Dog walking etiquette thread.

[GrittersWifeAndProud]

That's just it really, thought we should have one.

What are the Do's and Don'ts of dog walking?

Yesbutnobut - nonsense! Some dog owners prefer you to keep walking in the other direction because only then will their dog start to get anxious about leaving their owner and thus at that point decide to respond to the owner's recall. It's not for other dog walkers to second guess your pup's quirks

If your dog is on a retractable lead or without a lead, please don't allow it to run across in front of joggers! I can't count how many times I've nearly been tripped over while out running, by dogs cutting across in front of me while their owners look the other way grrr!

When runners are 'in the zone' having to slow down to allow your lovely pooch to run round their legs in circles kind of breaks the flow.

hmc I've no problem if a dog owner prefers to keep walking - but it would be considerate if they just let me know this is what they're doing. It's when they ignore me when they can see I"m in a spot of bother that I think it's inconsiderate. Dog walking etiquette is really just that, being considerate to others. That's why I now, after reading the doghouse, ensure my pup doesn't approach a dog on a lead, I'm being responsive to that owner's situation. I don't really buy into the 'it's not my problem/my pup' attitude since dog walking in a park is a better experience if we're alert to other walkers and their needs.

Anyway, luckily the vast majority of people stop and chat to me and my puppy, and I'm really enjoying the social side of being a dog owner.

Yesbutnobut - They can't really if they are some distance away from you - I would think that by this thread you now know a dog owner walking away from you is not being rude but also trying to get their dog away - be considerate to them to .

Also when mine was a pup I used to walk away form her she would then look up and realise I wasn't there and come running !

It really is a learning curve having a pup but if you think that people walking away from you is rude and inconsiderate you have far more dog owners to meet to realise what rude and inconsiderate really is

Another after our trip to the beach on Sunday. If my dog runs up to yours, please, after I have recalled mine and he turns and starts running towards me, please do not shout 'COME ON THEN' to your already trained dog that had been sat waiting until I have mine back on the bloody lead! All that happens is mine thinks you are calling him and he will run to you instead!

Sorry Knickers that made me I can see how annoying it was for you but in that situation it wouldn't occur to me not to recall my dogs because they wouldn't recall to someone else, you obviously have a very sweet natured, friendly dog!

I did say, can you hold on while I call him to me please as she was getting in a flap!

Same here Mothership.....I have to say I am very about expecting other dog owners not to recall their dog in case pup gets confused !?! Is this a canine form of pfb?

Never come across this ' dont recall your own dog incase my pup comes running'

Alot of things are said on the doghouse about dogs not going up to dogs on leads , not jumiping etc but have never heard this.

Must say the look sometimes on my labs face when she hears another whistle nearby by is just but I would never say to someone dont blow your whistle as my lab will come running to you - where do you draw the line .

When younger my lab did once jump into the back of someones car when they were just opening it to get their wellies out - sat there all ready to go home !

Just wanted to say that as a first time dog owner with a rescue dog that doesn't like dogs rushing up to her when she's on the lead (barks and growls), reading this thread has made me feel better - as it seems to be a common reaction of dogs. A 'friend' just made me feel awful when my dog barked and growled at an off-lead dog that had rushed up to her back legs (think the dog tried to nip mine's legs) - saying that it was obvious that I had a dog that 'didn't like any other dogs' and then proceeded to issue dire warnings about rescue dogs - as if she was a world dog expert

I actually find mine is a lot better behaved around other dogs if he is OFF the lead. Now I dare not try this experiment but on the odd time mine has been off lead and I have not had any warning he has behaved really well, inquisitive but not aggressive, if they come to him on his lead he goes absolutely crazy!!!!!

Just thought I'd give this a quick bump :)

Bumpity bump!

Puppy classes and puppy training!
Make sure your dog is socialised (aggressive dogs are dangerous dogs. One bite to a human it can be bye bye doggy).
Recall is so important. There are so many dogs with bad recall. Most of the time it doesnt matter so much if you dont mind chasing after your dog, but some times its vital that your dog re-calls. Dog's running towards a road, dogs running towards a nasty aggressive dog. Again, it can be goodbye doggy. Dogs running towards a picnics just upsets other people, not very nice.
Put in the hard work when the dog is young and you and your dog will enjouy walks so much more.