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Health & Fitness

Soccer, Weekends, and the Dog Park: Your Responsibility

With soccer games, the already existing challenges of weekend crowds at the dog park increase dramatically.

Although we may not feel it every day, Spring is here. With the new season comes soccer season and games on the multiple fields at James O. Breen Park, the park adjacent to our favorite dog park. With soccer games, the already existing challenges of weekend crowds at the dog park increase dramatically. What are those challenges?

The challenges of soccer season are dangerous ones.
1. Please drive more slowly, especially when using the service road to the west of the park. This road is partially gravel-covered. Speed increases the likelihood of flying stones. Speed is also dangerous to humans and pets walking along the road or leaving and entering cars. The posted signs suggest 15 mph. Please drive that speed or slower. Parents hurrying to and from soccer games often go much faster.

2. Do NOT drop your dog or children and dog in the park while you watch soccer. Children should not be unsupervised; nor should dogs. A responsible adult is supposed to be with a dog at all times.

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3. Please clean up after your dog! We are always amazed at how many more piles of dog feces we find on Monday mornings.

Another weekend  challenge is the increased number of dogs and owners at the park. Those of us who are regulars call Saturdays and Sundays amateur hour, a status that often has us seeking other parks or odd hours. Non-regulars often are unsure of accepted dog behavior, sometimes because they are visiting the park for the first time with their dogs.  What do they need to know and do?

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1. Remove your dog's leash while you are between the two entry gates. Dogs already in the park often crowd the gate to welcome new visitors, and leashes often make the playing dogs nervous.

2. Clean up after your dog! There poop bags at both main gates, and there are several trash cans around the park. If your dog dirties on the way into the park, take a bag and clean up his mess on your way out (better yet, always keep a bag with you for immediate clean up). Dog feces can carry diseases. You do not want your dog getting sick, and we don't want ours getting sick.

3. Keep your eye on your dog at all times. Ignore the cell phone.  Talk and be social with other owners, but do not lose track of your dog. First, you will notice when and where your dog dirties; clean up immediately. Second, you will notice how your dog behaves with others.  Yes, dogs chase each other; that is great exercise. Yes, dogs wrestle; this, too, is great exercise. Yes, dogs play with community toys. If your dog seems to be nervous or aggressive, you can always move to another area of the park. Remember --- dogs do not behave the same way at the park as they do at home!

4. If you bring a toy, do not assume you will get it back. Precious toys should be left at home. We are lucky to receive donations of tennis balls,  and you will find them all over the park. If you see that they are falling apart, dispose of them so dogs do not ingest any pieces of the balls. I often buy an extra disk or two when I am at the pet store. I donate these to the park, as do others. If you see that they are getting well-worn and sharp around the edges, dispose of them. If you have an extra dollar, buy a new disk and donate it.

5. If your dog is in an altercation with another dog (or human), do not sneak away! Share contact information with others involved.

The other challenge of Spring and Summer is children. The park rules, posted at the main entrance to all St. Charles dog parks include no children under the age of 10. Please, follow this rule. Younger children get too excited, and their excitement stirs up the dogs. Many dogs jump on humans, and children are quite often much smaller than the dogs.  I have seen running dogs knock over many adults; imagine what can happen if those dogs knock over small children. If you want your children to see the dogs, watch from outside the fence.

The best way to enjoy the park is to do so responsibly. Follow the posted rules. Follow speed limits. Ask around and talk to regulars. Clean up after your dog. Help keep our park healthy and vibrant and safe.

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