"The last rule is about how dogs should meet. Dogs should start off greeting at the face and then around to the behind. If your dog heads straight to the front, time to start retraining."

Huh? How can the dog go to the face without going to the front??

If you don't want my dog to play with your dog, LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME!

I’m so glad you mentioned the dog poo thing – I am so close to putting up a sign at the entrance of my local dog park asking people to pick up their damn poo. Grr it drives me nuts!!

I’m really glad to see this blog topic – it’s something that I think about every time I go to the park. My dogs are 2 yrs and 6 months. The older one is pretty good most of the time off lead, and the puppy – well we’re working on it. I try to be really aware of everyone around me at the park and if I see anyone I don’t know regardless of whether they have a dog I will always call my dogs back and put them on a lead. I do this for 2 reasons, although I know my dogs are friendly not all dogs appreciate 2 crazy excited beagles barging up to them, and secondly because you just don’t know what they other dog is like.

You can categories dog park users into 3 categories: The I couldn’t care less about anyone else, I let my dogs run wild and I won’t pick up the poo types. The dog snob who comes to the park at the busiest time but gets snippy if you go within a few metres of them even if your dogs aren’t interested in theirs (umm if you don’t like other people and dogs don’t come at 6 pm!) The polite, respectful type who picks up their poo and either teaches their dogs the world’s best recall, or will put them on a leash so they can approach politely, but will let their dogs socialise and play.

I try very hard to be the third, it would be nice if others were too.

Also I would just like to mention to all the non- dog people out there, if you don’t like dogs please go use another park. There are so few places we can actually take our dogs to exercise off lead and it drives me mad when they choose to use the dog park to play cricket or touch or whatever, which they could do at any park, school or reserve around!

Love the idea of the graduated dog parks. Might I suggest the lower stages be fenced, so when our pig-headed, stubborn dogs would rather sniff the bushes / gaze into space / meet and greet than return for a tasty treat. Believe me, it's not through lack of trying that Ramble's recall is at best sporadic. Owners would also appreciate knowing in advance what they were getting in for, and I for one would love to take Ramble to a fenced area, where he can run and play, without being seduced by the wide-open spaces, and led astray by like minded roaming friends! And for those who don't pick up after their dog at the park: that's just gross.

I am so pleased to read this, I'm NOT alone!! YAY.. I try and try to improve my dog's recall and am alternately sickened by his cloth ears..and overjoyed when he comes bounding back in response to a single call. The joys of dog walking.. I barely let him off and have occasionally been caught out finding other dogs where I thought there were none... and ending up having to apologise profusely when he runs up to them and licks them all over. ( hes a bichon shihtsu cross and not at all agressive. )

I'd just like to thank all the dog owners who DO put their dogs on leads until they are sure the people and dog approaching are safe to play with, and the other owner or dog is not terrified by their dog approaching.

Big thanks to those who pick up poo too...

The Groynes in Christchurch has a separate park for small dogs and puppies this is great if your puppy isn't so good at coming to it's name yet or you are worried about your small dog getting bullied.

Fully agree with LaDi #3

Dog owners that do not pick up dog poo are the pits. They give the rest of us a bad name and because of their inconsiderate behaviour, dogs are banned from loads of places where they once were allowed.

As well as dog snobs, don't forget the dog owners who bring a ball or frisbee for their dog to play with and then get snotty when other dogs want to join in the game and run off with the ball.

I have the same question as Chai Addict #1.

About picking up poo; it doesn't have to be a dog park. Come to some of the inner suburb streets where I live, you'll find dog poo about every meter on the grass verge.

LaDi (#3) I think I am a mix of your types 1 and 3. I let them run wild, but pick up the poo, unless its in the scrub. I do ask if other dogs are friendly and will put them on leads if someone is nervous.

Yeah! Fenced parks would be great. Especially parks by roads and rivers etc. Still need river access though :)

Good recalls come from practice. So you can't expect everyone to be at the elite obedience level. Help out other owners if they are having problems.

Pick up the horse poo. Mine eat it, and its probably a good source of worms :o\

Excellent blog!! 1- YOU ARE AT A DOG PARK WITH OTHER DOGS! lol The amount of people who get all up tight about another dog coming up to their one, just wanting to play, but get all uptight drives me nuts.

2 - If you throw a ball at a dog park, other dogs will probably join the game - get over it!

3 - When your dog is having a bad day, put them on the leash for some time out, or take them home.

4 - When you see someone coming in the gate with an excitable dog, or with more than one dog, do not let your dog run up to the gate and the poor person trying to come in has to deal with your dog aswell as their own.