My partner and I have a reactive rescue dog, and we have found that taking her to dog parks at off times - early AM or later at night there usually aren’t dogs there depending on the park. We also use the sniff spot app - it allows you to rent someone’s backyard for an hour. You do have to pay for it, but it’s pretty cheap and one way to make sure there aren’t other dogs around

Southwest area dog park in south Baltimore is usually pretty empty and has two fenced areas so you can just tell anyone that comes up that your dog needs space. Also overlook dog park in linthicum heights is better attended but has three separate fenced areas so you should be able to get some space there. Also if you don't mind paying for it, sniffspot lets you rent people's yards to play in.

Is that in Brooklyn? I’ve also been looking for a nice spot to let a foster dog off leash.

I also recommend Sniffspot!

60lb dog with behavior problems and no yard. sounds like you can probably drop it right back off at barcs.

There’s a fenced soccer field between Baltimore and Lombard and broadway and Caroline. We took our dog we got at BARCS a week ago. She had fun running.

Close to Brooklyn, it's south of cherry Hill right near the Baltimore Highlands light rail stop.

Sniff Spot for sure! It’s been a lifesaver. People rent out their yards, basically.

But I also don’t have a fenced in yard. I got a long line that I either wrap around a tree or a stake that goes in the ground. That way she can still run, but I know she won’t go anywhere.

I personally haven’t had any luck finding empty dog parks, but I live in northeast so the closest ones are in the county and you have to register your dog and pay annually for those.

Thanks, you’re the real mvp

I would second Sniff Spot! We use one in Linthicum called "Urban Oasis"which has been wonderful! Totally private, large fence, and it's turf and has agility equipment available. Good luck with your pup!

Another vote for Sniffspot. In the city there is a fenced area on Liberty between Baltimore and Fayette that is rarely used. There is a small fenced area in McHenry Row behind the baseball fields that isn’t busy. You can very often find Canton Dog Park empty.

There’s a former church in Medfield with a huge yard. Not an official doggie playground, but lots of neighbors use it as one.

If you are looking for a place to walk around that is peaceful, West Covington Park is usually dead during the day and there is a lot of space to walk around and some great smells.

Molly Burke, a YouTuber, has a service dog that she cannot take to dog parks. The school she got the dog from recommends the following:

-get a long lead (I don’t remember the exact length - maybe 30-50ft?) -tie it to a tree in an empty area with room to run -let them play and run within this space you’ve created

As far as where to do this in Baltimore, I’m not sure! Maybe Druid Hill park? It may take some scoping to see where people are on/off leash with their dogs

[removed]

[removed]

SniffSpot has been a lifesaver. You don’t really want to take this dog to a public space where you have no control over the environment or the dog, it could be disastrous. Also, whether or not the area is “public” there are still leash laws, so even if a space looks “clear”, your dog should be on a six foot lead, not a longline, a six foot lead

Sniffspot. Love it thanks.

Yeah. My dog fits this. Don’t trust public spaces yet at all.

Boom. Thank you

Interesting idea. I’m just a little worried about being ambushed by a dog walker whose “dog wants a friend.” Maybe someday.

Saw this from a mile away. /smh

I also have a dog reactive sweetheart from BARCS. Have gone through training which was VERY helpful. Here are a few places I’ve used to play and/or practice training outside without too much concern for other dogs: Druid Hill Park tennis courts (fenced in, not much use during the week and off hours), dog park at the NE corner of the Royal Farms Arena, fenced in park at Park Ave and W Lexington, Greenmount Cemetery, Clifton Park tennis courts.

Most areas are ok if you use off hours, early AM, mid-week mid-day, and later PM.

You could also consider a longer lightweight lead. I used a 15’ one to help train off lease stuff without worry of actually being off lease. Helped with Recall training, for example.

okay hope your plan to let your mentally ill dog off leash goes as well as it seems like it will

There’s a little “dog park” area next to the Rotunda parking garage, the many times I’ve been there, only once was there another dog. Narrow but plenty of place space, good for fetch

There are two divisions as well, it's generally pretty empty but if you need to separate your dog off between the minimal crowd and understanding people it works out, have been there and seen people move their dog over if it's not working out

Canton dog park can be empty, especially the small dog area. Bark Social small dog area is also often deserted, but you should speak with them about that.

I’ve said that too, but then I got jumped on by residents of the Rotunda. They said it’s only for the apartment residents.

I'd be careful with doing this, maybe see what your trainer thinks. I've never met a dog whose behavior improved from being tied up.

Have you found a good daycare for reactive dogs? We have a no-touch kennel for if/when we go out of town but haven't found a place for when we are in a pinch and our scaredy-cat dog would benefit from a daycare situation when we are gone for work for the day.

If you don’t mind, what’s a no touch kennel? My dog got bullied at daycare lol

Ours is typically only leash reactive and sometimes reactive when there’s a chain link fence/fence she can see out of. We take her to doggy daycare and she does well with other dogs when she’s off leash. Sometimes she gets overstimulated so the daycare staff know her signals and know to pull her out and give her some alone time. It’s a kennel free doggy daycare so they are never in cages, even overnight for boarding. We usually just have to coordinate with staff for drop off and pick up since she’s on leash for that part. Our daycare likely wouldn’t work for a dog who is reactive off leash

mentally ill dog? lmfao get out of here.

