Where can I let my dogs run off leash? In NW DC, not a dog park

[Anonymous]

I've heard that some fenced-in facilities may theoretically let you run your dogs off-leash during times when people aren't around (like at midnight or on a Sunday). You have to get creative. I used to take my 110-lb fierce-looking dog (but in reality very, very gentle and loving dog) to an isolated park 20 minutes from my house and let him run off-leash. As time went on that park became busier, and I could no longer use the location. I also utilized a religious retreat with hundreds of acres to run my dog once a week or so. He loved to chase deer there (never ever even came close to them, although hope sprang eternal in his heart). After many years of happy runs, new employee was uneasy with my giant fierce looking boy surprising and scaring someone, and asked me to stop running my dog there. But I sought out these locations, and asked permission to utilize them, and always let them know when I was running my dog there. Most of the employees were easy going and understanding, and didn't mind at all. It doesn't hurt to ask, and you might be surprised with a "yes."

[Anonymous]

I would suggest a training/shock collar to control and call your dogs back if you need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:not in NW, but Congressional Cemetery. I think there's a wait list though.

A wait list for what? Do you need to be a member to get your dog in? I had no idea and just walked in with my dog last Friday, so clearly it's not enforced very strictly if you really do need a membership.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Please don't let your dogs on school property.

[Anonymous]

Holy Rood Cemetery on Wisconsin. its not legal, but you'd never get caught in the back corners of the cemetery.
cant be seen from the road

[Anonymous]

eh, just use the dogparks at offpeak hours until your dogs get used to it. they'll settle in if they're just shy. you'll also find that there is a regular crew at specific hours - so it is the same dogs every morning at 6am; so your dogs will actually get to know specific dogs.

there is, at least for now until building starts, a small, fenced-in drainage area in Bruce Monroe Park that folks have been using as a dog run for years now. it's tiny and so minimally used except by immediate neighbors; there's almost never more than 1 dog in there. there was an effort a year or so ago by the city to prevent its use as a dog run when it became clear the City was going to give the property away cheap to the Mayor's buddies, but they gave up pretty quickly and have just settled for warning us that the area will be developed soon.

we have let our dog offleash at Greenbelt State Park but I'm pretty sure it's not legal and we stopped doing it after having some trouble getting her to come when called.

I'm also a fan of using doggie daycares once a week or so to get an active dog some exercise. depending on where you are in petworth, little rascals and district dogs are both decent.

[Anonymous]

OP, again. Thanks for the additional suggestions! We actually drove back out to Glen Carlyn last weekend and our more recent rescue who we weren't 100% confident on her recall stuck to us like glue and did fabulously hiking off leash. So feeling more confident that we can just try some easy, less crowded parks and hiking trails (NOT Rock Creek). Will also check out the other locations suggested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we have let our dog offleash at Greenbelt State Park but I'm pretty sure it's not legal and we stopped doing it after having some trouble getting her to come when called.

It is not legal. Additionally there is a US Park Police substation on the grounds and they periodically patrol the area and will ticket you if you have an unleashed dog. The area is frequented by runners/joggers and families that may or may not be good around pets. With some children that either frighten easily or are overly aggressive, there are many times and considerations that make it an inappropriate place to run a dog.

[Anonymous]

Give up your hip lifestyle and move to the burbs with your dogs. You can't have you cake and eat it too. And fearful dogs can turn aggressive quick, so why endanger others and your dogs with these reckless bandaids.

[Anonymous]

Guy Mason's dog park and adjacent, fenced ball field might work, if you went off-hours. In Bethesda, not too far from Chevy Chase, there is Norwood Park, where I see a lot of dogs run off-leash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the additional suggestions, all. They are not aggressive and do fine at the dog park, just don't like to socialize and cling to their humans. Somewhere with other dogs is fine, just not the rowdy dynamic of the dog park.

Wouldn't do Rock Creek Park, especially with two dogs, because I wouldn't feel certain about handling a worst case scenario (like encountering an aggressive dog).

Would love any other suggestions about hole in the wall spots. We used to take them to an elementary school and I would help the maintenance guys pick up trash while the dogs romped (DCPS employees knew the dogs' names, so I think it was okay) but they've locked all of the DCPS school gates.

No, it's not.

+1 they lock the gates now because of people like you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the additional suggestions, all. They are not aggressive and do fine at the dog park, just don't like to socialize and cling to their humans. Somewhere with other dogs is fine, just not the rowdy dynamic of the dog park.

Wouldn't do Rock Creek Park, especially with two dogs, because I wouldn't feel certain about handling a worst case scenario (like encountering an aggressive dog).

Would love any other suggestions about hole in the wall spots. We used to take them to an elementary school and I would help the maintenance guys pick up trash while the dogs romped (DCPS employees knew the dogs' names, so I think it was okay) but they've locked all of the DCPS school gates.

No, it's not.

+1 they lock the gates now because of people like you

No, they locked the gates because of neighbors calling the police on loitering teens and vandalism issues. Nice try though.