The Fitgers Mall is dog friendly

Directions
http://www.hawkridge.org/about/directions.html

trail map
http://www.hawkridge.org/about/HRmap_color.pdf

The News Tribune has a nice hiking trails guide:
http://sections.duluthnewstribune.com/trails.html

I was operating on the assumption that the territory north of Hinckley was considered "off-leash".

Kidding aside, if you pick up your dog's poopy and leash them when approaching other dogs/humans, then the expanse of Park Point should be a safe Freedom of Canine area. 

Though, there are those "I own Park Point" residents of Park Point who will tighten their sphincter upon seeing a loose dog on "their" beach. My advice upon encountering this species is to:

1. Ignore them entirely despite their froth
2. Laugh heartily at them
3. Placate them by saying, "Gosh! I'm sooo sorry".

Starfire's tactic is probably the most immediately effective.

See, Mary? Even non-dog owners should help us advocate for dog parks (for *good* ones) ... I know that was partially why they built our dog park in Chanhassen ... they wanted to provide an off-leash area people wanted to go to, to reduce conflicts.

In Lincoln Park I generally let my dog off her leash when hiking up the trail along Miller Creek, and sometimes in the wide-open area near the pavillion.  Lots of dog owners come here, and they appreciate letting dogs socialize with one another.

I am really glad you started this thread. I appreciate all sides of this story.

I should say most of Duluth is dog friendly ... not just the places but the people. I lived in MPLS near one of the largest probably nicest dog parks I've ever been to and I had more negative experiences with people and their dogs there than I have had here.
 
I cautiously let my dogs off leash because they have proven time and time again to be friendly and respectable of people and their dogs.  One of my dogs really could care less about other people and dogs.  He's kind of a wall flower.  

There was once this beautiful day and we were walking all through Hartley, probably for more than two hours, and we had accidentally ventured off the hiking trail and onto the bike/ped trail.  I felt so guilty having the boys interrupt what looked like some seriously fun biking.  But each and every biker [had to have been 20 or so] were so kind and understanding even stopping to pet my guys.  It really made me feel good about living here.  Time and time again people in Duluth are 110 times more kind than people in the Twin Cities.

One thing I do is keep the dogs tethered to me until I am familiar with my surrounding [distance to roads and streams and how generally crowded it can be] and until have been to a local park/trail more than twice.  

Park Point is a blessing for dogs and dog lovers ... just don't try to venture down there on a hot Saturday afternoon and expect to keep them off leash.  Early morning on weekends and after work have been great.  'Member to pick up the poo'.  We want to keep Superior clean!

Also, I too used to be deathly afraid of dogs.  The sound of their pitter patter coming up behind me would make my blood run cold.  Obviously I overcame that fear, but let me say how sorry I am for anyone who has ever been afraid around my boys.   

Ohmygosh this comment is way too long, I need to shut up.

PS>  Hawk Ridge has been great this winter so far, just keep an ear out for snowmobiles.

Places to walk and run your dogs aside, Duluth is not pet friendly if you're a renter.  Before I owned my home, I had an awful time trying to find places to live that would allow my two cats, and I was willing to pay extra!  I imagine renting with dogs is even more difficult.  Something to keep in mind.

I love dogs, but I am okay with requiring dogs be kept on leashes and not being allowed into restaurants and businesses.

I say this gently, but dogs are like chilren in that everyone thinks his or her own is an angel. No one thinks his or her dog could possibly do anything wrong, but really even the best behaved dog will still run away, snap at someone, cause some damage, etc. That's just what dogs do. I also prefer not to deal with a dog's smell, hair or presence when I am eating or running errands.

Like a few of the critics have suggested, my dog is great most of the time, but I know she's still a dog and there are times she will chase after a rabbit or bark at people. That's why the dog parks in the Cities worked so great -- everyone there fully expected dogs running loose. Keeping them on a leash all the time isn't an option. They need to run and smell (at their own pace) and greet other dogs. I appreciate all the ideas people have suggested, the tips for keeping dogs safe, and the reminders for being a responsible dog parent. I adore Duluth and am looking forward to exploring it with my dog, and maybe I really will decide that Duluth is more dog-friendly than the Twin Cities.

