Dog Park Etiquette

Please the Dog Park Rules, which details the Fairfax County Park Authority’s requirements for using the dog park. For further clarification on any rule please do not hesitate to contact Herndon Dogs, Inc. at (703) 578-0522 (mailbox 7). Beyond the rules, there are some common courtesies and procedures which can help make the dog park enjoyable for all users.

Please "Scoop the Poop." We all want a safe, clean park for our canine companions. Please monitor and pick up after your dog. Covered trash containers are placed throughout the dog park. Empty bags should be available, if you’ve forgotten to bring your own. (Please help keep the bag supply plentiful by donating any plastic bags you may have from purchases, etc. Always remember - Reduce, Re-use, & Recycle!)

Please do not overload trash containers. If you find that one of the containers is nearly full, please use a different one that is less full. Fairfax County can only pick up the trash one time each week. We are hoping that will be sufficient without having to incur an ongoing cost for private trash removal as well as to recruit volunteers to remove the trash from inside the dog park to a dumpster where the trash removal company would pick it up.

Proper Leashing/Unleashing. Your dog must be on leash unless he/she is within the confines of the dog park. The double gated “boxes” within the fenced area are where you are to unleash/leash your dog(s). (Unleash as you enter into the main or small dog areas; leash to leave the double gated area into the surrounding park.) If you were to bring a leashed dog into the midst of “free” dogs inside the off-leash area, your dog will be at a “disadvantage”. This could result in insecurity or anxiety in your dog. (If your dog does not want to go to the gate with you when you are ready to leave, try one of the following suggestions: verbal coaxing, slipping your finger under the collar of a large dog or picking up a small dog.)

Monitor Your Dog. You should be aware of where your dog is at all times in order to clean up after him/her or to intervene in any altercations or situations that may develop. Any dog with a dominant personality should be closely monitored for any behavior that targets less-dominant dogs.

How Dogs Play. Dogs play in many different ways in a dog park. Some dogs may like to play “chase” (or maybe be the “chase-e”); others tend to enjoy “rough and tumble” play with fellow canines. Still others are more interested in balls or Frisbees thrown by humans. Be aware that each canine has its own levels of dominance or submissiveness, which affects the way he/she will play with other dogs. (If your dog is a persistent “humper,” you should discourage the behavior. More often than not, the dog being humped eventually becomes angry.)

Respect Others’ “Comfort Levels.” If your dog is playing “vigorously” with another dog and that dog or his/her owner seems uncomfortable with it, please attempt to re-focus your dog elsewhere. Even when playing, large/heavy dogs can intimidate younger/smaller dogs. If necessary, ask if the other person is comfortable with the dogs playing “that way.” Some people who have more dominant dogs may want their dog to bow to another’s dominance. Other people may be more uncomfortable with dogs establishing hierarchy in a dog park, and may resent this type of display.

Do Bring Water into the Dog Park. At a minimum, bring water for you own dog(s). If you are comfortable with other dogs drinking out of a bowl with your dog, please consider bringing in a sufficient quantity to share with others who may be new to the dog park or may have forgotten to bring water.

Do Not Bring Treats into the Dog Park Other than for Training Your Own Dog. If you do any training in the dog park, please be discrete about rewarding your dog with a treat. Do not pass out treats to other dogs or bring in treats for that specific purpose. Many dog owners do not want their dogs to have treats (for personal or medical reasons). In addition, contention over the treats could lead to fighting.

Injuries. If your dog causes an injury to another person or dog where the skin is broken, please exchange information with the other person. Forms will be available in the kiosk to help with the process. No matter what the role of your dog or another dog in an injury, please do not dismiss the incident. Upon further reflection, either you or the other party may realize that you need proof of vaccinations and do not have sufficient information to follow up. It can be very hard to locate people after the fact.

When to Remove Your Dog. Obviously, if your dog shows signs of aggression (i.e., unprovoked snarling and/or growling and/or other potential “attack” displays), you must immediately remove him/her from the dog park. In addition, if your dog is intimidating and/or annoying other dogs - and you cannot effectively deter him/her - then you should also remove your dog as a courtesy to others. Doing so will save you the frustration of having your dog viewed as “aggressive” when the behavior is actually a reaction to a specific situation/dog. Fights may break out when dogs become over-stimulated or over-tired. Learn to recognize the signs that your dog has had enough play time. Please use your best judgment and determine when it is time to remove your dog from the park.

Dogs and the Weather. The dog park can be a very stimulating environment for many dogs. Please take extra precautions during warm weather - especially if your dog is a bracycephalic breed (Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, etc.) Bring plenty of water and take advantage of some quiet time in the shade.

Children in Dog Parks. Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits children under age 8 in off-leash dog areas. Young children can be easily run over and/or accidentally hurt by romping dogs. A parent/guardian can not effectively monitor both a dog and a young child at the same time. There are benches available outside the dog park for under-age children. Older children should be told not to incite dogs to chase them or provoke other undesirable behaviors, which may cause safety concerns.

Read the Dog Park Rules