Large, fenced park located at Lake Ginninderra. Available to the public 24 hours a day.
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For additional information please visit the Department of Territory & Municipal Services website.
Note: While Doggo aims to provide the most up-to-date information, councils and/or park authorities may change their regulations regarding dog exercise areas at any time. We suggest checking with the relevant park management for the latest information.
37 Comments
i was not happy the first time i took my dog there, went into the enclosed off leash area, and someone had a very aggresive dog there and my poor thing got held down and bitten and attacked by this dog. IF OWNERS KNOW ITS AGGRESSIVE DO NOT LET IT OFF LEASH OR EVEN BETTER DO NOT TAKE IT. this could happen to any 1 of the dogs going there by that dog and it just happened to be mine.
I feel the same way i had to leave as someones big dog was jumping on me my dog’s and my child.
Took my little dog to Ginninderra dog park the other week. Will not be going back or any other dog park for that matter. My dog got mauled by five german sheppard dogs, and was later taken to the Vet Hospital. He is doing fine. Really people, if you are going to take your dog and know that it has AGGRESSIVE tendencies and let it off the leash around other animals and children even in the dog park, then you are liable for its actions.
well i reckon it is an awsome place to take your doggies
ME TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi! Noticing that the other posts are sounding kind of negative. Just wanted to give a HUGE shout-out to the ACT Government, or whoever came up with this proposal. Going down to the dog park is the highlight of mine and my puppy’s day. It is so important for dogs to socialise with other dogs and this is a fantastic initative. I must admit that the South Canberra park is my favourite – beautiful setting by the lake and great how the park is divided into big/small dogs to help prevent any grievances. These parks should be rolled out across Canberra – a fantastic idea!!!!
Anyone who goes to this dog park should do so at your own risk. There are some really stupid owners who know nothing about controlling their own dog. Worse still they blame the victims of their dog’s actions (such as Lucy’s dog) when they have noone to blame but themselves.
If you are considering bringing your dog to this or any dog park, make sure you read the above article on the dangers of doing so. Don’t be naive is all I wish to say. Sure your dog may be wonderful, but all you need is one stupid dog owner with a dog they can’t control to come in and you are putting your dog at risk.
This is the article which I recommend everyone to read before entering a dog park: http://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm
I do not like the big dog – small dog distinction. I love going to the dog park, as does my dog so he can mingle and learn to behave with all sorts of dogs. He is medium-sized and loves small dogs. The other day we had a huge fracas caused by a SMALL dog – an entire Staffie. He was taking on every BIG dog he could. We left. These incidents are rare but I just wanted to say that it is not necessarily BIG dogs that are the problem, but rather the same old breeds that are always the problem. Some are big, some are not. It’s the owners that need to take responsibility for the personality of their dog and decide if they will disturb the peace at the dog parks. Thanks ACT government for these long-awaited facilities.
‘the same old breeds that are always the problem’ – yep, these breeds seem to be;
Border Collie
Poodle
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Doberman Pinscher
Shetland Sheepdog
Labrador Retriever
Papillon
Rottweiler
Australian Cattle Dog, nothing but trouble!
This is just your oppion on the breeds that are trouble. I have a Cattle dog and he is not a problem.
Yes you have bad days down at the park, just like people do at work. So don’t knock the park. Simple solution to all the people above that are carrying on about the park. “DON”T GO!” OR if there is any dogs you don’t like there then keep on walking. That is what most people do.
I am a dog park regular and have a large aggressive looking dog. He is actually quite gentle and very well controlled and in my experience it has been smaller dogs that often instigate fights, I guess because the owners don’t put as much effort in towards training them and making sure they are under control. My dog usually runs away from dog fights as he is a bit of a wimp, but on the odd occasions he has snapped back when a smaller dog has attacked him, the owners have had the audacity to yell at him, quickly prompting me to verbally tear them a new one, deservedly so.
This incident occured outside the dog park. I was recently exercising (roller skiing) on the public bike path in the vicinity of the Lake Ginninderra Dog Park when I was attacked by an off-leash dog (I believe it was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier….black with a pink collar). The result on one of my calf muscles was 5 puncture wounds, two open wounds requiring 13 stitches, an infection, intravenous and oral antibiotics, crutches for a week…and time off work. A warning about the risks of an off-leash dog in a pulic space!
Yes, some dogs are aggressive and some owners irresponsible, but it is quite an uncommon occurrence. Sometimes dogs just have to sort out “dog business”. Let’s not dwell on isolated incidents and at least be pleased that there are off leash dogs parks around at all, as they are few and far between.
my puppy tora(5 mounths old) went to the dog park and injoyed it.
so i am writing to tell you to take your pup or dog there for fun and joy.
