Quann Park Etiquette:

The Quann off-leash dog park is covered by the same rules as other city dog parks. Please see the city web site for a full list of city rules http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/park/dogparks.html . A dog park permit is required, as well as a license, rabies tag and owner ID tag. The entire fee for the dog park permit is used for maintenance and improvements in the city and county dog parks, so buying the permit directly benefits you and your dog! Dogs which may become unruly with other dogs, bicycles, children or other people must be kept on leash at all times! Remember – other dogs will be off leash and may approach your dog, so aggressive dogs should not be in an off-leash dog park. Quann has some unique characteristics that users need to consider. Quann off-leash dogpark has two FENCED sections, one of which is open to Wingra creek. This requires dogs to be under good voice control for their own safety!  Good voice control will be needed to prevent crossing the creek and/or going around the ends of the fence and interfering with pedestrians and bicyclists on the bicycle paths on both sides of the creek.  If your dog is not under good voice control, please keep your dog leashed, or stay in the main field that is fully enclosed.
	There is a paved bicycle/pedestrian path that runs through the west side of the park. It is essential to avoid conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists. Failure to control your dog could lose everyone the privilege of walking them off-leash on the path and on the land along the creek and railroad embankment. Dogs that chase bicyclists or joggers and/or dogs that jump up on people need to be kept on leash near the path. The park is bordered on the west by Wingra creek and a railroad embankment. Dogs are allowed in the creek at the dog beach just south of the bridge from the Franklin field parking area. Please prevent your dog from leaving the park by crossing the creek (either via the bridge or by swimming/wading across).or going over the railroad embankment into the yards of private homes on the other side.
Everyone MUST Pick Up After Their Dog! Poop pickup bags are provided at the entrances. Everyone knows that even the most attentive dog owner is going to miss seeing a squat occasionally, so practice Poop Parity! Pick up at least one pile for each dog you bring every time! You can also earn Karma points by picking up one (or more) extra piles! Let’s keep OUR park clean and pleasant for everyone!

How to all get along:

We all want to go to Quann to have a good time in our own way. So how can we "all just get along" when there are big dogs and little dogs and rambunctious dogs and timid dogs?

Example: A conflict can arise because some dogs like to PLAY rougher than others. This is PERCEIVED as a threatening situation to many small-dog owners, small dogs, timid large dogs and timid people. People without much dog experience may not be able to read dog body language well enough to tell the difference between play and aggression. This sets up the situation of an owner of a rambunctious dog who attempts to play with the timid dog/owner. The playful dog's owner does not intervene because they know it is just play. The timid owner feels threatened and gets upset that that other owner isn’t controlling their dog. Stress ensues – yelling and harsh words get exchanged. Nobody is happy.

Here are some guidelines for avoiding conflicts and misunderstandings.

1. Remember that the other owner may not have seen you yet, or doesn't have the same perception of the situation that you do.

2. If you want someone to call their dog away from you &/or your dog. Call LOUDLY in a FRIENDLY, POLITE tone of voice. "Please call your dog."

3. If someone asks you to call your dog – DO IT! Don't argue that they are "only playing" or that your dog is friendly etc. That person/dog feels threatened! Don't take offense (even if that frightened person forgets to be friendly and polite) - just get your dog away, or leashed. Then discuss it.

4. If you can't call your dog away – it isn't under voice control (which we all know is a requirement of using an off-leash dog park). You need to work on your training. But right now, get to your dog as quickly as possible and leash it. Keep it on leash until the other person/dog is out of range.

5. Thankfully, Quann is a big park. If you don't want to be near another dog(s), go to a different part of the park.

6. We all need to be especially attentive in Quann near the paved (bike) path and the entrances since many non-dog pedestrians and cyclists also frequent those locations and they are much more likely to feel threatened by all dogs.

7. If you have a mean dog – don't come to Quann, even on leash! Go to a trainer and get some help. (mean dog is used here as
shorthand for aggressive dogs, dogs that bite, and/or dogs that intentionally intimidate, threaten, or hurt other dogs or people!)

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