Sometimes, the weather just isn’t right to bring your pup outside. It could be rain, sleet, snow, ice, or unbearable heat. But just because the weather isn’t cooperating doesn’t mean you can’t take them to an indoor dog park.
With that in mind, we’ve highlighted three outstanding dog parks you and your pup can visit if you live near Washington, DC!
The 3 Indoor Dog Parks Near Washington, DC
1. Barkhaus
The Barkhaus is just outside of Washington, DC, and it’s more of a bar atmosphere than the other options on our list. This is why the hours are more evening based on the weekdays. But you still need to register your dog before showing up.
There’s a daily, monthly, or yearly package, but if you go with a monthly or yearly package, you get additional perks and discounts, like 10% off your drinks!
2. Bark Social Bethesda
Bethesda is just outside Washington, DC on the Maryland side of the area. Bark Social has a ton of perks, and you can purchase either a monthly or yearly package. Register your dog before you go, and keep in mind that you can’t go without someone over 21 with you.
This means if you are on the younger side, Bark Social might not be the right place for you. Keep your dog off the leash at Bark Social and ensure they’re up to date on all their vaccines before bringing them.
3. Bark Social Baltimore
Baltimore isn’t Washington, DC, but it’s the next closest city. And if you have a subscription to the Bark Social in Bethesda, you also get access to the Baltimore location. All the same rules you have at the Bethesda location are also in place in Baltimore, including the two-dog limit.
Register your pup before bringing them, and don’t leave them on a leash when they’re at any Bark Social location.
Things to Do Before Taking Your Dog to an Indoor Dog Park
If you’re thinking about taking your dog to an indoor dog park, there are a few things you should do before taking them. Below, we’ve highlighted four things to take care of before you make your way to these parks.
Register/Bring Vaccine Records
Many indoor dog parks require you to register your dog before you take them to the park, and to help alleviate any concerns at the door, we highly recommend following those rules. It’s one less thing for you to worry about, and you can know for sure you won’t have any issues getting in.
But even after registering, we highly recommend bringing their up-to-date shot records with them so you don’t encounter any last-minute problems.
Train Your Pooch
Many indoor dog parks don’t allow you to put your pup on a leash, and that means you need to have them master basic commands before you bring them. This means they should know their name, have basic recall skills, and master a few other basic training things.
Image Credit: Filmbildfabrik, Shutterstock
Socialize Your Dog
Your pup isn’t going to be the only one at the indoor dog park, and you don’t want to have any surprises when you bring them. Ensuring your dog gets plenty of time with other dogs before you bring them to the indoor dog park means there’s one less thing for you to worry about once you get there!
Bring the Right Stuff
When going to an indoor dog park, bring leashes, dog bags, and anything else your pup might need. You never know what will come up, so bring everything your pooch might require.
Conclusion
Indoor dog parks are a phenomenal way for you and your pup to enjoy some time out of the house even if the weather outside isn’t great. Now that you know about three of the best indoor dog parks near Washington DC, all that’s left is for you to start training your pup and then to pick up a day pass and check a few of them out! Once you’ve found your favorite you can pick up a monthly or yearly pass and go as often as you would like.
Featured Image Credit: alberto clemares exposito, Shutterstock
