. Remove extra water jugs. Pick up trash, cigarette butts, forgotten toys, etc.
- Have a great time. Remember that this is free playtime for the dogs - and for you! As long as they play and interact in a friendly manner, let them play!
If you have questions or concerns about your dog adapting to the off-leash park, call your veterinarian or a local canine coach for help.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | The Northfield Dog Park is located at Babcock Park near the Rodeo Grounds. You can find it on Highway 3 just south of the Highway 19 intersection and across the road from the Veteran's Memorial.
There is ample parking, a double-gated entry for safety, a smaller fenced area for small or shy dogs, and lots of 4-legged companions to play with.
Land for the Babcock site was povided by the City of Northfield. The infrastructure for the park was provided for by CAP donations and the sweat equity of CAP volunteers. Get a bird's eye view of the park and then com'on over! |
The C.A.P. Mission and Vision | | C.A.P.'s mission is to:
Provide a space where the lifestyles of people and dogs intersect in a safe, friendly environment, inspiring recreation and socialization among both canines and humans.
C.A.P.'s founding vision was to establish a pilot dog park, approximately 2 acres in size, in the Northfield area. CAP's vision was realized when in October 2006 the current Northfield dog park was opened. Depending on the outcome of the pilot project,CAP hopes to establish an additional park or parks as needed to serve the needs of Northfielders and their dogs.
Join with us to keep a dog park in Northfield a reality! |
|
|
