The Los Alamos Sport and Working Dog Association (LASWDA) was formed in 2001 in direct response to the restrictions placed on the ability to use public greenspace by dog trainers for the training of their competition and service animals. The restriction came a direct result of irresponsible dog owners who use the parks and playing fields, but do not clean up after their animals, who do not respect other people's use of the facilities, or even the park employees themselves. Out of frustration, LA County Parks put up signs and and Los Alamos County dog trainers and reponsible dog owners woke up one day and found most of their training locations posted with "Dogs Prohibited" signs and no place left to train or exercise their working dogs.

Dog trainers and a good portion of the companion dog-owning public use public greenspace respectfully. We believe parks was misguided in trying to eliminate the problem by prohibiting all dogs when the problem lies with the few irresponsible dog owners. LASWDA has worked hard with parks on the reinstatement of the ability to use parks and greenspace for training, playing and exercising of dogs, as well as help parks draft rules and regulations for the use of the greenspace. LASWDA promotes responsible dog ownership and believes the solution lies through public education and mutual respect for all users of LA County greenspace and responsible use of that greenspace.

LASWDA is made up of representatives from most of the dog training organizations in Los Alamos County. In 2005 the companion dog component was added to LASWDA to represent responsible companion dog owners and their needs.

LASWDA is developing educational information promoting responsible dog ownership, how to chose a dog for your lifestyle, as well as informational brochures concerning animal control laws and issues in our county.

LASWDA was formed and is intended to be a cooperative effort between all the dog organizations within Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos County Administration and Parks Department. LASWDA has forged a relationship with the County. The County parks department and LASWDA are working together to solve the issues that exist in the County with regards to use of greenspace by dog trainers and owners and the issues concerning the misuse by irresponsible dog owners.

This website last updated: May 10th, 2006

Questions or comments email: LASWDA