Dogs off-leash at Frick Park (Bloomfield, Lawrenceville: house, school, dangerous)

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by hnsq

If my dog is off-leash and harasses someone else, I deserve to pay a fine, but if he isn't bothering anyone, what's the big deal?

The fundamental problem is that there are a lot of overconfident and unskilled dog owners out there. Not all of them by any means, but enough so that you can't really rely on dog owners to make sure they aren't putting their dogs into situations where they could lose control. And if these owners don't really understand what they are doing, after-the-fact disincentives won't work very well.

In that sense, the problem is really these overconfident and unskilled dog owners ruining things for other dog owners. But I am not sure how to solve that problem (maybe we need something like a driver's license program for dogs).

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

The fundamental problem is that there are a lot of overconfident and unskilled dog owners out there. Not all of them by any means, but enough so that you can't really rely on dog owners to make sure they aren't putting their dogs into situations where they could lose control. And if these owners don't really understand what they are doing, after-the-fact disincentives won't work very well.

In that sense, the problem is really these overconfident and unskilled dog owners ruining things for other dog owners. But I am not sure how to solve that problem (maybe we need something like a driver's license program for dogs).

Every dog in allegheny county needs to be licensed...but there is no behavioral testing for the license. I would support a basic behavior test that licenses your dog to be off-leash in parks (or something like that)

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by hnsq

Every dog in allegheny county needs to be licensed...but there is no behavioral testing for the license. I would support a basic behavior test that licenses your dog to be off-leash in parks (or something like that)

Ideally, I'd also like the owner to have to take instruction and pass a basic test (with their dog).

[Drover]

Not worth the administrative bother -- easier to just have a leash law.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Ideally, I'd also like the owner to have to take instruction and pass a basic test (with their dog).

Originally Posted by Drover

Not worth the administrative bother -- easier to just have a leash law.

What administration does it require? Simply use the KGC test the american kennel society puts together. If the dog has the tag on it's collar saying it passed that test, no fine for off-leash. If it doesn't, the owner gets a fine. Absolutely no additional administration required by the city.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by hnsq

What administration does it require? Simply use the KGC test the american kennel society puts together. If the dog has the tag on it's collar saying it passed that test, no fine for off-leash. If it doesn't, the owner gets a fine. Absolutely no additional administration required by the city.

Is this the one you are talking about?

AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program

It sounds like a good test--except it seems to assume the dog will be leashed.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Drover

Not worth the administrative bother -- easier to just have a leash law.

Perhaps, although I actually think requiring better dog training and dog owner education would have benefits well beyond just this particular issue.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Is this the one you are talking about?

AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program

It sounds like a good test--except it seems to assume the dog will be leashed.

That is the one I am talking about. You do use a leash for the test, but it has to be loose the whole time, if at any point the dog leaves your side and the leash is pulled tight, you fail the test.

It is supposed to be an excellent test. I considered getting a pit bull mix for a while (I fostered one from a shelter that was an amazing dog) and if I kept the dog I would have put it through that test simply to prove to people that she was safe.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by hnsq

I want to start by saying my dog is always on a leash, but I also don't see what the big deal is with Frick park.

It is the ONLY park in the city that is dog friendly. Pittsburgh has a lot of parks, if you don't want to be around dogs, just go to a different park. What is the big deal about that? Why go to the most dog friendly park in the city when you don't like dogs? Especially when there are plenty of other parks close by?

I love dogs. I don't love dog owners or parents or individuals that don't use common sense and common courtesy when it comes to the use of a multi user park. And the reason I focus on Frick Park is because it's a block from my home.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

I love dogs. I don't love dog owners or parents or individuals that don't use common sense and common courtesy when it comes to the use of a multi user park. And the reason I focus on Frick Park is because it's a block from my home.

I live in Bloomfield and would love if there was an off-leash area in Arsenal Park, or the Bloomfield Playground...but Frick is the only dog friendly park in the city.

Instead of complaining about Frick, try to get the city to put off-leash areas in every park and you would find your problem goes away.