After adopting our fur baby seven years ago, the dog park has become a second home for our family. Anywhere from two to four times a week, you can find me and my cattle dog-shepherd mix, Daisy, at the Warren G. Magnuson Off Leash Area, a sprawling doggy haven with acres of open fields and a refreshing beach on Lake Washington.
My two human daughters have been joining us since they were in utero. As babies, they’d rest happily in a carrier, an outing of fresh air and select dog licks that both entertained and soothed them. Though our toddlers had a fair share of hard knocks, they learned how to interact with other dogs early. As impressionable elementary-age children, they are now fully aware of just how much fun there is to be had with man’s best friend, so long as they follow the unspoken rules of dog parking 101.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #1: No Running
The golden rule at the dog park is also the simplest: no running. This includes chasing and doing anything that attracts too much attention. It isn’t meant to be a killjoy. Many herding breeds relate fast-moving small bodies to cattle in need of corralling. Running ensures that sweet border collies will spring into action and follow the instincts ingrained in their breed.
This is also to respect the dogs’ special time. Our canine pals are prohibited from many public spaces around the city. The dog park is specifically designed for their needs and desires. It’s a place where they can let loose and have fun with their friends.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #2: Meet and greet
For most kids (and many adults) a big attraction of visiting a dog park is getting to meet other people’s dogs. However just as we have greeting behaviors for other people, kids visiting the dog park need to learn to first ask the dog’s owner for permission to introduce themselves to the dog.
Once the owner gives their okay, have your child stop moving and hold out a hand for the pup to smell. It’s the best way to initiate a greeting and gauge the dog’s temperament. Some dogs will pass by unbothered, while others will sniff the hand and continue without further engagement.
When a dog sniffs, wags its tail, and approaches, it has accepted the offer for some physical love. Avoid grabbing or holding the faces and necks of dogs you don’t know. The back, belly, and butt are often safe for gentle scratches new dog friends.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #3: Turn your back
Even the gentlest dogs get too excited sometimes. The best way to avoid the full impact of a dog jumping on you or your child is to simply turn around when the dog starts to jump. By showing your back to incoming paws, the dog knows they will not be greeted if they do not stay down. Screaming and running away, while a natural reaction, will often only encourage more attention.
For this reason, I tend to keep an eye on the dogs coming our way. Is there a rambunctious puppy that has been up on its hind legs with the visitors ahead of us? Does that dog with the zoomies look like it might be headed to us next? If so, I invite my kids to either take a break in the stroller or walk alongside me so that I may help temper the blow or calm the approaching dog.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #4: Snack with caution
There are fewer guarantees in life than the moment you arrive somewhere, your child will ask for a snack. Come prepared with dog-safe snacks in case a friendly thief burrows its nose into unsuspecting bags or strollers. Avoid foods that can make dogs sick, like grapes, raisins, chocolate, or other high-sugar or high-salt foods. Stick with natural snacks or ones in containers that are hard to get into, like apple sauce pouches or snack cups with lids. Throw trash away promptly.
Small bodies should not walk and eat. At their stature, kids are highly susceptible to quick grabs from capricious snouts. You can’t blame the dog for stealing food. I’ve had a canine acquaintance take and consume a banana, peel and all, which had been secured out of reach (or so I thought).
If a snack is necessary, find a bench or table where your kid can take safe refuge (usually but not always – some dogs will jump right up on the table). I still bring my double jogging stroller simply to allow my kids a better-protected place for a quick refuel or as a refuge from four-legged sprinters.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #5: No stuffies
One particularly wily Golden Retriever ate a child’s mitten from the storage compartment under my stroller. In general, keep lovies, and other toys at home for this reason, lest a pup with a penchant for stuffies finds a new prize.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #6: Show good dog park etiquette
At the end of the day, it is easiest to teach children how to behave at the dog park by living the virtues we preach. I leave my coffee cup in the car to show that dog-risky drinks don’t belong there. I have rolls of poop bags in every purse, stroller and car to ensure I am able to pick up after my dog every time.
Now, my six-year-old requests to do the pick-up duty for me. She greets dogs with caution, respect, and love, always with her hand out first. She is never mad when a dog refuses her offer or passes by without a glance.
Kids at Dog Parks Rule #6: Have some doggone fun!
