Hey all, Kind of a funny one here: If no one is at the playground when my son and I are there, is it wrong to use it for ability? Sunny
You mean a children's playground? I'd say yes, it's wrong - for a start, dogs are generally not allowed in playgrounds and those rules should be respected whether or not there's anyone else there. But mainly, the equipment isn't designed for dogs and so is potentially very dangerous.
Dogs are forbidden on playgrounds in NZ, but I can definitely see how tempting classic wooden playground equipment could be - lots of wobbly bridges and balance beams etc. I've taken Xena to a playground before for settle training when she was a wee pup, but we sat on a bench on the grass on the outskirts of the play area. You also don't want a dog weeing/pooping on the bark, especially with the amount of face-planting small children do.
We have a giant sandpit at our playground in the local park. If no-one is there I let Mollie zoom around it - very norty ..
I've taken Ella in plenty of kids playgrounds BUT only when there's no one else there, I never let her on any equipment and I always make sure she's toileted first. I find it a good excuse to practice our stays while I play with the kid Oh, and I've never taken her in one that forbids dogs.
I think if it is a fenced "secured" playground it would be a definite "No" for me. Whether or not your dog is a real infection risk - Toxocara canis and such like - there is no way that anyone seeing you would know whether your dog is vaccinated etc. Babies and young children can be at risk, not just because of their tendency to put things in their mouths, but also because of their weaker immune systems (or developing immune systems at any rate!) They are considered "clean and safe" areas for kids I would think. I would avoid those type. If its an open play area and your own child is there too, I would be less concerned, but you would need to be eagle eyed and in 100% control (as I know you would) and be scrupulous at clearing up any "elimination".
Ah yes, that's a good point. I've never been in a fence playground either (the fence in the photo above only runs along the short retaining wall to prevent falls)
I think if you've got a dog and a small child it's nice to be able to do things together. When my son was small, some thirty-odd years ago, local playgrounds weren't fenced and didn't have 'no dog' signs, so I used to take our cocker spaniel to the playground with my son. She's the only one of my dogs that I taught to poo in the garden on command -it made life easier getting her to 'go' before we went out so I knew I wouldn't have that problem. I grew up in the Somerset countryside and in the 1960s dogs just roamed freely. I'm not suggesting they should do that now, as obviously even in the country there's too much traffic, but somehow we all survived any germs that dogs had.
We have a playround in our village that's not fenced and has bark for safety and it annoys the hell out of me to see people allowing their dogs on it. The area is for children and toddlers to play safely not dogs that may have worms or wee when the owner isn't looking, they have the whole countryside to use so why?. This all goes on when there is a big sign that says DOGS MUST BE ON A LEAD.
Luckily, dogs aren't forbidden at our neighborhood playground, and it's HUGE and fenced it. I take her all the way to the back where no one goes (behind the courts) so she's away from people and I'm not "that owner." My son plays there all the time and I was disgusted by a family who let their OFF LEASH bulldog pee on the playground equipment! Wtf! My son plays on that! Yuck, she only potties OUTSIDE of the playground. She's always on her lead with me and only comes off if it's just her and I, training in the back by the fence. It IS tempting, though! The balance beams look fun Some of the playgrounds nowadays are crazy, lol! -Sunny
I had Toxocara canis when I was 17 and lost the sight in my left eye. I didn't have a dog at the time, so must of picked it up when out in my local park with my small niece. Thank God it was me not her. This was over 40 years ago. I would never take my dogs into a children park. I love children and dogs.
I love using the woods and trails for agility. Small fallen tree trunks are fab for improving a dogs balance. Small logs for jumping over, and bigger logs for walking and turning improving flexibility. You can lure them over with kibble first, then add a cue if you like, such as "over" "jump" and "turn". The scent games are great, hiding pieces of kibble in hollow areas of tree trunks. Great for building focus on you in quite a distracting area.
Cath that's just awful, I am sorry This is my reason for being so angry at people allowing their dogs in children's playgrounds. It's outrageous, I see dogs every day in the playground where we live when we are surrounded by the most beautiful country walks. People are careless and thoughtless. xx
I was once at our park when FOUR dogs were sliding down the slide! They were so funny, running up the ladder and sliding down! Collie type dogs. In those days dogs and kids shared the park. Now we have a fence down the middle, which does make it easier for puppy owners - when Snowie was a puppy he would steal the children's soft toys out of the prams! I had never heard of toxocara canis until now! @Cath did it cause permanent loss of vision? It sounds frightening.
It's extremely dangerous and can cause blindness This is why it is extremely important that owners clean up their dog poo not only from a moral point of view but more importantly from a health point of view. x
Its ok Helen I am use to it now. I had to get a special driving licence and I always walk on the left hand side of anyone I am walking with. I have managed to walk my dogs on my left side, but they have adjusted to me. I lost my sight overnight. I had a very bad pain in my eye for a few days and went to the Doctors. He sent me to Manchester to the hospital there and I was in for 3 months. I never got my sight back, but the Doctors had never seen it before, so I was a bit of a guinea pig. They think that the gem was in the grass, not necessarily any sign of poo. We use to take a blanket and sit on the ground there in the summer. Just unlucky, but I don't think you would guess if you saw me. I would never let it stop me doing anything I want, but glad it was me not my little niece. I always worm my dogs and cats and clean up after them.
I'm glad you haven't let it get in the way of life but it was a frightening thing to go through and you lost the sight in one eye which was most probably due to dog poo It's important that all dog owners know the risks of this disease to children in particular. Owners should regularly worm their cats and dogs also CLEAN up after them in ALL public areas, parks and in the countryside. Here is a link describing this terrible disease:- http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Toxocariasis/Pages/Introduction.aspx xx
I do feel a little upset that you refer to me as careless and thoughtless but I have taken on board your thoughts. I'm also not 100% sure if we are talking about the same type of playground so I will add a little extra information from my side if I may. The type of playground we visit is in the middle of the bush, there is no fencing (except for a small section along the side of a pond), the bark is covered in leaf litter, possum poo and duck poo and runs straight into the mud. I always toilet Ella before we approach and never go in their if others are around. She's always up to date on worming and flea treatments too. As I mentioned, I have taken on board your thoughts, and I am sorry that I have upset you with my actions. I will now do some research and ask the advice of some experts (possibly the vet and the Dr) to determine what we will do in the future.
Oh Emily I'm not refering to anyone directly, I just feel very strongly about this as there are so many other places to walk dogs, maybe not in Australia. I really don't want to upset you and I am sorry if I have it was truly not my intention The playground I can see lovely Nathan enjoying is the same kind as in our village which does not allow off lead dogs but irresponsible owners do let them. It's also the playground that our local Primary School children use at break time. The dinner ladies and teachers have to pick up dog poo every day before they can allow the children out to play. All of my children attended the local School and regularly used to come home with dog poo on their shoes and socks so I hope you can understand my feelings on this subject. I of course know you would never allow Ella to behave in this way as you are responsible owner, but I personally still don't feel these playgrounds are appropriate for dogs, sorry. xx
