North Shore leash laws by town: Gloucester to Newburyport in one table

Each town on the table writes its own rule, because Massachusetts General Laws chapter 140, section 173 lets a city or town make its own ordinances and bylaws on the control of animals. The state sets a leash rule of its own in one narrow place: section 174B requires a chain or leash in an officially designated highway rest area, with a fine of up to $100. Everywhere else the choice between a leash, voice control and no rule at all is made at town hall, and it changes at the town line.

We checked every row in fall 2026, and three rows are thinner than the rest on purpose. The general bylaws of Ipswich and Beverly sit on a code website that would not open for us, and the Town of Danvers website did not load when we checked it, so those rows carry only what the towns' own pages confirmed. For the rest, ask the town clerk. We would rather leave a cell short than paraphrase a rule we have not read.

A recall that works in the kitchen is not the recall the Manchester bylaw has in mind. The test is a dog that turns and comes the first time, with a gull lifting off the sand or another dog at the far end of the beach. Most dogs need weeks of short, rewarded practice to get there, and the practice belongs somewhere a mistake costs nothing, which is why a long line comes before any walk that relies on your voice.

Our trainers teach recall with positive reinforcement, and every Dogtown program is fear- and force-free. Bright Beginnings, for pups from four months, works on recall among its everyday manners. The one-week Foundation board and train covers place, stay and recall, and the two-week Advanced stay adds distraction proofing and real-world outings. Sessions start from $94, and our North Shore trainer page sets out the full ladder of programs.

Whatever your town allows, bring your dog to 210 Eastern Ave on a leash with a secure collar or harness; for daycare that is all you need to bring. Off-leash time here happens in a playgroup of 7 to 10 dogs matched by size and temperament, on the turf yard and the indoor floors, with a handler watching. Every dog starts with a free evaluation on a weekday between 6:30 and 9:30 AM, by appointment.

We also ask for a current city dog license with the Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella records, and every town on this table licenses its own dogs. The Pup Van collects and returns dogs for $10 each way in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea; from Ipswich, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem or Newburyport, ask us about pick-up. Dogtown Academy days add a session with our trainer to the play, at $89 for a full day or $69 for a half.