Children in dog parks....thoughts?

I just have to ask this; would you mind if the child was well behaved and this was the only way for dog socialization? When I was a kid we didn't have many parks to walk the dog, only a dog park (now demolished) and it didn't allow kids. Therefore, my dog didn't get excersize. 

I have to say that my idea of kids in dog parks is that the kids are sitting on the SIDES.  Not running with the pack.  That's plain silly, and dangerous. 

When Sasha was a pup, there was a woman with a lovely great dane and a 2 yr old daughter who came almost every day.  Sasha and the dane were great friends.  The mom would stand next to the bench watching her dog, and her daughter sat on the bench.  The whole time. 

I couldn't manage to supervise a dog and keep my energetic kid in line, so that would neve have worked for me, but it did work for her and her little girl never even set foot on the park ground. 

One day my daughter and I went into the dog park, sans Sasha.  We did this after asking the owners inside if it was ok.  My daughter wanted to meet the dogs, and we only met individual dogs with owner permission, and off to the side.  I was right by her , and she was great with the dogs.  After less than 5 minutes, we left.  Every one was happy. 

Instead of rules like "no kids, ever" I prefer rules like "No unsupervised children.  Kids cannot run, nor wander among the dogs. Etc etc."  Outlaw the behaviors that are problematic, not the kids. 

would you mind if the child was well behaved and this was the only way for dog socialization?

 
I would still prefer that children not be allowed in at all.  (Likely due to many bad encounters.) 
 
Dog parks are in no way the only way to socialize a dog.  I don't see how children in a dog park & socialization two go hand in hand.  One of my dachshunds is not a candidate for the dog park.  I have socialized her at numerous other places with no issues at all.

In my situation, the dog park was ALWAYS used, there were no nearby parks and anybody's dogs that went there were stupid, the pet shops didn't have any dogs, and no dog training classes at a decent distance. Playtimes were, I suppose, arrangeable, but all the dogs were stupid... too hyperactive, or tried to mate with her. Saying all kids will be annoying is like saying all pit bulls will be aggresive and not allowed in - stereotyping.

Why are dogs not allowed in kids parks?  Same reason why kids should not go to dog parks.  Kids going in dog parks negates the purpose of a dog [park.  if i cd go to a dog park id be annoyed if i had to keep\recalling them and spoiling their fun bcs *I* cant be` sure the kid is well behaved/dog savvy/with a clued in parent.  i can see where ginas coming from but unfortunately we live in a sue-happy age and i doubt her argument would hold up in a court of law/.....

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Why are dogs not allowed in kids parks?  Same reason why kids should not go to dog parks.  Kids going in dog parks negates the purpose of a dog [park.  if i cd go to a dog park id be annoyed if i had to keep\recalling them and spoiling their fun bcs *I* cant be` sure the kid is well behaved/dog savvy/with a clued in parent.  i can see where ginas coming from but unfortunately we live in a sue-happy age and i doubt her argument would hold up in a court of law/.....

This is probably the most succinct and logical reasoning I can think of.  I DO contain my dogs when there are children about, not because they don't like children (two of them are therapy dogs, after all) but because things that dogs do to one another while playing often terrify newbie owners who then think your dog is "vicious" and if it comes up to nudge a child, they think the kid is being attacked.

In my town, a well meaning granny saw two Pits coming toward her house, so what did she do?  She didn't shove her 13 year old Sheltie in the house.  She ran around screaming "Get the children - there are Pit Bulls coming!!"  Result - one dead Sheltie.
Had she shoved the dog inside, all would have been safe.  The Pit that killed the dog is WONDERFUL with humans (of course, he's going to be PTS anyway, having committed a murder that didn't need to happen - and the lunatic that let him off his lead gets a fine).  You may think this is irrelevant to what we are discussing, but the fact is that ordinary people should not be expected to know the intricacies of dog behavior, but I should not have to look out for someone else's kids in a dog venue any more than they should have to look out for my dogs in a kid venue.  Nor should dog owners have to worry about their dogs or kids in public areas.

Saying all kids will be annoying is like saying all pit bulls will be aggresive and not allowed in - stereotyping.

 
Those are, most definately, your words & not mine.  I've never said that all kids will be annoying, nor have I stereotyped pit bulls.  I would appreciate it if you would not add words that I have not said.

Excuse me if I misunderstood or used "annoying" in the wrong way - I meant it as straying away from unwatchful parents and doing things such as hugging the dogs. I took that generalization from this post;

From previous experiences, I have came to the conclusion that children & loose dogs cannot coexist in a dog park situation.

It seems like you are stereotyping all children to bother dogs or vice versa; and I said it's the same as stereotyping all pit bulls to be agressive. Maybe it was just that particular phrase, but that's what I thought when I read it.

From my own personal experience, the handful of times there have been kids at the dog park when I have gone, it has always been awful. I have noticed a trend with dog fights when the children are there running around and screaming with all the dogs. Hasn't failed that if the children are there, there's a dog fight that I have witnessed. Thankfully my Maggie knows to stay away from those fights and doesn't involve herself. Maybe its the children that get the dogs all wound up, I dunno.
 
