FAQs

In 2021 we asked the community to review the existing designated dog exercise areas (fenced), off-leash exercise areas and dog-prohibited areas throughout the City of Kalamunda. The survey achieved high levels of engagement from the community, with 342 responding to the survey.

The feedback has been valuable in shaping the draft of the Dog Exercise Areas Management Plan. Prior to finalising the plan, the City was updating its Dog Local Law which was gazetted in September 2022. The draft Dog Exercise Areas Management Plan was temporarily ‘paw-sed’ while the local law was being finalised.

With local law gazetted, the draft plan is now ready to go. To ensure that the plan will still meet the needs of our canine community members, we want to do a quick ‘pulse check’ to see if anything has changed. 

You can find a full list at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/residents/pets-livestock/dogs-cats 

Dog Permitted Exercise Areas are at:

• Kalamunda
  1. Old Railway Reserve: Bordered by Williams, Elizabeth and Tella Streets and Railway Road
  2. Old Railway Reserve: Between Collins and Lesmurdie Roads
  3. Old Yorna Road Reserve: Corner of Alpine and Bird Roads
  4. Jorgensen Park: Bordered by Spring and Crescent Roads
• Lesmurdie
  1. Flora Terrace Reserve: Bordered by Orangedale Road & Walyunga Street
  2. Seaton Park: Bordered by Fletcher and Lesmurdie Roads
  3. Hugh Sanderson Reserve: Willingham Drive and Chislehurst Road
  4. Ray Owen Reserve: South West corner starting Willoughby and Gladys Roads, designated area only
• Forrestfield
  1. Reserve: Adjoining and running parallel to Tonkin Hwy west of Hale Road intersection
  2. Western Power Easement: Lot 120 Stringybark Drive between Holmes Road and Passiflora Drive
  3. Federation Gardens: Hartfield Park, designated area
  4. Hales Dog Park
• High Wycombe
  1. Elmore Park: Bordered by Elmore Way and Chipping Drive
  2. Ollie Worrell Reserve: Bordered by Worrell Avenue and Abernethy Road
  3. Progress Park: Bordered by Cyril Road and Bandalong Way
  4. MacKenzie Park: Reserve 29104: bordered by Netherwood Road and Albermarle Way
• Gooseberry Hill
  1. Ledger Road Reserve – Bush Areas: Bordered by Ledger Road, Huntley Street and Longfellow Road
  2. The Boulevard Reserve: 18 The Boulevard, Gooseberry Hill
• Walliston
  1. Old Railway Reserve: Lesmurdie Road East to Kennedya Road
  2. Western Power Easement: Lot 5 Lawnbrook Road West, bordered by Palmateer Drive from Halleendale Road
  3. Alan Anderson Park: Lot 300 Pomeroy Road corner Lawnbrook Road
• Maida Vale
  1. Booralie Way Reserve: Bordered by Booralie Way and Tambulan Road
  2. Norwood Reserve: Bordered by Norwood and Hawtin Roads and Hewson Place
  3. Western Power Easement: Lot 3, Kalamunda Rd - eastern side of Roe Hwy bordering Maida Vale Road
• Wattle Grove
  1. Reserve: Bordered by Lenihan Corner, St John Road and The Promenande

You can find a full list at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/residents/pets-livestock/dogs-cats 

Dog Prohibited Areas

The Perth Hills area is home to many National and Regional Parks, many of which do not permit dogs (with exception of approved assistance dogs) to protect indigenous fauna and flora and as consideration of the rights of other park users. Permitted areas for dogs in National and Regional Parks and campgrounds are listed on the Parks and Wildlife Service website.

In addition, dogs are strictly not allowed in the following areas:

• Kalamunda
  1. Stirk Park: Entire park
  2. Kostera Oval: Turf grassed area
• Lesmurdie
  1. Ray Owen Reserve: Turf grassed oval contained within steel post and rail fence
• Forrestfield
  1. Hartfield Park: whole park except the Federation Gardens area
  2. Pioneer Park: Turf grassed area
• High Wycombe
  1. Scott Reserve
• Maida Vale
  1. Maida Vale Reserve: Turf grassed area

Whenever in public - unless gazetted 'Dog Exercise Area' - dogs must be on a leash.

