19/06/2026
Weâve all seen the dramatic social media posts: âMy dog was attacked on the Promenade-Sea Point, De Waal Park-CapeTownCBD, Table Mountain-CapeTown, The Alphen Trail in Constantia⌠and the other owner just walked away!â While it feels incredibly unfair, the harsh reality of dog etiquette and local bylaws might surprise you.
If you allow your dog (on or off-leash) to invade the personal space of an unfamiliar dog, you are legally and ethically responsible for the fallout. You donât know that animalâs emotional state, history, or triggers.
Not every dog out there is looking to make friends. Many are: Fearful or anxious due to past trauma, In , Injured, old, or protective of their personal space.
When an owner actively tries to steer their dog away from yours, they are communicating a clear boundary. Ignoring that cue and allowing your âfriendlyâ dog to approach anyway isnât social, itâs an ambush.
What a Safe Interaction Looks Like
As shown in this image, healthy, consensual dog greetings are brief and controlled. A polite greeting involves a quick, 5-to-10-second sniff from the front or side, after which both dogs should naturally move along. Body Language: Notice the alert but non-aggressive posture. If either dog tenses up, freezes, or lowers its tail, the interaction should be avoided entirely.
The Golden Rule: Your dog does not need to greet every dog they see. Teach them to focus on you, respect boundaries, and understand that some dogs just want to enjoy their walk in peace.
