Dog Park Rules

The Fairfax County Park Authority has set the following rules for Off-Leash Dog Areas (dog parks). These rules apply to the Chandon Off-Leash Dog Area. Violating any of these rules can result in you and your dog being asked to leave the park. Repeated offenses can result in your being banned from the park. Please know the rules so that your visit will be enjoyable for you and everyone else at the park.

1. The off-leash dog area is for dogs, their handlers and those accompanying them. No other use is allowed. These areas are designated by the County for canine activities. It is not intended for ball games, picnicking, children’s play, etc.
   
   
2. All dogs must be legally licensed and vaccinated and shall wear a visible dog license. A current rabies vaccination is required when licensing dogs within Fairfax County. An unlicensed dog could be a vector for disease and potentially dangerous to other dogs. If your dog license has been lost, be prepared to show the County documentation that came with the dog tag. Information on Fairfax County dog licenses. Information on Loudoun County licenses.
   
   
3. No dogs under 4 months of age. Dogs under four months of age have not received all their vaccinations and are susceptible to a variety of diseases and/or infections. A dog park is not a safe area for them until their immunities have been built up.
   
   
4. No female dogs in heat. A female dog in any stage of estrus can create chaos and an uncontrollable situation for the average dog.
   
   
5. Dogs must be on leash when entering and exiting the off-leash dog area. It is illegal in Fairfax County to have your dog off leash except inside a designated dog park. In addition to keeping your dog safe from cars and other potential hazards, a leash gives assurance to folks who may be wary of dogs that your dog is under a physical control. The double gated areas within the dog park 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 area.) If you bring your leashed dog into the midst of unleashed dogs inside the off-leash area, your dog will be at a “disadvantage” with the other dogs. This could result in insecurity or anxiety in your dog.
   
   
6. Dogs must be under control of their handler and in view of their handler at all times. You should be aware of where your dog is at all times in order to be prepared to clean up after it or intervene in any altercations or problems that develop. Any dog with a dominant personality should be closely monitored for behavior that targets less-dominant dogs.
   
   
7. No spiked collars. This also includes “pronged,” “choke chains,” and other “training” collars. The off-leash area provides free running/play space for your dog(s). “Training” collars serve their purpose only when a dog is on a leash. Spiked/pronged/chain collars are unsafe for all dogs when playing and, in an emergency, dangerous for a person attempting to obtain control of the dog by its collar. (If you want to bring your dog to the off-leash dog area in a training collar, please replace it with an appropriate (buckle) collar in the double-gated area as you enter. You may switch back to the training collar in the double-gated area as you exit.)
   
   
8. Children age 8 and under are not allowed in the off-leash dog area. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 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. Benches are available outside the dog park for underage children.
   
   
9. Handlers must be 16 years of age or older. As with many other privileges (i.e., driving), age 16 is an accepted age for additional responsibility in the state. Fairfax County has adopted this age for various park privileges/activities.
   
   
10. Handlers must have possession of the dog leash at all times. Possession of a leash not only allows control in emergency situations, but also prevents loss, theft and/or “mistaken identity” problems. (The use of a looped leash to quickly drape around a dog’s front or hind quarters to drag the him out of a dog fight is preferable to trying to use your hands to pull dogs apart.)
    
    
11. Maximum of two dogs per handler. This rule is intended to make it feasible for the handler to effectively monitor and control each dog in the off-leash dog area. It is difficult to have even two dogs in one’s line of sight at all times, and therefore, three or more dogs per handler are not allowed.
    
    
12. Handlers must "scoop the poop." This is a law - punishable by fine in Fairfax County and exists within the dog park as well as outside the dog park. It is also a courtesy to your fellow off-leash dog area users since no one wants to step in “unclaimed” dog waste
    
    
13. Handlers must fill all holes dug by dog(s) under their control. These areas are for the use and pleasure of all dogs and handlers and must be maintained with everyone’s safety in mind. (Serious injuries may occur if someone accidentally steps in a hole.)
    
    
14. No food or drinks in glass containers - training treats are allowed. The presence of food/drinks can bring out possessive/aggressive traits in some dogs and is not allowed for safety reasons. Also, many dogs are on restricted diets due to health problems. You should not give any dog anything without permission from its handler.
    
    
15. Dogs must be removed from the off-leash dog area at the first sign of aggression. Since the definition of “aggressive” behavior is very subjective, we are providing Herndon Dogs’ interpretation. In most people’s minds, "aggression" refers to unprovoked snarling and/or growling and/or possible attack. However, aggression can also be defined as “aggressive play” in some situations where another dog becomes either heavily intimidated by it, or become excessively “annoyed”, such that a fight could evolve due to the relentless or excessively focused behavior by one dog. If the “instigating” dog can not be deterred, it must be removed.
    
    
16. No animals other than dogs shall be permitted in the area. These areas are designated by the County for canine activities.
    
    
17. Handlers are responsible for any injuries caused by the dog(s) under their control. By using the dog park you are accepting the responsibility for the actions of your dog(s) and yourself. A supply of forms will be maintained in the kiosk to help owners exchange information when an injury involving a dog and another dog or a dog and a person occurs.
    
    
18. Users of the facility do so at their own risk. Neither the County nor the FCPA shall be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog in the off-leash area. By using the dog park you are accepting the responsibility for the actions of your dog(s) and yourself.

See Dog Park Etiquette

See How to Help the Park Succeed