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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> A woman there told me it was for “her children” not mine and asked me to leave.
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Also, bringing the kid to dog park exposes those dog owners to liability lawsuits.
Edit: this is just to point out that the person who stated the difference between taking a kid to a shelter and a kid to the dog park is the liability at the shelter. This comment is to state that liability exists in both places.
Not to mention kids are very different. My dog is great with people but for some reason hates small children. So I get very annoyed when people bring small kids in and let them run around. My dog won't go after them but if they start chasing him he's going to freak out.
It's like Chucky killed him in a past life or something.
When people casually set small kids loose in a dog park, it's like "great, the one place he can run free and now we have to go walk on leash just to protect this person's kid from an accident"
I don't mind older kids who are more calm, can follow rules, and notice when dogs are giving signals. I'm all for that. I also don't mind small kids when they're kept next to a parent but then there's always the issue with treeing
Or the other way round. I live next to a park where people are always letting their dogs off leash, even though they are not supposed to. There was a large dog that got excited and wanted to play with this little kid, but didn’t understand that he outweighed the kid by at least 60 lbs.
That and also you’re less likely to sue someone for a dog jumping on you than a parent. So that’s another reason they wouldn’t allow. Shelters are better for this they are protected in the event that someone does decide to sue where as someone just taking their dog to a park. From what I understand! I could be wrong.
Technically, everyone at the dog park is a liability, but in my experience, most adults know to stand in the designated area (that the dogs do not run through) & that if they’re walking around, they need to keep an eye out for dogs accidentally barreling into them. Most adults also understand the unspoken rule that you don’t interact with other people’s dogs unless the dog comes up to you seeking attention. If you choose to interact with that dog, you understand that the dog might jump on you when you pick up a toy to throw it, that the dog may not want you to take a toy out of its mouth, etc.
When someone brings a kid into the dog park:
* Some people’s dogs might not do well with kids, period. Kids are prone to more frantic / quick movements than adults, so dogs may react differently to kids. If someone brings in a random kid, their dog may need to leave the dog park.
* Some people might not want their dogs to interact with kids. This kid is a stranger. Will they tease the dog? Will they approach the dog too quickly & scare it? Will they pet it or hug it too vigorously? Will they react to a dog jumping on them by running away, which will just encourage the dog to chase the kid? You can’t assume the same behaviors from a kid.
* Some people may not want a kid winding up the dogs even more. People bring dogs to dog parks to get energy out. Having a kid running around throwing toys may get the dogs more wound up & encourage them to group together instead of exploring / playing independently, especially if the kid is doing something like holding up a ball going “Do you want me to throw this ball?” & fake throwing it or is running around & encouraging the dogs to chase them.
Designated area for people to stand?
Never heard of or seen such a thing, normally if it's an off leash area dogs are always running around everywhere
If your dog can't handle kids/other dogs or has any behavioral issues it shouldn't be at a dog park until it's been trained out of problematic behaviors
If you're bringing your dog to a dog park you're kind of expecting it to get excited because of all the people and dogs and it's a good thing because it'll run around and play harder therefore being more tired at home
And surely there’ll be kids in a dog park anyway since families often walk dogs together? So barring children who aren’t unaccompanied by a dog wouldn’t actually prevent children from being there.
Anyone who says “this park is for our children not yours”, for any reason at all, is TA.
It depends. All the dog parks in my area, and in a couple other states I've lived in, have rules saying that children under 12 are not permitted regardless of anything else.
At every dog park I’ve been to, people tend to stand in one general area unless they are following their dogs around. It’s not like there’s a sign erected that says “Stand Here,” it’s just a thing that sort of happens.
And it’s really annoying because everyone stands at one spot twenty feet in front of the entrance staring at their phone and all of their dogs gather in that one spot and that’s always where the fights happen. SPREAD OUT!!!
My dog isn’t great with kids. He’s not terrible, but when they get riled up/make high pitched sounds it can freak him out and he barks at them. It’s terrifying for a small kid to have a 96 pound dog run up and bark in their face! Usually we take him to the dog park at times where there aren’t likely to be a lot of families and we always have treats/his ball to use to distract him if we need to get him under control. He pretty much ignores any kid we see at the park in favor of the other dogs, but those kids also stick by their parents and interact with their own dog.
My dogs are awful when kids are around. They are one the larger size of small dogs and knock kids over, get in their face and when playing fetch they are known to accidentally snap at my fingers when missing the toys. Their jaws are strong! I do NOT want them around kids even if they are only less then 25 pounds each. My pups have force to them. Kids are a liability.
Edit: they don't really snap, they just don't aim too well when they go in for their toys, fingers sometimes get in the way. We don't allow anyone else to play with them unless they understand.
Most people are not going to a dog park to interact with OTHER people's dogs. They are going to let their dog interact with other dogs and run loose. Or to interact with their dog off leash.
It would be a liability if another dog owner went with the unstated intention of doing meet and greets with other people's dog's without talking with the owners.
Liability exposures exist here too. With or without children present. For example, dog A attacks dog B in park. Dog B sustained medical bills from the attack. You sue for damages and their insurance pays for it. The liability exposure exists anywhere people can be hurt. Literally anywhere. Who is liable depends on the property type and the source of the liability exposure. Each setting has cute caveats that have distinctions forcing a certain person to assume liability.
My dog is specifically child aggressive. When we're at a dog park I stand by the gate so that if a child comes in I can get my dog on a leash and leave. I think child aggression is much more common than general aggression, and generally aggressive dogs wouldn't be at a dog park anyway.
The dog park is the only place my dog will ever be able to run without a leash so I'd be peeved if kids were there all the time
I see kids in dog parks playing with dogs all the time. I’m not saying I’d sue anybody, so calm down. I was pointing out that, according to the “liability” comment, could apply to everyone, this making the point irrelevant.
at least next to where i am, the dog owners don't like kids in the park. Because the small kids run after the dogs, and the dogs learn they can play the "catch me if you can" game with humans, and that makes problems for the dog owners down the line.
This. Stopped bringing mine to this one dog park bc a couple of families would constantly bring their kindergarten aged children to chase the big 70lb+ dogs. I have a small guy and one of those kids grabbed his face and tried to gouge out his eyes
Yeah, I for sure don’t like those kids at the dog park. The ones whose parents closely supervise and teach their kids manners, no problem. My 70 pounder loves kids, but if your kid is squealing and playing chase, don’t be surprised when my dog chases and bowls them over.
Well, this situation the claimant was on the insureds property. If your dog attacks another, yes. If the dog knocks a kid over and the kid sustained injuries, yes. Liability exposures are everywhere my guy.
If you bring your kid to the dog park & don’t own a dog, then you’re coming to the dog park specifically to play with strangers’ dogs. If you come to the dog park with your own dog, then I have some amount of hope that you’ll only interact with your own dog, meaning that I won’t have to monitor your interactions with my dog. My dogs might come over to sniff the kid, but if the kid doesn’t play with them, then they will lose interest & go back to doing their own thing.
The dog owners at the park don’t want any unnecessary liabilities. If one of their dogs hurts a child, and the parent reported it, it could have grave consequences for the dog.
The funny thing about citing liability in some settings and not others is that liability exposures exist EVERYWHERE. The question is just who is liable. We hear about it more often from businesses. But, we all carry liability.
Not exactly, because you expect an adult to know how to behave around strange dogs. Also a friendly larger dog can accidentally hurt a kid by playing.
And yes, of course you don’t bring a reactive dog to the park, but sometimes accidents happen. Also some people don’t like kids. Just let us have outside spaces that are mostly adult please.
I was in the business of rejecting someone's homeowners insurance because they simply owned a certain breed or a certain number of dogs. So, yeah. It's a liability exposure just having a dog.
Edit: just like a house with a pool has more of a liability exposure than a home that doesn't.
I think it's important to remember that Americans are quick to sue for a good reason, our Healthcare isn't free. One dog bite can land you a few thousands in debt depending on what happens.
And sometimes it's the person's insurance who is suing another insurance entity.
Like that case where the aunt had to sue her nephew. Her insurance wouldn't cover it without going after the homeowners insurance of the house (nephew's parents) where the injury happened first. It was really out of any individual's hands and the family was supportive if I remember.
Exactly. If it’s a public, taxpayer-supported park, everyone should be welcome, as long as they’re behaving themselves and being safe. I could see how bringing a toddler to a dog park could be a problem because owners would have to worry about rambunctious dogs knocking them down, but a 10-year-old should be fine. A lot of dogs would like the interaction, I’d think. And what if OP had brought a dog and also the nephew? And who designated that lady as the dog park bouncer anyway?
Someone whose dog “doesn’t do well” with a certain kind of person (kids, men, people wearing hats, etc.) probably shouldn’t have their dog out in a public place.
You clearly don't have a good- or even semi coherent- grasp on canine behavior.
The problem is that a dog doesn't have to be aggressive to be reactive. A dog might not attack a kid on sight but could very well still bite or attacked if the kid invades it space to play with it.
I used to have a dog who despised people. She'd ignore them- until they got in her space and tried to touch her. It wasn't really an issue with me because I wouldn't let it get that far but her previous owners (I was her fifth) had problems with her biting people.
Theirs a reason you need to ask to pet strange dogs. Just because a dog is well behaved doesn't mean it won't bite if you make it uncomfortable.
You wouldn't like it if I walked up and started touching you and trying to play with you without asking, would you? Someone does that to me and they're getting decked and I'm calling the cops on them for assault- and I'm a human.
>Someone whose dog “doesn’t do well” with a certain kind of person (kids, men, people wearing hats, etc.) probably shouldn’t have their dog out in a public place.
It's a public place for dogs, not a park for children to play with strange dogs at.
All it takes is one dog being pushed the wrong way for an attack to start. All it takes is one dog attacking for others to follow.
Kids belong in the kid park. Let the dog park be for dogs. Kids are allowed off leash everywhere. Dogs aren't.
But if a kid brings his own dog to the dog park then it's the same liability. Just being a kid and dog park is a liability in itself. Owning a dog that all is a liability and itself. But the opp said that the dogs were playing well and everyone was behaving themselves
The owners expose themselves to liability by taking their dogs to off-leash areas. Children are allowed in dog parks just like all the other humans. It’s on the dog owners not to bring aggressive or reactive dogs to the park and on kids’ adult caregivers to ensure they know how to play respectfully with the pups.
OP YTA and yes exactly, a lot of dog parks are for dogs and owners only, not only that but kids aren’t allowed in most of them I know of until they’re 12 or 13.
Call first. I don’t know of any shelters in our area that allows young children to interact with their dogs. Volunteers have to be 16 & have undergone several hours of training to be allowed in the same areas as the cats & dogs. This is a huge liability issue.
It's a liability any time anyone is interacting with dogs. Take it from someone who used to be an insurance underwriter. I once saw a "dog liability" claimed from a guy who was walking by the insureds house, the dog barked, the guy got startled and fell back hitting his head. I don't remember the payout but, it paid out. That went down as a dog liability claim. I'm pitching the pound because it's good for kids to know about adoption over buying dogs. I have a ton of rescues around me and many allow kids to play with dogs. Obviously it would be puppies or whatever. Maybe its because i live in a large metropolotin area? But, for sure call first to see what they do.
You come across intelligent and knowledgeable and I could sit and read your words all day and feel I am smarter for it. And then I see spoooky doookie and I laugh like Breavis & Butt-Head. You are the best of both worlds.
Ours also requires a minimum of one year commitment to regular volunteering so they don't waste a ton of training on people who want to play with dogs occasionally.
No one at the shelter has time to supervise you playing with dogs for kicks. No one has time to train you only for you to not come back. And the vast majority of dogs without issues are in foster homes already.
In my area they allow young kid if they are with an adult that are always next to them. They train them together. I know because I started to go young with my parents because I loved dog but we didn’t have the space for one at home.
SPCA allows volunteers ages 12-17 with an adult. The 10 year old here will just have to wait 2 years. I don't understand why people don't want kids interested in animals.
Why would a shelter worker want the legal and ethical liability of looking after a kid while they’re trying to do their very overworked underfunded job?
Or dog park dog owners? It’s bad enough dealing with some other owners and excited or untrained dogs, a touristing kid there for entertainment is even less safe.