BUT if your pup or dog are aggresive please do not take them off the leash because then other peolpe’s best friends can get hert or even can die.
so the mesege here is please see how your dog feels befor you take them to the dog park.
but any ways the dog park is a fun and exiting place to go.
I agree with Katy & Sally. I am sick of the ‘its always the big dogs’ fault attitude I have been at different parks and events and 9 out of 10 ten times its a smaller ‘prescious’ dog that causes the trouble okay the big dog does more damage but in the dog world if you challenge another dog size or owner does not come into it!
They (dogs) dont have discrimination just their own inbred instincts (you bare your teeth at me I will retaliate).
I do agree some people shouldnt have dogs but that applies to smal dogs aswell!
Also remember people dogs can sense your mood if you are feeling aggressive to a dog OR its owner your dog will feed on that.
Lets all go and have fun be calm and enjoy our pets
i just went to the dog park last week and my puppy loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please be careful with your dogs at this park. On the 3rd September, my whippet puppy was attacked by an unregistered red malamute called JJ at this park without any warning or provocation. JJ ripped a big chunk from my dog’s neck and he required emergency surgery that evening to put in internal and surface stitches.
JJ is unregistered and his owner (goes by Joey) is evading Domestic Animal Services and unwilling to acknowledge his dog’s aggression. His a very distinctive red malamute, so if anyone has information on him, please pass it on to Nick at DAS (ph: 6207 2257) so JJ can get the necessary assessments.
There was some very good advice given by concerned a while ago. Spend a bit of time educating yourself (see link below) and make sure you know your dog and how he/she will respond off leash before you enter a dog park. The comments from those saying it’s not only big dogs that attack are correct. However, it’s the big dogs that usually get the negative attention because they have the weight and strength to do more damage. Spending a bit of time observing the other dogs in the park before you enter can save a lot of stress. If there are any dogs already there that are acting aggressively, don’t take your dog inside.
http://leerburg.com/dogparks.htm
I regularly go to the divided fenced dog park at Weston – my dog loves it. He is medium sized but I prefer the “small dog” area as I feel it is safer for my very friendly dog, and myself. I travel from the inner north and would like to see a fenced dog park in this area
There is 3 inner north, Belconnen, Spring Bank Rise & Forde.
Spring Bank is by far my favorite as it has both a big and small park
Being the owner of an 11yo Rotty and a 7 month old Great Dane (both speyed females) and also having a 7 month old Jack Russell (neutered) at our property belonging to my son and his wife. I have seen what can happen if a dog (or pup) is not trained properly. The Jack Russell is over excitable and when let with the other two he goes straight for the jowels of my Dane. She has the scars to prove it. Unfortunately, all my Dane wants is to play, not have a Jack Russell hanging from and tearing at her jowels. When she tries to get the JR off her she plants her very large paw on him and then gets yelled at (not by me). How your dog behaves is your reponsibility. Fifteen minutes a day isn’t a long time but can make a huge difference in your dog’s behaviour. Also be constant.
you people need to realize that to big dogs little dogs look like rats and that its a pack thing and dogs have their instincts and thats what they would do in the wild. also your little dogs are usually the ones that provoke the big dogs to go over to it.yes dog parks are for all dogs and i think little dogs need to be kept under control too not just the big dogs.
There was a death today of a small Spoodle no more than 14 weeks old due to a much larger German Shephard and his ‘natural instinct’. The event happened today the 1st of April between the hours of 1300 and 1700 when a German Shephard attacked a small Spoodle pup. If anyone witnessed this event and knows the owner’s or the dog’s name could they please contact the ranger’s department or the local police. The pup DID NOT act excitable around the bigger dog and at no stage gave any reason to be attacked. The owner of this dangerous mutt is sitting at home feeding him about now and my friends are also sitting at home, burying their’s. Please any information would be appreciated to get this dog away from others and prevent this from happening to anyone else. Post back here or contact the authorities as requested.
There are too many bogan owners at this park. They are the ones that should be put on a leash!
I don’t much like the Lake Ginnindera dog park. It should be good but every time I’ve been, it’s been full of young owners who don’t seem to care what their dogs get up to. I’ve seen some really aggressive interactions between specific dogs. If your dog has these tendencies, don’t take them to the park when it’s busy. Simple.
