Tri-Cities Talk: Local Dog Parks, Love 'Em or Hate 'Em?

Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles.

Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community on local Patch Facebook pages.

The sun is shining, the heat is blazing and people are flocking to enjoy the summer at local dog parks. Although most of those in attendance observe the written and unwritten rules, the fun sometimes gets ruined by an unruly dog or inattentive owner. That brings us to this week's question.

What has your experience been at Tri-Cities dog parks and what is appropriate etiquette for behavior while you're there?

See what people had to say, then share your two cents by voting in our poll above and joining the conversation in the comments section below. 

Lindsey Sagan: I have had one issue with one pet owner for not properly detaining their dog when it was growling at my dog who really wanted nothing to do with playing, but only wanted to swim. When you know your dog is an aggressive personality.. I believe you should keep it leashed. However when speaking to the owner he had the same personality.. Eventually we knew what truck he drove and we just never went if we saw it there. Sad but true. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Mike Bruno: Dog parks are awesome...like a Disney theme park for your pooch. If your dog doesn't interact well with other dogs, then they probably shouldn't be at a dog park where other dogs can approach even if your own dog is on a lead. Etiquette point numbers 1-3 are pick up your poop, pick up your poop and pick up your poop to the extent you can. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Mina Smith: I wouldn't allow my horses to play with other horses "loose" in a pasture - ever. I have the same rule for my dogs. You have no idea how those other dogs are brought up, how they will behave and whether they even have shots! No. If your dog needs more exercise, take up jogging. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Anna Bonick: We love the Batavia dog park. In the park itself I would advise against keeping dogs leashed since the leash can cause all sorts of issues. Pick up after your dogs, watch your children if you bring them, make sure they understand that they cannot pet every dog and they should not try to remove anything from a dog's mouth... Don't bring a dog that you feel you need to muzzle for safety. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Meg Burns Lietz: I lived and took my 3 dogs to dog parks for years in Arizona where they are a HUGE park of the community. Some observations I made while I went were to take your dog off the leash immediately upon entering. The dog will feel defensive when other dogs come to check your dog out so taking them off the leash helps them to not feel "trapped". Also, if there is any kind of problem with your dog being aggressive then you need to remove your dog immediately before it gets worse. If there isn't a water source that is meant for sharing then bring your own dog bowl so your dog doesn't get sick from other dogs or water that has been sitting for a while. Also, I wouldn't recommend young children under the age of 8 to go to a dog park. Kids seem to get dogs stirred up and over excited. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Jeff Fender: Inadequate compared to other towns. To small, no trees for shade, and needs varied terrain... — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Vanessa Zamiar: As a former Vet Tech for over 10 years, ANY dog is capable of being unpredictable. The one dog you deem as safe may just surprise you one day. Hope you never encounter an issue, but you can't just be worried about certain breeds. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Debbie Cenci Hanson: The dog parks we've been to are wonderful and the people there delightful. Just like taking a child to a playground, SUPERVISE your pet!! DON'T spend time talking on your phone or texting as you won't be keeping an eye on the action! I agree with Meg...let them off leash in the entry area, keep young children away and water is a must. I always bring a bowl and a jug for sharing. Be aware that dogs will sniff, chase, scuffle, etc. with each other and this is necessary to socialize and establish hierarchy. That hierarchy will look different with different dogs present. If you're super uptight about a little scuffling or chasing, DON'T GO when there are other dogs present. Know your dog's signals so you know if your dog is being obnoxious towards another or vice versa. The more often you go, the better behaved your dog will be. I've found that my dog needs to socialize before I do...I stay on side, let her meet and greet the other dogs and people, then I meet the other dogs and I tell the other owners that's what I'm doing. She tends to get a bit protective if other dogs move in on me too fast. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Janet Gampfer Dieter: We don't go often, but sometimes it's nice to let our dogs play with other dogs in a bigger area than our yard. But there have been a few instances when there was a dog there that was not acting appropriately and the owners were not paying any attention to them. ... Obviously you have to pick up after your dog. You have to supervise your dog at all times! If your dog is being a bully or obsessing over another dog you need to leash your dog and possibly leave. My dogs will share their toys, but when a dog will not give them back the owner needs to step in. We go there to play fetch, not chase. We've also had a dog who would not leave one of our dogs alone! And the dog wouldn't take the cue from our dog to leave him alone. Again, the owners should have stepped in - but they were not even watching him. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

So where do you stand on the issue? Tell us in the comments. 

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