Please read the following safety tips concerning your children and the dog park. We want your visit to be safe and fun. Please remember, the dog park is for dogs. We do not want children or dogs to get hurt.

Many people have heard the adage that a dog is a perpetual 2 year old. This advice is good to remember when encouraging your child to play with dogs.

Tip # 1:
Dogs and puppies have a prey drive. Your small child may be viewed by a dog, or a pup, as just that-prey.

Tip # 2:
If it runs, it must be prey. Dogs want to run down their prey.

Tip # 3:
Keep your small child close to you. Do not let them run. Children want to run with the dogs. A dog or puppy will see this as prey or their litter mate, and run it down.

Tip # 4:
A word about litter mates. All dogs have been puppies. Big or small, they want to interact with children, just as they would with their litter mates. This entails wrestling and biting. This is how they learn to socialize as puppies.

Tip # 5:
NO RUNNING ! That hound or pup may run after your child. This can lead to being knocked down or bitten.

Tip # 6:
Herding dogs love to drive their flock by biting or nipping at their flock's feet. Keep your child close and instruct them not to run. Otherwise, they are just another sheep in the flock. Baaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

Tip # 7:
Sight hound, such as grey hounds, are bred to run down their prey. Running children are running prey. -- "Hey, let's get 'em!"

Tip # 8:
Do not let your child offer food or treats to dogs. Every dog will want to be their best friend, and, a pack of dogs will form around them. This can lead to aggression, dog fights, being knocked down, or nipped fingers. Your child's fingers are for penmanship, not doggie French fries.

Tip # 9:
Children are not the most observant members of your pack. Whether walking or running, Murphy's Law applies - If there is dog dodo, YOUR child will step in it. And, you will not know until you get into YOUR car.

Tip # 10:
Watch for running dogs. Kids and dogs are close to the same height. Dogs can slam into your child and knock them to the ground. A dog's head is much thicker and harder than your child's head. Let's leave the head butts to the big horn sheep. Do not put a bike helmet on your dog. They will be very humiliated.

Tip # 11:
The small and timid section of the dog park is not the place for running children. These dogs are smaller and maybe more timid. Running children may scare them. Running children may fall or step on small dogs and hurt them. Small dogs are more fragile than your child.

Tip # 12:
Small running children - fast food or squeaky toy?

Please remember to keep your children close to you. The dog park is not the place for unsupervised or running children. Scars from dog bites, claws, or wrestling will last a lifetime. Please think of your child's safety first.

Dogs love the dog park. The park is here first and foremost for them. These tips are meant to help you, your child, and your hound to have a fun and safe experience.