Dogs are beloved by many, but keeping them leashed in public spaces is a necessity for both their safety and the safety of others. Leash laws aren’t just there to protect other people and animals, they’re also meant to protect your pup! In yards or other enclosed areas, dogs can be trusted to obey certain basic rules and stay within boundaries; however, when roaming freely in public places like parks or sidewalks, it is much harder to keep track of their behavior. Allowing your dog off-leash puts them at risk of being approached by unfamiliar people and animals. An unleashed dog may also be more likely to wander away from home or into dangerous situations.
In addition to protecting our canine friends from harm, keeping your pup on-leash prevents them from disturbing other people or animals in the area. Unleashed dogs can be a nuisance to other park-goers, as they may run up to people or leashed dogs without warning. Dogs that are not kept leashed can also disturb wildlife in the area. By keeping your pup on a leash, you can easily control their behavior and ensure that everyone remains safe and comfortable.
It’s important for all dog owners to keep their canine companions restrained when out in public spaces with leash laws for the safety of their pets, other people, and animals around them. With a bit of patience and training, it is possible to teach most dogs good leash manners so that they can enjoy walks with their human friends while still remaining safe!
If you do happen to come across an off-leash pup while out with yours, the best thing to do is remain calm. At first you can step in front of your dog and give a firm NO to the approaching off-leash dog and act as a boundary between the two.
You can also try cueing your own dog to focus on you while you are trying to lead them away from the other pup. We asked our friends for advice and one tip that we thought was very useful is carrying a small umbrella you can open and scare the off leash dog away if needed, it also acts as a boundary between them and your dog. The goal is to keep everyone safe without escalating the situation any further. We know how scary and dangerous these situations can be and wanted our friends to be aware and prepared.
At the end of the day, leashing our canine pals in public places helps create an environment where people, animals and nature coexist peacefully. Following leash laws not only keeps us all out of trouble but also allows us to enjoy spending time outdoors together–whether it’s on a leisurely stroll through the park or an adventurous hike up a mountain trail! Before heading out with your pup, it’s always important to remember that leashes are instrumental in creating safe and respectful public spaces where leash laws are present. After all, safety is the number one priority for any pup (and their parents) when out on an adventure!
And there you have it – a few reasons why dogs should be leashed when out in public places. So grab that leash next time before heading out of the door and enjoy exploring together while staying responsible, courteous and safe! Happy adventuring!
If you have any tips for dealing with off-leash dogs in public that you’ve come across over the years, please share them below. Together, we can create an online space where we can all help each other out when it comes to these furry nuisances! So don’t be shy – let us know your thoughts on how to successfully approach this kind of situation. Thank you!
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I would love to walk my boys on our local beaches. But I can’t because of the irresponsible dog owner’s who don’t leash their dogs. It’s not right.
I’d just like to say that while you know your dog, those of us you happen upon on the trail don’t. Many, even most, dogs are friendly, but I had one (yellow lab) growl at me near the top of a 14er in Colorado, and all the owner could say was, “oh, she/he doesn’t like you.” Well, duh. A few years prior to that incident, I was bit by an Airedale that came off its property onto a public (dirt) road where I was cycling, which was why I was frantically yelling “get your dog on a leash” to the lab owner at 14,000 feet. My husband was attacked by a golden retriever just a few hours before boarding a flight for a heli ski trip that he had been looking forward to for many years. His jeans were partially shredded, and he had a bite, but was traveling with doctors who tended to the wound and made sure he could ski. Whatever pissed those dogs off on those days was completely unknown to us on the receiving end of their aggression.
That said, I’ve hiked many a mile with my friend and her pups over the years, all of whom have spent time off leash once we’re away from the congested areas (I live in the Colorado mountains). We’re careful to make sure the doggos are at our heels (and we’re holding a collar, if need be) when others pass; we declare level of friendliness, etc. But any situation can go sideways, often without warning. In town and other congested areas, being off leash just isn’t an option, there are too many variables. It takes time and training so that your dog will respond to your command(s) and walk/hike like the good boy/girl they are.
Another reason is keep them on a leash is to keep them from eating something they are not supposed to. The rats tend to take chicken bones out of the dumpsters. There have been several occasions the dogs have found the bones in the bushes. Due to having them leashed and close by we got them to drop it before the swallowed it and caused some real damage and expensive vet bills