The best dog parks are those whose users band together to create a sense of community, who use education, peer pressure and, when necessary, call in the appropriate authorities to help regulate those who won't follow the rules of etiquette and common sense.
Here are some suggestions to help dog owners manage their dogs to help make Watertown a better place to live, work, and play.
1. Learn and pay attention to dog body language
It’s your job to make sure that your dog is not being bullied, is not harassing other dogs and is enjoying his/her experience at the park. Watching and understanding dog body language will help you manage your dog more effectively. Letting dogs “work it out” can lead to injury and serious behavior problems. Here are a few links to help you interpret dog body language:
Here are some suggestions to help dog owners manage their dogs to help make Watertown a better place to live, work, and play.
1. Learn and pay attention to dog body language
It’s your job to make sure that your dog is not being bullied, is not harassing other dogs and is enjoying his/her experience at the park. Watching and understanding dog body language will help you manage your dog more effectively. Letting dogs “work it out” can lead to injury and serious behavior problems. Here are a few links to help you interpret dog body language:
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⌂ Before entering the off-leash area of the park observe the dogs already in the park to see if there are any potential health or behavior problems.
⌂ Supervise dogs when they are playing and interrupt any rough play. ⌂ Be willing to leave the dog park if you feel that your dog is either being a bully, the play is getting too rough, or your dog is just not having fun. Not all dogs enjoy playing in a group. Examples of bullying:
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2. Be a Good Neighbor
Be aware that people often organize informal play dates with friends whose dogs are known to play well with others and they don’t like to take the risk of encountering strange dogs at the park. If you see what looks like a play-date group hanging around outside the fence, offer to limit your time to 15-20 minutes so they can have the use of the park.
3. Don’t Mix On-Leash and Off-Leash Dogs
Mixing on-leash and off-leash dogs can cause stress in the leashed dogs, which may lead to aggression.
4. Make sure your dog is healthy
It is possible for your dog to pass on an infection or parasite to other dogs. Sharing water also leads to disease transmission. If your dog is exhibiting signs of illness, such as vomiting, coughing, nasal or eye discharge, and diarrhea, leave your dog at home.
5. Do Not Allow Your Dog to Rush Newcomers at the Park
6. Do Not Bring Your Dog to the Park to Work on Socialization Skills
A dog park is not the place to fix behavioral problems.
7. Use caution if bringing an intact (not spayed or neutered) dog to the off-leash dog park.
Due to the hormones, intact dogs tend to be more assertive and reactive
Small dogs can often be viewed as prey by large dogs. It is not unreasonable for a Husky to look at a Chihuahua as a squirrel. The squeaking barks and speedy movements of a panicked small dog can also be enough to switch on the prey drive in a large dog and disaster happens.
8. Be Careful About Bringing Your Small Dog to the Park
8. Make Sure Your Dog Comes When You Call Him/Her Before Going to the Park
9. Do Not Permit Children to Run With or Chase Dogs.
10. It is Recommended that Children Under 8 Years Old Not Be Brought to the Off-Leash Area.
12. Scoop the Poop...inside and outside the park!
Dog Poop Doesn’t Biodegrade like Wild Animal Poop.
Because we feed our dogs food that’s different from the food wild animals eat, dog waste does not biodegrade quickly like wild animal waste.Due to the large number of pets at the park, this hardy dog waste accumulates.
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Dog Poop Contains Harmful Bacteria and Parasites.
Dog waste can contain harmful organisms like E. Coli, Giardia, Salmonella, round worms, hook worms, and Cryptosporidium. These can be passed on to you and your pet and cause many health problems.
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This video offers a few basic tips in keeping your dog safe at the off-leash park.
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The Boomer Street dog park doesn't have a separate section for small dogs. This video illustrates one of the risks of mixing large and small dogs. Learn dog body language and carefully choose the playgroup you join with your small dog.
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Location of Boomer Dog Park
1339 Boomer Street, Watertown, Wisconsin
To get to the fenced, off-leash area of the Boomer Dog Park, follow the trail at the entrance to the top of the hill. |
Contact Us
All images on this website are the property of Watertown All Breed Community, Inc. You may NOT use any image without prior written consent, and copyright violations will be taken seriously. Web design, content, and images © 2015 Watertown All Breed Community, Inc. •
N8161 Hwy Y, Watertown WI 53094 • Watertown, Wisconsin
[email protected] • 920-798-4386
N8161 Hwy Y, Watertown WI 53094 • Watertown, Wisconsin
[email protected] • 920-798-4386
