11/01/2025
I was driving at a very low speed, when I noticed two dogs with their owner walking on the sidewalk next to the road. They were off leash. I kept driving, but the dogs started playing in the street right in front of my car. I slammed on my brakes, and the owner yelled at them to get back.
Just because your dog has recall doesn’t mean they can be off leash all the time. Many people say that if your dog has recall, they can be off leash, but that’s not necessarily true. For example, my Boston terrier, Toby, has perfect recall. He comes to me every single time I call his name, but he comes to me slowly. He also likes to sniff, so he can get lost in a scent and walk out into the street. He’s not allowed off leash unless we’re hiking or in a big field.
Please know your dog’s limits and keep them safe. I don’t know what I would have done if I had hit these dogs. Please educate yourself and train your dogs well, or just acclimate them to them. Put a leash on them, put a long line on them, go to a park.
