Dogs Must:

• Be at least 16 weeks old to enter.
• Be vaccinated for rabies.
• Not be in heat.
• Not be feeling sick or have a communicable disease.
• Not be deemed “vicious,” “dangerous,” or “aggressive” by the City.
• Carry your Red Fern Dog Park Annual Pass card on your human or nearby while at the park. Visit this page to purchase a dog park annual pass (in addition, dogs of North Liberty residents must have a current pet license).
• Stay visible to your human at all times and be ready to listen to a command.
• Not be in a yard alone without your human.
• Leave if you are involved in a reportable incident, whether as the instigator or the target. Use this incident report form to submit online.

Humans Must:

• Be at least 16 years old to enter; if under 16, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18 years old).
• Not be feeling sick.
• Not be handling and/or responsible for more than two dogs.
• Carry a leash for each dog.
• Dutifully use a leash on your dog(s) before entering and after leaving a yard, but must remove while dog is in yard.
• Clean up after the dog(s) in your care, including poop and broken toys. Biodegradable waste bags and trash receptacles are provided.
• Not conduct lessons or other for-profit activities on park property without written permission from the City of North Liberty. Be prepared to display written permission when asked.
• Stop displays of dominance, charging, hole-digging, bullying, and excessive barking or mounting.
• Be responsible for your dog’s actions and behavior at all times, including compensation for repairs to damage of property or medical expenses after a reportable incident.
• Communicate reportable incidents and rule violations to the City of North Liberty so they can be documented.

The following items are strictly prohibited from Dog Park property:

• Alcohol possession or use;
• Cigarette or smokeless tobacco use;
• Wheeled devices, except wheelchairs and strollers;
• Large personal items on the ground, like duffle bags or chairs, which pose a tripping hazard;
• Human food, except non-alcoholic beverages;
• Dog food, except small training treats;
• Glass containers;
• Pronged, pinch, or choke collars; and
• Electronic training devices, without approval from Animal Control or their designee.

Other Park Rules:

• Dog Park hours of operation are dawn to dusk.
• Yard must be vacated while maintenance tasks are being performed.
• Users of the North Liberty Dog Park do so at their own risk.
• Any City of North Liberty staff person has the right to ask users to leave park property.
• Violations of Dog Park rules will be documented by the City of North Liberty.
• If violations are deemed excessive by City Administrative staff, then pass will be revoked without refund.
• Other City of North Liberty park rules and ordinances may apply.

Yard Rules:

• Toys are allowed, taking into account the potential hazards to other dogs and your dog’s willingness to share. Must discontinue use of toy, if requested. Be extra careful with small or plush toys as they can be a choking hazard for some dogs; plush toys left behind will be disposed.
• Training treats are allowed. Do not share without explicit permission from dog handler.
• Do not leave food bowls. Even though it is done as an act of kindness, standing water collects mosquitos, so please take it with you.
• Small Dog Yard is for small dogs only, 18 inches or less at the shoulder.

Parking Lot Access

The Red Fern Dog Park has one entrance and one parking lot. If the lot is full, please do not park on the grass; instead, come back a different day and try again! If you *do* accidentally pull into a neighbor’s drive, please back all the way out and do not drive on their grass. Thank you so much for understanding!

Incident Reporting

Call 911 in the event of a medical emergency or any incident involving blood or a bite.

Please report:

• Any failure to heed park rules;
• Dogs displaying signs of a communicable disease;
• If your own dog gets sick and used the Red Fern Dog Park before symptoms appeared and within the contagious period;
• Abandoned animals located on property; and
• Other concerns about park visitors or pets.

Use this incident report form to submit online.

Parks staff will initiate investigation, when warranted. If assistance is needed, City Administrative personnel will handle decision making.

Etiquette is appreciated!

Let’s encourage D.O.G. F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

DISCIPLINE:

Displays of dominance, charging, and bullying are not welcome behaviors. Don’t allow them!

OBSTACLES:

Large objects are collision hazards to playing dogs… and will probably get peed on. Leave the lawn chair and the giant bag in the car.

GARBAGE:

Show your North Liberty pride by maintaining a clean park! Place trash in the appropriate receptacles.

FOCUS:

Give all the attention to your dog and your children, not your screen.

RECALL:

Make sure your dog is ready to obey when you call.

INTRODUCTIONS:

A polite hello is encouraged between all community members… for both human and canine friends.

EXERCISE BEFORE PARK:

Overstimulation can lead to problems! Get all the energy out of your dog’s brain and body before arriving.

NO FOOD & TREATS:

Allergies and dieting dogs are amongst us. Don’t share any edible items.

DISTANCE:

Recognize when your dog might need a time out… or leave if you sense trouble. Always better to be safe, than sorry!

STEREOTYPING:

Don’t blame the breed for bad behavior. Courtesy comes with successful training and discipline.

Helpful commands while at the park

SIT: Stay sitting until human says otherwise.

LIE DOWN: Lie down to calm down, focus on human, and wait for next command.

STAY: Do not move.

COME: Return to human without fail or delay.

DOG’S NAME: Attention off the distraction and to human.

FOCUS: Zone out everything else.

LEAVE IT: Ignore something that is tempting and/or potentially dangerous.

DROP IT: Drop something from mouth or stop a game that is turning aggressive.

WAIT: Stop midstride, pause for a moment, and focus attention on human.

HEEL: Walk next to human until told otherwise.

Also, teaching a dog not to eat something from strangers keeps the dog safe and prevents begging behavior.