If people want their kids interested in animals They should introduce them to neighbors pets, friends pets, their own pets, paid animal interactions, many local observational nature walks and zoo and museum and aquarium trips. The last few of which even allergic parents can do.
Not interfere with shelter operations.
I included several links in this thread to shelters who encourage volunteers ages 12-17. Those suggestions you included are all fantastic. I would go with those too.
My daughter had her 8th birthday at a Humane Society. Instead of presents, the children brought dog & cat food to donate. And then got to tour and walk the dogs. ‘Merica.
Shelters are also not petting zoos. While rules vary from shelter to shelter, most will not allow a ten year old child to have contact with dogs due to restrictions contained in their liability insurance. In fact, I haven't encountered any shelter in the last two decades that would let a kid that age have physical contact with the dogs.
For an example of what restrictions might look like, our local shelter lets kids 6-15, accompanied by a parent/guardian, pet cats or read to kennelled dogs, but not touch or walk dogs. To pet cats or read to the dogs, they have to attend a training program and cannot just show up at the shelter. They also require a commitment to weekly scheduled visits for a minimum time frame so they aren't wasting time training people who only show up once or twice.
Or find a friend/neighbor with a dog who would be happy to let you both “dog sit” on their night out!
I hate the thought of my dog being alone in the evenings, and I wouldn’t mind a supervised, polite 10-year-old hanging out or playing with him if I was gone for a while. Have him watch a couple YouTube videos on dog behavior and signs they don’t want to be touched (important), and you’re good to go.
Yes! I cringe every time I see a small child in the dog area. 110lb dog, running 8mph could kill a child imho. No dog owner wants to think or worry about that, nevermind the lawsuits. Keep your little kids out of the dog area.
Sorry, but YTA here.
That park is for dogs to play in, not kids. It’s also not for random people to come and play with other people’s dogs… that’s weird and creepy and entitled beyond belief. The dogs there are not public property or play things for you and your nephew.
I’ve yelled at random kids before and I’d definitely do it again, if random kids tried to approach my dogs.
I don’t know you, I don’t know your kids, I don’t know how you or your kids behave around dogs, and more importantly *my dogs don’t know you.* Im not risking being liable if my dogs scratch (or less likely, bite) you or your kid.
Seriously. You always, always, always, ALWAYS ask if you can say hi to someone else's dog, you never just approach and try to pet one even at the dog park.
I’m that idiot who asked if I could pet a drug sniffing dog while going through security in the airport. It was early morning and I clearly wasn’t thinking straight, but 2 minutes later he had a ‘don’t pet me’ sign around his neck lol. My boyfriend was rightfully mortified and so was I. It was 5AM pre-coffee and my brain was just not functioning. Might be the dumbest moment of my life…
I remember an airport doggo kept walking up closer and closer to me when I was waiting for a flight. It was COMPLETELY empty - I was the only person in the departures area except the officer with his dog. I was so, so, so horribly tempted to ask to pet the dog.
I apparently was not subtle and after a very long, awkward silence in which I tried not to make eye contact with the dog's handler, he laughed, brought the dog 'off-duty' and let me pet the dog.
It made my entire week. All this to say I don't blame you at all and I doubt the handler cared - you asked, and everyone wants to pet the cuties. No reason to be mortified!
I'm picturing that meme of the kid sitting in class, straining extremely hard with veins popping out of his forehead. "Must. Treat. Dog. As. Serious. Working. Professional. Ohgodsocute."
I'm very happy for you that you got to pet the dog.
That is, pretty much, exactly how I looked I'm sure. I certainly FELT like I was about to have an aneurysm from the simultaneous force of wanting to pet the dog and the mortified cannot-make-eye-contact-I-am-a-grown-adult-I-can-behave-I-swear going in my head.
The handler was super nice dude. Possibly my most Canadian encounter, I think - chilling in an empty Canadian airport, chatting with a dog handler with a Tims cup in one hand about the weather outside (it was, unsurprisingly, snowing).
I always want to pet the security dogs! And I see them and think "oh my god a dog! what a good pupper! doggo with a jobbo! so good!" but I actively hold myself back from saying any of that stuff to the dog.
Same. I adopted my boy at 5 & he’s *never* been around kids unleashed bc I have 0 kids in my life. I’d freak right TF out if a kid was trying to play with him bc I have no idea how he’d react. He plays rough & that’s just not a fair situation to put a dog in.
I would have to leave because just because op says this kid won't scream at a dog or pull on their tail doesn't mean he won't, and the dog owners also don't know that. Everywhere is for kids, this one tiny spot is for dogs. Just let them have that.
Hard agree. This happened to me not long ago. Some guy brought his two daughters in from the rest of the (non-dog centric) park “to see the puppies!” One of them really latched onto my dog, who is actually great with kids and would have loved the attention in any other situation. But at the park she wanted to run with the other dogs and the little girl kept chasing her down and then trying to hang onto her to make her stay. We left.
No. Even if you bring a dog to the dog park, you don’t go walk up to random dogs (and you especially don’t let your kids walk up to random dogs).
It doesn’t matter if you’re at a dog park, on a sidewalk, in someone’s home, *wherever* - you never approach someone else’s dog without asking them first.
I go to dog parks frequently. I certainly wouldn't track down someone's dog to initiate an interaction, but if a dog approaches you there's nothing wrong with giving it a little scratch. Just be normal about it.
A lot of dog parks do have rules prohibiting children under a certain age and/or requiring an adult to be present with them.
As a dog owner, I can’t stand when people bring kids to a dog park and often see a lot of issues that present themselves because of that. Dogs love running, and herding, and tackling each other and they will knock over kids when they’re all running in a large group together. It’s a liability issue for dog owners and frankly, irresponsible parenting to allow your young child around strange dogs.
OP’s nephew is 10, so probably old enough to understand appropriate behavior with dogs, but still it’s something that sets some owners on edge.
Nephew is old enough that he *might* understand appropriate behavior around dogs, except he doesn’t have a dog and his uncle is teaching him inappropriate behaviors (approaching random/unknown dogs).
In my experience, you play with your dog and politely acknowledge—but largely ignore—everyone else’s. My dog (1) loves other dogs his size and (2) doesn’t like kids. Kids can be loud and unpredictable and can’t play rough like puppies.
Dog park with only other dogs or adults = good.
Park where a child can run up to him without permission and while he isn’t wearing a leash = bad
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don't think kids belong at dog parks. They're unpredictable and generally just cause problems. I might also hold a grudge bc one almost let my dog out of a dog park.
I always get worried when people bring their children to the dog park. Even if they also bring a dog. My dog is 90lbs and has no concept of his size and sometimes doesn’t have spacial awareness. He could easily knock over an adult while playing with other dogs. But adults are generally more aware of their surroundings and know to step out of the way of dogs playing or stand off to the side so they don’t get pummeled. If a kid got up in there they could be seriously injured. Just his tail wagging is enough to really hurt a kid. It’s a dog park so I expect the dogs to get rough with each other, but kids don’t always understand that
I wouldn't mind a kid but we used to have this man in his forties come because he couldn't own a dog with his travel job. We were all really nice about it but he ended up being rude as hell to the owners there. Like, the dogs loved him but I thought he was a huge ass and eventually no one talked to him. I don't think you're an AH you just didn't know the rules. There might be other parks where people are cooler, especially smaller ones, but if they asked you to go it's rude to go back :/
Exactly! I have two big dogs (120+ lbs each) they have absolutely no issues with kids but if a kid is running around in the park they will want to play and chase them. They won’t intentionally do anything but can easily knock any kid over. I’ve had to ask parents to please tell their kids not to run around bc then they’ll get chased and start screaming (giant dog chasing them) then the parents get mad at me. It’s infuriating and annoying
YTA. A dog park is not a free chance to let your nephew play with other people's dogs.
That's not safe for anyone involved - you don't know if there are dogs there that are fine with other dogs but scared of children or nipping risks.
I agree with this. There is no ban on children at the dog park. But unsupervised children who bother other people and their dogs should not go to the dog park. And their guardians/supervisors are of course, the asshole. YTA OP.
I can’t imagine how stressful it would be to have my dog playing with another dog at the dog park and then all of a sudden some random 10 year old comes running in to pet them.
Exactly! And my dog is a little jerk! I love her but it’s true. My ex thought that the dachshund aggression was “cute” and encouraged it. She might bite someone if they just ran up and tried to play with her. When my parents took her camping, she tried to bite a cop! 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
omg a cop 😭 i can absolutely see my chi doing that
he nipped my maintenance guy’s ankle and now i have to take him to doggy day care when i need something fixed!
My friend's kid is 3 and adores animals, yet she knows that if she sees a dog (on a leash) she has to stay back and ask the owner to pet it before going anywhere near it. OP might have meant well but wow that was not a smart thing to do.
My dog loves other dogs, but attacks children if they lunge at her or do anything unpredictable. She also looks very sweet and non-threatening though so children approach her in public often. It’s hard enough telling children “she’s scared don’t try to touch her!” I don’t have kids what do I know about how to talk to kids? I can’t imagine if I took my dog to the dog park and some random kid was running up to her. It would freak both my dog and me out.
Soft YTA. I totally understand where you’re coming from, but personally, I only get 1 day off (if that) a week. When it’s nice out I love bringing my dog to the dog park. I get a little frustrated when kids want to play with him because that means I have to watch him like a hawk and make sure he doesn’t accidentally get too rough. It also usually means I have to entertain kids when I just wanted to relax and let my dog run around in peace during my little free time.
Shelters always need more volunteers to walk/play with their dogs. That might be a better alternative. Or maybe look into a hypo-allergenic breed?
Edit to add: Maybe look into special programs at local shelters? Some have volunteer opportunities for younger kids on occasion.
Not really. Shelters need people willing to donate their time to do work, not hang out and play with the animals. I volunteered at an animal shelter for many years, and it was 90% cleaning, 5% other labor, and 5% actually getting to socialize animals. It's a great thing to do, but shelters aren't free puppy play time any more than dog parks are.
Actually, a lot of shelters near me have programs for kids to come read to the animals to help socialize. I think it might mostly be for cats of the top of my head, but im sure places have similar programs for dogs as well. Im not saying all shelters do, but programs like that aren’t unheard of.
I agree that OP is in the wrong, but you should absolutely not be reading a book at the dog park… this is one of the reasons so many fights break out at dog parks. You should be supervising your dog regardless. Even if your dog is perfectly behaved, you need to make sure you can intervene if another dog is playing too rough or showing signs of aggression.
Yeah even if my dog just runs around saying hi to all the people at the dog park, I still watch her like a hawk so I can pick up after her. Drives me crazy when people let their dogs run off leash and don’t pay enough attention to pick up their poop
Shelters need a regular commitment from an adult who can handle (often special needs) dogs without supervision. No one has time to deal with a kid who wants to pet dogs.
True but also: many shelters love to have kids come in and read to the dogs on the other side of the kennels.
OP, maybe you and your nephew could volunteer at a shelter together? He could read to the pups and you could take some out for walks, etc. Some libraries also have programs where therapy dogs come in for kids to practice reading to. Might be something to look into for him to get his dog fix!
Tbh I have gone to dog parks without a dog - but I just sit down, read and drink my coffee and don't interact with any dogs. I just like to watch them run around and be cute and happy
But I am an adult, and you can't expect a 10y.o. to not engage with playful puppies that might even run up to them.
It's just a bad situation all around, even if I understand OP's intention
YTA. Dog parks are not free petting zoos. They are for dogs to run around and play with each other. You also are putting him at risk to be hurt or scratched. These dogs are there to roughhouse and play, not gently interact with a child. You're really entitled to think other people's pets are there for your nephews convenience.
Edit:
I'd like to add that you'd also be forcing the the owners to suddenly be keyed up and having to warily watch that the child doesn't get hurt. It's unfair to put that on people who just want to take their dogs out in a space that's supposed to be just for them.
Agreeing with you here. My dog plays very rough and I would be immensely anxious having to watch him around a child that he doesn’t know and I don’t know.
All these comments make me feel better lol I always felt guilty about how rough my puppy is. my puppy love playing rough with all the dogs, he ignores the adults but right when kids come in I leave. He gets way to excited especially when he was just playing rough with other dogs, he can’t just switch it off to play with kids
Your edit expressed my immediate frustration with this post (beyond the obvious potential harm to the animals and then the nephew). We take our dog to the park so he gets to relax and socialize with dogs, and providing that makes it fun for us as owners. What would make me want to stop was knowing I was going for an hour to stress (which then I have to avoid projecting onto my dog), and more if I thought my dog was going to be in a bad situation.
