B.A.R.K. Ranger Program

B.A.R.K. Ranger Shiloh enjoys sunset on the battlefield.

NPS Photo

The National Park Service B.A.R.K. Ranger program encourages people and dogs to enjoy the outdoors together. Participants can enjoy a walk on the battlefield and earn a poop bag dispenser for the dogs and a badge for their humans. A B.A.R.K. Ranger collard tag is available for purchase in our America's National Parks store.

B.A.R.K. Ranger flyers are available in the park visitor center. Please remember pets are not permitted in the building. If you are traveling alone with your dog, you can download and print the flyer or call the rangers at 615-893-9501, and we will bring a flyer to you!

Bag your waste
Always wear a leash
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go

 

Here are the four B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles:

B = Bag Your Poop

• Help keep the battlefield clean by collecting and disposing of all dog waste. Be sure to find the Waste Station before exploring. Do not throw them into the woods or hang from trees.

• Dog feces is not a natural fertilizer. Dogs can carry disease such as parvovirus, giardia and roundworms into the park's wildlife populations. Water sources may also be polluted by dog feces.

A = Always Wear a Leash

• Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6 feet; retractable leashes extended beyond this limit are prohibited.

• Leashes protect dogs from becoming lost and from hazards such as sharp branches and vehicles.

• Not everyone is a dog person no matter how friendly and well behaved your dog may be. Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors. Leashes also protect the experience of other visitors who may be afraid, allergic, or who do not want a dog approaching them.

• Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.

R = Respect Wildlife

• Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites.

• The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.

• Please keep your dog at a respectful distance from any animals you may encounter.

K = Know Where To Go

• Pets should not be left unattended. Summer sunshine poses a threat to pets in vehicles. Don't leave pets alone in a car or tied to an object while visiting.

• The following areas are closed or restricted to pets with the exception of service animals:

  • Stones River National Cemetery, and
  • All public buildings, including the visitor center.

Safety Reminders:

• Have you considered your pet in all your preparations? With a little preparation, you and your pet can have an enjoyable trip to the park.
• Do you have enough water for yourself and your pet?
• Does your pet have the endurance for the heat?
• Summer temperatures can make the park's pavement EXTREMELY HOT. Pets have senstive paw pads that can easily be burned by these surfaces. REMEMBER: If it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for theirs. If you regularly walk in hot conditions consider commercially available coverings for your best friend’s feet, they’ll be glad you did.