EGREMONT — Emily Eyre watched in awe and relief as Leo, her miniature schnauzer, ran around and played with other small dogs at French Dog Park on Saturday — it was a safe environment, free of big dogs, for her 17-pound pup.

The dog park on Baldwin Hill Road is taken over three times a week for an hour by dogs like Leo — those that weigh under 25 pounds, the American Kennel Club’s classification of a small dog. The new Small Dog Play initiative was started by Eyre so small dogs can play in a controlled environment without being afraid of big dogs or accidentally hurt by them.

“I love seeing Leo's personality come out with the other dogs,” Eyre said. “I’m not worried about him here. I know he’s gonna get a good run and socialize with his buddies, and it’s good for him. It’s great for the dogs and I don’t have to worry about him getting hurt by mistake.”

The French Park Dog Park in Egremont now hosts small-dog only hours three times a week, where only dogs under 25 pounds can enter.

Owners of small dogs typically hesitate to bring their little dogs to a dog park while big dogs are around, Eyre said, because no matter how well-behaved the animals are, there's too much of a risk of the bigger dogs accidentally harming them.

But Leo loves playing with other dogs, she said. She approached the dog park committee about dedicating some time in the area typically reserved for aggressive dogs to be for small dogs and the committee agreed to try it.

“Some of the dogs are shy and intimidated by big dogs, so this way they don’t have to have that fear,” Eyre said.

John Costa of Sheffield has a dog who is one of those scared ones. As he watched his shy, small dog play with other dogs, he reflected on how these hour-long play times have helped his dog be more comfortable with others.

“This is really good for him," Costa said.

When a dog that weighed exactly 25 pounds came to the gate, Eyre checked with the other attendees to make sure everyone was comfortable letting it in.

Eyre and her wife have only had big dogs before they got Leo this summer. Leo was the safer choice for their lifestyle as they were worried a big dog could drag them down the street if it decided to chase something.

But Eyre quickly realized that bringing Leo to the dog park wouldn’t be the same as bringing a big dog. Leo loved playing with big dogs, but his heart made him overly courageous.

The new Small Dog Play initiative at Egremont's dog park was started by Emily Eyre so small dogs can play without being afraid of big dogs or accidentally hurt by them.

“The big dogs, no matter how friendly and sweet they are, if they come down on a small dog with their paw, they can break their spine or neck, so a lot of people won’t bring their small dogs to the park with the large dogs,” Eyre said.

Jason Brown of Sheffield is one of those hesitant owners who, if he pulled up to the dog park and saw a big dog, would turn around and leave.

“I like for him to socialize, but I can’t take the risk,” Brown said. “He loves other dogs, he really does, so this is what we needed.”

Karen Byers, of Canaan, Conn., sends her two small dogs to a doggie daycare twice a week, but by the weekend, they are in need of a space to run around and play with other dogs.

“I like the fact that the dogs socialize,” Byers said. “It’s good for them to meet other dogs and run around.”

What: Small Dog Play, open to any dogs under 25 pounds as long as the basic park rules are followed

When: 11 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

Where: French Dog Park, Baldwin Hill Road in Egremont