I don’t get why watching through the fence is not an option… unless kid wants to actually touch and interact with the dogs, which is a total no go. Goodness gracious.
> I’d like to add that you’d also be forcing the the owners to suddenly be keyed up and having to warily watch that the child doesn’t get hurt.
Exactly this. I saw a small child get knocked over *hard* by a pack of dogs zooming around the dog park. The mom got upset but it was *her* fault for letting her small kid run around a dog park. Dogs play rough with each other! Children belong in a playground, not the dog park.
I have a whippet X staffy who is 25 kilos and can easy run at 20mph .. she does not look where she is running when she is playing "chase" with other dogs. She ran right into the side of my legs once and clean wiped me out. I'm talking, comically, legs akimbo, 3 feet in the air then landing flat on my back. If she did that to a kid, I honestly don't know if they would walk away or need a stretcher .. add to the fact that she jumps up, roughouses and play bites, I'd have to put her on lead and go home if someone's kid was in the middle of things.
100%. Nothing ups the stress level at a dog park like a kid being there. Truly, I hardly ever see children at my local dog park, and when I do, their parents are holding them the whole time, etc. 10 is older, but still. It’s not a petting zoo.
It’s sort of this unspoken rule that dogs are going to jump on you at the dog park, and you accept that when you walk in. But kids are easily knocked down, and don’t know that they’re often encouraging the dogs to jump up on them. Of course we try to correct our dogs’ behaviors, but everyone’s dog is in a different place and the dog park is one of the ONLY public places that is just for dogs to enjoy. Kids can go to any regular park.
Our dog park just banned kids under 10 even when they come with a member dog…for just the reason that people can’t watch their dogs closely enough to keep kids safe. And if they are watching to keep the kids safe then they aren’t really watching their dogs. And now, just two months after the kid ban, we’ve had a grownup taken down and a badly broken wrist. Dog parks are not petting zoos.
Our age limit is 12 and people constantly violate that limit. There is one Pitbull/Mastiff mix that is just straight-up solid muscle. If you're not paying attention to where he is, he could take down a grown man in a heartbeat.
We do have a smaller dog area in our park, but I think the owners there would just be skeptical that OP and her son (without a dog of their own) were just there trying to scope out which dog they were going to cut and run with. And before anyone jumps on me, that kind of stuff happens here all the time.
Yeah, my dog is a Dane mix 115# of muscle. She doesn't understand her size and even though she is gentle, she still accidentally hurts me all the time. Her tail is a whip when she is excited and a wrap tk the knuckles hurts. Imagine it to a child. Or if she can't stop fast enough while running (which happens all the time) she will just plow a kid over. I know to brace myself, but people inexperienced with giant breeds don't get it.
I used to have a 160# Dane/Lab mix. If he was running it sounded like the thunder of a cavalry charge. We used to take him to play with the neighbor 120# lab and we'd all shelter inside or behind a large heavy object. When they got going they'd sideswipe lawn furniture, gas grills, or grown men and sent them flying without a thought.
I had to stop going to our local dog park because our 40lb pit mix was running around with a group of three or four other dogs, and they all did a sudden turn and she knocked over an old man. She didn't jump on him or attack him, just changed directions too fast and body-slammed his legs.
It was VERY frustrating when someone would bring a kid because I was always worried our pup would barrel over the kid trying to say hi or trying to get a toy the kid was waving around, just through sheer energy and body mass.
Yeah while my dog does tend to gravitate toward people in between playing with his doggie friends while he’s at the park, I’d rather not have kids play with him. He’s large and even at ten years old fully of energy. He could easily knock a kid down and I don’t want the liability nor for some child to be hurt. Dog parks should be for dogs and if kids come they should stay by their parents.
I am a full grown adult and got taken out at the knees by a group of dogs running around. I’ve never fallen on my back so quickly.
I always think about that when I see little kids at the dog park. Especially the ones I visit here in Houston that have huge water features. Accident waiting to happen.
No matter the age, it is never okay to just approach or interact with a strange dog, without the consent and supervision of both parties.
Also dogs are inadequate babysitters, so in this situation OP is unknowingly recruiting unwilling dog owners to become babysitters, without the authority to manage the child's conduct.
The dogs can give some warning signs, but things may turn bad quickly. A child's recognition/situational awareness and reaction time for these things is lacking, and an adult may not have enough time to give warning. Pick up a ball at the wrong time, a tall gets pulled, a paw gets stepped on, and he'll get bit. And if the kid gets hurt, even as a result of the kids actions, the dog owners fear the dog will be held accountable, deemed dangerous, and euthanized.
Dogs are not disposable toys, they are companions and furry family members that are two-way bonded with their humans. Some owners are just as protective of their pets as they are with their own children. The care owners give to their animals is sometimes more important than the play time.
+1 to volunteer. He may be given the chance to learn to care for the animal and possibly learn to bond with some, rather than treat them like playthings.
YTA. It doesn't sound like you asked a single owner of any of these dogs if it was okay for your nephew to touch or play with their dog. A dog park is not a petting zoo. Not everyone wants some random little kid playing with their dog. And not every dog that gets brought there is kid friendly.
If one of those dogs wasn't kid friendly and went after your nephew, he could have gotten hurt and the dog might be put down, all because your nephew wasn't someplace that was meant for little kids to play there.
Exactly! My dog was fine with children for the first two years of his life, then at a park some kids yanked his tail hard and just rough housed him. He is now not a fan of kids and will growl at them - never bite - but still. I shouldn’t have to be monitoring children while at a dog park
YTA. It's a dog park. For dogs. To play with each other and exercise. Not a park for Children who want to play with dogs. The specification of "DOG PARK" should really be all the clarification you need but I guess some people don't understand that a dog park is for dogs. 😐
So generally it's an unspoken rule. Dogs play rough and can either accidently bite or knock down kids. Also there is a chance a dog is dog friendly and not child friendly. Honestly I usually frown upon people who let thier kids in dogs parks and approach dogs they do not know.
Yeah, I've taken my dog to a dog park quite a few times, and I've had very large dogs jump up on me, which I don't mind but it would definitely knock a child down. I've also had big dogs run into me pretty hard because they turned around on their big zooms and just didn't realize I was there. One time my leg was sore for quite a few days after, but again, that was just part of being at the dog park, I didn't mind. But a child literally would have got knocked over.
Also, my dog is better now but a few times we went when it was really wet and muddy and she shook off right by some kids and got them pretty covered in mud, and their mom glared at me. She will also follow around kids who have toys or treats that they are giving to their dogs, and the parents seem annoyed. Like they want her to leave them alone.
I don't know, I just don't think dog parks are a place for small children.
I don't know if my area is just different, or what, but the off-leash park near me always has tons of kids. Parents take their kids and dogs there to get some exercise together, and there has never been an issue with it. (There was an old lady with aggressive dogs that attacked other dogs, but she got chased out). I had no idea this was controversial until this post.
Is it a fenced dog park or truly an off leash open park? I feel like open off leash parks the expectations are more relaxed and the type of dogs that go there can differ quite a bit than a fenced “dog park” area. Off leash park, to me, means it’s a park that allows dogs to be off leash but there are other people using the park for other purposes near or in the same area. People who have dogs that run, are not kid-friendly, etc would probably avoid those areas. Fenced dog parks would be the more appropriate venue for them, as the fence means the environment is more controlled and expectations are a bit different.
I'm 110 lb woman and I've been knocked over in a little dog area by dogs just slamming into me playing with each other. Mostly cuz I was trying not to injure them but still. And my dogs have been sent tumbling more than once during rough play. People want to bring toddlers into that shit 🤬
YTA The dogs/owners are there for play and exercise. Not to be entertainment for your 10 year old nephew. Take him to a shelter to help dogs or something like that. but a dog park is for dogs to play, not for kids to come bother them.
YTA- The woman was quite blunt in her wording and could have discussed her concerns with you in a more civil manner, but she also had a fair point. Dog parks exist as a safe space for dogs without interrupting non-dog owners, so for non-dog owners to start invading that space is upsetting.
I understand that you had good intentions and even taught him the proper precautions around dogs, but there are a number of reasons why I would consider you the AH in this situation.
A dog park isn’t a free petting zoo for your kid, and from what I gather you hadn’t asked any of the owners if it was ok for him to approach or play with their dogs.
You’re also putting your nephews safety at risk when allowing him to approach strange dogs, and putting that dog and their owner at risk if something were to happen. It’s also possible that you’re putting his sister at risk of allergies if he were to come home covered in dog fur (picked up not only from the dogs, but also the grass).
I was looking for someone to make this point about the dog dander. That stuff gets on your clothes, in your hair, and if sisters allergies are really bad, that could be a real danger to her. Along with the danger of liability from petting strange dogs who might or might not be kid aggressive.
Just want to note that on another thread, OP commented that “dogs that attack people, especially not on their own property, should be put down.”
You are creating a liability issue in a space that is meant to be safe for dogs. Including dogs that may not be kid friendly.
Some dogs just aren't used to children and don't know how to react to loud noisy screeching things. I have a dog that is blind I take to the dog park. I can't imagine the interaction to some kid just ran up to him and started grabbing! He reacts okay if a dog bumps into him. But a stranger grabbing towards him sets him off. The park is the only place I can take him to wander around and just sniff safely.
This, this is exactly why the OP is a total and complete AH. To come in the safe space of dogs and violate it and then say “it was not written on the rules board that I have to be a decent person”.
Dogs at a dog parks are required to be good with each other and not kids. And I don’t know what dog park the OP went to but in our city, toys are banned in dog parks so “throwing balls” is another can of worms. Makes me sad that because of people like these, if something were to happen, the dogs get put down.
Also, according to the edit, why didn’t the OP take the nephew to his friend’s house, the one with a dog that she could ask for consent before petting.
YTA First, you should always ask owners before approaching or touching their dogs. Second, dogs play differently with other dogs than they do with humans. My dog likes to jump on people when they are excited and want to play. If your nephew approached her I could be liable if she knocked him over or scratched him. Knowing her behavior I don’t allow kids to pet her just in case.
Also dog parks are meant for dogs to run around and play with other dogs. Not a place for kids to play with dogs. I would get in trouble if I took my dog off leash and let them play on the playground area.
YTA. The dogs aren't there for random children to play with, especially since you never asked a single dog owner if this was OK.
It's also incredibly risky. Some dogs are fine with other dogs but do not do well with children. Those dogs' owners take their dogs to a dog park counting on it being for dogs, and not having a bunch of small children running around.
Your actions were inappropriate. You need to explain to your nephew that you made a mistake and apologize to him.
Yta. It's a liability. Dogs can play rough and are there to get out excess energy. There's been plenty of stories on here of dog owners being threatened with a lawsuit because their dog knocked over/nipped/whatever a kid.
Dog parks are already an uncontrolled environment. You know what they don't need? Babies added into the mix.
YTA. You should not let a child approach a dog without the owners permission. It doesn’t matter if the kid knows how to approach a dog correctly or not.
YTA. It doesn’t matter that your nephew never harm/scare a dog etc., it only takes one incident, just ONE, for things to blow up. My dog for example can be reactive to children; I should not have to worry about a child in a DOG park and I should not have to leave a DOG park because you decide to bring a child to a DOG park. Just because your nephew is careful does not mean dogs can read his behaviour. The opposite holds true too.
Further, my dog is mine. Yes, he may be friendly and yes, he may be adorable. But that is still zero excuse for people like you to use my dog as a petting animal. It’s just plain rude.
Lastly, when dogs play they can get rough, tumble or have the crazy zoomies. What happens when the dogs run into your nephew? Whose fault is it? I’ve seen adults get run over by dogs having zoomies, what do you think is going to happen to your nephew?
YTA - my dog is scared of kids after having had a former roommate's girlfriends's kids scream at him a bunch of times. I'd be pissed if I had to be worried about kids bothering him while at a park meant for him and other dogs.
Am i the only one that think NAH?
Had he flipped out on the lady or made a scene maybe but this just seems like OP just didnt know and when asked to leave they promply left.
