Reply to Washington DC needs places for dogs to run off leash

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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? [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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