Amenities

Leashes and gated entrance… • Dogs must be leashed (not exceeding 6 feet) outside the Dog Park fence at all times. Always have your dog on a leash between your vehicle and the gated entrance. • Leash and unleash your dog inside the double-gated holding area, not inside the Dog",Park.,"• Only one family inside the holding area at a time. Wait until the holding area is empty and both gates are closed and latched before entering the holding area. • Be sure each gate is closed and latched behind you. • All dogs must be unleashed while inside the park. Owners must clean up after their pets... • If you see someone who forgets to clean up, please remind them to help keep the park clean. Mutt Mitts and pooper scoopers are provided. The following items and activities are prohibited while inside the Dog Park… • Food of any kind (dog treats or people food) • Smoking and alcoholic beverages • Children's toys • Grooming of dogs • Running and jumping (please remind your young children of this rule.) • Never leave your dog(s) alone in the Dog Park. • Dogs left unattended will be impounded by Animal Control. Close supervision of your dog is required at all times, and pay attention to its behavior. Enter at your own risk... • Adults and children assume all risks associated with the leash-free Dog Park. • No children under 16 allowed without adult supervision. • Small children must be within arm's reach of a supervising adult. AGGRESSIVE DOGS must be removed from the Dog Park IMMEDIATELY without",debate...,"• You are responsible for your actions and those of your dog. Aggressive dogs may be banned for appropriate periods of time. Aggressive dogs are defined as either vicious or dangerous dogs as designated in the California Food and Agricultural Code 31601-",02-03-04.,"• Furthermore, an aggressive dog is defined as any dog that is determined by the District to pose a threat to dogs or people by virtue of a single incident or history of unprovoked acts of aggression against people or animals. Violation of the Food and Agricultural Code carries penalties up to $1,000. No female dogs in heat... • We strongly urge you not to bring any unspayed or unneutered dogs to the Dog Park. Their presence causes increased arousal of other dogs, and, therefore, exposes everyone to an increased risk of fights among dogs. • No puppies under five months of age, due to their vulnerability to disease and injury. • Dogs must display current license and be properly inoculated, healthy (no contagious conditions), and parasite-free. • Three dogs per dog owner is the maximum allowed inside the Dog Park. • No commercial use of this facility is allowed, including solicitation and advertisements, per District Ordinance #113. • When leaving the parking, please remove all tennis balls, toys, or other personal items or they will be discarded. THE REASONS FOR RULES AND OTHER HELPFUL TIPS How to enter the park… • Do not open outside gate if the inside gate is open. Be patient. • Remove your dog’s leash inside the double-gated holding pen. Enter the park, close the gate and move your dog away from the entrance. Take a minute to be sure that all gates are securely latched behind you. • Do not leave a leash on your dog in the park. This may put your dog at a disadvantage and may actually cause an altercation. If your dog must be muzzled, perhaps it shouldn’t be in the Dog Park. Prevent a dog fight before it happens… • Learn the 4P warning signs: o Posture: A dog’s body language can communicate fear, hostility or submission. Lean to read and respond to your own dog’s body language, and others. o Packing: More than 2 or 3 dogs packed together can lead to trouble. Break it up before it starts be leading your dog to a neutral area at least 30 feet away. o Possession: Whether it’s you, a ball, or a treat, most dogs will protect what is theirs. Stay aware. o Provoking: If your dog is continuously annoying another dog or dogs, or provoking attention, it’s time to leave the park. What you can do to prevent a fight… • Pay attention to your dog and be aware of where he or she is and what he or she is doing at all times. • Stay close enough to control or protect your dog in the face of a potential fight. Keep a collar on your dog at all times so you have something to grab, if needed. Choke chains, prong collars, and spiked collars should NOT be on your dog inside the park. They can be dangerous to both dogs and people. • Leave the park. Some days there is just bad dog chemistry. Go for a walk or come back later. What you can do if a fight occurs… • Never reach your hands into the middle of a dog fight. You may get bitten, even by your own dog. • Distract the dogs and divert their attention. A blast of water from a water bottle or a loud whistle may work. • If your dog is not in the fight, make sure he or she does not join in. • If a fight occurs, remove your dog to a neutral area. Maintain a cool head. Getting upset and yelling will only add to the frenzy. • When warranted, exchange contact information with the other dog owners. If you can’t, because you must attend to your dog, designate someone else to get information. If you or your dog(s) are injured in a dog fight… An injured dog may bite anyone nearby. Emotional behavior is automatic. Try to remain calm and as objective as possible. • Legal Responsibility: Owners are liable for injuries or damage caused by their dogs. This includes injury to another dog or person, no matter how it began. • Exchange Information: All involved parties should provide pertinent information including name, address, phone numbers and vaccination records to each other. • Report the Incident: Minor scuffles occur frequently. In the case of a serious fight or injury or a dog that clearly exhibits aggressive or dangerous behavior, call the park rangers, the Conejo Recreation & Park District, Animal Control or the police department to report the incident. Your dog is your personal property. You are legally responsible for damage or injury caused by your dog! Remain in control and in sight of your dog at all times. • Pay Attention! • Owners must clean up after their dogs. There are Mutt Mitt dispensers, pooper scoopers, and trash cans along the fences. Be a good dog park citizen… don’t hesitate to pick up “orphan poop” when you see it. We all get distracted and fail to pick up after our own dogs on occasion, and this is a good way to make up for those oversights, and keep our park clean and healthful for everyone. • All dogs must have current licenses and vaccinations. While city regulations require only rabies immunization, it is strongly advised that your dog be vaccinated for Bordatella (kennel cough), DHLPP, and Corona. • Your dog must be on-leash at all times outside the park. This means walking to and from the park and the parking lot. • Carry your dog’s leash with you in the Dog Park. A leash is a sure way of gaining control over your dog if needed, and may act as an impromptu muzzle in an",emergency.,"• Puppies under five months of age are at risk of infection even when vaccinated. Young dogs’ immune systems are not fully mature. • Your dog must wear a collar with proper ID and license tags when inside the Dog Park. The dog park is not a place for young children! The dangers… This is a dog park. Not all dogs are child-friendly! • Never allow your child to approach or pet a strange dog without the owner’s presence and approval. • A running, squealing or screaming child may become a target for many dogs, because the child resembles an injured animal or prey. • Direct eye contact is confrontational to dogs. An interested child staring into a dog face may provoke the dog. • Never let your child have toys or food in the Dog Park. A friendly dog might knock down your child to get at a bright ball, squeaky toy, or cookie. One adult to supervise several children or an infant and the family dog is not sufficient to ensure everyone’s safety and control. Be sure you can take care of everyone your bring to the park. All dogs have the potential to bite. The health risks… • Children are more susceptible to contracting intestinal worms and other infections from touching grass where feces or urine are present. That is one major reasons dogs are prohibited from children’s playgrounds and schoolyards. • Be sure your children (and you) always wear shoes in the Dog Park. • Children can pick up fleas, lice or skin mites from infected dogs. • Tennis balls may carry disease and contamination. A note to parents… If you do bring your children into the Dog Park, please teach them how to behave with animals and what to do in an emergency: • Never run. • Hide your face. • Tuck your arms and legs into your body. • Curl up in a ball, face down on your hands and knees. • Be as still and quiet as possible. • Wait for help or until the dog has left. • Do not stand.