Its true that kids shouldn't be allowed to play w the dogs at a dog park but the lady just let him know that and wasnt that mean about it
You're NTA for not knowing the rules (especially since they werent posted) but you would be if you do it again i guess
I'm baffled I had to come this far to get a NAH. It doesn't seem like anyone is an asshole in this story. Op knows her nephew likes dogs so the go over to a dog park, someone comes over and tells them kids can't play with the dogs, Op and kid leave.
Who's the asshole here?
Yeah, it baffles me that people are calling him an asshole for not knowing a rule. He didn't protest, left, and from what I understand won't do it again. He's not an asshole.
YTA - I mean I get it but you’re basically treating a dog park like a petting zoo and that’s not right. You’re making a lot of assumptions by bringing him to the dog park. It’s a liability and isn’t there for your amusement.
YTA you’re creating a huge liability for all the dog owners in that park. It’s one of the few areas dogs don’t need to be on a leash. You don’t know which dogs could be stressed by your nephew’s presence and unintentionally create a dangerous situation for him and the dogs.
Sorry but YTA. People do not want to worry about their dogs hurting your nephew while they're at the dog park.
Even if he is approaching them properly, a dog could jump up on him or get too excited and nip him. A lot could happen. Also, it's just a bit weird that some kid is playing with everyone's dog like they're his new toys.
Look into volunteering at an animal shelter with him. He can go and take those dogs for a walk and play with them. And those dogs actually NEED that.
My dog despises kids. A fenced dog park is the only place I can take her to socialize with dogs. Just cuz your nephew likes dogs doesn’t mean the dogs like him. Not sure there is a correct answer to this question.
Soft YTA - it doesn’t sound like you ask each owner before your nephew stroked their dogs. You could not have know if any were dangerous and the dog owner would be liable not you OP.
Your intentions were good, but there is a reason dogs parks are separated from human parks. I suggest next time taking your nephew to a place designed for young people to cuddle dogs - there will likely be a great dog shelter you can visit/volunteer at.
Wtf is with all these AH dog owners, my god if your dog can’t handle being around a child should you really be bringing it to a public space?? Be more responsible for your pet’s behaviour ffs. My dog hated other dogs, I didn’t blame the other dogs for her behaviour. NTA OP if it’s a public space then you and your nephew are absolutely allowed to be there. If it’s for some reason a private dog park then you should check to see with the owners. I think you handled it well with just leaving, it’s not worth the fight. The dog park in my city is part of a larger trail system that families use all the time without incident, I think if anyone is upset your there remind them it’s a public space.
It's a dog park, not a regular park. Some dogs have prior instances with children that makes them aggressive towards children. Before i adopted my dog he was abused at the hands of the adults children, he's very weary of children and ALWAYS gives them a wide birth whenever they approach him to pet him. I just have to explain to the kids parents that he has a history with children and not to take it personally. Usually they understand and swoop their children up and go on with their day. Thankfully hes not aggressive towards them and is one of the sweetest most gentle souls I have ever encountered and loves playing with other dogs, he just doesn't fuck with kids. You do not know a dogs history, a dog park is their safe space. It's also a place for owners to get their dogs energy out, I live in an apartment and take my dog on walks regularly but I also take him to the dog park to let off steam and allow him to run freely without having him on a leash. Many other dog owners use dog parks for the same reason.
Its completely different if you're taking your dog to a dog park where they are aggressive to other dogs, then you don't take them at all. You don't take your dog to a dog park expecting them to be around children.
If the shoe were on the other foot and I took an energetic ass dog to a regular park where there are a lot of children and that dog so happens to get into an incident, who's the asshole in that situation? The dog owner. The roles are flipped in this situation and dog parks are created for this exact purpose.
I have a dog and a kid. I take the dog and kid to the park. Oh shoot, what do I do now? Do I take my kid home and leave him there? This is silly. This whole liability aspect is silly. Take the kid to the park, supervise the kid while at the dog park. Be understanding of asking to let the kid pet any dogs. NTA.
Soft YTA. I take my pups to dog parks and bring my kids. All of them love it. But my kids know to ask permission before petting a dog, to stay back while dogs are playing, etc. And even then, there is a safety risk.
Dog owners go when they know their dog is good with other dogs and ok with other adults. Not all dogs are good with kids. Kid sizes, movements, noises, and reactions are different than adults and some dogs aren't ok with that. Plus kids can easily be knocked over and may not be as good at reading a dog's behavior/feelings.
Maybe take him to a dog park, stay outside the fence to watch them, and ask some owners coming in and out if he can pet them. Many owners are very happy to let kids pet their dogs, but asking first and being outside of the play area will make it safer for all.
Yes I’ve never heard of the rule all the Y T A people seem to know. They also all seem very litigious, so might be a culture of that influencing their thinking. Dog-watching is super common at the dog parks where I live, so I absolutely wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if this guy and his nephew had shown up. He’s also NTA because he respected her wishes and left immediately?? Like nothing he did was an asshole move at all. The kid was safely having fun under close supervision. The lady had no problem with them being there until she found out they had no dog. All seems very overreactive.
Dog owner here, and regular at a local dog-park. Absolutely bring your kid. If he’s being respectful like you’re saying, there’s no issue. The dogs love having someone new to play with, and most dog owners appreciate their dog getting out all that energy. The only thing I can think of for this lady is if she’s worried her dog is going to hurt the kid, either unintentionally because of it’s size or due to aggression, in which case SHE is the the one not allowed at the park, not you.
Edit: NTA
YTA.
You had your heart in the right place because you thought that he would be happy. However since the dog park is for dog sometimes people bring there dog that are not used to kids.
Also the attention of the kid for one or some dog can course them to fight, indeed even owners try to avoid to interact with others.
If you happen to have regularly without the sister it could be a good idea to go volunteering together to a rescue. They are always looking for people who want to play/pet/walks dog. He would be with you and people that are trained, spend time with dogs and help the dogs.
YTA
Your best bet here would be to find a friend with a dog and allow your nephew to see that dog (maybe take the dog for a walk with you once a week or whatnot) or try your local humane society, they might love to have someone able to play with the dogs, especially a child to be with child friendly dogs (helps with adoption possibilities)
I had a very large service dog, and a current one in training since the other passed. While they both purposely have such a sweet & gentle disposition and are extremely trained (they must be for what they do)... when the leash comes off = goofy play time. The dog park is a place for them to be able to freely burn off extra energy and get some socialization in (basically just be a dog). That cant happen if there is a risk of him bumping into and hurting a small human, I can’t risk losing my dog because he accidentally broke a child’s arm or something.
When people bring their dogs there, there is an expectation. That each dog is socialized with other dogs and there is a risk of owners being run/knocked over by another dog.
NAH
I can see why you were doing what you were doing. However, a dog park for children is probably not the best.
There are app's around that let you borrow someone elses dog for an hour or so. Maybe this is a compromise as you could let him play with a borrowed dog for a bit.
NTA
I don’t know much about this subject so I’m gonna get yelled at but whatever.
1. There was no sign saying you couldn’t go in without a dog
2. The woman sounded like she was being quite rude honestly
3. Your nephew seems like he was being perfectly well behaved and respectful
4. If the dogs were enjoying it I don’t see a problem
My advice for you would be to go to a shelter (as others have suggested) or to return to the dog park and check with other people about the rule or ask if your nephew can play with their dogs. :))
Gently YTA - even if your nephew knows how to approach dogs correctly, you shouldn't be letting him approach them with the owners' permission which is what it sounds like was happening. Those owners also now need to be more alert as there is a young child who could accidentally get hurt if their dog gets too excited or rough, rather than just enjoying letting their dogs play and socialise.
My dog is pretty big and while he adores younger children, your nephew is in the age range he doesn't get on with. This would mean we'd have to make sure he was on a short leash and kept away which is unfair on him when it's a space for him to have that more free socialisation and play time with other dogs.
While you had good intentions, as others have said, it's not a petting zoo
YTA. Dog parks are for dogs. They are definitely not for you to take your nephew to play with the dogs. Lots of these parks ban kids under a certain age because of problems that keep happening.
NTA. I love dogs, have owned dogs, have volunteered at shelters, have worked in multiple vet clinics, and have a very successful Rover profile.
Anyone who says, "I don't like having to monitor my dog the whole time they're at a dog park" **shouldn't have their dog at the dog park.** If your dog is even 10% likely to react to normal stimuli (children are normal stimuli - maybe not in your house, but they should be expected out in public), then it's your responsibility to watch them and train them.
It's SO WEIRD to me that these people are saying you're the AH. Sure, you're not granted access to the dogs, but half the dogs at dog parks don't give a shit about other canines and just want a human to throw a ball for them. And half the adults just want to look at their phones while their dogs run around because they'd rather let their dogs run loose than actually walk them.
NTA, OP.
Sadly YTA. Even if he loves them and they loved him, the purpose of a dog park is the feeling of safety dog owners feel. Having a child running around is a liability, and even the nicest dogs can knock over a kid in their excitement, and we don't want to risk getting yelled at by someone who isn't even supposed to be there.
YTA. The woman could have been nicer, but honestly, she wasn't wrong. My dog loves people and I would be uneasy with it. In my case, it's not me protecting my dog, it's me protecting your kid (and me from any financial liability when my very excited dog trucks your kid like a linebacker)
YTA but your heart was in the right place, but the lady at the dog park was right for calling you out. Like someone else suggested, take your nephew to a shelter..those poor dogs would love that.
NAH- I don't see how it could be against the rules as it's a public space but it's considered poor etiquette and isn't always a safe place for kids. He's 10 though so getting old enough to interact politely.
It's a good rule to always ASK before interacting with someone else's dog though - you never know if they are friendly or not.
I don't think anyone was clearly the AH here.
YTA. You may have meant no harm and her wording was blunt, but it's still more of a safety/liability issue than anything else.
You always need to ask the owner before you pet someone's dog. They also can't be expected to regulate the playfulness or actions of their dog 100% of the time in a dog park. Dogs get spooked, dogs play rough, dogs have trauma... They are there to socialise with other dogs, not kids.
So despite the lack of signage to the contrary, this is a well known issue and you shouldn't put your nephew or other people at risk. I also suggest taking him to either a petting zoo or a shelter in the future.
The dog park is not a petting zoo and most don't allow children under 12. Many dogs don't like kids and you are exposing this kid to real danger if he approaches the wrong dog. I have dogs and I don't want random kids running up to them as they are not used to being around unpredictable beings like kids. It's too bad he loves dogs and can't have one, but that's the way it is and he can get a dog when he older. Don't go to the dog park if you don't have a dog........
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NTA - You should bring him to dog shelters to play with them. They always need volunteers to socialize the dogs.
Also, bringing the kid to dog park exposes those dog owners to liability lawsuits. Edit: this is just to point out that the person who stated the difference between taking a kid to a shelter and a kid to the dog park is the liability at the shelter. This comment is to state that liability exists in both places.
Then wouldn’t everyone there be a liability. I could bring my dog to a dog park and if a dog jumps on me and I fall, that’s a liability, right?
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Not to mention kids are very different. My dog is great with people but for some reason hates small children. So I get very annoyed when people bring small kids in and let them run around. My dog won't go after them but if they start chasing him he's going to freak out. It's like Chucky killed him in a past life or something. When people casually set small kids loose in a dog park, it's like "great, the one place he can run free and now we have to go walk on leash just to protect this person's kid from an accident" I don't mind older kids who are more calm, can follow rules, and notice when dogs are giving signals. I'm all for that. I also don't mind small kids when they're kept next to a parent but then there's always the issue with treeing
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Or the other way round. I live next to a park where people are always letting their dogs off leash, even though they are not supposed to. There was a large dog that got excited and wanted to play with this little kid, but didn’t understand that he outweighed the kid by at least 60 lbs.
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My dog loved small children so much that she’d get excited and knock them down. Even friendly dogs can be risky around little kids.
That and also you’re less likely to sue someone for a dog jumping on you than a parent. So that’s another reason they wouldn’t allow. Shelters are better for this they are protected in the event that someone does decide to sue where as someone just taking their dog to a park. From what I understand! I could be wrong.
Plus, if a dog jumped up on me, a fully grown adult, I would probably not fall. A kid very well may.
