The back yard just isn't cutting it anymore for my dog. He wants to get out more. See new places and sniff strange butts and crotches.

Where are some dog friendly parks, trails, fire hydrants, etc. to go?

If ya' want him to sniff strange butts, you could try Hancock...

C&O Canal -- on a leash of course. Lotsa places to park, unlimited walking.

If he's looking for other dogs, try a field trip to PetSmart.

Also, I know people who take their dogs to the outlets (often puppies, to get them socialized with people and crowds).

You can walk 'em on the perimeter of the city park, too.

But I agree with Snoopy... canal is best spot.

I also believe that dogs are permitted on the Appalachian trail.

... on leash, of course.

Why does everybody keep reminding about the leash? Are there actually people that walk around these public areas without leashing their dogs??

We go to Pet Smart occassionally, but that usually means he sad faces until he gets some new toy or treat out of me. I guess it could be worse. He could throw a fit like a kid in a toy store.

from the 6/10 mailcall:

"I'm just curious why the man at the grocery store allowed the child he was with to push him and cause such a scene. Why didn't he take both boys and leave? I doubt that he could concentrate on what he was buying. I hope that disruptive, rude, young man was punished for his behavior."

Oh yeah. Even some you would think would know better.

Yep and some of them hold political office.

Would that be a person who has posted here as well?

Yes, and it's a huge "pet" peeve of mine.

I feel like Kathleen Turner in Serial Mom... when she's knifing the top of the teenager's convertible... I want to scream "It's the law!"

they don't call you Snoopy for nothing huh.

I thought I remembered a problem with a certain politico taking liberites with the leash law.

I thought it was over the :"No dogs allowed to use city park as their private toilet." rule.
and I thought the same person got that rule changed because it was an inconvenience for them.
did it also invovle the leash law too? or is that ANOTHER politico?
i don't remember