Just because there are a few things we can’t do at the dog park does not mean having fun is one of them. Find a park ball not in use and play fetch with an eager pup. Wear appropriate shoes and cool off with the water dogs in the shallow beach area. Be liberal with pets and scratches. Say hello to the many dog walkers and their packs that frequent Seattle’s parks. Most importantly, revel in the fact that you know the rules for dog parking with kids and that everyone is having a fun and safe time with man’s best friend.
Places to play for you and your doggo
Warren G. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle 98115
It’s one of the largest dog parks in Seattle proper and allows some walking space for owners and their pets. Many dog parks in the city are large square fields. Unless your dog is content throwing a ball back and forth in the same small area, most visitors will appreciate Magnuson’s long pathways to other spaces for everyone to play and roam.
What my kids like: They love that Magnuson is an adventure. It takes 15-20 minutes of walking the trail to reach the water, where weather permitting, they will wade out to play with the dogs or cool off from the heat. In August, they can pick blackberries and eat them right off the vine. (Always ensure the berries are higher up; dogs tend to urinate on every low-lying branch.) They also love that there is a children’s playground right next door. They are always treated to some time at “their park” after we are done at the dog park.
What my dog likes: As a regular of Magnuson for many years, Daisy feels most at home at this dog park. We both know many dog walkers who frequent the park daily with their packs, and Daisy can spot from a mile away the people she knows are most likely to have treats in their pockets. The dirt path can get quite hot during the summer, and she loves having a beachfront on Lake Washington to cool down. Most importantly, there are plenty of spaces to meet and greet with friends.
Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park
6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond 98052
There are 40 acres of generally wide-open space for the dogs to run and play. I love how remote it feels without going too far outside of Seattle. Marymoor has more shade than Magnuson and lots more greenery. I like to make a trip to Marymoor when we have extra time for the drive and to make it all the way through the park, which could last nearly an hour.
What my kids like: This park is a little trickier to push a stroller, but my kids don’t seem to mind. They love to step into the water at the five river access points. The easement into the water is jagged and trickier to enter than Magnuson’s traditional beachfront, but they always find a way. They also love that there is so much more nature to observe at this park. Troves of great blue herons call Marymoor home. At certain times of the year, they build nests, lay eggs, and tend to their babies. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and discuss with your kids.
What my dog likes: Locally dubbed “Doggy Disneyland,” Marymoor has the most eclectic terrain for curious, wet-nosed visitors. Various winding dirt paths lead over small wooden bridges or through canopies of giant trees to different parts of the park. There is tall grass to hide in, short grass for sprinters, and plenty of room along the river for swimmers.
Northacres Off-Leash Dog Area
12718 1st Ave. NE, Seattle 98125
Though smaller than Magnuson and Marymoor, Northacres is perhaps the most accessible of the dog parks on the list. Located right off I-5 in North Seattle, Northacres is a heavily wooded retreat for a quick romp. Though it doesn’t have a waterfront, the shade of the trees helps regulate everyone’s body temperature. Unlike other smaller-sized parks, Northacres has some micro walking paths inside the off-leash area to give dogs and owners space to move.
What my kids like: My kids love that Northacres has a well-shaded double playground and a splash pad right next door for the warm summer months. The dog park is not overwhelming in terms of size, and our trips to Northacres are not as long as they tend to be at the bigger parks. Afterward, we can take a mini nature walk (with Daisy leashed up) through the surrounding trails or zip back home down the freeway.
What my dog likes: The shade is nice during the warm months, particularly for bigger dogs with thicker fur coats. Every time we visit, there are other dogs and their owners for Daisy to play with or beg for treats. Some of the smaller dog parks in the city can be infrequently visited, making a trip to the doggie playground a wasted endeavor.
Three Forks Off-Leash Dog Park
39912 SE Park St Snoqualmie 98065
This one might be too far for some, but Three Forks is our “splurge” park outing. It’s a hike from Seattle, but the effort is worth it for the incredible views of Mount Si and the moody setting, especially in the fall when the weather cools. Check traffic and time the trip to avoid rush hour. Parking is a bit trickier than other parks, but it’s a self-care activity for both my dog and myself.
What my kids like: My kids love everything I love about Three Forks: getting far outside the city for fresh air and breathtaking views. They also love the access to the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trails which are adjacent to the dog park.
What my dog likes: Though it is one large parcel of open space, the fully-fenced eight acres that comprise Three Forks are enough to entertain every four-legged visitor, particularly those who relish new smells. Elk tend to leave surprises in the fields, and it can be quite muddy after recent rainfall, but these are things that make Three Forks all the more desirable to my insatiably curious dog.
