27/11/2025
I wanted to make a post after an interaction I had today with my pack and two ladies walking the dogs in the forest today. I never do this but it really bothered me. On the walk my dogs were pulled over to the side of the track being very respectful and giving plenty of space for them to pass. Just like any other user of the forest, I expect the same courtesy regardless of whether I am walking my packs or my own personal dogs.
One owner had their dog on leash and was absolutely fine, the other owner had their dog off leash. I could immediately tell the dog off leash was overly interested in my group and started veering away from the owner staring at us but would then cut back to the owner and did this a few times as they got closer but not breaking eye contact with us, so as a precaution from previous experience,I asked the owner to give us space so that she knew I didn’t want her dog coming up to us.
She immediately got defensive saying her dog was nowhere near us, and then as they had just walked passed us while she was saying those words her dog went to turn around back to my group, she had to call it away. Even though the dog never got to the group, that behaviour can be intimidating for other dogs.
I’m not just saying this just as a dog walker, I’m actually saying this as a reactive dog owner who has to work very hard with their own dog’s training. If you have to keep telling your dog to leave it while walking past, or if your dog even acts like this dog, even if they don’t necessarily come straight up to another dog’s space, put your dog on a leash while you are walking by other people who are actively trying to advocate for their dog.
✨ Also if someone is asking you to give them space, please don’t get defensive, just do it ✨
Before you ask, my dogs handled the situation perfectly and didn’t react at all! 😇