proudly serving moore county's pampered pooches since 2009

MHS PPIP Rules and Guidelines


​General

  • All dogs must be registered Pooch Park members. Family members & their friends who have not attended an orientation are not permitted in the Park unless accompanied by a member. Dog sitters for hire are not permitted in the Park. Foster dogs or visiting family dogs are not permitted in the Park unless they are registered with PPIP.
  • The Park is a member managed park meaning there are no Pooch Park police. If there is an issue which owners cannot resolve between themselves, they should contact PPIP at shotsppipdogpark.com describing their concern.
  • The Pooch Park is open dawn to dusk.
  • 3 dogs maximum, per member. Multiple dogs should be monitored by multiple family members.

Enter/Exit

  • A code is required to enter the Park. NEVER, under any circumstances, give the code to anyone. You have no way of knowing if their membership is current, or if their shot records are up to date. If someone has forgotten the code, they need to email shotsppipdogpark@gmail.com.
  • Do not hold the gate open for another dog family.
  • Only 1 dog family at a time inside the double gated entry area. Wait for others to exit before entering or exiting this area.
  • Leash your dog(s) at your car and until safely inside the double gated area. Remove leash prior to entering the fenced parks. Keep your leash with you at all times while in the Park. When exiting, leash your dog while in the double gated area and then exit.
  • Ensure each gate closes behind you at all times.
  • Dogs already in the Park should be kept away from the gates as other dogs enter & exit. This is very important when new dogs enter.
  • Dogs must wear a flat buckle collar. No prong, spike, choke, or pinch collars.


Small/Large Dog Sides of Park


  • The Park has two fenced and gated areas:
  • Small side for dogs less than 26 lbs
  • Large side for dogs 26 lbs and over
  • Typically large dogs are not permitted in the small dog area. However, large dogs will be allowed in the small dog side ONLY if there are no small dogs on that side. If an owner brings a small dog and wants to enter the small dog side, the large dog owner must leave the small side with their dog(s) promptly.


 Requirements

  • Dogs must be 4 months or older.
  • Current Rabies, Bordetella, DHLPP: (D)distemper, (H)hepatitis, (L)leptospirosis, (P)parainfluenza, (P)parvovirus) vaccines.  In addition, a fecal test within the past 12 months.
  • Healthy dogs only – If you know your dog is ill do NOT bring them to the Park until a vet indicates they are not contagious.
  • Spaying and neutering is strongly recommended.
  • Female dogs in heat are NOT allowed in the Park.
  • Dogs with a history of fighting/biting are prohibited.


 Owner Responsibilities

  • Humans must wear shoes.
  • Owners are responsible for their dog(s) and must supervise their dog(s) at all times.
  • OWNERS MUST SCOOP THEIR DOG’S POOP. If you are physically unable to do so, make arrangements with another member to have them pick up after your dog.
  • If your dog digs, fill the holes.
  • Owners are responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dog(s).
  • If inappropriate behavior is observed, take immediate action. Based on the guidelines above.
  • No food (dog or human), no smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, no weapons.
  • No bikes, strollers, wagons, roller blades, coolers, or children’s toys.
  • No dog toys. Chuck-it balls and ball launchers can be found inside the Park. Please do not remove these items from the Park.
  • As a member managed park, it is each owner’s responsibility to resolve any issue between them.


Children

  • Children between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 are not allowed inside the Park.
  • Children must be strictly supervised. Realize children can easily be run over by dogs.
  • Children are to behave in an adult-like manner (quiet voices, no chasing).
  • Children can pet other dogs only with owner’s permission.


GUIDELINES:

These guidelines are designed to help PPIP members become familiar with dog-to-dog interactions and how they can influence their dog's behavior while at the Park. It is not intended to be all inclusive. Do your own research on line or at your library.