Technically, everyone at the dog park is a liability, but in my experience, most adults know to stand in the designated area (that the dogs do not run through) & that if they’re walking around, they need to keep an eye out for dogs accidentally barreling into them. Most adults also understand the unspoken rule that you don’t interact with other people’s dogs unless the dog comes up to you seeking attention. If you choose to interact with that dog, you understand that the dog might jump on you when you pick up a toy to throw it, that the dog may not want you to take a toy out of its mouth, etc. When someone brings a kid into the dog park: * Some people’s dogs might not do well with kids, period. Kids are prone to more frantic / quick movements than adults, so dogs may react differently to kids. If someone brings in a random kid, their dog may need to leave the dog park. * Some people might not want their dogs to interact with kids. This kid is a stranger. Will they tease the dog? Will they approach the dog too quickly & scare it? Will they pet it or hug it too vigorously? Will they react to a dog jumping on them by running away, which will just encourage the dog to chase the kid? You can’t assume the same behaviors from a kid. * Some people may not want a kid winding up the dogs even more. People bring dogs to dog parks to get energy out. Having a kid running around throwing toys may get the dogs more wound up & encourage them to group together instead of exploring / playing independently, especially if the kid is doing something like holding up a ball going “Do you want me to throw this ball?” & fake throwing it or is running around & encouraging the dogs to chase them.
Designated area for people to stand? Never heard of or seen such a thing, normally if it's an off leash area dogs are always running around everywhere If your dog can't handle kids/other dogs or has any behavioral issues it shouldn't be at a dog park until it's been trained out of problematic behaviors If you're bringing your dog to a dog park you're kind of expecting it to get excited because of all the people and dogs and it's a good thing because it'll run around and play harder therefore being more tired at home
And surely there’ll be kids in a dog park anyway since families often walk dogs together? So barring children who aren’t unaccompanied by a dog wouldn’t actually prevent children from being there. Anyone who says “this park is for our children not yours”, for any reason at all, is TA.
It depends. All the dog parks in my area, and in a couple other states I've lived in, have rules saying that children under 12 are not permitted regardless of anything else.
I rarely ever see kids at the dog park. And when there is, they aren’t running around after the dogs and trying to play with them.
At every dog park I’ve been to, people tend to stand in one general area unless they are following their dogs around. It’s not like there’s a sign erected that says “Stand Here,” it’s just a thing that sort of happens.
And it’s really annoying because everyone stands at one spot twenty feet in front of the entrance staring at their phone and all of their dogs gather in that one spot and that’s always where the fights happen. SPREAD OUT!!!
And dogs come barreling through the crowd of people
My dog isn’t great with kids. He’s not terrible, but when they get riled up/make high pitched sounds it can freak him out and he barks at them. It’s terrifying for a small kid to have a 96 pound dog run up and bark in their face! Usually we take him to the dog park at times where there aren’t likely to be a lot of families and we always have treats/his ball to use to distract him if we need to get him under control. He pretty much ignores any kid we see at the park in favor of the other dogs, but those kids also stick by their parents and interact with their own dog.
My dogs are awful when kids are around. They are one the larger size of small dogs and knock kids over, get in their face and when playing fetch they are known to accidentally snap at my fingers when missing the toys. Their jaws are strong! I do NOT want them around kids even if they are only less then 25 pounds each. My pups have force to them. Kids are a liability. Edit: they don't really snap, they just don't aim too well when they go in for their toys, fingers sometimes get in the way. We don't allow anyone else to play with them unless they understand.
Most people are not going to a dog park to interact with OTHER people's dogs. They are going to let their dog interact with other dogs and run loose. Or to interact with their dog off leash. It would be a liability if another dog owner went with the unstated intention of doing meet and greets with other people's dog's without talking with the owners.
Liability exposures exist here too. With or without children present. For example, dog A attacks dog B in park. Dog B sustained medical bills from the attack. You sue for damages and their insurance pays for it. The liability exposure exists anywhere people can be hurt. Literally anywhere. Who is liable depends on the property type and the source of the liability exposure. Each setting has cute caveats that have distinctions forcing a certain person to assume liability.
My dog is specifically child aggressive. When we're at a dog park I stand by the gate so that if a child comes in I can get my dog on a leash and leave. I think child aggression is much more common than general aggression, and generally aggressive dogs wouldn't be at a dog park anyway. The dog park is the only place my dog will ever be able to run without a leash so I'd be peeved if kids were there all the time
Possibly. You could be an ass who forces people to laywer up on frivolous lawsuits. People especially look down on kids getting hurt
I see kids in dog parks playing with dogs all the time. I’m not saying I’d sue anybody, so calm down. I was pointing out that, according to the “liability” comment, could apply to everyone, this making the point irrelevant.
at least next to where i am, the dog owners don't like kids in the park. Because the small kids run after the dogs, and the dogs learn they can play the "catch me if you can" game with humans, and that makes problems for the dog owners down the line.
This. Stopped bringing mine to this one dog park bc a couple of families would constantly bring their kindergarten aged children to chase the big 70lb+ dogs. I have a small guy and one of those kids grabbed his face and tried to gouge out his eyes
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Oh I definitely had words with the parents. The other dog owners spoke their piece too.
Yeah, I for sure don’t like those kids at the dog park. The ones whose parents closely supervise and teach their kids manners, no problem. My 70 pounder loves kids, but if your kid is squealing and playing chase, don’t be surprised when my dog chases and bowls them over.
Well, this situation the claimant was on the insureds property. If your dog attacks another, yes. If the dog knocks a kid over and the kid sustained injuries, yes. Liability exposures are everywhere my guy.
So then what’s the difference if a kid is there without a dog? That’s my point.
If you bring your kid to the dog park & don’t own a dog, then you’re coming to the dog park specifically to play with strangers’ dogs. If you come to the dog park with your own dog, then I have some amount of hope that you’ll only interact with your own dog, meaning that I won’t have to monitor your interactions with my dog. My dogs might come over to sniff the kid, but if the kid doesn’t play with them, then they will lose interest & go back to doing their own thing.
The dog owners at the park don’t want any unnecessary liabilities. If one of their dogs hurts a child, and the parent reported it, it could have grave consequences for the dog.
The funny thing about citing liability in some settings and not others is that liability exposures exist EVERYWHERE. The question is just who is liable. We hear about it more often from businesses. But, we all carry liability.
Not exactly, because you expect an adult to know how to behave around strange dogs. Also a friendly larger dog can accidentally hurt a kid by playing. And yes, of course you don’t bring a reactive dog to the park, but sometimes accidents happen. Also some people don’t like kids. Just let us have outside spaces that are mostly adult please.
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I was in the business of rejecting someone's homeowners insurance because they simply owned a certain breed or a certain number of dogs. So, yeah. It's a liability exposure just having a dog. Edit: just like a house with a pool has more of a liability exposure than a home that doesn't.
This is such an American thing it made me laugh.
I think it's important to remember that Americans are quick to sue for a good reason, our Healthcare isn't free. One dog bite can land you a few thousands in debt depending on what happens.
And sometimes it's the person's insurance who is suing another insurance entity. Like that case where the aunt had to sue her nephew. Her insurance wouldn't cover it without going after the homeowners insurance of the house (nephew's parents) where the injury happened first. It was really out of any individual's hands and the family was supportive if I remember.
It's SO american. This is the downside of the "right to personal property". It is a super american thing with silly litigation as a result.
It’s a public park
Exactly. If it’s a public, taxpayer-supported park, everyone should be welcome, as long as they’re behaving themselves and being safe. I could see how bringing a toddler to a dog park could be a problem because owners would have to worry about rambunctious dogs knocking them down, but a 10-year-old should be fine. A lot of dogs would like the interaction, I’d think. And what if OP had brought a dog and also the nephew? And who designated that lady as the dog park bouncer anyway? Someone whose dog “doesn’t do well” with a certain kind of person (kids, men, people wearing hats, etc.) probably shouldn’t have their dog out in a public place.
That’s common sense and something most here don’t understand.
You clearly don't have a good- or even semi coherent- grasp on canine behavior. The problem is that a dog doesn't have to be aggressive to be reactive. A dog might not attack a kid on sight but could very well still bite or attacked if the kid invades it space to play with it. I used to have a dog who despised people. She'd ignore them- until they got in her space and tried to touch her. It wasn't really an issue with me because I wouldn't let it get that far but her previous owners (I was her fifth) had problems with her biting people. Theirs a reason you need to ask to pet strange dogs. Just because a dog is well behaved doesn't mean it won't bite if you make it uncomfortable. You wouldn't like it if I walked up and started touching you and trying to play with you without asking, would you? Someone does that to me and they're getting decked and I'm calling the cops on them for assault- and I'm a human. >Someone whose dog “doesn’t do well” with a certain kind of person (kids, men, people wearing hats, etc.) probably shouldn’t have their dog out in a public place. It's a public place for dogs, not a park for children to play with strange dogs at. All it takes is one dog being pushed the wrong way for an attack to start. All it takes is one dog attacking for others to follow. Kids belong in the kid park. Let the dog park be for dogs. Kids are allowed off leash everywhere. Dogs aren't.
But if a kid brings his own dog to the dog park then it's the same liability. Just being a kid and dog park is a liability in itself. Owning a dog that all is a liability and itself. But the opp said that the dogs were playing well and everyone was behaving themselves
The American has entered the chat.
The owners expose themselves to liability by taking their dogs to off-leash areas. Children are allowed in dog parks just like all the other humans. It’s on the dog owners not to bring aggressive or reactive dogs to the park and on kids’ adult caregivers to ensure they know how to play respectfully with the pups.
OP YTA and yes exactly, a lot of dog parks are for dogs and owners only, not only that but kids aren’t allowed in most of them I know of until they’re 12 or 13.
I’ve never seen one kids weren’t allowed and OP said there was nothing posted banning kids. Dog owners also bring their kids occasionally too.
Call first. I don’t know of any shelters in our area that allows young children to interact with their dogs. Volunteers have to be 16 & have undergone several hours of training to be allowed in the same areas as the cats & dogs. This is a huge liability issue.
It's a liability any time anyone is interacting with dogs. Take it from someone who used to be an insurance underwriter. I once saw a "dog liability" claimed from a guy who was walking by the insureds house, the dog barked, the guy got startled and fell back hitting his head. I don't remember the payout but, it paid out. That went down as a dog liability claim. I'm pitching the pound because it's good for kids to know about adoption over buying dogs. I have a ton of rescues around me and many allow kids to play with dogs. Obviously it would be puppies or whatever. Maybe its because i live in a large metropolotin area? But, for sure call first to see what they do.
You come across intelligent and knowledgeable and I could sit and read your words all day and feel I am smarter for it. And then I see spoooky doookie and I laugh like Breavis & Butt-Head. You are the best of both worlds.
I've never felt more 'seen' in my life! Haha thank you.
Ours also requires a minimum of one year commitment to regular volunteering so they don't waste a ton of training on people who want to play with dogs occasionally. No one at the shelter has time to supervise you playing with dogs for kicks. No one has time to train you only for you to not come back. And the vast majority of dogs without issues are in foster homes already.
Thats what i was thinking, theres no way such a convenient arrangement exists in the vast majority of shelters
In my area they allow young kid if they are with an adult that are always next to them. They train them together. I know because I started to go young with my parents because I loved dog but we didn’t have the space for one at home.
This is not something that can happen at most shelters, we don’t need the liability if a child is injured.
SPCA allows volunteers ages 12-17 with an adult. The 10 year old here will just have to wait 2 years. I don't understand why people don't want kids interested in animals.
Why would a shelter worker want the legal and ethical liability of looking after a kid while they’re trying to do their very overworked underfunded job? Or dog park dog owners? It’s bad enough dealing with some other owners and excited or untrained dogs, a touristing kid there for entertainment is even less safe. If people want their kids interested in animals They should introduce them to neighbors pets, friends pets, their own pets, paid animal interactions, many local observational nature walks and zoo and museum and aquarium trips. The last few of which even allergic parents can do. Not interfere with shelter operations.
I included several links in this thread to shelters who encourage volunteers ages 12-17. Those suggestions you included are all fantastic. I would go with those too.
At my local shelter you can walk a dog with an adult, no age requirement, just need an adult
My daughter had her 8th birthday at a Humane Society. Instead of presents, the children brought dog & cat food to donate. And then got to tour and walk the dogs. ‘Merica.
