10/29/2026
THE COMMENTS ARE IN… LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
My original video, “I’m afraid of your dog not on a leash,” went viral. And the comments brought up some important conversations about off-leash dogs, public safety, and canine behavior.
So let me add some context.
Cayne was previously a service dog. During this session, I took safety precautions and used the situation as part of his training. I had confidence in his training, but that doesn’t mean I expect every stranger to automatically trust him.
Here’s what I want people to understand: there’s a difference between trusting your dog and expecting everyone else to trust your dog.
The woman’s discomfort mattered. My job was to manage my dog, respect the situation, and make sure I could maintain control.
When I saw the interaction unfold, my nephew picked up the leash. The woman was okay, and life went on.
No confrontation. No drama. Just a moment that gave us something to talk about.
But let’s be clear: being well-trained doesn't give any dog a free pass to approach strangers, and being friendly doesn't mean everyone wants to interact with them.
As a professional dog trainer and behaviorist, I believe responsible ownership means understanding your dog's behavior, reading the environment, and respecting other people's boundaries.
A trained dog is not an excuse to ignore public safety. It's a responsibility to manage that dog properly.
What do you think? Should every off-leash dog automatically be considered a threat, or should we evaluate the situation based on the dog's behavior, the handler's control, and the environment?
Let's have a respectful discussion in the comments.
Follow Raymond 🐾 Holistic Trainer | Behaviorist est. 2017 for more real-world dog training and behavior education.