Children in dog parks....thoughts?

Good post. I have seen ADULTS be knocked the the ground by dogs and ADULTS running around like loons waving their arms...lmbo. I have been knocked down at a dog park by a mastiff taking me out behind my knees.
 
I was standing and chatting. LIFE HAPPENS.

I got literally bowled over by a puppy bloodhound once and I've also been knocked around a fair bit by the dogs. Lots of people at the park tell stories of injuries recieved by not paying attention and having a dog come flying right in to them. But with adults, they know it was their fault for not paying attention--with kids they don't even know to pay attention in the first place, and my experiences with parents have not been...uh...they're sometimes not entirely rational when it comes to applying fault in these kinds of situations.

I dont have a problem with kids being there. But I cant stand the kids that run around and chase the dogs, throw sticks sream ect. A well behaved child is perfectly fine with me.
 
Just the other day a lady was their with her 3 kids all under the age of 8. They didnt have a dog (Our dog park is 1000+acres, so lots of people do go with out dogs, as it isnt just for dogs. ) The children were very well behaved, they were at the creek swimming. And I had Blaze swimming there. The youngest who was just so cute and sweet (maybe 3 or 4) named Ella. Walked up with her mom holding her hand and asked me in babyish jibberish if my dog was friendly and if she could pet him. I held him so he wouldnt knock her over if he got to excitied. And she pet him. Even after that she helped me throw a ball for him. Now they were so well behaved.
But lets turn the table.
 
There was a group of kids with their mom (i dont thinkt hey were all hers as there was 6 of them all around the same age group). The mom walked ahead as they legged behind and started barking and throwing sticks and rocks at Blaze in the water. The mom was well ahead of them (a good40-50 feet). So I took it upon myself to tell them off. I just cant stand ignorent children, but love seet kids at the park who just want to be in awe of the dogs.

I'd also like to say this thread is no different than one saying  particular breed or size of dog should not be allowed because 'all the ones you see do this, that' or you think they pose a risk or inhibit the play of the other dogs. No different.
 
The person who is not responsible in their supervision of their child/ignorant of the dog/child communication process is just as much a potential problem as the one not responsible in supervision of their dogs/ignorant of the dog to dog communication process. []
 
Just one of the varied risks you choose to assume going to a dog park on any given day, IMO.
 
personally, I prefer the playgroup scenario.
 
Just all MPO. Of course.

with kids they don't even know to pay attention in the first place, and my experiences with parents have not been...uh...they're sometimes not entirely rational when it comes to applying fault in these kinds of situations.

That's a pet peeve of mine, too. My kids have been taught to pay attention, and they already know that if they come whining to me (or anyone else in our family) about something the dog did, they won't get any sympathy. I have no patience with parents who get worked up over normal kid-stuff. Accidents happen. Kids need to watch out - whether their playing with dogs, other kids, or even by themselves.

The last time we were at my Dad's, my boys were playing their favorite keep-away game with my dad's Vizsla and my stepmom's Golden. They chase each other around the fireplace that divides the house and try to take the dog toys away from each other. Inevitably, a dog will fake left just when a kid fakes right and someone will end up in a head-on collision. But they pick themselves up, dust themselves off and off they go again(after looking to my dad to make sure it's ok for the game to continue). Usually with the dog getting the toy! (We're pretty sure the dogs use it as a tactical maneuver and it's not as accidental as it looks)

That's true.  I got knocked over by my own dog and the boxer that used to live next door when they were playing.  The daschund charged at them barking his warning, and they veered, right in to me at full speed.  Hehe.  I was on the ground going "I might start breathing again this week..."  and didn't walk right for 3 days!! 

The boxer came back for kisses while MY sweet dog went to the bottom of the hill and got impatient waiting for the boxer to forget about the human... lol

I have no problem with supervised, well dog-mannered kids at dog parks.  I think dog savvy in particular is more important than simply being "well behaved."  A kid who will run shrieking from a dog is not dog savvy, and therefore not safe at a dog park. 

Dog savvy or not, a young child should not be wandering through a dog park without an adult glued to their side. 

I find, in general, very few parents I know teach their kids how to have dog-manners.  Even the ones with dogs!  My  little girl is generally a wild child, but she knows about dogs and I've seen her many times lecturing her friends on how to act around dogs.  LOL!  I take dog safety seriously. 

I've seen young children at dog parks, as young as 2.  There is a specific time I recall that a parent held her young child then *entire* time they were there.  That's repsonsible.  I also specifically recall a time when a parent had a child that appeared just as young.  She barely kept an eye on him.  He walked around and did what he wanted (thank goodness he was decently behaved).  The mom chatted with others, rarely looking down.  There were at least 10 dogs at the park that day and they were whipping around, just being dogs.  I was sick to my stomach the entire time. 
 
