Ossining Dog Park Rules

 

 

 

• Gates must remain closed except when entering or exiting the off leash areas.

 

• When entering the park, please make sure that the inside gate is closed before you open the outside gate. Once you are past the outside gate, make sure to close the gate behind you before opening the gate in front of you.

 

• When leaving the park, please make sure that the outside gate is closed before you open the inside gate. Once you are past the inside gate, make sure to close the gate behind you before opening the gate in front of you.

TIP - on entering the park: Enter the “holding pen” and close the outside gate behind you. Remove your dog’s leash inside the holding pen, (this will help reduce the anxiety he/she may feel when confronted by a group of strange off-leash dogs). Open the inside gate wide enough for both you and your dog to enter the dog park (opening the gate wide will also help to reduce the anxiety you and/or your dog may feel if other dogs should enter the holding pen).

 

• When a new dog enters the park, please restrain your dog to allow the new dog to come in.

 

 

 

• Rough play is fine as long as it is consensual.

 

• Rough play and chasing are not acceptable if any of the dogs involved are not comfortable with the situation. Just because a dog’s intent is to play does not make the dog’s behavior acceptable or tolerable if the other dog is not enjoying itself. 

 

TIP - There is a difference between rough play and fighting. Dogs at play often mouth, jump on and/or nip each other. It can look like fighting, but no blood is drawn and the biting is inhibited, as it does not break the skin. A dog in play will play without accentuated or obsessive physical contact. If your dog begins to get overly excited, divert his/her attention before it escalates and if necessary leave the dog park. 

• You can tell if your dog is acting aggressively by their behavior. If they are growling, snapping or showing teeth, they are showing aggression.

 

• Mounting should be discouraged, as the dog being mounted does generally not enjoy it. 

• The dog’s owners must attend to fights between dogs immediately. Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damages caused by them, including Vet bills. Human Bites must be reported to the Town Police (914) 762-6007.

Please notify a board member if a dog or a person is injured in anyway on the park premises. Board Members carry a Dog First Aid kit in their cars.

 

• Dogs with “dynamic personalities” that may not get along with other does in the general park area may use the small dog park area (smaller section of the dog park) if not in use. Please be considerate if someone with small dogs wants to use that area. If your dog continues to show aggression through the fence, you must leave.

 

 

• Owners must be inside the fenced area and in close proximity to their dog(s) at all times. 

 

• Dogs are not to be left unattended. The caretakers must supervise dogs at all times. You must be at least 18 years old to bring a dog to the park unaccompanied by an adult. 

 

• Please carry a leash at all times.

 

• Do not let your dog dig holes. Owners must stop dogs from digging and must fill any holes caused by their dog(s).

 

• Town of Ossining leash laws apply outside the fenced area.

 

• Rabies tags should be worn in order to enter the park.

 

• Flea, tick and "kennel cough” prevention is recommended.

 

 

TIP - Teach your dog to be quiet. Some barking is fine, expected and normal. However, incessant barking can be annoying to those around you. Try to find creative ways to discourage barking by changing your dog’s focus towards something more fun, like a game of ball with you.

 

 

 

• No choke, pinch or spike collars allowed in the park area, dogs must wear a leather or smooth cloth collars while in the off leash area.

 

• Un-neutered dogs are not allowed in the park for safety reasons. Male dogs over 8 months of age and less than 10 years old must be neutered to use the park. Please note that even if the intact male is wonderfully behaved, the presence of an intact male may cause other dogs, even neutered dogs to become more aggressive.

 

• Dogs in heat, dogs that are sick or injured and dogs with obvious external parasites (e.g., fleas) are not allowed at the park.

 

• Please refrain from grooming your dog at the dog park. 

 

• Please do not bring other animals in to the park.

 

• Puppies less than 4 months are not allowed.

 

• No glass of any kind. 

 

• No bikes, rollerblades, scooters, strollers or other motorized devices. 

 

• No more than 3 dogs per family are allowed in the park at anytime.

 

• Professional trainers may not use the park for conduct of their business.

 

 

 

• Please refrain from bringing food, dog treats or glass into the dog park. When special occasions such as a BBQ or other event take place at the park, the small dog park area is where food will be distributed and must be eaten.

 

• Smoking is NOT permitted inside the dog park. If you must smoke while you are at the dog park, please be considerate of others and go outside the gates to smoke. Please remember that you must have control over your dog at the same time.

 

 

 

• Small Dog Safety – If you have a small dog (under 25lbs) you are encouraged to use the area designated for them. Small dogs may use the general park area with caution.

 

• Poop Pickup - .You must clean up after your dog(s). NO EXCEPTIONS. Eco-friendly bags are available at the park in the designated (green) receptacles.   Please help to keep your dog park clean and healthy! Pick up dog waste even if it is not from your dog. Dog waste ONLY is to be put in the green receptacles. Chances are you have missed your share from your own dog.

 

• Keep the area safe and clean. Pick up trash, cigarette butts, and litter. 

 

• Routine garbage should be put in the trash can near the fence or the dumpster outside.

 

• Leave the park better than you found it. This small gesture when multiplied by dozens of daily visitors makes the park successful.

 

• Parents are encouraged keep children out of the park for safety sake. The Park is for off leash dogs and children may be at risk of being seriously injured. All children must be at least 12 years old to enter the park with adult supervision. A parent/guardian must supervise children at all times. Parents must also have their dog under voice control while supervising the child.   Children must not run, yell, feed the dogs or climb on equipment.   

  

 

Water at the Park is seasonal and may be shut off at the first frost.

 

REMEMBER: This is a Volunteer Park. Please do your part to keep it one of the best Dog Parks in Westchester.

 

Any violation of the aforementioned Rules will result in a report sent to Ossining Recreation who will decide any action against the violator.

 

If you would like to register a complaint or suggestion, please contact us @ Ossiningdogpark@optonline.net, or feel free to call the Park President John Girolamo

(914) 497-2373.