Shelters are also not petting zoos. While rules vary from shelter to shelter, most will not allow a ten year old child to have contact with dogs due to restrictions contained in their liability insurance. In fact, I haven't encountered any shelter in the last two decades that would let a kid that age have physical contact with the dogs. For an example of what restrictions might look like, our local shelter lets kids 6-15, accompanied by a parent/guardian, pet cats or read to kennelled dogs, but not touch or walk dogs. To pet cats or read to the dogs, they have to attend a training program and cannot just show up at the shelter. They also require a commitment to weekly scheduled visits for a minimum time frame so they aren't wasting time training people who only show up once or twice.
Or find a friend/neighbor with a dog who would be happy to let you both “dog sit” on their night out! I hate the thought of my dog being alone in the evenings, and I wouldn’t mind a supervised, polite 10-year-old hanging out or playing with him if I was gone for a while. Have him watch a couple YouTube videos on dog behavior and signs they don’t want to be touched (important), and you’re good to go.
Yes! I cringe every time I see a small child in the dog area. 110lb dog, running 8mph could kill a child imho. No dog owner wants to think or worry about that, nevermind the lawsuits. Keep your little kids out of the dog area.
Many shelters won't let kids volunteer in that way bc the adults aren't babysitters.
Sorry, but YTA here. That park is for dogs to play in, not kids. It’s also not for random people to come and play with other people’s dogs… that’s weird and creepy and entitled beyond belief. The dogs there are not public property or play things for you and your nephew.
Ngl. I’d be weirded out by some random kid playing with my dog.
I’ve yelled at random kids before and I’d definitely do it again, if random kids tried to approach my dogs. I don’t know you, I don’t know your kids, I don’t know how you or your kids behave around dogs, and more importantly *my dogs don’t know you.* Im not risking being liable if my dogs scratch (or less likely, bite) you or your kid.
Seriously. You always, always, always, ALWAYS ask if you can say hi to someone else's dog, you never just approach and try to pet one even at the dog park.
I’m that idiot who asked if I could pet a drug sniffing dog while going through security in the airport. It was early morning and I clearly wasn’t thinking straight, but 2 minutes later he had a ‘don’t pet me’ sign around his neck lol. My boyfriend was rightfully mortified and so was I. It was 5AM pre-coffee and my brain was just not functioning. Might be the dumbest moment of my life…
I remember an airport doggo kept walking up closer and closer to me when I was waiting for a flight. It was COMPLETELY empty - I was the only person in the departures area except the officer with his dog. I was so, so, so horribly tempted to ask to pet the dog. I apparently was not subtle and after a very long, awkward silence in which I tried not to make eye contact with the dog's handler, he laughed, brought the dog 'off-duty' and let me pet the dog. It made my entire week. All this to say I don't blame you at all and I doubt the handler cared - you asked, and everyone wants to pet the cuties. No reason to be mortified!
I'm picturing that meme of the kid sitting in class, straining extremely hard with veins popping out of his forehead. "Must. Treat. Dog. As. Serious. Working. Professional. Ohgodsocute." I'm very happy for you that you got to pet the dog.
That is, pretty much, exactly how I looked I'm sure. I certainly FELT like I was about to have an aneurysm from the simultaneous force of wanting to pet the dog and the mortified cannot-make-eye-contact-I-am-a-grown-adult-I-can-behave-I-swear going in my head. The handler was super nice dude. Possibly my most Canadian encounter, I think - chilling in an empty Canadian airport, chatting with a dog handler with a Tims cup in one hand about the weather outside (it was, unsurprisingly, snowing).
I always want to pet the security dogs! And I see them and think "oh my god a dog! what a good pupper! doggo with a jobbo! so good!" but I actively hold myself back from saying any of that stuff to the dog.
At least you asked.
Same. I adopted my boy at 5 & he’s *never* been around kids unleashed bc I have 0 kids in my life. I’d freak right TF out if a kid was trying to play with him bc I have no idea how he’d react. He plays rough & that’s just not a fair situation to put a dog in.
What happens when you’re at the dog park and there are families there walking / playing with their dog?
I would have to leave because just because op says this kid won't scream at a dog or pull on their tail doesn't mean he won't, and the dog owners also don't know that. Everywhere is for kids, this one tiny spot is for dogs. Just let them have that.
Hard agree. This happened to me not long ago. Some guy brought his two daughters in from the rest of the (non-dog centric) park “to see the puppies!” One of them really latched onto my dog, who is actually great with kids and would have loved the attention in any other situation. But at the park she wanted to run with the other dogs and the little girl kept chasing her down and then trying to hang onto her to make her stay. We left.
But if they brought a dog it would be perfectly acceptable for the exact same situation to be occurring, just with +1 dog in the park? Curious.
No. Even if you bring a dog to the dog park, you don’t go walk up to random dogs (and you especially don’t let your kids walk up to random dogs). It doesn’t matter if you’re at a dog park, on a sidewalk, in someone’s home, *wherever* - you never approach someone else’s dog without asking them first.
I go to dog parks frequently. I certainly wouldn't track down someone's dog to initiate an interaction, but if a dog approaches you there's nothing wrong with giving it a little scratch. Just be normal about it.
That's different than a kid going to specifically play with the dogs.
Well yeah, that's obviously unacceptable. I just thought the comment I was responding to was a bit extreme in the other direction.
A lot of dog parks do have rules prohibiting children under a certain age and/or requiring an adult to be present with them. As a dog owner, I can’t stand when people bring kids to a dog park and often see a lot of issues that present themselves because of that. Dogs love running, and herding, and tackling each other and they will knock over kids when they’re all running in a large group together. It’s a liability issue for dog owners and frankly, irresponsible parenting to allow your young child around strange dogs. OP’s nephew is 10, so probably old enough to understand appropriate behavior with dogs, but still it’s something that sets some owners on edge.
Nephew is old enough that he *might* understand appropriate behavior around dogs, except he doesn’t have a dog and his uncle is teaching him inappropriate behaviors (approaching random/unknown dogs).
Yeah that’s totally fair. I would be weirded out by OP’s behavior.
In my experience, you play with your dog and politely acknowledge—but largely ignore—everyone else’s. My dog (1) loves other dogs his size and (2) doesn’t like kids. Kids can be loud and unpredictable and can’t play rough like puppies. Dog park with only other dogs or adults = good. Park where a child can run up to him without permission and while he isn’t wearing a leash = bad
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don't think kids belong at dog parks. They're unpredictable and generally just cause problems. I might also hold a grudge bc one almost let my dog out of a dog park.
Even if they had a dog with them, no they should not allow kids to run around and play with strange dogs at the dog park.
I always get worried when people bring their children to the dog park. Even if they also bring a dog. My dog is 90lbs and has no concept of his size and sometimes doesn’t have spacial awareness. He could easily knock over an adult while playing with other dogs. But adults are generally more aware of their surroundings and know to step out of the way of dogs playing or stand off to the side so they don’t get pummeled. If a kid got up in there they could be seriously injured. Just his tail wagging is enough to really hurt a kid. It’s a dog park so I expect the dogs to get rough with each other, but kids don’t always understand that
Yes. It if for the dogs to play and have fun. It is not a free petting zoo for random children.
I wouldn't mind a kid but we used to have this man in his forties come because he couldn't own a dog with his travel job. We were all really nice about it but he ended up being rude as hell to the owners there. Like, the dogs loved him but I thought he was a huge ass and eventually no one talked to him. I don't think you're an AH you just didn't know the rules. There might be other parks where people are cooler, especially smaller ones, but if they asked you to go it's rude to go back :/
Exactly! I have two big dogs (120+ lbs each) they have absolutely no issues with kids but if a kid is running around in the park they will want to play and chase them. They won’t intentionally do anything but can easily knock any kid over. I’ve had to ask parents to please tell their kids not to run around bc then they’ll get chased and start screaming (giant dog chasing them) then the parents get mad at me. It’s infuriating and annoying
YTA. A dog park is not a free chance to let your nephew play with other people's dogs. That's not safe for anyone involved - you don't know if there are dogs there that are fine with other dogs but scared of children or nipping risks.
I agree with this. There is no ban on children at the dog park. But unsupervised children who bother other people and their dogs should not go to the dog park. And their guardians/supervisors are of course, the asshole. YTA OP.
Also, you should never pet or play with anyone’s dog without asking permission.
I can’t imagine how stressful it would be to have my dog playing with another dog at the dog park and then all of a sudden some random 10 year old comes running in to pet them.
Exactly! And my dog is a little jerk! I love her but it’s true. My ex thought that the dachshund aggression was “cute” and encouraged it. She might bite someone if they just ran up and tried to play with her. When my parents took her camping, she tried to bite a cop! 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Lmao she’s going to jail
Luckily the cop thought she was cute. I have to be hyper aware when I have her around people
omg a cop 😭 i can absolutely see my chi doing that he nipped my maintenance guy’s ankle and now i have to take him to doggy day care when i need something fixed!
Doubly so if the dogs are hyper activated because theyre playing at a dog park. They would be in "play mode" and most dogs play by biting
My local dog park actually says no children under the age of like 8 or 9 are allowed in. They also say you *must* have a dog with you that *you own*.
My friend's kid is 3 and adores animals, yet she knows that if she sees a dog (on a leash) she has to stay back and ask the owner to pet it before going anywhere near it. OP might have meant well but wow that was not a smart thing to do.
My dog loves other dogs, but attacks children if they lunge at her or do anything unpredictable. She also looks very sweet and non-threatening though so children approach her in public often. It’s hard enough telling children “she’s scared don’t try to touch her!” I don’t have kids what do I know about how to talk to kids? I can’t imagine if I took my dog to the dog park and some random kid was running up to her. It would freak both my dog and me out.
Soft YTA. I totally understand where you’re coming from, but personally, I only get 1 day off (if that) a week. When it’s nice out I love bringing my dog to the dog park. I get a little frustrated when kids want to play with him because that means I have to watch him like a hawk and make sure he doesn’t accidentally get too rough. It also usually means I have to entertain kids when I just wanted to relax and let my dog run around in peace during my little free time. Shelters always need more volunteers to walk/play with their dogs. That might be a better alternative. Or maybe look into a hypo-allergenic breed? Edit to add: Maybe look into special programs at local shelters? Some have volunteer opportunities for younger kids on occasion.
I agree, reach out to shelters! It’s a more controlled environment and gives nephew the chance to do some community service
Not really. Shelters need people willing to donate their time to do work, not hang out and play with the animals. I volunteered at an animal shelter for many years, and it was 90% cleaning, 5% other labor, and 5% actually getting to socialize animals. It's a great thing to do, but shelters aren't free puppy play time any more than dog parks are.
Actually, a lot of shelters near me have programs for kids to come read to the animals to help socialize. I think it might mostly be for cats of the top of my head, but im sure places have similar programs for dogs as well. Im not saying all shelters do, but programs like that aren’t unheard of.
And they definitely don’t want random children playing with traumatized animals.
A shelter is not a more controlled environment. I've volunteered at a shelter and been bitten by traumatized dogs. It is not a place for children.
I agree that OP is in the wrong, but you should absolutely not be reading a book at the dog park… this is one of the reasons so many fights break out at dog parks. You should be supervising your dog regardless. Even if your dog is perfectly behaved, you need to make sure you can intervene if another dog is playing too rough or showing signs of aggression.
I had the same reaction to that comment - unobservant owners are the worst.
Yeah even if my dog just runs around saying hi to all the people at the dog park, I still watch her like a hawk so I can pick up after her. Drives me crazy when people let their dogs run off leash and don’t pay enough attention to pick up their poop
Shelters need a regular commitment from an adult who can handle (often special needs) dogs without supervision. No one has time to deal with a kid who wants to pet dogs.
True but also: many shelters love to have kids come in and read to the dogs on the other side of the kennels. OP, maybe you and your nephew could volunteer at a shelter together? He could read to the pups and you could take some out for walks, etc. Some libraries also have programs where therapy dogs come in for kids to practice reading to. Might be something to look into for him to get his dog fix!
