Just a plea to everyone out there to leash your dogs in public places.
Your dog might be the sweetest thing in the world, but not everyone feels safe around unleashed dogs. Some of us have dogs that get very anxious or even aggressive when approached unexpectedly, and we just want to enjoy the park without any surprise interactions.
It’s not your backyard; these are shared spaces. Keeping your dog leashed keeps everyone safe, including your dog. Let’s be respectful of each other in these public places!
Also, for anyone dealing with reactive dogs, here’s a resource that might help: https://braintrianing4dogs.com/Dog-Reactivity. Having a reactive dog can feel isolating, but know there are others out there who understand.
Totally agree. My dog isn’t friendly and doesn’t want a huge off-leash dog rushing up to him. It’s happened a few times, and it terrifies both of us. I’ve had to pick him up, risking scratches and even a jumpy dog leaping on me, while the owner yells that their dog is ‘friendly.’ It’s just too much.
Your last line hit me. My dog is a rescue, and he’ll always be a bit reactive. All I can do is love him and try to give him positive experiences. Thank you for sharing this.
@Clay
Your dedication to your dog is clear, and it’s heartwarming to see you working so hard to make him feel safe. It’s so important that other owners understand how stressful it can be when they’re not considerate of everyone’s experience. Keep being that amazing pet parent; your dog is lucky to have you.
I had a pet rabbit that I used to walk on a leash, and it was a fun experience until ‘friendly’ dogs got too close. Not every dog is trained for every situation out there.
Dezi said:
Looks like OP is promoting their business here. They’ve been sharing this post all over.
Even if they’re promoting something, the message is still valid. Too many people think it’s fine to have their dog off-leash and don’t understand why that might be a problem.
A neighbor’s dog bit me a few days ago, and after I talked to the owner about using a leash, the next day they still let it roam without one. I love my own dogs, but they’re always on a leash when we’re outside, for their safety and everyone else’s. What’s so hard to understand?
@Morgan
You should report that bite. It’s serious, and next time it might be a little kid who gets hurt. Sometimes it takes a fine for people to realize they need to keep their dog under control.
Chen said: @Morgan
You should report that bite. It’s serious, and next time it might be a little kid who gets hurt. Sometimes it takes a fine for people to realize they need to keep their dog under control.
It’s tricky. The owner is a responsible mom, but her boyfriend is the one ignoring leash rules. The dog’s vaccinated, and she was really upset when I told her. She might have set things straight with him, so I’m holding off reporting for now. But I’m watching closely.
It’s not just other dogs who have issues. Plenty of people don’t want an unfamiliar dog with no owner nearby running up to them, especially with kids around.
