Be Safe Be Aware Be as good as your Dog thinks you are!
dog park safety tips
Prevent a Dog Fight Before It Happens
Learn the 4P Warning Signs:
- Posture: A dog's body language can communicate fear, hostility or submission. Learn to read and respond to your own dog's body language, and others.
- Packing: More than 2 or 3 dogs packed together can lead to trouble. Break it up before it starts by leading your dog to a neutral area at least 30 feet away.
- Possession: Whether it's you, a ball, or a treat, most dogs will protect what is theirs. Remain aware.
- Provoking: If your dog is continuously annoying another dog or dogs, or provoking attention, it's time to leave the park.
What You Can Do to Prevent a Dog Fight
- Pay attention to your dog and be aware of where he is at and what he is doing at all times.
- Stay close enough to control or protect your dog in the face of a potential fight.
- Keep a collar on your dog at all times so you have something to grab, if needed.
- Leave the Park. Some days it's just a bad mix. Go for a walk or come back later. You and your dog will be better off.
What You Can Do If A Fight Occurs
- Never reach your hands into the middle of a dog fight unless you know what you are doing. You may get bit, and often by your own dog.
- Distract the dogs and divert their attention. A blast of water from a water bottle, a loud whistle, or a pocket air horn may work.
- If your dog is not in the fight, make sure he does not join in.
- If a fight occurs, control your dog and remove him/her to a neutral area.
- Maintain a cool head. Getting upset and yelling will only add to the frenzy.
- When warranted, exchange contact information with the other dog owners. If you can't because you must attend to your dog, designate someone else to get information.
What To Do If You or Your Dog are Injured Due To A Dog Fight
An injured dog may bite anyone nearby. A dog fight can be violent and is upsetting to everyone present.
- Attitude: Even the calmest, most pleasant, well-adjusted person may become upset, angry or belligerent, if they or their dog is injured in a fight. Emotional behavior is automatic; try to remain calm and as objective as possible.
- Legal Responsibility: Owners are solely liable for injuries or damage caused by their dogs. This includes injury to another dog or person, no matter how it began, who said what, or whatever.
- Exchange Information: All involved parties should provide pertinent information including name, address, telephone numbers and vaccination records to each other.
- Report the Incident: Minor scuffles occur frequently. In the case of a serious fight or injury or a dog that clearly exhibits aggressive or dangerous behavior, call the Redondo Beach Animal Control or the Redondo Beach Police Department to report the incident. Also, report the event to The Friends of the RBDP so a record can be kept. You must have information on the offending person, even if it is only a license plate number.
- Your Dog Is Your Personal Property. You Are Legally Responsible For Damage or Injury Caused By Your Dog!
Remain In Control and In Sight of Your Dog at All Times
Pay attention! Owners must clean up after their dogs. There are plastic bags in dispensers along the fences in each Park. Scoopers can be found on the fence line. Please return them after use.
All dogs must have current licenses and vaccinations. While City regulations require only rabies immunization, it is strongly advised that your dog be vaccinated for Bordetella (kennel cough), DHLPP, and Corona.
Your dog must be on-leash at all time outside the park. This means walking to and from the Park and the parking lot.
Carry your dog's leash with you in the Dog Park. A leash is a sure way of gaining control over your dog if needed, and may act as an impromptu muzzle or tourniquet in an emergency.
Puppies under five months of age are at risk of infection even when vaccinated. Younger dog's
immune systems are not fully mature. Evaluate if your puppy should be in the Park.
Your dog must have a collar with proper ID and rabies tags when in the Dog Park.
Correct Owner Behavior
- Do not bring food or dog treats into the Dog Park. Many owners do not feed treats. Some dogs may be allergic. Treats may cause dogs to fight or become aggressive toward the person with the treats.
- Do not leave water bowls at the Dog Park. Community water bowls not allowed to dry out are a breeding ground for many viruses and bacteria.
- Do not plug the water sink. If your dog will not drink from running water, bring your own bowl or cup.
- It is recommended that you not bring dog toys or balls to the Dog Park. Toys may provoke possessive or aggressive conduct.
- The small dog park is for small dogs (30 pounds) and puppies only. If you have an older or timid dog, you may only use small dog park if patrons agree.
- Basic obedience training is a must for a safe dog.
The Dog Park and Children
The Dog Park Is Not a Place For Your Child! Please consider the age, demeanor and conduct of your child while at the Dog Park. Please discuss and teach your child proper actions in dealing with dogs that they are not familiar with.
The Dangers:
- Not all dogs are child-friendly! Never allow your child to approach or pet a strange dog without the owner's presence and approval.
- Herding dogs may nip at children while attempting to round them up.
- A running, squealing or screaming child may become a target for many dogs (because the child resembles an injured animal or prey).
- Direct eye contact is confrontational to dogs. An interested child staring into a dog's face may provoke a dog unintentionally.
- Never let your child have toys or food in the Dog Park. A friendly dog might knock down your child to get at a bright ball or cookie.
- One adult to supervise several children or and infant and the family dog is not sufficient to ensure everyone's safety and control. Be sure you can take care of everyone you bring to the park.
- All dogs have the potential to bite.
Doggie Body Language
Dogs have a language that allows them to communicate their emotional state and their intentions to others around them. Although dogs do use sounds and signals, much of the information that they send is through their body language, specifically their facial expressions and body postures.
It is important that you learn the basic postures when with your dog or out around other dogs.
Respect the dogs wishes. Do not attempt to pet a dog that is stressed or shows aggressive behavior. Do NOT assume that all dogs like you.
Rule of thumb: All dogs have the potential to bite in the right situation.
