Off Leash Training

If you are a dog owner, the Neighborhood Services Division of the Rockville City Police Department reminds you that your dog must be leashed or restrained whenever it goes off your property, unless you and your dog have passed the City’s Off-Leash with Permission program.

The Rockville City Code requires that all dogs and owners successfully complete this test before the dog may be walked without a leash in the City of Rockville. Dogs and owners must be re-certified each year; there is no charge for recertification. Any dog who participates in the Off-Leash with Permission Test must have a current Rockville city dog license.

Testing

The two-part test will be administered to any currently licensed dog and any member(s) of the dog owner’s family who is designated by the owner to be the handler. In the first half of the test, the dog must demonstrate that it will obey several basic commands such as sit, down, and stay. In the second half of the test, it must be demonstrated to the judges that the dog, with its handler, can walk in a designated area off-leash without negatively reacting to several distractions. Although both tests are taken off-leash, handlers must bring their dogs into the testing area on a leash.

Sessions

The testing will be offered at 10:00 a.m. at 355 Martins Lane (outdoor pool parking lot) on the following dates:

• Saturday, February 18, 2023
• Saturday, May 20, 2023
• Saturday, August 19, 2023
• Saturday, November 18, 2023

Pre-registration is required by calling 240-314-8937. The cost is $5.00 per dog, regardless of the number of handlers. The dog will receive a certificate and a collar tag. The collar tag must be worn at all times as proof of certification.

Companion Dogs

If you present the Neighborhood Services Division with a copy of an AKC Companion Dog (CD) or Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) certificate that has been earned by your dog, your dog will receive a certificate and collar tag for $5, and is not required to take the Off-Leash test.