Hiking with dog off-leash?
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Anonymous
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Hi All -
I apologize right out of the gate if this is well-covered territory here. I'm not a pet-forum frequenter. I started this thread on the "Sports and Fitness" forum but realize this is a better forum for it. I woke this morning thinking it would be great if I could take my two very-active children and very-active but well-trained dog on a hike. I asked if there was a place I could go to possibly take the leash off the dog. I want to preface this by saying I know this is a huge imposition for others if they aren't EXPECTING a dog on the trail to be off-leash. Cyclists, hikers without dogs, or hikers with dogs on leash. I know this puts many that are either fearful of dogs, or dealing with dogs that have a difficult temperament or history in a tough position and I don't want to do that. That stated, I was hoping there was at least a park or two where my dog could roam freely -- see the response to my original post here: Pretty much every park I've ever been to has signs that you can't have your dog off leash. If park rangers catch you, they ma"y fine you. Even the best trained dogs have attacked other animals in the park--both wild and other dogs. If you want your dog off leash, go to a dog park. And then my follow-up: OP here. I definitely understand this sentiment and know that I put other dog owners at a disadvantage if my dog is off leash. It's not fair of me. But, I'm wondering if there isn't a single non-dog-park or trail in the entire DC/MD/VA area where other hikers and dog owners can go and know there will be unleashed dogs? I managed to find a place today (off the beaten part and had to drive almost an hour) where I unleashed her and she romped in glory with my kids. It was truly so much fun! Rolling in mud and running into the stream - and staying with her family and listening to every command we gave. She deserved it! When another dog appeared an hour in she immediately "came" and allowed me to leash her. But I do think this is something we should be able to enjoy while not putting others in a position of surprise. Dog owners or not. There's nothing like that around? I was still met with "keep your dog on a leash"- which I concur with if that's the rule of the park. But, I have to say, she is happier this afternoon than I've seen her in months, and LOVED that unleashed hike. I think it's honestly a mental-health need for her. Am I crazy to ask that there be a state park or two that allows, and advertises to other people, that dogs may be off-leash? Cyclists and other hikers should know this is a park where dogs may be off-leash and steer awat accordingly if they are uncomfortable with it? A fenced -in dog park just doesn't scratch this itch. Am I nuts to think people should allow dogs a park or two in the entire state where this is allowed, and know as much so that is is not ab issue when you run into each other on the trail? Thans for your thoughts - and again, newbie here - I've got my armor on but take it easy? |
Anonymous
| I don't know of any place like this but would love it also. Will be following. |
Anonymous
| I suspect that while you did not see a leash your dog sign, it does not mean that you are allowed to have your dog off the leash. I know of no public park, trail, etc. that permits dogs to be off leash. |
Anonymous
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There are places around where you can hike in with your dog on leash and then take the leash off for a swim in a creek/lake as long as there is no one else around. Just be prepared to call back and leash as soon as you hear/see someone coming.
You definitely can not do this with all dogs. I am always astounded to see how many people will allow dogs with terrible recall to run unleashed because they are "friendly". Not everyone wants to meet your dog... |
Anonymous
I'm not sure what the official leash policy is. I think you have to just assume a leash law though in this area. |
Anonymous
1. Are these places advertised, or is there a list of them some place? 2. Is there a general attitude that there should be a park, larger than most dog-parks, hopefully 100 acres or so, where this is allowed? Is the liability too great or the political will too low for this kind of a place to exist? |
Anonymous
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There is a leash law in the area parks such as Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. Plenty of people let their dogs off leash especially near the water.
But if the rangers catch you and are in a mood to ticket, it is $50 per violation. |
Anonymous
As someone who is wary about dogs (and have been attacked by off leash dogs), I would LOVE for a place like that to exist. I would hope it would draw the off-leashers or retractable loving owners to bring their animals there, and leave the rest of us be free to enjoy our outdoor time without being harassed by dogs or bad dog owners. I would support, even financially, such an establishment. But in reality, I don't think it would work out. Excellent dog owners also know the crappy ones ruin it for everyone. They'll bring their untrained, unsocialized, often aggressive dogs to dog establishments because they can. I don't think the execution will work out as well as the idea and ideal. |
Anonymous
| Sorry OP, looks like you aren't getting helpful feedback by the friendly pet forum folks. I'm sure they do exist, but not by the uptight DCUM crowd. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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The only place in all of northern virginia that I am aware it is legal is the Virginia Arboretum, waaaaaay out 66. It is an amazing facility. 100's of acres of off leash fields and trails and farm land. Beware that there are cars and horses around, but we've always been able to avoid them.
http://blandy.virginia.edu/arboretum Takes me around 75 minutes from my house in Burke, but it is well worth the drive to give my dog a couple hours of off leash frolick-ing! Closer in, Turkey Run in McLean is the "unofficial" off leash hiking spot. It's narrow, one side of the trail is the potomac, the other is a super high cliff, so the dogs really can't go anywhere. It is NOT legal to allow your dog off leash here, I just know that when I go there I will encounter numerous off leash dogs along the way. |
Anonymous
No they aren't advertised. I've just become aware of them over the years as I enjoy trail hiking and taking my kids to lake areas... |
Anonymous
| 2. I'm not seeing a 100 acre park with a policy like that in this area anytime soon. I wonder if only responsible owners with well trained dogs would use a park like that. I'm guessing - no. |
Anonymous
My dog (leashed) and I were walking in a park and my poor dog was attached by a dog off leash. There are posters up at Lake Frank and Needwood about deer killed and/or mauled by dogs that were off leash. We're not uptight. Just have common sense. |
Anonymous
4 OP here - exact things I want to avoid! I think better-prepared hikers/cyclists and wild animals staying clear of a well-known dog area would be valuable. And, as well-behaved as my dog is, I wouldn't put anything out of the realm of possibility (full-disclosure, I've been attacked by a dog as well!) To that end, I actually feel like this unleashed romp probably brought me days of a better-behaved and a less-dangerous animal to everyone else because she was allowed that freedom for an afternoon and the mental health associated with it. I'm encouraged that it sounds like there is a spot in VA (thanks pp) and that even non dog-owners might be supportive of this idea. Where to start possibly getting this approval at just a couple of other parks? Lobby the state park people? I'm still thinking they may not care because of the liability"? |
Anonymous
| Buy some land or don't have a dog. Lord. |