Big dogs can do far more damage when they’re out of control than a small dog, and that is why owners of larger dogs need to be more aware of, and responsible for, their dog’s behaviour. Not that small dog owners shouldn’t act respnsibly. But the level of responsibility and preventive masures an owner takes should be proportional to the damage their dog could potentially cause. Maybe the park should allocate some split times for small and large dogs off-leash, a couple of hours a day for each with the rest of the time communal. That way small dog owners can use the facility without worrying about their
Ittle dog and large dog owners can go there without worrying about liability issues when their big dog picks on a smaller one
Ive been taking my beagles to the lake Ginninderra dog park for two years. What has always struck me is how responsible most dog owners are and the positive atmosphere. It’s great!
Wednesday 24th October was our friend Bessa’a Birthday. We had a party for Bessa. We had cake for the humansand because the party group were the only people in the park we had a special treat for the dogs. We all stayed 2 hours which is an hour longer than we usaully stay. The wire enclosure was decorated with a sign announcing Bess’a Birthday and streamers and baloons..
It was very festive. Someone phoned the Ranger and said the display has been there from the night before. That was incorrect and the Ranger did not mind as long as everything was removed. It was all taken down to be put up again next year for Bessa’s 3rd Birthday
Today 11 th November there was the most gorgeous visitor at the Belconnen Dog Park. She was a white English Bull Terrior. ( a roman nose). She had the most beautiful nature and was an absolute delight. I went off to find her owner but could not locate him. People saw a man bring her into the park . I hope she belonged to people who were barbequing nearby. I felt sad for her. A man who owned a kelpie made a great fuss of her and she lapped it up.
I do not think it is the policy of the dog park to put you dog in there and go away. The owners are supposed to stay with their dog.
I would have liked to know her name. She was such a beautiful girl.
i love the dog parks, let dogs be dogs!!!! they work things out.
stop being so precious about your animal, they are dogs not children and they learn by being with and observing dog behaviour, as long as you use common sense and dont let things get out of hand.
I take my GSP there all the time and she has a great time! I think you all need to harden up.
I’ve been taking our dog there for years and never had a problem. Most owners are responsible and haven’t come across any aggressive dogs yet.
If anything, I find that owners are a little too precious about their dogs and don’t understand that a bit or growling and wrestling is normal dog behaviour. They are quick to step in and brand dogs unfriendly or aggressive (especially the breeds with bad reputations) when in fact they are just “sorting themselves out” in their own way.
Can I just say that, not all dogs are necessarily ‘aggressive’ anywhere else and dogs are PACK animals. Juvenille dogs are especially impressionable and will ‘join in’ on pack motivated activities.
My (fixed) male dog is well-behaved and well-trained, and only ever exhibits territorial/negative behaviour when approached at the Belconnen park (ONLY) by puppies (only) – a behaviour I am currently investigating/correcting.
I have stopped regular visits here as I have come to believe he veiws the park as ‘his’.
I am responsible owner and I resent the statement put forward by many people regarding aggressive behaviour in dogs. At the end of the day, its a dog park; it’s an OFF-LEASH dog park and they are animals. Supervise your animals at all times. If you bring children into a DOG PARK expect them to be approached by a dog. If you can’t handle it, then I suggest walking your dog around the lake on a leash where you wont be approached by anything/anyone.
Harden up for crying out loud.
hi l would like to say that l would like to see a small and large dog area as there is the area behind the orginallyfor this and it would give the yard chance to recover from the use it gets at the moment and for novice owners/dogs get use to how the systems works. However l would also like to see an equitte or respect to the dogs entering the yards like do not let you dogs rush up to the new dogs entering the yards call your dogs back and give the new person a chance to get in the gate and settled themselves and there dogs watch you dogs remenmber like people dogs to do not like everyone do n ot hang arund the gate area more away with your dog pull throwing is probadly not good either as this can cause dogs get excited if in a enclosed are there is alot of dogs the stakes get higher it is not worth the risk otherwise the dog park is great place for your dog and a great place to meet other people
I would also like to see an area for small dogs. I entered the park this morning with my small dog only to be greeted by at least 6 over enthusiatic large dogs who just would not leave my little dog alone. I was very scared for him. They were very territorial and began to have a pack mentality. By the time i got to my small dog he was throthing at the mouth and was very traumatised. Some of the owner of the large dogs did nothing but stand by and watch. The dogs did settle down after a while. I am not a regular at the park and noticed that every new dog that entered the gate this pack mentality by the big dogs started again.
I doubt i will use this park again. Come on ACT government do something about a small dog run.
Ps also more seats in the shade are a must.
I have a small dog who is only just growing out of being a puppy. We live really close to the dog park and been there nearly every week for a year. Maybe 2 or 3 times other dogs have gotten a bit rough with my puppy but I’ve never seen a dog attack another. It’s a fantastic place for dogs and owners, I can’t speak highly enough of it.