19/06/2025
Please if you see someone with an on lead dog, make the decision to make their day a bit better rather than making it worse. A moment of consideration can save someone potentially weeks of work
A few things to remember.
You do not know why they are on lead, it is not your right to take away the choice of no contact from the other parties.
Reactive dog guardian will generally try to get as far away from you as possible if having to pass, help them out by doing the same and not taking that as carte blanche to fill all the available space on the path.
Even if you think your dog won’t run up to the other dog it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t manage the situation with your off lead dog. If they approach staring or just out of lead length a reactive dog will often view that as potential contact so is more likely to react. Instead ask your dog to walk closer to you on the other side from the dog as you pass and play a little attention game.
On linear walks remember that dogs just starting their walks will have different energy to those just finishing, often people approaching the car park will be putting their dogs on lead for safety and so a dog who is bouncing ready to get started will not be a good mix.
Don’t be the person who ruins someone else’s walk, there is nothing more frustrating than having a fantastic training walk then have it ruined 2 minutes from the car. Make the world a nicer place for all dogs and their humans 🌻
