Dog Walking in Marin County

Having a dog is a great motivator for going on regular daily walks.

Dogs are wonderful companions and friends, and often provide an entrée for social interaction.

If you are looking for new places to walk your dog, check out the Marin Open Space District's web page to find an open space nearest you or a new one to explore. Be sure to read up on county regulations regarding dog walking.

The three main points of the Marin County ordinance on dog walking in Open Space areas are:

• No more than three off-leash dogs per person.
• Dogs must remain under control (if off-leash they must respond to voice or other command).
• All excrement must be removed from county land.

To sum up, be sure to bring a baggy and a leash!
Click here for information on county open space dog regulations

Rick Polito of the Marin Independent Journal wrote a fun article on Marin's dog parks. He gives locations, terrain types and the socializing styles of 5 of Marin's best parks built for dogs. Check it out here (requires free registration).

The Marin Humane Society provides this list of dog parks in the county.

If you're looking into getting a dog, we suggest adoption from an animal shelter such as the Marin Humane Society or Second Chance Rescue.

If your dog is a poor leash walker, try these training techniques

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide an information-rich article on the health benefits of dog walking.