22/02/2022
Don't let your off leash dogs run up to dogs in any of the following situations: a dog on lead, a dog with any kind of signage on it's coat or lead (such as "please ignore" or "I'm an anxious pup" If you're not sure what the writing says or means, take the cautious route and assume it is to indicate leaving the dog alone), or a dog with a muzzle. These are all signifiers that dogs may not be ready to play off lead and/or would like to be left alone. It may also be an indicator that the dog's human needs space and doesn't want to engage with another dog or another person. Please respect others (both dogs and humans) needs by giving them space when they have these signals.
I’ve been toying with posting this, but I’m going to.
It is not anyone else’s, or anyone else’s dog’s responsibility to control your dog. It is yours.
Please stop letting your dog run up to on lead dogs, and (this one should be even more common sense) don’t let them run up to young children that they don’t know.
I work with lots of different dogs but a large proportion of the dogs I work with can have a tough time around dogs in some capacity. This sometimes mean that they struggle when dogs rush in to their space (which is really rude and full on anyway). It is NOT the responsibility of these dogs to “tell your dog off” so that they know “not to do it again”. These dogs are strangers to you. You have no idea how many months of coaching these dogs have gone through to get to where they are, and your dog rushing up to them can set them back hugely. You also don’t know if that dog is in pain (your dog barreling over could well hurt them) – sadly I know of several dogs that have had to end walks early, go home and take pain relief for conditions such as arthritis, because of dogs rushing over and knocking in to them.
It's really tough when I take calls from my clients who are upset because of the set back both they and their dog experienced because a dog that is “just friendly” rushed up to a dog that was on a lead, with a “give me space” bright yellow lead cover on. I’ve been in this situation too, after my dog was bitten on two separate occasions by dogs that charged up to him. I’ve had to help him get to where he is now and it is really frustrating when people ignore clear requests for space or basic etiquette.
If your dog does want to say hi to other dogs, or perhaps struggles reading social cues between dogs, then you need to arrange with dogs that are known to you, to go for walks with them so that they can learn to read dog body language and communication amongst their own species. This is not up to, and should never be put on strangers and unknown dogs.
It is also a little bit frustrating how often I have to ask people to call their dogs away from children that they do not know.
Everyone can enjoy peaceful and happy walks, and everyone has a right to enjoy outdoor space with their dogs – in whatever capacity that looks like for their own set up. Let’s be respectful of those around us. If your dog struggles with recall away from things they find exciting (like dogs or people) then work with a trainer who utilises modern, positive methods to help you to improve your dog's recall, and in the mean time, use a lead around things they find distracting.
Poster by Natures Therapies.