Yellowknife (Dec 01/04) - It was a christening of peeing, sprinting and a fair number of skirmishes Saturday. Huey, Billie, Hobbes, Raven and Storm were the first official visitors to cross through the double gates of the territory's only off-leash dog park.

The fenced-in park is a necessity for dog owner Paula Scott, whose beagle Huey struggles to be free to search for the next scent to chase. Also pictured is Storm on the left and Raven. Hobbes is pictured in the background. - Lisa Scott/NNSL photo

Paula and Clinton Scott, owners of Huey the beagle and Billie the retriever, had the inaugural visit in mind when planning their weekend.

With a beagle that runs with its nose to the ground in search of a scent to chase, the couple seek out fenced-in yards like ball diamonds anyway.

"We try to avoid open areas," said Paula.

With five dogs running hither and thither in the gravel yard, the neighbourly interaction is a bonus, too.

"The best thing for dogs, other than running, is socialization," said Scott, as the dogs struggled to share a single bush to mark their individual scents.

The dog park, located behind the Yellowknife Curling Club with a view of Frame Lake, has been a while in the making, according to NWT SPCA vice-president Robin Weber.

With bylaws requiring dogs to be leashed when they're in city parks, a place to roam free is a necessity for dog owners, she said.

"There are a lot of dogs that will run and keep going," she said of certain breeds like huskies, hounds and beagles.

The eight-foot steel fence should ensure no Houdinis can escape by going over either.

If the SPCA and city collaboration is successful, Weber doesn't see why more dog parks can't spring up in other neighbourhoods around town.

"We're hoping this will be the first of many," she said while preparing for the opening day.

The park isn't a doggie free-for-all though, with rules in place for all to follow.

Owners must clean up after their dogs and make sure they have the proper vaccinations and city tags. The park follows city hours for quiet time, closing from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day.

Oh, and like it should be in some human social situations, dogs who continually annoy others with mounting, growling or intimidating behaviour will be asked to leave.