I think a case could be made for allowing children if the parents are responsible and the children are responsible.  Unfortunately, there is always one idiot who ruins it for everyone.  So while asking dog owners with kids to be responsible might help, it may not work.  If that child had been knocked down or God forbid hurt in anyway, the dog would suffer and most likely the owners sued. 
 
So... I really don't bring an anwer with my post.
 
One question, the dog parks you go to, are they sanctioned by the county where you have to get a permit?

without reading every post i'll say...
it makes my skin crawl to see LITTLE kids at the dog park. i mean younger than 9....
the last time i was there with my son was with someone else and their two kids and her dog.

because her kids were one and two and mine was only an infant. no i couldnt relax the whole time i was there.....
not worried about MY kid because i had him.. but hers being amonst several large strange dogs running loose.

Our dog park has a rule against bringing kids into the dog park, and I completely support that.  Kids do not belong running around with a bunch of loose strange dogs.  Actually, it is hard to imagine a more unpredictible situation.  DH and I are starting to think about kids in the distant future and this is something we both feel *very* strongly about.  Besides, I think if my mother heard that I was taking her grandchild to the dog park she would kill me and take away the kid.  The more I learn about dogs, the less willing I am to put my child into a situation like a dog park.  Personally, I would feel safer allowing my young child to wander around a paddock full of horses.

Also, I feel that it is very unfair for those that have their dogs there.  I go to a dog park for my dog to play with other dogs, socialize, play fetch (if there are dogs that are OK with it around), etc.  I don't go to a dog park to watch other people's children, and I've got to tell you, everytime someone has brought kids into our dog park, this is what it turns into.

Jack has no problem with kids--he loves them.  However, that doesn't mean that in a fit of excitment he might not knock one down as he runs by.  This is a liability I just do not want to deal with.  Thankfully, most of the time other dog owners will point out the giant sign writen in red letters that prohibits children in the park.  I don't let my dogs run loose on playgrounds so I expect the same respect as a dog owner from parents.

Our park has a "no children under 12 unless accompanied by an adult" sign but I still hate to see people bring toddlers into the park.  I know they'll get upset with whatever dog runs into the kid and knocks him over, but it is  the dog  park ... and dogs do love to run in packs. Even the adults there have learned to stay close to the fence.
 
Joyce

There is a specific time I recall that a parent held her young child then *entire* time they were there. That's repsonsible.

 
I completely disagree, respectfully of course.  If mom is carrying baby and gets knocked down, baby falls and mom falls on baby.  That's not responsible.  I've seen people get knocked down, tripped, jumped on and like I posted earlier-even I have been slammed to the ground, and I'm pretty aware of my surroundings.
 
Unless there is a fenced in protected area, kids under 9 or 10, just shouldn't be in the park.  It's not safe at all.

I agree with Xerxes.  I believe in preventing a problem before it happens.  And children and excited dogs in an enclosed area just reeks of trouble.  There's a good chance nothing will happen, but then there is a chance something will.  And what if it's your dog and someone elses child.  I know I would feel awful.  The reason for bringing the dog to the park is for them to exert some of their energy.  The owner shouldn't have to be worried about their dog accidently running into a child.

I'm not particularly keen on young children (say under 10) in the dog park.  For one thing, often the parent is watching the child and not their dog, or the opposite occurs and the child is running wild.  The other issue I have is that MANY of the parents bring snacks in for their children (even though there is a sign forbidding food in the park).  Snacks cause immediate mayhem among the dogs, and who can blame them?

If mom is carrying baby and gets knocked down, baby falls and mom falls on baby.  That's not responsible.  I've seen people get knocked down, tripped, jumped on and like I posted earlier-even I have been slammed to the ground, and I'm pretty aware of my surroundings.

 
Also specify then...on the not allowed list:
 
Old folks, they could break a hip...
pregnant women...they might fall...
people with poor depth perception...they might not see a dog coming...
hard of hearing folks...they might not hear a dog coming.
Obese people...they aren't quick enough to get out of the way....
people with heart conditions...they might get worked up if there's a scrap and die of a heart attack.
People with quick tempers....they might start a fist fight when their dog gets rolled.
People prone to hysterics...see above.
People who don't speak english...they might not understand what you'r saying when their dog is acting badly to yours.
People in wheelchairs...they might freak out the dogs.
People on crutches or with gait abnormalities...see above.
 
I'm sure there's more...LOL... [] [sm=joker.gif]
 
ETA: forgot my smiley's!