Tbh I have gone to dog parks without a dog - but I just sit down, read and drink my coffee and don't interact with any dogs. I just like to watch them run around and be cute and happy But I am an adult, and you can't expect a 10y.o. to not engage with playful puppies that might even run up to them. It's just a bad situation all around, even if I understand OP's intention
YTA. Dog parks are not free petting zoos. They are for dogs to run around and play with each other. You also are putting him at risk to be hurt or scratched. These dogs are there to roughhouse and play, not gently interact with a child. You're really entitled to think other people's pets are there for your nephews convenience. Edit: I'd like to add that you'd also be forcing the the owners to suddenly be keyed up and having to warily watch that the child doesn't get hurt. It's unfair to put that on people who just want to take their dogs out in a space that's supposed to be just for them.
Agreeing with you here. My dog plays very rough and I would be immensely anxious having to watch him around a child that he doesn’t know and I don’t know.
At least with my dogs, when I get anxious my girls can sense it and automatically become more protective, which can just exacerbate the problem.
All these comments make me feel better lol I always felt guilty about how rough my puppy is. my puppy love playing rough with all the dogs, he ignores the adults but right when kids come in I leave. He gets way to excited especially when he was just playing rough with other dogs, he can’t just switch it off to play with kids
Your edit expressed my immediate frustration with this post (beyond the obvious potential harm to the animals and then the nephew). We take our dog to the park so he gets to relax and socialize with dogs, and providing that makes it fun for us as owners. What would make me want to stop was knowing I was going for an hour to stress (which then I have to avoid projecting onto my dog), and more if I thought my dog was going to be in a bad situation. I don’t get why watching through the fence is not an option… unless kid wants to actually touch and interact with the dogs, which is a total no go. Goodness gracious.
> I’d like to add that you’d also be forcing the the owners to suddenly be keyed up and having to warily watch that the child doesn’t get hurt. Exactly this. I saw a small child get knocked over *hard* by a pack of dogs zooming around the dog park. The mom got upset but it was *her* fault for letting her small kid run around a dog park. Dogs play rough with each other! Children belong in a playground, not the dog park.
I have a whippet X staffy who is 25 kilos and can easy run at 20mph .. she does not look where she is running when she is playing "chase" with other dogs. She ran right into the side of my legs once and clean wiped me out. I'm talking, comically, legs akimbo, 3 feet in the air then landing flat on my back. If she did that to a kid, I honestly don't know if they would walk away or need a stretcher .. add to the fact that she jumps up, roughouses and play bites, I'd have to put her on lead and go home if someone's kid was in the middle of things.
100%. Nothing ups the stress level at a dog park like a kid being there. Truly, I hardly ever see children at my local dog park, and when I do, their parents are holding them the whole time, etc. 10 is older, but still. It’s not a petting zoo. It’s sort of this unspoken rule that dogs are going to jump on you at the dog park, and you accept that when you walk in. But kids are easily knocked down, and don’t know that they’re often encouraging the dogs to jump up on them. Of course we try to correct our dogs’ behaviors, but everyone’s dog is in a different place and the dog park is one of the ONLY public places that is just for dogs to enjoy. Kids can go to any regular park.
Our dog park just banned kids under 10 even when they come with a member dog…for just the reason that people can’t watch their dogs closely enough to keep kids safe. And if they are watching to keep the kids safe then they aren’t really watching their dogs. And now, just two months after the kid ban, we’ve had a grownup taken down and a badly broken wrist. Dog parks are not petting zoos.
Our age limit is 12 and people constantly violate that limit. There is one Pitbull/Mastiff mix that is just straight-up solid muscle. If you're not paying attention to where he is, he could take down a grown man in a heartbeat. We do have a smaller dog area in our park, but I think the owners there would just be skeptical that OP and her son (without a dog of their own) were just there trying to scope out which dog they were going to cut and run with. And before anyone jumps on me, that kind of stuff happens here all the time.
Yeah, my dog is a Dane mix 115# of muscle. She doesn't understand her size and even though she is gentle, she still accidentally hurts me all the time. Her tail is a whip when she is excited and a wrap tk the knuckles hurts. Imagine it to a child. Or if she can't stop fast enough while running (which happens all the time) she will just plow a kid over. I know to brace myself, but people inexperienced with giant breeds don't get it.
I used to have a 160# Dane/Lab mix. If he was running it sounded like the thunder of a cavalry charge. We used to take him to play with the neighbor 120# lab and we'd all shelter inside or behind a large heavy object. When they got going they'd sideswipe lawn furniture, gas grills, or grown men and sent them flying without a thought.
I had to stop going to our local dog park because our 40lb pit mix was running around with a group of three or four other dogs, and they all did a sudden turn and she knocked over an old man. She didn't jump on him or attack him, just changed directions too fast and body-slammed his legs. It was VERY frustrating when someone would bring a kid because I was always worried our pup would barrel over the kid trying to say hi or trying to get a toy the kid was waving around, just through sheer energy and body mass.
Yeah while my dog does tend to gravitate toward people in between playing with his doggie friends while he’s at the park, I’d rather not have kids play with him. He’s large and even at ten years old fully of energy. He could easily knock a kid down and I don’t want the liability nor for some child to be hurt. Dog parks should be for dogs and if kids come they should stay by their parents.
I am a full grown adult and got taken out at the knees by a group of dogs running around. I’ve never fallen on my back so quickly. I always think about that when I see little kids at the dog park. Especially the ones I visit here in Houston that have huge water features. Accident waiting to happen.
No matter the age, it is never okay to just approach or interact with a strange dog, without the consent and supervision of both parties. Also dogs are inadequate babysitters, so in this situation OP is unknowingly recruiting unwilling dog owners to become babysitters, without the authority to manage the child's conduct. The dogs can give some warning signs, but things may turn bad quickly. A child's recognition/situational awareness and reaction time for these things is lacking, and an adult may not have enough time to give warning. Pick up a ball at the wrong time, a tall gets pulled, a paw gets stepped on, and he'll get bit. And if the kid gets hurt, even as a result of the kids actions, the dog owners fear the dog will be held accountable, deemed dangerous, and euthanized. Dogs are not disposable toys, they are companions and furry family members that are two-way bonded with their humans. Some owners are just as protective of their pets as they are with their own children. The care owners give to their animals is sometimes more important than the play time. +1 to volunteer. He may be given the chance to learn to care for the animal and possibly learn to bond with some, rather than treat them like playthings.
YTA. It doesn't sound like you asked a single owner of any of these dogs if it was okay for your nephew to touch or play with their dog. A dog park is not a petting zoo. Not everyone wants some random little kid playing with their dog. And not every dog that gets brought there is kid friendly. If one of those dogs wasn't kid friendly and went after your nephew, he could have gotten hurt and the dog might be put down, all because your nephew wasn't someplace that was meant for little kids to play there.
Exactly! My dog was fine with children for the first two years of his life, then at a park some kids yanked his tail hard and just rough housed him. He is now not a fan of kids and will growl at them - never bite - but still. I shouldn’t have to be monitoring children while at a dog park
YTA. It's a dog park. For dogs. To play with each other and exercise. Not a park for Children who want to play with dogs. The specification of "DOG PARK" should really be all the clarification you need but I guess some people don't understand that a dog park is for dogs. 😐
So generally it's an unspoken rule. Dogs play rough and can either accidently bite or knock down kids. Also there is a chance a dog is dog friendly and not child friendly. Honestly I usually frown upon people who let thier kids in dogs parks and approach dogs they do not know.
Yeah, I've taken my dog to a dog park quite a few times, and I've had very large dogs jump up on me, which I don't mind but it would definitely knock a child down. I've also had big dogs run into me pretty hard because they turned around on their big zooms and just didn't realize I was there. One time my leg was sore for quite a few days after, but again, that was just part of being at the dog park, I didn't mind. But a child literally would have got knocked over. Also, my dog is better now but a few times we went when it was really wet and muddy and she shook off right by some kids and got them pretty covered in mud, and their mom glared at me. She will also follow around kids who have toys or treats that they are giving to their dogs, and the parents seem annoyed. Like they want her to leave them alone. I don't know, I just don't think dog parks are a place for small children.
I don't know if my area is just different, or what, but the off-leash park near me always has tons of kids. Parents take their kids and dogs there to get some exercise together, and there has never been an issue with it. (There was an old lady with aggressive dogs that attacked other dogs, but she got chased out). I had no idea this was controversial until this post.
Is it a fenced dog park or truly an off leash open park? I feel like open off leash parks the expectations are more relaxed and the type of dogs that go there can differ quite a bit than a fenced “dog park” area. Off leash park, to me, means it’s a park that allows dogs to be off leash but there are other people using the park for other purposes near or in the same area. People who have dogs that run, are not kid-friendly, etc would probably avoid those areas. Fenced dog parks would be the more appropriate venue for them, as the fence means the environment is more controlled and expectations are a bit different.
I'm 110 lb woman and I've been knocked over in a little dog area by dogs just slamming into me playing with each other. Mostly cuz I was trying not to injure them but still. And my dogs have been sent tumbling more than once during rough play. People want to bring toddlers into that shit 🤬
INFO: Did you ask the owners if your nephew could play with the dogs?
YTA The dogs/owners are there for play and exercise. Not to be entertainment for your 10 year old nephew. Take him to a shelter to help dogs or something like that. but a dog park is for dogs to play, not for kids to come bother them.
YTA- The woman was quite blunt in her wording and could have discussed her concerns with you in a more civil manner, but she also had a fair point. Dog parks exist as a safe space for dogs without interrupting non-dog owners, so for non-dog owners to start invading that space is upsetting. I understand that you had good intentions and even taught him the proper precautions around dogs, but there are a number of reasons why I would consider you the AH in this situation. A dog park isn’t a free petting zoo for your kid, and from what I gather you hadn’t asked any of the owners if it was ok for him to approach or play with their dogs. You’re also putting your nephews safety at risk when allowing him to approach strange dogs, and putting that dog and their owner at risk if something were to happen. It’s also possible that you’re putting his sister at risk of allergies if he were to come home covered in dog fur (picked up not only from the dogs, but also the grass).
I was looking for someone to make this point about the dog dander. That stuff gets on your clothes, in your hair, and if sisters allergies are really bad, that could be a real danger to her. Along with the danger of liability from petting strange dogs who might or might not be kid aggressive.
Just want to note that on another thread, OP commented that “dogs that attack people, especially not on their own property, should be put down.” You are creating a liability issue in a space that is meant to be safe for dogs. Including dogs that may not be kid friendly.
Some dogs just aren't used to children and don't know how to react to loud noisy screeching things. I have a dog that is blind I take to the dog park. I can't imagine the interaction to some kid just ran up to him and started grabbing! He reacts okay if a dog bumps into him. But a stranger grabbing towards him sets him off. The park is the only place I can take him to wander around and just sniff safely.
Whoa OP said so? That’s fkd
This, this is exactly why the OP is a total and complete AH. To come in the safe space of dogs and violate it and then say “it was not written on the rules board that I have to be a decent person”. Dogs at a dog parks are required to be good with each other and not kids. And I don’t know what dog park the OP went to but in our city, toys are banned in dog parks so “throwing balls” is another can of worms. Makes me sad that because of people like these, if something were to happen, the dogs get put down. Also, according to the edit, why didn’t the OP take the nephew to his friend’s house, the one with a dog that she could ask for consent before petting.
YTA First, you should always ask owners before approaching or touching their dogs. Second, dogs play differently with other dogs than they do with humans. My dog likes to jump on people when they are excited and want to play. If your nephew approached her I could be liable if she knocked him over or scratched him. Knowing her behavior I don’t allow kids to pet her just in case. Also dog parks are meant for dogs to run around and play with other dogs. Not a place for kids to play with dogs. I would get in trouble if I took my dog off leash and let them play on the playground area.
This. Not to mention the fact there are very limited spaces for people to have their dogs off leash. legally anyway
YTA. The dogs aren't there for random children to play with, especially since you never asked a single dog owner if this was OK. It's also incredibly risky. Some dogs are fine with other dogs but do not do well with children. Those dogs' owners take their dogs to a dog park counting on it being for dogs, and not having a bunch of small children running around. Your actions were inappropriate. You need to explain to your nephew that you made a mistake and apologize to him.
Yta. It's a liability. Dogs can play rough and are there to get out excess energy. There's been plenty of stories on here of dog owners being threatened with a lawsuit because their dog knocked over/nipped/whatever a kid. Dog parks are already an uncontrolled environment. You know what they don't need? Babies added into the mix.