I feel sorry for dogs having been forced into bizarre breeds and specializations by humans. I wonder what the world would be like if we did that with alligators or emus. "Hey, get you damned slobbering alligator off of my crotch!"

The ironic thing about leashes is that they actually can create problems: when one dog is leashed and another is not, the leashed dog often becomes defensive because its mobility is limited and it feels vulnerable. The unleashed dog, sensing an opportunity to show dominance, can then sometimes get aggressive, and trouble can ensue. Or we owners ourselves create an issue by acting upset and nervous, yelling at one another which our dogs pick up on and respond to: remember, a dog's first instinct is to protect the pack. It happens: they're dogs, not people. Usually if you just let them sniff each other everything is just fine. One of them might growl or gesture toward a nip, but once again that is more about establishing dominance than a prelude to a fight.

Regarding dogs on the Superior Hiking Trail. 

(From the SHTA Website http://www.shta.org/)

The trail has 81 backcountry campsites. There are no fees, reservations, or permits required to hike or backpack on the trail. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be on a leash at all times. For more information about backpacking, click here. 

I am an avid hiker on Lester, SHTA, Hartley, etc.  I am a dog lover.  But often unleashed dogs on these trails run towards me, jump up, sniff, etc. while the owner is lollying along, saying "Buddy, Buddy, COME HERE Buddy or whatever the name and the dog is doing its thing.  When owners have well-behaved and leashed dogs I most always compliment them on their manners.  I once had (RIP) had a huge Chesapeake dog who was gentle as a lamb but could look in the window of anyone's car when they drove up.  Terrified lots of people.  But this was in our yard, not on a public trail that says dogs have to be on a leash.  Those rules are for a reason, thanks to all the dog lovers who abide by them.   And not to mention all that poop at Hartley that I don't appreciate. Ever gotten poop in your snowshoe?  Ack.

We moved from the Plaza Area a while ago...but you used to be able to bring your dog into Mr. Movies as the Plaza.  We have also been told fairly recently to bring our dog into Sivertson's Gallery (and didn't because he's a little crazy and we had our toddler also and that was asking for trouble).  The Duluth Pack store has a water dish inside.  Cold Stone in Canal Park has water outside in the summer.  And we used to bring him on the deck at Little Angies- but haven't tried that for a while.

My hound is very attracted to the HUGE patch of poison ivy next to the radio tower at the 22nd St. beach parking lot. Thank Jeebus, I am immune to poison ivy.

RE: The SHTA on-leash "law" - The human-made rule that dogs cannot run free on the earth is absurd. Lizards and squirrels have just as much right to make "land-use" laws as humans. And I am neither a hippie nor a vegan!

If yu don't mind paying, there is a wonderful members only dog park at Harbor City Kennels on Jean Duluth Road. Here is the link:
http://s413.endeavorpreview.biz/dogpark.htm
Enjoy!

Prof. Cricket- don't you realize that other dogs don't care what you think? Dog owners obviously know what's best for other people (and other dogs)who use public spaces. Remember, the world revolves around them.

I have a GIANT fluffy white dog. She doesn't bark (ever, unless she's asleep), she doesn't bite (ever), and she's generally into avoiding people she doesn't know. She's ridiculously friendly and happy, and she's pretty well-behaved.

I would never in a million years even dream about letting her off of her leash in public. I care about my dog too much to risk her safety like that. You never know when another dog will come along that may be aggressive... or a person for that matter.

Leash laws are there for a reason. I absolutely LOVE dogs, but growing up, we had one that was a bit on the aggressive side. She was great with our family, but not so much with other people or dogs. When walking her, we always kept her leashed, and nothing drove us more INSANE than when somebody else's dog would approach her on park point (or wherever) and the other person would say some inane thing like, "OH DON'T WORRY LOL MY DOG IS FRIENDLY LOL."

