11/02/2026
Let's talk etiquette when walking your dog.
Now, first off, I have a lot of...not contradictory, but maybe conflicting opinions?
I raw feed, but also feed kibble, because that's what works for my dogs. I'm of the opinion that fed is best and that you should feed what works for your dog.
I'm not against the use of any tools, but I believe in using them at age/growth appropriate stages. I use prong collars, but not before a puppy is 6 months of age. I have okay'd a client to try a prong on a puppy as young as 4 months in 2016, and that is the only time I can recall. I don't like no-pull/freedom harnesses, or head-halters, on dogs under 10 months because of joint and growth plate closures.
Again, I'm of the opinion of doing what works best for your dog, as long as it isn't causing them undue stress, pain, or discomfort.
That being said, onto the reason for my post!
As I was driving to a friend's place this morning, I happened to drive past another local trainer walking with a clients dog. Cool, great, no issues. But as I was driving past, I watched the trainer let the dog walk several feet, nearly halfway, up onto someone's private property. And that annoyed me more than I can explain.
One of the first things I teach my training or walking clients, even my own dogs, is the command "off the lawn." All it means is, move back into the sidewalk and continue on your way. I never let a dog in walking go more than 1 foot into someone else's property.
Not only is it rude, but you don't know if that lawn has been treated with something that could burn or injured your dog's paws, if it's been fertilized recently, and again, it's just plain rude. What if your dog sh*ts 1/2 way up someone's lawn? Now, YOU have to traipse up onto private property and pick up your dog's #2! And what if your dog is sick, now your potentially spreading your dog's illness into someone else's lawn.
Not only that, but as an owner of a reactive dog myself, nothing sets my girl off faster than a strange dog coming up onto our property. It stresses her out so much! And when I'm walking my own clients and pass by a house where the dog is reacting, I always feel terrible! And that's just if I'm on the sidewalk in front of their home! Imagine if I allowed my dog to walk closer to their home. (I'm not saying this trainer does this, that's not the point of this post.)
As professionals, we should be setting the standards for pet care and handling. If we're letting our dogs, or our clients' dogs, do whatever they want, how can we expect people to take us seriously when we try and raise those standards or raise concerns about the current state of pet care in our community?
I'm not saying not to let dogs sniff and explore, dogs need enrichment and to explore their environments, but we can give our dogs, and our clients dogs, good experiences while still respecting the property of others.
So, when you're out walking your dog, please keep in mind where you're walking and what your dog is doing.
Happy Training!