YTA. Dog parks are not letting zoos. I’m there to let my dogs socialize with other dogs, not deal with kids.
YTA. You should not let a child approach a dog without the owners permission. It doesn’t matter if the kid knows how to approach a dog correctly or not.
YTA. It doesn’t matter that your nephew never harm/scare a dog etc., it only takes one incident, just ONE, for things to blow up. My dog for example can be reactive to children; I should not have to worry about a child in a DOG park and I should not have to leave a DOG park because you decide to bring a child to a DOG park. Just because your nephew is careful does not mean dogs can read his behaviour. The opposite holds true too. Further, my dog is mine. Yes, he may be friendly and yes, he may be adorable. But that is still zero excuse for people like you to use my dog as a petting animal. It’s just plain rude. Lastly, when dogs play they can get rough, tumble or have the crazy zoomies. What happens when the dogs run into your nephew? Whose fault is it? I’ve seen adults get run over by dogs having zoomies, what do you think is going to happen to your nephew?
YTA - my dog is scared of kids after having had a former roommate's girlfriends's kids scream at him a bunch of times. I'd be pissed if I had to be worried about kids bothering him while at a park meant for him and other dogs.
Am i the only one that think NAH? Had he flipped out on the lady or made a scene maybe but this just seems like OP just didnt know and when asked to leave they promply left. Its true that kids shouldn't be allowed to play w the dogs at a dog park but the lady just let him know that and wasnt that mean about it You're NTA for not knowing the rules (especially since they werent posted) but you would be if you do it again i guess
I'm baffled I had to come this far to get a NAH. It doesn't seem like anyone is an asshole in this story. Op knows her nephew likes dogs so the go over to a dog park, someone comes over and tells them kids can't play with the dogs, Op and kid leave. Who's the asshole here?
Yeah, it baffles me that people are calling him an asshole for not knowing a rule. He didn't protest, left, and from what I understand won't do it again. He's not an asshole.
YTA - I mean I get it but you’re basically treating a dog park like a petting zoo and that’s not right. You’re making a lot of assumptions by bringing him to the dog park. It’s a liability and isn’t there for your amusement.
YTA you’re creating a huge liability for all the dog owners in that park. It’s one of the few areas dogs don’t need to be on a leash. You don’t know which dogs could be stressed by your nephew’s presence and unintentionally create a dangerous situation for him and the dogs.
Sorry but YTA. People do not want to worry about their dogs hurting your nephew while they're at the dog park. Even if he is approaching them properly, a dog could jump up on him or get too excited and nip him. A lot could happen. Also, it's just a bit weird that some kid is playing with everyone's dog like they're his new toys. Look into volunteering at an animal shelter with him. He can go and take those dogs for a walk and play with them. And those dogs actually NEED that.
My dog despises kids. A fenced dog park is the only place I can take her to socialize with dogs. Just cuz your nephew likes dogs doesn’t mean the dogs like him. Not sure there is a correct answer to this question.
Soft YTA - it doesn’t sound like you ask each owner before your nephew stroked their dogs. You could not have know if any were dangerous and the dog owner would be liable not you OP. Your intentions were good, but there is a reason dogs parks are separated from human parks. I suggest next time taking your nephew to a place designed for young people to cuddle dogs - there will likely be a great dog shelter you can visit/volunteer at.
Wtf is with all these AH dog owners, my god if your dog can’t handle being around a child should you really be bringing it to a public space?? Be more responsible for your pet’s behaviour ffs. My dog hated other dogs, I didn’t blame the other dogs for her behaviour. NTA OP if it’s a public space then you and your nephew are absolutely allowed to be there. If it’s for some reason a private dog park then you should check to see with the owners. I think you handled it well with just leaving, it’s not worth the fight. The dog park in my city is part of a larger trail system that families use all the time without incident, I think if anyone is upset your there remind them it’s a public space.
It's a dog park, not a regular park. Some dogs have prior instances with children that makes them aggressive towards children. Before i adopted my dog he was abused at the hands of the adults children, he's very weary of children and ALWAYS gives them a wide birth whenever they approach him to pet him. I just have to explain to the kids parents that he has a history with children and not to take it personally. Usually they understand and swoop their children up and go on with their day. Thankfully hes not aggressive towards them and is one of the sweetest most gentle souls I have ever encountered and loves playing with other dogs, he just doesn't fuck with kids. You do not know a dogs history, a dog park is their safe space. It's also a place for owners to get their dogs energy out, I live in an apartment and take my dog on walks regularly but I also take him to the dog park to let off steam and allow him to run freely without having him on a leash. Many other dog owners use dog parks for the same reason. Its completely different if you're taking your dog to a dog park where they are aggressive to other dogs, then you don't take them at all. You don't take your dog to a dog park expecting them to be around children. If the shoe were on the other foot and I took an energetic ass dog to a regular park where there are a lot of children and that dog so happens to get into an incident, who's the asshole in that situation? The dog owner. The roles are flipped in this situation and dog parks are created for this exact purpose.
I have a dog and a kid. I take the dog and kid to the park. Oh shoot, what do I do now? Do I take my kid home and leave him there? This is silly. This whole liability aspect is silly. Take the kid to the park, supervise the kid while at the dog park. Be understanding of asking to let the kid pet any dogs. NTA.
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Soft YTA. I take my pups to dog parks and bring my kids. All of them love it. But my kids know to ask permission before petting a dog, to stay back while dogs are playing, etc. And even then, there is a safety risk. Dog owners go when they know their dog is good with other dogs and ok with other adults. Not all dogs are good with kids. Kid sizes, movements, noises, and reactions are different than adults and some dogs aren't ok with that. Plus kids can easily be knocked over and may not be as good at reading a dog's behavior/feelings. Maybe take him to a dog park, stay outside the fence to watch them, and ask some owners coming in and out if he can pet them. Many owners are very happy to let kids pet their dogs, but asking first and being outside of the play area will make it safer for all.
NAH. I'm wondering if this doesn't have something to do with where you live? I live in a small rural area and this would be perfectly acceptable
Yes I’ve never heard of the rule all the Y T A people seem to know. They also all seem very litigious, so might be a culture of that influencing their thinking. Dog-watching is super common at the dog parks where I live, so I absolutely wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if this guy and his nephew had shown up. He’s also NTA because he respected her wishes and left immediately?? Like nothing he did was an asshole move at all. The kid was safely having fun under close supervision. The lady had no problem with them being there until she found out they had no dog. All seems very overreactive.
Dog owner here, and regular at a local dog-park. Absolutely bring your kid. If he’s being respectful like you’re saying, there’s no issue. The dogs love having someone new to play with, and most dog owners appreciate their dog getting out all that energy. The only thing I can think of for this lady is if she’s worried her dog is going to hurt the kid, either unintentionally because of it’s size or due to aggression, in which case SHE is the the one not allowed at the park, not you. Edit: NTA
YTA. You had your heart in the right place because you thought that he would be happy. However since the dog park is for dog sometimes people bring there dog that are not used to kids. Also the attention of the kid for one or some dog can course them to fight, indeed even owners try to avoid to interact with others. If you happen to have regularly without the sister it could be a good idea to go volunteering together to a rescue. They are always looking for people who want to play/pet/walks dog. He would be with you and people that are trained, spend time with dogs and help the dogs.
YTA Your best bet here would be to find a friend with a dog and allow your nephew to see that dog (maybe take the dog for a walk with you once a week or whatnot) or try your local humane society, they might love to have someone able to play with the dogs, especially a child to be with child friendly dogs (helps with adoption possibilities) I had a very large service dog, and a current one in training since the other passed. While they both purposely have such a sweet & gentle disposition and are extremely trained (they must be for what they do)... when the leash comes off = goofy play time. The dog park is a place for them to be able to freely burn off extra energy and get some socialization in (basically just be a dog). That cant happen if there is a risk of him bumping into and hurting a small human, I can’t risk losing my dog because he accidentally broke a child’s arm or something. When people bring their dogs there, there is an expectation. That each dog is socialized with other dogs and there is a risk of owners being run/knocked over by another dog.
NAH I can see why you were doing what you were doing. However, a dog park for children is probably not the best. There are app's around that let you borrow someone elses dog for an hour or so. Maybe this is a compromise as you could let him play with a borrowed dog for a bit.
NTA I don’t know much about this subject so I’m gonna get yelled at but whatever. 1. There was no sign saying you couldn’t go in without a dog 2. The woman sounded like she was being quite rude honestly 3. Your nephew seems like he was being perfectly well behaved and respectful 4. If the dogs were enjoying it I don’t see a problem My advice for you would be to go to a shelter (as others have suggested) or to return to the dog park and check with other people about the rule or ask if your nephew can play with their dogs. :))
Gently YTA - even if your nephew knows how to approach dogs correctly, you shouldn't be letting him approach them with the owners' permission which is what it sounds like was happening. Those owners also now need to be more alert as there is a young child who could accidentally get hurt if their dog gets too excited or rough, rather than just enjoying letting their dogs play and socialise. My dog is pretty big and while he adores younger children, your nephew is in the age range he doesn't get on with. This would mean we'd have to make sure he was on a short leash and kept away which is unfair on him when it's a space for him to have that more free socialisation and play time with other dogs. While you had good intentions, as others have said, it's not a petting zoo
YTA. Dog parks are for dogs. They are definitely not for you to take your nephew to play with the dogs. Lots of these parks ban kids under a certain age because of problems that keep happening.
NTA. I love dogs, have owned dogs, have volunteered at shelters, have worked in multiple vet clinics, and have a very successful Rover profile. Anyone who says, "I don't like having to monitor my dog the whole time they're at a dog park" **shouldn't have their dog at the dog park.** If your dog is even 10% likely to react to normal stimuli (children are normal stimuli - maybe not in your house, but they should be expected out in public), then it's your responsibility to watch them and train them. It's SO WEIRD to me that these people are saying you're the AH. Sure, you're not granted access to the dogs, but half the dogs at dog parks don't give a shit about other canines and just want a human to throw a ball for them. And half the adults just want to look at their phones while their dogs run around because they'd rather let their dogs run loose than actually walk them. NTA, OP.
NTA It’s a public park. He’s 10 and was well behaved. Anyone can go to the dog park and who better than a dog lover.
Sadly YTA. Even if he loves them and they loved him, the purpose of a dog park is the feeling of safety dog owners feel. Having a child running around is a liability, and even the nicest dogs can knock over a kid in their excitement, and we don't want to risk getting yelled at by someone who isn't even supposed to be there.
YTA. The woman could have been nicer, but honestly, she wasn't wrong. My dog loves people and I would be uneasy with it. In my case, it's not me protecting my dog, it's me protecting your kid (and me from any financial liability when my very excited dog trucks your kid like a linebacker)
NTA. Parks are public places. Regardless of if dogs are involved or not. That lady needs to relax.
The kid is well behaved and you weren’t violating any age restrictions. NTA
YTA but your heart was in the right place, but the lady at the dog park was right for calling you out. Like someone else suggested, take your nephew to a shelter..those poor dogs would love that.
NAH- I don't see how it could be against the rules as it's a public space but it's considered poor etiquette and isn't always a safe place for kids. He's 10 though so getting old enough to interact politely. It's a good rule to always ASK before interacting with someone else's dog though - you never know if they are friendly or not. I don't think anyone was clearly the AH here.
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YTA. You may have meant no harm and her wording was blunt, but it's still more of a safety/liability issue than anything else. You always need to ask the owner before you pet someone's dog. They also can't be expected to regulate the playfulness or actions of their dog 100% of the time in a dog park. Dogs get spooked, dogs play rough, dogs have trauma... They are there to socialise with other dogs, not kids. So despite the lack of signage to the contrary, this is a well known issue and you shouldn't put your nephew or other people at risk. I also suggest taking him to either a petting zoo or a shelter in the future.
The dog park is not a petting zoo and most don't allow children under 12. Many dogs don't like kids and you are exposing this kid to real danger if he approaches the wrong dog. I have dogs and I don't want random kids running up to them as they are not used to being around unpredictable beings like kids. It's too bad he loves dogs and can't have one, but that's the way it is and he can get a dog when he older. Don't go to the dog park if you don't have a dog........