Dog exercise areas

Dogs need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Dogs who get regular exercise feel less bored, use up more energy and will bark less.

Check below to find out where you:

  • can exercise your dog off-leash
  • can walk your dog on-lead
  • can’t take your dog.

Off-leash areas

Hamilton has more than 20 off-leash dog exercise areas where you can safely exercise dogs in parks. 

When exercising dogs off-leash you must always maintain control so that your dog is not aggressive towards other dogs or people. You must also clean up after your dog.

Find an off-leash area

On-leash areas

Leashed dogs are welcome in most of the Hamilton Town Belt and on city streets.

Fully fenced dog exercise areas

Hamilton has a fully fenced off-leash dog exercise area at Minogue Park in Forest Lake. This is a controlled environment for dogs to run around safely. The park has lots of native trees, seats, and a doggy water fountain too.

Exclusion areas

There are some areas you can’t take your dog such as the:

  • enclosed Hamilton Gardens
  • Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park
  • Hamilton East and West Cemeteries 
  • lawn surrounding The Verandah Café at Hamilton Lake
  • the playground at Hamilton Lake Domain  
  • areas within 10 metres of playgrounds.

Hamilton dog trainers

We don’t offer dog obedience training but there are a number of dog trainers in Hamilton who do. Each offers a range of certifications and classes for obedience training. Some run one-on-one sessions for specific problems.

Please contact them directly for details.

Dirty dog challenge

Together with Waikato District Council, we hold an annual mud-filled obstacle course event for you and your dog. It’s our way of giving something back to all our wonderful dog owners.

If your dog loves running, climbing, water or mud (and you don't mind getting a bit grubby) you’ll find details of our next Dirty Dog Challenge here soon. Keep checking in or follow us on Facebook to stay in the know.

Related information

Bylaws

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Last updated 30 June 2022