Washington DC needs places for dogs to run off leash

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a little surprised by all the vitriol towards this idea. I live in NYC, a much more densely populated urban area than DC, and the two main parks, Central and Prospect, both have off leash hours in certain areas of the park, 6 am to 9 am, and after 9 pm, I believe (though I never take my dog into the park that late).

For all the people complaining about DC residents letting their dogs run off leash at all hours and locations, I think this would actually alleviate that problem. I only let my dog off leash in the designated times and locations, but if there were no place for him to truly stretch his legs (and a small fenced dog park is not the same), I would probably occasionally take my chances just whenever. Offering dogs a specific time to let their zoomies out cuts down on round the clock loose dogs.

Is there no park large enough in DC to allow an area for dogs to run early in the morning, before it gets busy?

The problem with this is, that those of us who own smaller dogs and also walk during those time - 6am to 9am - now do not feel safe walking the dog. Not to mention leash reactivity when an unleashed dog bounds up. We would like to enjoy the park during those before work hours as well. This is not a solution in a city. Your dog can still get exercise on a leash (but for the love of God not a retractable).
But in NYC its entirely possible to avoid the off leash areas and still enjoy the park. I don't know DC's park system, maybe there truly isn't a park large enough to accommodate everyone--off-leash dogs, on-leash dogs, runners, cyclists, etc., but it works here, in a much more populous city than DC.

I think the density of NYC is a reason why you can argue in favor of designating more areas as off-leash at certain times. If you live in a super dense city with a dog, where you almost certainly live in an apartment on a densely populated street, having an outlet like a Central Park to take your dog off-leash, even if only in a designated area at a designated time, is a godsend.

DC is simply not that dense and there are tons of dog parks in the city. Most of DC looks more like Queens in terms of density. -- it's only a few places where the density even comes close to approximating Manhattan.

And even in denser areas, people sort it out in a way that satisfies 99% of people. I live in Capitol Hill, which is comprised of tightly packed row homes and small apartment buildings, but few real yards. Lots of people bring their dogs to Lincoln Park, which is multi-use. People will let their dogs off leash in a judicious way, especially during that post-work dog walking hour. Everyone is respectful and I've never heard anyone complain about the off leash dogs. Sometimes a dog is a little more excitable or aggressive, and people will politely ask that the owner leash him, and usually they will! It's very respectful.

I think OP needs to try harder. DC is a great place to have a dog, but you have to put some effort into figuring out where to take the dog and how to get the most out of the city. You can't just assume everyone is going to accommodate you. Having a dog is personal lifestyle choice.

Right now it works for me. I walk my dog in many parks,
Almost always off leash. I was only suggesting that we should bring some rationale to the current situation by acknowledging hundreds of dogs are walkingg off leash every day. Why not set up hours like they do in NYC or places like they do in SF where dogs can really run off leash. There is plenty of room here.

OK but then are you prepared to leash your dog outside the designated hours? You understand that if you walk your dog off leashing "many parks" right now, then asking for a more formal off leash system could actually limit your options? I tolerate well behaved off leash dogs in parks right now, but if my local park was designated as off-leash at specific times (which would almost certainly turn it into a straight up dog park for those times), then I wouldn't tolerate off leash dogs during other times. I would complain and tell those owners to bring their dogs back at the designated time.

Be careful what you wish for. I'm a lot more tolerant of off leash dogs than most of my neighbors, too. I think you're overreaching. Be happy with the current system, which you already admit works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've kicked no less than 20 of leash dogs in the last two years. Once in Shennadoah NP I beat one over the head with a large stick as it's owner screamed "It's friendly". Split its head wide open.

IDGAF if you think it's friendly. My kids don't know that and don't have to suffer fear because youre an asshat.

Enjoy paying for the stiches.

Liar, liar pants on fire.

I believe him. I've seen plenty of hikers in SNP kick off leash dogs and yell at their owners. Like, literally every time I've been there. The offender is always some white, 20s college age kid that just reeks of privilege.

You are a sock puppet. In decades of walking dogs, I have never seen anyone kick a dog. If you kick my dog, I will kick you and i promise you don’t want that if you have far to walk.

NP. I kicked a dog once. It was running up at my toddler, barking, and didn't stop when I say, "NO!" I had no compunction about kicking it. I'm not going to wait until it bites my kid. It ought to have been on a leash, or within voice control of its owner (or its owner should have called it off), and it was neither. I grew up with dogs and I wasn't one bit sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a little surprised by all the vitriol towards this idea. I live in NYC, a much more densely populated urban area than DC, and the two main parks, Central and Prospect, both have off leash hours in certain areas of the park, 6 am to 9 am, and after 9 pm, I believe (though I never take my dog into the park that late).

