Guest author Aurora James of DogEtiquette shares recommendation on how you and your dog can share some fun in Denver and also how to be ready to take your dog out in social settings.
Denver, Colorado is filled with opportunities to be active outdoors with your canine companion. Many of its parks, restaurants, and bar-packed corridors are immensely walkable, and many establishments are dog-friendly. Here’s a quick guide for being healthy in dog-friendly Denver.
A trip to the dog park
Few things are more fun for dog and dog owner alike than a trip to the dog park, and Denver is filled with great options. One of the best is the dog park inside Cherry Creek State Park, which offers an impressive 107-acre dog space which is completely fenced-in and off-leash friendly. The park itself is beautiful and offers miles of trails, so it’s a great place for a long leashed walks and runs, too.
A scenic place to take a long walk or run a few miles
For a dog-friendly environment packed with plenty of recreational activities, few places beat Denver’s version of Central Park, City Park. Not only will you find ample spaces to walk your dog, but City Park is also home to the Denver Zoo and various lakes and playgrounds.
A place to grab a bite
Kaos Pizzeria is a pizza place that’s housed inside a 100-year-old cottage with a beautiful patio – one that’s extremely dog-friendly. Enjoy a slice or two of “garden-to-plate” pizza with your puppy after a hard day of exercise.
A place to grab a brew
You’ve earned a beer! Denver is home to dozens and dozens of great breweries – many of which have dog-friendly taprooms. Ratio Beerworks is one of the best. Featuring a wide variety of beers – from a French saison to a chocolate rye scotch ale – Ratio welcomes mutts on its patio and inside its taproom.
Don’t head off to the brewery without a firm grasp on dog etiquette, however. Here are some tips;
- Once you’ve found your destination, familiarize yourself with the establishment’s specific rules.
- Bring portable food and water bowls, along with plenty of waste bags.
- Keep your pup on a leash at all times.
- Make sure you understand your dog’s own body language and reactions to other dogs, and never approach another dog without the owner’s permission.
- Regularly brush up on obedience skills and commands.
- Recognize signs of anxiety and take immediate steps to comfort your dog as needed.
- Always clean up after your pet. Period.
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Looking for more trails that welcome dogs? Browse our list of Denver running trails, and let us know if you have any recommendations.
If you are new to Denver, you might not know that a lot of our local races are, in fact, dog-friendly. Check the event listing in advance, but we think you’ll be able to bring the dog to a race or two!
Photo by Jonathan Daniels on Unsplash