30/05/2021
A shout out to all people that walk dogs (be that owners or professional dog walkers).
Please, follow the leash laws.
It doesn’t matter how friendly your dog is. Other dog walkers should feel safe when walking their dogs out and about too.
There are plenty of reasons that people may not want your dog wandering up to them.
And if people ask you to put your dog on leash in a designated on leash area they have every right to.
So many people yell out, “it’s ok he’s friendly”, “don’t worry, he just wants to say hi”... all that this indicates to me, is that you don’t have a good recall for your dog, and little respect for fellow dog owners.
You may be lucky enough to never have had a reactive dog, a sore dog, a dog that is anxious or scared. But please respect that others do, and keep your dog leashed in those designated on leash areas.
It isn’t hard, and if you don’t want to use dog off leash parks or beaches, use a long line and keep your dog under control and away from other dogs unless the owner has welcomed your dogs approach. Even then, observe the body language of both dogs, and keep any introductions safe and short.
If you see a person and dog actively trying to avoid your dog.... I shouldn’t have to say it... please give them time and space to move way.
