Safety Rules

1. You’re in charge

You are responsible for your own safety, the safety of your dog, and your compliance with park, council and local rules at all times. The app is a game; it is not a substitute for paying attention.

2. Parks may not be safe

We don’t operate the parks. Parks may contain hazards including (but not limited to):

• traffic on adjoining roads and car parks;
• uneven ground, holes, drains and slippery surfaces;
• wildlife and snakes;
• other dogs and unfamiliar animals;
• water bodies, rivers, dams and tidal areas;
• extreme heat, cold, wind, lightning, smoke, or other weather exposure;
• broken glass, sharp objects, and litter;
• allergens and plant irritants;
• restricted, fenced, or private areas you must not enter.

Check the park before each quest and use your judgement. If anything looks unsafe, stop.

3. Dog handling

While playing, you must:

• keep your dog under effective control at all times;
• use a lead wherever the park or council requires it (most urban parks do at least part of the time);
• follow all signage, fencing, council by-laws, conservation requirements and on-site rangers;
• keep your dog away from people, wildlife, livestock, and other dogs that are not part of your game;
• stop the quest immediately if your dog is stressed, fatigued, overheated, injured, reactive, or simply not into it that day.

4. Scent markers and park equipment

Don’t interfere with the game world for other players:

• do not move, remove, hide, damage, or tamper with scent markers or QR signs;
• do not place your own markers unless we have authorised you;
• do not reveal marker locations to other players, in person, on social media, or anywhere else.

5. Environment and other park users

• stay on permitted paths and areas where required;
• do not damage vegetation or disturb wildlife;
• pick up after your dog;
• give other park users (joggers, families, kids on bikes) plenty of room.

6. Heat and weather

Dogs overheat fast. In hot or humid conditions:

• avoid playing during the heat of the day; pick early mornings or evenings;
• check the ground with the back of your hand — if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for paws;
• bring water and offer breaks often;
• stop straight away if your dog shows signs of distress — excessive panting, drooling, stumbling, dark gums, or refusal to move.

7. Map and GPS accuracy

Maps, boundary polygons, park centres, and marker positions in the app may be approximate. Do not use the app for navigation in hazardous terrain, near water, or in conditions where a small error could put you or your dog at risk. The blue dot from your phone is your phone’s best guess — it can be off by tens of metres and is often worse near tall buildings or under heavy tree cover.

8. Not professional advice

Anything written in the app — rules, hints, scent descriptions, learn pages, training tips — is general recreational information. It is not veterinary, behavioural, training, medical or safety advice. For anything that matters, ask a qualified professional.

9. Emergencies

In an emergency, contact local emergency services, an emergency veterinarian, or the relevant local authority directly. Do not contact us first — we can’t reach you faster than they can.

10. Reporting safety issues

If you spot a safety problem at a park, in a quest, or with another user, please tell us so we can act on it. Email info@scentsavvydogs.com.