For all the people complaining about DC residents letting their dogs run off leash at all hours and locations, I think this would actually alleviate that problem. I only let my dog off leash in the designated times and locations, but if there were no place for him to truly stretch his legs (and a small fenced dog park is not the same), I would probably occasionally take my chances just whenever. Offering dogs a specific time to let their zoomies out cuts down on round the clock loose dogs.

Is there no park large enough in DC to allow an area for dogs to run early in the morning, before it gets busy?

The problem with this is, that those of us who own smaller dogs and also walk during those time - 6am to 9am - now do not feel safe walking the dog. Not to mention leash reactivity when an unleashed dog bounds up. We would like to enjoy the park during those before work hours as well. This is not a solution in a city. Your dog can still get exercise on a leash (but for the love of God not a retractable).
But in NYC its entirely possible to avoid the off leash areas and still enjoy the park. I don't know DC's park system, maybe there truly isn't a park large enough to accommodate everyone--off-leash dogs, on-leash dogs, runners, cyclists, etc., but it works here, in a much more populous city than DC.

I think the density of NYC is a reason why you can argue in favor of designating more areas as off-leash at certain times. If you live in a super dense city with a dog, where you almost certainly live in an apartment on a densely populated street, having an outlet like a Central Park to take your dog off-leash, even if only in a designated area at a designated time, is a godsend.

DC is simply not that dense and there are tons of dog parks in the city. Most of DC looks more like Queens in terms of density. -- it's only a few places where the density even comes close to approximating Manhattan.

And even in denser areas, people sort it out in a way that satisfies 99% of people. I live in Capitol Hill, which is comprised of tightly packed row homes and small apartment buildings, but few real yards. Lots of people bring their dogs to Lincoln Park, which is multi-use. People will let their dogs off leash in a judicious way, especially during that post-work dog walking hour. Everyone is respectful and I've never heard anyone complain about the off leash dogs. Sometimes a dog is a little more excitable or aggressive, and people will politely ask that the owner leash him, and usually they will! It's very respectful.

I think OP needs to try harder. DC is a great place to have a dog, but you have to put some effort into figuring out where to take the dog and how to get the most out of the city. You can't just assume everyone is going to accommodate you. Having a dog is personal lifestyle choice.

Right now it works for me. I walk my dog in many parks,
Almost always off leash. I was only suggesting that we should bring some rationale to the current situation by acknowledging hundreds of dogs are walkingg off leash every day. Why not set up hours like they do in NYC or places like they do in SF where dogs can really run off leash. There is plenty of room here.

OK but then are you prepared to leash your dog outside the designated hours? You understand that if you walk your dog off leashing "many parks" right now, then asking for a more formal off leash system could actually limit your options? I tolerate well behaved off leash dogs in parks right now, but if my local park was designated as off-leash at specific times (which would almost certainly turn it into a straight up dog park for those times), then I wouldn't tolerate off leash dogs during other times. I would complain and tell those owners to bring their dogs back at the designated time.

Be careful what you wish for. I'm a lot more tolerant of off leash dogs than most of my neighbors, too. I think you're overreaching. Be happy with the current system, which you already admit works for you.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every time my neighbor let his dog outside off lease, I reported him. I only had to do it a couple times and the neighbor stopped doing it.

I guess you don’t live in DC where police have a lot better things to do. A lot liars out today

[Anonymous]

We have a large off-leash dog park about 3 blocks away (known as "The Dog Park" around Kalorama Triangle), but it somehow hasn't magically made dog owners good neighbors on the surrounding city blocks. It's clearly not enough to unleash your animal in the grassy area. You also need to walk through the neighborhood without the leash, and leave your beast's crap everywhere along the way. Sure, some owners use leashes, and some owners do scoop. But simply having the major amenity available in the neighborhood has not inspired enough good behavior among dog owners to alleviate the inconvenience/danger/pervasive filth they cause to the neighborhood as a whole. What do they "deserve," again, and do they deserve it more than I deserve to not have to clean crap off my kids' shoes at least weekly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a large off-leash dog park about 3 blocks away (known as "The Dog Park" around Kalorama Triangle), but it somehow hasn't magically made dog owners good neighbors on the surrounding city blocks. It's clearly not enough to unleash your animal in the grassy area. You also need to walk through the neighborhood without the leash, and leave your beast's crap everywhere along the way. Sure, some owners use leashes, and some owners do scoop. But simply having the major amenity available in the neighborhood has not inspired enough good behavior among dog owners to alleviate the inconvenience/danger/pervasive filth they cause to the neighborhood as a whole. What do they "deserve," again, and do they deserve it more than I deserve to not have to clean crap off my kids' shoes at least weekly?

Welcome to every city in the US and Europe. Move to Asia where there are not so many dogs.

