Dog-Friendly Events In Rockville, Maryland And Surrounding Areas
There are several very well maintained dog parks in and around the Rockville area, but there are other events to take in as well. For dog owners, finding dog-friendly things to do over the year is a perfect way to build in socialization for the dog as well as keeping him or her interested and engaged in a range of new activities. 
To get started, here are some of the top dog-friendly activities that your dog is sure to enjoy.
Alexandria’s Footsteps of the Past
Just a bit over an hour from Rockville is Alexandria, which offers a rich history of the founding of the United States. The Footsteps of the Past are a series of dog-friendly walking tours that take you through some fantastic historic neighborhoods and share a bit of the history of the country and famous people such as Robert E. Lee and George Washington.
People can bring their dog on these tours, which makes it a wonderful day out for the entire family. Dogs have to be well-behaved and on a leash, but they are welcome to participate at no cost.
This is a winding path that stretches over 14 miles through Montgomery County. The surfaces are asphalt with multi-use, which means that dogs must be on a leash as there are cyclists, inline skaters, and walkers. This path is relatively flat, but there are areas that are a bit more difficult to navigate.
This is a trail that weaves through the woods, so it is cool even in the summer months. It offers some fairly steep hills and grades in some areas of the trail, so look ahead and choose the location you want to walk based on your fitness level.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
Addie’s restaurant in Rockville is a pet-friendly location on the patio area. As with all restaurants and pubs that offer pet owners the option to bring their dogs, the dogs must be well-behaved and socialized. Thai Farm is another dog-friendly restaurant in the city.
If you are interested in trying out a local nanobrewery in the area, 7 Locks Brewery and Saints Row Brewery are also pet-friendly, inviting people to stop in for a tasting and bring their pets.
Summer Camps
Different organizations hold summer camps for kids and dogs, which is a great way to build in supervised training activities for the children in the family. These may be free to attend through specific dog breed or rescue associations, or they may be offered with an admission charge.
As with all types of activities, be sure to research the organization, the training methods used, and the feedback from past participants to make sure it is a good match for your child and your dog.
Summer is also a great time to start training for the DogFest in Baltimore. This is a fundraiser by the Baltimore Humane Society that is a one-mile trail walk in September, held at the Humane Societies wildlife sanctuary. The day is rounded out with demonstrations, games, and contest for dogs and their owners.