  • Have realistic expectations about your dog's suitability for going to a dog park. If they are not polite or friendly with others, get help to change their behavior before you bring them to the Park. Dog parks are not places to rehabilitate fearful or aggressive dogs or those who just don't know how to play well with others.
  • Before you take your dog into the Park,spend a few minutes watching the other dogs and how they are playing and interacting with others. If the dogs seem to be too rough in their play or are intimidating other dogs, come back at another time.
  • If your dog has never been around other dogs, don't come to the Park until your dog has had a chance to be around other dogs in other situations. Inexperienced dogs and young puppies can be overwhelmed, terrified or traumatized by suddenly finding themselves surrounded by a lot of dogs.
  • Introduce your dogs to other dogs gradually. Allow your dog to greet other dogs while he's still in the separate entry area, or let your dogs sniff around the fenced boundary. Do not bring your dog into the Park for the first few visits when the Park is crowded. More information about introducing your dog to the Park will be distributed at the new member orientation.
  • Be careful entering the Park gate. Other dogs tend to crowd around to greet arriving dogs. If needed, call out to owners to move their dogs away from the gate.
  • Supervise your dog. This is not the time for you to be distracted talking with others or burying yourself in a book or your phone. You must monitor your dog's activities to be sure he isn't behaving badly and other dogs are not behaving badly toward him. Stay close enough to control or protect your dog.
  • Be watchful of small or elderly dogs around big dogs. Do not let big dogs frighten or threaten smaller dogs.
  • If your dog seems to be fearful or is being "bullied" by other dogs, don't let them stay, thinking they will "get over it". Signs of stress are lowering the head, putting ears back, yawning, raising hackles and/or cowering, hiding or trying to leave.  Remove your dog from the situation, and try again when the Park is less crowded.
  • If your dog is being a bully, threatening, aggressive, or just seems to be overly excited, remove him from the Park. Try taking your dog for a walk, or going into a different part of the Park to see if they will settle down. If you are unable to get your dog to settle down you should leave the Park.
  • Be knowledgeable about dog body postures, communication signals, and social behavior. When a new dog enters a dog park, there may be increased activity, noise and sniffing. Eventually there will be wrestling, mounting, posturing, possession claiming, and vocalizing which are common in order to establish ranking order for the newcomer. Some dogs enter as lowly underdogs and others as leaders of the pack. Dogs that roll on their back are signaling they are withdrawing from active, solicitous interactions. If their limbs and tails are limp and their neck is fully exposed, they may invite/tolerate more passive interaction (e.g. sniffing, petting). It they tuck their tail and put their paws over their chest and groin, they do not wish to interact.
  • Inappropriate Behavior - Owners MUST intervene if these behaviors are observed:
    • More than one dog picking on another - pack behavior
    • Bullying – e.g. Charging, Snapping, Body Slamming, Snarling, Not letting other dog get up or get away
    • Chasing without letting the other dog rest
    • Cornering or crowding another dog - especially by a pack
    • Mounting/humping can be dangerous and should not be tolerated
  • During fun play it is normal for dogs to bark, growl, wrestle, chase, mouth, paw, bow and butt swing. Rough play is only allowed if consensual and both dogs are having fun. If a dog is playing too rough or behaving in an aggressive manner, you must step in and control your dog. You may need to move to another area of the Park or leash your dog and leave the Park. Rough play and chasing are not acceptable if any of the dogs are not enjoying it.
  • If you find yourself needing to Break Up a Dog Fight:
    • NEVER rush in & try to grab dogs to pull them apart.
    • Distract & divert. Shake the “CAN IT” yellow cans provided at the Park. A loud whistle or blast of water might work. Or throw a coat or hat to startle the dogs.
    • Do not yell or get upset. It will only add to the frenzy.
    • If you and your dog are not involved in the fight, leash your dog and move away.
    • If any dogs are hurt, owners need to exchange contact information.
    • Once a fight occurs, the adrenaline levels of the dogs involved may be raised for several hours.
    • To insure the fight will not happen again, owners should leash their dogs and leave the Park to avoid the potential of another fight.
    • Recognize that by taking your dog to a dog park, you are accepting a degree of risk that your dog may be injured or may injure another dog. Remember, you are responsible for damage or injury caused by your dog.
  • If a person is bitten, they are required by law to report the bite to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services at 910-947-2858.


Heat stroke/exhaustion - Dogs are prone to overheating during the hot months because they do not sweat.

  • Symptoms are panting, weakness or collapse, seizures, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
  • Cool the dog down immediately by soaking with water or use a piece of clothing soaked in water to wet the dog down.
  • Transport the dog to your veterinarian or to the Small Animal Emergency Services in Vass immediately: 910-246-0405.
  • Prevention: Heat Stroke/Exhaustion can be prevented by wetting your dog down periodically and offering water frequently.