Can we do Dog Agility at the park?

mrs_sparrow

Are there any rules on this?

Can I, and some friends, take dog agility equipment up to the park, set it up and let our dogs use it there?

The dogs would be under control, we'd clean up after them, but no-one has a garden big enough for all of us. I know we can take them up there, walk them there, let them off up there and train them there. But taking equipment? We are not sure.

Do we need to apply to anyone? There are a couple of places we could go round here but they are all parks and we did not want to break any laws. And are we allowed to tell others? We would then become a club and what would happen then?

There is only one place that offers agility around here and it's really expensive. We could all club together and buy most of the equipment outright for what they are charging all of us for 2 sessions so thought we would try and find out.

I am not even sure who I need to ask. Thank you.

Paradigm

The local council would be a place to start.

Assuming the equipment would be removed when you have finished, you choose an area well away from other users IE kids swings etc & the dogs are well controlled then personally I'd give it a go.... you might find you gather an audience

A guy uses our local park to help train sheepdogs (without the sheep obviously) & it causes no problems... good to watch too!

Raksha

Yes, I'd agree, the local council (or who ever owns the park) would be the folk to approach. You may find they will be OK so long as it's just a group of friends, but if you make a charge or let anyone use the equipment, things like liability insurance etc will be needed.

mrs_sparrow

Thanks.

I was wondering about insurance too - so we should be OK as long as we do not charge anyone? We would nto do that but I think most of us have dog insurance anyway.

I saw an load of kit on eBay so then started wondering whether it was possible. The places I was thinking of are well away from kids so this would not be a problem. Actually, having a think, in one of the villages nearby there is a park that has a big open space and a car park. Would it be parish councils or the actual big council? How do I find out who owns the park? Do I just ring up the big council and say 'can I train the dogs there?' and see where they send me.

I realise that all of this mades me sound a bit clueless tbh, we just thought it would be a good way to exercise the dogs mentally rather than just the usual walks we give them.

picklepick

This is a tricky one. Charging people would be a business and you'd be opening up a huge can of worms with that. I'd guess that you'd need all sorts of insurance and licensing and I doubt that they'd allow it on land for public use. Is there no farms nearby that you can ask if you can borrow a field for small fee? Or a horse stables that might have a field you can use?

For arguments sake, I'd say that this would be no different to say taking a pop up badminton set or something similar to the park to play with your kids. I cant see anyone objecting. Most parks and open spaces have a sign up nearby with the phone number for a park ranger or office etc. That would be my first port of call. Usually on the park name sign theres a number.

Paradigm

I read it as it would be the OP & friends therefore not a business so no liability insurance would be needed.

Most pet insurances cover for 3rd party damage etc

I can't see it as any different to kids taking some portable goalposts & having a game of football.

Phone your council & ask who is reponsible for the park.

Unless there's some stupid by-law dating back to 1689 I don't see a problem.