I always wanted to punch them in the face. YOUR dog may be your perfect angel, but MINE isn't. MY dog will ATTACK your illegally-unleashed dog, and then YOUR dumb ass will have MY dog put down, and all because YOU werent' following the law and keeping your dog leashed. Yes, our dog wasn't a people-dog, but we loved her, and she was great for our family, and we did what we could to protect her.

She finally died of old age, thankfully, but these fears were always very prevalent. I dont' want to make her out to have been a monster, but she just had bouts of unpredictability (it stemmed from having been almost strangled as a puppy when she got tangled up in something when we weren't home).

Long story short - keep your dog leashed unless you're POSITIVE nobody else around minds. Share the parks.

Nick - glad there is someone from the Park and Rec commission reading this! Given that Duluth doesn't have funds to create *new* parks, what about choosing some of the *existing* parks and trails to be "legally" off-leash areas? That way dog owners know where they are legally allowed to let their dogs off-leash (and these should be large areas with hiking trails, not a tiny yard like Keene Creek), and people who are afraid of dogs or would rather not deal with them know that they should avoid those areas. At least that way you separate the potential for conflict, without spending much money (other than perhaps signage)?

FROM the DNT Jul. 22, 2008 -  Beginning next spring, you can take your dog out on three city trails and let them run free. That is, as long as you have a special license that will cost about $30 a year per dog. 

On Monday, the Duluth City Council approved an ordinance allowing unleashed dogs to use certain trails. The trail sites chosen are at Twin Ponds, Amity Creek and Birchwood Park. The trails aren't currently used for hiking, skiing or snowmobiling. In all, about 10 miles of trails will be designated for unleashed dogs.

http://www.duluthmn.gov/clerk/council/resord08/08-0341r.htm

The dog park stipulations haven't been met.  Only the Rice Lake Road area has to be fenced. 

It would not be hard for a group to set up trails in one or more of the areas.  I can't speak for the P&R Commission but it's extremely likely we'd help a group get this done. Our biggest role would be guiding you through the City process and helping make sure the trails are built properly.

I am a journalist for UMD who is planning on writing a article about the lack of dog parks in Duluth. Everyone who commented seems to have some strong opinions. 

I would really appreciate it if any of you would be willing to talk to me, it would really help out with my article. If you are willing to speak with me, please contact me by my email: [email protected]

I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Yes, there is a leash law, no matter where you are, except in a dog park.

Here is Duluth Municipal Code:

 (a) No dogs, cats or other domestic pets, or cattle, horses, mules, swine, sheep, goats or fowl shall be turned into or allowed to run at large upon any park.  Dogs, cats and other domestic pets shall be considered to be at large if they are not under control of the owner or other responsible person by means of a leash  of suitable strength not exceeding six feet in length;     

(b) The director of parks and recreation may designate any park or area in a park as prohibited to pets or other animals.  Any area so designated shall be clearly marked by signs indicating such prohibition. No person owning, controlling or caring for any animal shall allow such animal to enter any park area where such animal is prohibited. (Ord. No. 3, 8-26-1892, § 6; Ord. No. 8545, 11-10-1980, § 2.)     

Dogs are not allowed to sleep or nap in barbershops or beauty salons in Duluth, Minnesota. It illegal to let a any animal sleep in a bakery.

http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/loonylaws.htm

I'm a 40+year resident of Park Point, have always had a dog friend, and have been a constant steward of the lake and the narrow sand spit I call home.  I wish people wouldn't generalize about us ("snobs" etc) but then it's seems to be human nature to categorize a whole group based on a conflict with one person.  I know that when my dog and I walk the beach I pick up anything he leaves behind!  I do this because I care about Lake Superior's water quality, I'm concerned about children and adults that play on the beach, I hate walking through dog poop and, I clean up after my dog in whatever neighborhood we stroll.  If I have my dog off-leash I always return him to the leash when others come toward me.  Some people love to be approached by dogs, others don't.  Some dogs love to be approached by other dogs, some don't.  It seems logical to me that if one is a responsible dog owner he or she would also be a responsible human being.

My dog's been sleeping in the bakery for years, after they kicked us out of the barber shop.