Question - How would you handle...

[SecondAve]

Today I took the kids to the park for the first time since the beautiful weather began. It was bliss to be outside and enjoying the sun. Normally we just hang out in the backyard. The park isn't too big, but the great thing is that it is set far back in from the road, so no having to worry about any of the kiddies running away.

The park is surrounded by backyards. A lady was in her yard with some dogs. One of the dck's went to the fence to check them out. Which I don't mind as long as they don't touch the fence. Anyway, the lady was nice enough and chatty. She decided to bring the puppy out... but never put a leash on it. My own child loves dogs from a distance, but not up close. The dog get jumping on her and knocked over one of the dck. To top it off, I look down and she has a cigarette in her hand. I immediately packed up the kids and headed home. Not a biggie, since it was nearing lunch anyways.

I felt like I should have said something. Any suggestions on what to say in the future. You know a polite way of saying "get your dog on a leash" and "put that smoke out, there are kids around!" Sometimes people have no sense, even when they seem like nice people.

[playfelt]

Unfortunately the only option really is to keep the kids away from the fence telling them that area belongs to the house and is not a place to play. The lady was trying to be nice and letting the children seen the dog they had shown interest in. It would have been better if she had offered as in asked you if you wanted the children to see the puppy but guess she just asummed.

As for the cigarette no different than walking by an outdoor porch where people are smoking - you just keep on walking quickly. If she was at the actual playground then yes it would have been ok to please ask her to put it out while the children were playing or take it to a different part of the park.

[SecondAve]

Thanks playfelt. Oh she did come right into the park with her cigarette and dog, who was not on a leash. I didn't notice the cigarette at first, but once I did that is when we left. Next time I will be polite, but ask her to back up with the cigarette. I'll also just be upfront and ask her to get her dog on a leash. But, first I'll have to check the city's website to make sure it isn't an off leash dog park. There are a few in our neighbourhood.

On a side note, the kids are still sleeping. Normally they sleep around 2 hours. Today we are pushing 3. Thank you park! LOL

[gramma]

Off leash parks will be fully fenced and will not be near a kids playground. I think the pretty much everywhere has a leash law. Its in her best interest to have her dog on a leash for both her protection and that of the kids especially with a puppy who is more unpredictable. I think that you are well within your rights to tell her that you would appreciate her dog being leashed and as for smoking all you could do is politely say, "we would love to stay and play with your dog but I cant have the children around you while your smoking". she;ll either be offended or apologize because she probably never even gave it a thought.

[sunnydays]

I would be more worried about the dog than anything. You cannot predict whether or not a dog will nip or knock one of the kids down etc. I would not allow my daycare kids to go anywhere near a dog off leash while in my care. I like dogs, but they are animals and especially if you don't know them, they are unpredictable.

[Momof4]

Well, she has a right to smoke and have her dog anywhere she pleases but our city has a law that all dogs must be on leashes so I would mention that if possible if it were me. But I don't let my dckids pet strange dogs that we meet on the street, it's too dangerous. I tell the children to say hello to the dog but not to touch and the owners get my message loud and clear usually. However, when we go by someone with a cigarette I say out loud, Go quickly children there is smoke here! I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. But people have a right to smoke if they want, there's nothing I can do about that except to stay away.

[SecondAve]

There are lots of off leash dog parks in our city that are not fenced in. Even where I live there is a large green space off my backyard, not technically a park, no fences and it is an off leash dog park.

Great advice about what to say if we happen to see her at the park. I'll be sure to check the city's website before heading back. If it is an off leash park, might need to find another one.