[Anonymous]

I really do not get how people have dogs in crowded areas of the city. That is cat territory

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a large off-leash dog park about 3 blocks away (known as "The Dog Park" around Kalorama Triangle), but it somehow hasn't magically made dog owners good neighbors on the surrounding city blocks. It's clearly not enough to unleash your animal in the grassy area. You also need to walk through the neighborhood without the leash, and leave your beast's crap everywhere along the way. Sure, some owners use leashes, and some owners do scoop. But simply having the major amenity available in the neighborhood has not inspired enough good behavior among dog owners to alleviate the inconvenience/danger/pervasive filth they cause to the neighborhood as a whole. What do they "deserve," again, and do they deserve it more than I deserve to not have to clean crap off my kids' shoes at least weekly?

Welcome to every city in the US and Europe. Move to Asia where there are not so many dogs.

DP. I’m just curious why you are so adamant in your belief that everything should be bad and the lowest common denominator is the best we can expect from others. Seems like a very negative worldview.

I guess we should all just stop trying and die already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a large off-leash dog park about 3 blocks away (known as "The Dog Park" around Kalorama Triangle), but it somehow hasn't magically made dog owners good neighbors on the surrounding city blocks. It's clearly not enough to unleash your animal in the grassy area. You also need to walk through the neighborhood without the leash, and leave your beast's crap everywhere along the way. Sure, some owners use leashes, and some owners do scoop. But simply having the major amenity available in the neighborhood has not inspired enough good behavior among dog owners to alleviate the inconvenience/danger/pervasive filth they cause to the neighborhood as a whole. What do they "deserve," again, and do they deserve it more than I deserve to not have to clean crap off my kids' shoes at least weekly?

Welcome to every city in the US and Europe. Move to Asia where there are not so many dogs.

DP. I’m just curious why you are so adamant in your belief that everything should be bad and the lowest common denominator is the best we can expect from others. Seems like a very negative worldview.

I guess we should all just stop trying and die already?

+1

Also not every part of DC has irresponsible dog owners. I live in Manor Park and walk around my neighborhood and Takoma DC all the time. For the most part dog owners are responsible and pick up their dog’s poop and keep dogs on leash. But I’m not surprised Dupont/ Kalorama has that issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Responsible dog owner here. Please stop letting your dogs off leash in Rock Creek Park, Meridian Hill, and Fort Reno. There are children, runners, and others trying to use the park without being chased or approached. Not everyone loves dogs.

Thank you. I am not a fan of dogs and hate dogs off leash. I appreciate you being a responsible dog owner.

+1
Though I'm OK with off leash dogs that are sufficiently well-trained that they walk beside their owners and leave others alone. But I hate dogs that approach/bark/sniff/jump. Your dog has no more right to touch me and jump on me than a person does.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, modern dog owners can't be trusted letting their dogs off leash. Too many of you morons want to rescue a pitbull and let it run wild because the internet says these dogs used to be used as nannies.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for ruining every piece of grass in Lincoln Park, dog owners. The whole thing is an off-leash park. It was just great to sit on the grass and smell dog sh*t the other day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for ruining every piece of grass in Lincoln Park, dog owners. The whole thing is an off-leash park. It was just great to sit on the grass and smell dog sh*t the other day.

Yeah. Even if dogs and people aren't sharing the space at the same time, dog waste still ruins it during the people times. Maybe scooping is a solution, but scooping is not a universal practice. Plus even if every dog walker scooped, which they don't and won't, it's hard to imagine that our families wouldn't be lounging in some residual amount of urine or feces. We wouldn't picnic in a toilet bowl even once it's been flushed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've kicked no less than 20 of leash dogs in the last two years. Once in Shennadoah NP I beat one over the head with a large stick as it's owner screamed "It's friendly". Split its head wide open.

IDGAF if you think it's friendly. My kids don't know that and don't have to suffer fear because youre an asshat.

Enjoy paying for the stiches.

If someone kicks my dog, regardless if it’s off leash, I am punching you in the face. If you hit my dog with a stick, I will hit you over the head with a stick. You don’t want that. Get a life, loser. Be a better parent too. So you think it’s healthy to have your kids watch you hit an animal, then get beat up, because you were afraid of a freaking poodle off leash? Maybe you and your kids need to get out in the world so you’re not sure a scared POS

[Anonymous]

What is with some of you people?? Why is everyone so concerned about dogs off leash. Assuming you all live in the city, getting “attacked” (or whatever you people think is happening to you), is so low risk. You have a better chance getting hit by a car, attacked by human, or attacked by a demented rat that MOST of the dogs that you see off leash (not all, obviously).

I agree with OP, this makes me want to walk my
Dog off leash more just to annoy you all off. All 15 pounds of her! Watch out, she make lick your leg!