You can find all the information at: You can find further information at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/residents/pets-livestock/dogs-cats

Puppy Socialisation

Just like young children, puppies need an opportunity to learn appropriate social and behaviour skills.

The period of life between four (4) and 16 weeks of age is the most important time for socialisation to people outside the puppy’s immediate family, other dogs, animals and new environments.

A lack of socialisation in this early period can lead to behaviour problems later in life. These can include:

• timidity and fearfulness
• jumping on people
• aggression towards other dogs and people.

Positive exposure to new and interesting experiences will stimulate your pup’s mental development and help to develop confidence.

Because of the risk of infectious diseases, puppy socialisation should occur in safe, controlled environments and your puppy should be vaccinated by your veterinarian.

Puppy socialisation groups at veterinary clinics are an excellent way to socialise your puppy.

Socialisation must continue throughout the puppy’s growth; adult dogs require regular activity as well.

ou can find all the information at: You can find further information at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/residents/pets-livestock/dogs-cats

Exercise and Play

Providing your dog with enough exercise and play is an important responsibility for dog owners. Exercise is good for your dog’s health, and can help to prevent some behaviour problems. It is also part of the fun of owning a dog.

At least 15-20 minutes should be set aside every day for walking, obedience training and play with your dog, rather than just one long walk at the weekend.

You might break your daily exercise time into 10 minutes before and after work.

The exercise routine should be varied, e.g. A walk, some obedience training, a run, a fetch game with a ball, and time off the leash in approved dog exercise areas. Vary the times when you exercise your dog.

For young energetic dogs, sprinting to fetch the ball uses up a lot of excess energy. Older dogs will benefit from gentle walks and swimming.

Dogs need to exercise their minds as well as their bodies. Obedience training is a good way to provide mental stimulation for your dog.

When walking your dog, time should be allowed for it to explore and sniff, rather than just concentrating on uninterrupted walking.

Parents must not let children walk a dog on their own, unless they are confident that the children can control the dog in any situation that might occur.

Riding a bicycle with the dog running alongside is dangerous for the cyclist and the dog.

Throwing a stick for the dog to fetch is not advisable. Many dogs suffer serious injuries from running with sticks in their mouths.

Do not allow your dog to bite or snap during play. It is difficult for the dog to understand that it is okay to bite sometimes, but not other times.

If your dog is very excitable, short periods of play are best. Have sessions of play, then training, so that the dog learns to stop and start play.

You can find all the information at: You can find further information at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/residents/pets-livestock/dogs-cats

Obedience Training

Training helps you to achieve a fundamental level of control with your dog.

Training helps you to communicate effectively with your dog and thus create a greater bond with it. Socialisation and sociability training is integral to most programs.

Once your dog has done basic obedience training, such as sit at heel, drop on command and recall, you will have a set of commands which you can use to help control your dog in difficult situations. For example, you can use ‘sit/stay’ when waiting to cross the street, when the dog is jumping up on visitors, or when you are answering the front door.

If you go to obedience classes, your dog will be able to socialise with other dogs and people in a controlled situation. This can help if your dog is timid or aggressive.

Your dog will also learn to follow commands even in the presence of distractions.

You will learn a lot yourself. You cannot train a dog to follow commands if you are not sure what to do yourself.

Obedience training can be fun and interesting for both you and your dog. Small group classes run by experienced obedience instructors will provide the best opportunity for both socialisation and learning.

For further information consult your vet, dog training professional or City of Kalamunda Rangers

The City of Kalamunda is encouraging residents to provide feedback.

Post to: City of Kalamunda, PO Box 42, Kalamunda WA 6926
 Email: enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au 

For more information contact the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999. We will also keep you informed through website updates, by telephone or face to face conversations if that is your preferred method of communication. Please let us know.