I have had problems with children not listening. The one time these 2 boys probably 6-7 kept throwing small rocks and sticks for my dog to chase (she will chase anything if you throw it) The mother was sitting far away from a distance not even paying attention. I didn't want Maggie eating the sticks or choking on the rocks they were throwing because she was chasing everything they threw, and I had asked them nicely to not do that and they didnt' listen so I got annoyed at left.
 
I have noticed that most of the parents have a hard time keeping an eye on their dog(s) and kid(s) at the same time. Most of the time the children get ignored. I have seen a little girl so afraid of some of the dogs that she was standing up on a picnic table screaming. I have more stories but I won't go on....
 
I am SOO against bringing children into the dog park...there is a children's park right next to the dog park, that says "no dogs allowed" well why can't there be a sign at the dog park saying "no children allowed" I understand wanting your dog to come out and play with your family but if you can't keep an eye on everyone at the same time in the park, please don't.

Very rarely have I seen a dog park/kid situation that went at all well. Many times we end up leaving. There may be 1 kid out of 100 who is okay in the park, but the sign and the rules can't say "1 kid out of 100 is allowed in here". It just doesn't work. Eveyrone thinks their kid is that 1 kid, and they rarely are.

 I want even take my dogs to a dog park, let alone my kids.

I was shocked last night when a regular brought in her newborn baby with her in a papoose thingy.  I understand we are a close group at our dog park and she wanted to get back to her hiking with her dog;  But I feared for the safety of her baby.  If a dog jumped up on her etc.  I wouldn't do it.  My dog loves humans, all shapes and sizes and ages.  Not all dogs do.  I love that he is getting the chance to be around little ones but not in that setting please.  I have problems with the morons who bring a picnic dinner in with their kids.  I mean come on now.  This is the dog park and they are eating on the tables the dogs sit on.  So we all have to hang on to our dogs because they are taking the kids sandwiches.  This moron is making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the PARK.  This isn't the first time either.  What is wrong with peoples common sense these days?   
I have brought my 14 yr old son with me twice.  He was interested to see where I go every night with his puppy.  He was very nervous for Dublins safety and is better at home!  He is a worry wart and doesn't understand dogs play a bit rough at times. 

edited -is M O R O N S a bad word?  ROFL
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As a mother of two young children and three dogs, I have to say that trying to keep an eye on my kids and dogs in a dog park is my idea of a nightmare. I won't even bring more than one dog unless DH is there to help. Personally if the kid is over 10 and standing on the sidelines I would have no problem, but running around, no way. My dogs are not at all aggressive, but god forbid they were playing and nipped some kids heel or something. What a nightmare.

I'm sure that this is aggravating to parents, the idea that people wouldn't want you to bring your children to the dog park. I'm sure you feel that your children are well behaved and would be fine. And perhaps they would be. But, speaking as a person with a non-kid friendly dog... let me say I fear for your children. I fear for my dog. I fear for my bank statement.

Yesterday at the dogpark there were people who brought one 8'ish yrs old girl and a 4'ish yrs old boy. The kids ran over to me and my dogs, I had to snatch my dog off the ground field questions as to why they couldn't pet my dog as I backed up and held back my growling dog. When I went to the opposite end of the park to play ball. They followed me. Finally I asked where there mother was... they pointed. She's over at the gate with another lady. I asked "Where's your dog?" ... for the love of Pete, they didn't even have a dog. So, I said, that they should go back to their mom. They did, but came back a short time later.

I finally walked over and told the mother she needed to keep her kids away from my dog as she's NOT kid friendly. She looked at me like I was the filth of the earth and proceeded to tell her kids in an obnoxious (disbeliving voice) "Watch out that dog will bite you." This is when the little boy got a malicious grin and lunged for Nikki, whom I was holding. Who then growled and snapped. I managed to keep anything from happening, but, WTH?

I was SO mad. She looked at me like "oh, your dog better not bite my kid." I finally asked her, rather pointedly where her dog was. That got her to shut-up and they left a few minutes later. .. or i would have.

Who should have to leave the park? Me, at the dog park with my dogs? Or her at the dog park with her kids and no dog? Clearly this is cut and dry.

But, I have to say this should stand as proof. Most children will behave in a way that will excite a dog. Running and screaming is aggitating to most dogs, even kid-friendly ones. Accidents are begging to happen. Yes, I've seen well behaved children at the dog park, which was fine. But I have yet to see one under about 9 yrs old that didn't have a gaggle of dogs following them around.

I have to admit I lean towards saying no kids at the DP.  I think it could be alright if the kids are well mannered, but more than often the kids I see at the DP are out of control.  My dogs love everyone, but I feel for people with dogs who are not kid friendly.  I think its important for everyone to remember that the DP is for the dogs to enjoy, there are some places where kids do not come first.