Friends of Hills Bark Park

Would deciding on weights that divide big dogs vs small dogs help with the confusion between the 2?

I've been having people ask me "should my dog go to the big dog side or little dog side" Even so far as to tell me they hadn't taken their dog because they didn't know and didn't want to "get in trouble'.

Debb

At the general meeting this was discussed, but the issue was how would weights be enforced (Mike doesn't want to carry around a scale ). And what would be the deciding weight?

Early this morning I took Patches (12 lb Shih Tzu) to the little bark park. We were playing there & then a lady brought her 40 lb boxer into the little park. Her boxer was hard to handle & she was trying to hold the leash. I told her she needed him on the other side because this side was for the little dogs. She said, 'well my boxer is only 40 lbs and a puppy not a "big dog." I told her that it's not the age it's the size. She stood there arguing with me as her dog kept jumping towards me & my little dog (could have been for play but me not liking big dogs it didn't seem like play to me). She finally told me "lady, I'm not here to argue with you, this park is made for our dogs to play." I told her yes, one pen for big ones & one for little ones. It was really an ordeal. then she went over there trying to read up & see if it said how big her dog could be on the boards & outside the gates. She was very angry at me & finally left because I stayed on her (I was the only one there at the time).

I was wondering if they could put a "weight limit" on the outside signs myself. Few people would bring a 40 lb boxer into the small dog park I know. I wouldn't want anyone to have to tote a scale around for weighing animals either. But maybe just posting the recommending pounds would deter people from bringing their "bigger" dogs (regardless of age) into an area where most dogs are 7-18 lbs at most from what I see when visiting.

So that's just my two cents on the subject. I was very irritated & felt I'd have to leave (if she didn't) simply because she wouldn't take him to the other side. Also, when she went to the other side, her dog seemed aggressive towards the others & she left him on a leash. Maybe he was "playing" again, but I saw several others also put their big dog on a leash once she got over there...maybe that was a clue.

Feedback? Hopefully it was a once in a lifetime problem for me and my 12 pounder.