Freedom Bark Park Rules

 

A Bark Park pass must be worn by owners and visible while in the fenced area with their dog.

 

All dogs must wear their Bark Park tag along with their current rabies tag.

 

All dogs must be current on: Rabies, Distemper, Parvo and Leptospirosis (DHPPL) vaccines and proof of this must be provided and is required as part of the registration process.

 

Please clean up after your dog.  Waste bag dispensers are located around the park and should be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles.

 

Do not leave your dog unattended.  Dogs must remain in eyesight of the owner and be under owner’s voice control at all times.  If you cannot control your dog, he/she must remain on a leash at all times or removed from the park.

 

Owner must carry 1 leash in hand per dog. (Maximum 3 dogs per person)

 

No one under the age of 12 is permitted within the park area.

 

No puppies under 4 months old are permitted within the park.

 

Aggressive dogs, ill dogs, and females in heat are not permitted in the park.

 

Unfamiliar surroundings may spark unwanted or aggressive behavior.  Dogs may feel threatened or become protective or possessive of toys or people.  If your pet displays any aggressive behavior immediately leash and remove your dog from the park area.

 

Lake County Ordinance # 1244F: Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixes are prohibited from participating in unleashed dog parks.  We are required to uphold this ordinance.

 

Food, glass containers, cigarettes and alcohol are not allowed on the park premises.  These items can be enticing and very hazardous to pets.  Small bite sized training treats are permitted.

 

Be respectful of other dogs and their owners.  Do not allow your dog to be a nuisance to other dogs and their owners.

 

All dogs must be leashed outside of the fenced areas.

 

Animal abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported to authorities.

 

No prong or choke collars are permitted as they can catch on fencing, benches, play equipment or other dogs while playing.

 

Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damaged caused by their dogs.

 

Use of the park is at your own risk, including but not limited to the risk of being bitten, tripped, and knocked down or other unforeseen accidents.

 

 

 

Dog Park Etiquette

 

Dog owners should have realistic expectations whether their dog is suitable for an off-leash dog park.  A dog park is not the best place to rehabilitate fearful or aggressive dogs because these behavioral issues require behavior modification training in a carefully socialized environment that's far more controlled than an off-leash dog park.  Dogs inside an off-leash dog park should be friendly, confident, healthy, socialized, well mannered, and current on vaccines.  A dog park is not a good place to work on fixing a dog's aggressive behavioral problems such as biting, bullying, fighting, mounting and excessive barking.  Aggressive dogs are prohibited within the off-leash dog park.  Dogs should have some obedience training and respond to basic commands such as "come, sit, and leave it" before being turned loose in an off-leash dog park. 

 

Freedom Bark Park is divided into a small dog park and a large dog park.  The large dog side is further divided into two fenced-in sections so if one side is too crowded, you may use the other side.  Small dogs are allowed inside the large dog side at the owner's risk and discretion, but dogs weighing more than 25 pounds are prohibited from entering the small dog park.  Dogs are allowed to be off-leash inside the fenced-in areas, but they must be leashed at all times outside of the fenced-in areas.  Before going inside the dog park, please stand outside for a few minutes and watch the interaction of the dogs and their owners.  If the park is too crowded, or if the dogs are playing too rough, it's best to leave and come back another time.  The double-gated entry/exit area is the appropriate place to remove your dog's leash when you enter and put it back on when you leave.  When dog owners and their dogs are inside the double-gated area, please be courteous and allow them plenty of space to come and go.  Please wait until they have left the double-gated area and it's clear for you and your dog to enter or exit.  Dogs inside the dog park are often excited and tend to swarm the entrance to meet newcomers resulting in an intimidating mass of excited dogs as you try to enter.  If people and/or their dogs already in the park are crowded by the gate, politely ask if they would please move away so you and your dog may enter or exit safely. 

 

Dog owners take a risk when they bring their dog to an off-leash dog park.  Dog owners are exclusively responsible and liable for their dog's behavior.  Please clean up and properly dispose of your dog's excrements both inside and outside of the dog park in the provided waste receptacles, and please remind other dog owners to do the same.  In the interest of keeping the park clean, please pick up any unclaimed piles of dog poop.  Dogs must be under the owner's voice control and within eyesight at all times.  Be observant and supervise your dog's play.  Be knowledgeable of canine body postures, communication signals and social behavior to recognize stress, tension, fear, play, and aggression.  Be prepared to interrupt inappropriate play whether your dog is the perpetrator or the victim.  Please do not allow your dog to be a nuisance to other people, dogs, or wildlife.  Politely apologize if your dog is acting inappropriately and be willing to leave if your dog is bullying or playing too rough.  Do not leave your dog unattended.  If you cannot control your dog off-leash, then your dog must be leashed at all times or removed from the dog park.  Owner must carry a leash in hand for each dog at all times.  Maximum 3 dogs per person.