That’s lame, just ignore them

a large dog from barcs with behavioral issues (guess why) with an owner looking for places to let it run off leash. "don't be mean to this little fur baby!" it should have been put down.

It depends on how reactive they are, but mines also a scaredy cat and I found a daycare willing to work with us! They’re so patient with getting her acclimated slowly. Came up with a plan and everything. PM me

Can I PM you for your daycare recommendation for our trainer? We eventually found one, but the first one we tried was awful. Way too many dogs to not enough people and my pup was miserable.

Sure!

off leash..... in a secure area where no one else is that is safe for dogs.

like people have literally given her the information of renting someone's fenced in yard. this is not "off leash."

why are you so angry at an animal that isn't aggressive towards other dogs? you're showing far more behavioral and aggression issues than this dog probably does.

That would be great. I’ve heard good things about bark social.

Glad to hear training was so helpful. Druid Hill courts sounds very interesting. She is great with people and I would have time to ask a dog walker not to enter. Who but me and you want to bring our dogs there anyway?

Easy walking distance. Was excited. Thanks for the heads up.

I’ve never been there. Road trip!

Can confirm

Sure! It's Hickory Kennels in Forest Hill. A bit of a hike but they take care of our pup.

reviewed the DSM-V, no section for dogs detected, just saying…

Exactly. It’s fenced in with only a couple entrances and you can see in every direction pretty far. Tennis courts were a godsend for a while.

The training was helpful to get myself and my dog to a comfortable place moving forward. I did end up working with multiple trainers until I found the right fit. It was pretty difficult to digest the whole process for a bit, I’m happy to talk more directly if you have questions or are curious.

Point taken. Thank you.

Thank you so much. My girl only has leash issues (like pull my arm out of socket level) and sensitivity to other dogs. Besides that she is a gem. We have a guy who trained our other dog who lives in the burbs with my ex. Did a great job. We tend to pick large dogs that have been at the shelter for a while, so we have been here before. Thanks for your offer of more info. Appreciate the support!

This is why it is so rewarding to have a dog like mine. I’d guess there a quite a few who feel this way. You aren’t the first to tell me my dog should be killed and won’t be the last. This is my second large breed shelter dog with behavioral problems. The other one has earned the AKC canine good citizen certification, loves the beach, and lives a happy life. He started with me as a 60+ lb pit mix who was deemed “not suitable to be with any other animal” when we got him. Now he plays on a butt sniffing team at the dog park.

Many pitbull owners who think they are a worthier class of dog owners are just a place pitbulls get food until they try to kill something. Like the pibble that ate two children in memphis last fall.

[deleted]

No true Scotsman!

Incorrectly identifying logical fallacies on reddit while trying to find places to let your mentally challenged pit bull run off leash. If you referenced cards with humanity right now you would ascend to loser heaven.

OP’s dog is 60 pounds. Not exactly small. :)

You have gotten really good advice here but I just want to say thank you for being both a good citizen and a good-hearted and caring dog lover.

The point was to find a place for the dog to be alone, size is irrelevant if there's nobody else there

Thank you. Means a lot. Just trying to make it with good people like you !

Sorry but no. As a small dog guardian I would not feel OK with a large, admittedly dog-reactive dog in the small dog area. Then it’s incumbent on the small dog owner to confront someone about being somewhere they shouldn’t be. There is a small dog section for a reason. Sure OP might be reasonable and leash up immediately but this does not need to become a trend or something that is suggested as a valid alternative. It’s not. Small dog areas are for small dogs. It’s the one place some of them can feel and BE safe.

OP is clearly looking for a way to make an effort to take their dog somewhere. The small dog park is also for older dogs, so it's not uncommon to see other sizes there. It doesnt make it other people's responsibility, it's still OP that needs to say to be vigilant and say to someone walking in, "give me a minute I'm going to leash and take my dog out" in addition to trying to be there during quiet hours.

And they were given plenty of options. SniffSpot is the best choice at this moment. Big dogs don’t belong in the small dog section. Ever. There are plenty of places for them to go. The small dog area is for small dogs. End of story.

tennis courts after hours, thinking of Patterson park

Make sure to let the older big dog owners know that before they walk in, like the ones I saw today. I was just trying to help someone who needed a temporary solution.

Yeah. I don’t want to be there when someone like you walks up. My dog has never bitten, but she sounds really scary. I don’t want to have to try to explain myself when I have no justification for being there. All while my dog channels her inner cujo voice. Not good PR for the large dog crowd.

This is exactly why our park walks have become quite limited. Our boys are very social and we've never had a problem, however they are quite big and dont like surprises. We have had a couple of close encounters with (illegally) off leash dogs and it's just not worth the risk. Latrobe, Riverside, Patterson....they are all full of people who's dogs have "excellent recall"

I've used that little park and (at the time) there was no sign saying it was only for residents. Unless there is signage telling me otherwise, Im using it.

0500 16 February. Recon mission. Scanning the perimeter for signs. Will report.

This harness has been a game changer for us. My boys have used several different harnesses, martingales, prongs, gentle leaders - this is the only thing that stopped them in their tracks. Our walks got SO much better when we started using it.