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Why should your dog have to tolerate ‘impolite’ behaviour from other dogs?
Friends of the Dog
It's all too common to encounter irresponsible dog owners who don’t recognize the potential harm their behavior can cause, both to their own dog and other people out walking their dogs, even in areas where leads are meant to be used. Many people assume that just because their dog is friendly or loves to meet other dogs, everyone else's dog feels the same way, which simply isn't the case.
A dog lunging toward another, whether on a lead or off-lead, can create a tense, stressful, and even dangerous situation for the dogs involved and their owners. Fearful or reactive dogs may have been through weeks or months of training to improve their behavior around other dogs, and one bad interaction can undo so much progress.
If an owner allows their off-lead dog to rush up to others, is especially frustrating when they downplay the situation by claiming their dog is “friendly” or “just wants to say hi.” This lack of awareness is thoughtless because it disregards the safety and comfort of other dogs. Worse, some people fail to acknowledge that basic etiquette (like asking permission before allowing dogs to interact) is crucial to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Dogs have personal space needs, just like people do. Forcing interaction without asking for consent first is not only impolite but can also be unsafe. The problem often lies in a lack of education among some dog owners. They may not understand the importance of controlled introductions or that not all dogs are social or comfortable with strangers—whether human or canine.
If a dog owner wants their dog to interact, they should always ask permission. This respects both dogs’ boundaries, gives owners control over the situation, and allows them to gauge whether the interaction is safe.
It's really about being mindful and considerate of others in shared public spaces. Dog owners need to realize that not every dog wants to socialize, and it's their responsibility to control their own pets in a way that ensures everyone's safety and comfort. Hopefully, more awareness will lead to fewer stressful encounters and more positive experiences for everyone.
A dog lunging toward another, whether on a lead or off-lead, can create a tense, stressful, and even dangerous situation for the dogs involved and their owners. Fearful or reactive dogs may have been through weeks or months of training to improve their behavior around other dogs, and one bad interaction can undo so much progress.
If an owner allows their off-lead dog to rush up to others, is especially frustrating when they downplay the situation by claiming their dog is “friendly” or “just wants to say hi.” This lack of awareness is thoughtless because it disregards the safety and comfort of other dogs. Worse, some people fail to acknowledge that basic etiquette (like asking permission before allowing dogs to interact) is crucial to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Dogs have personal space needs, just like people do. Forcing interaction without asking for consent first is not only impolite but can also be unsafe. The problem often lies in a lack of education among some dog owners. They may not understand the importance of controlled introductions or that not all dogs are social or comfortable with strangers—whether human or canine.
If a dog owner wants their dog to interact, they should always ask permission. This respects both dogs’ boundaries, gives owners control over the situation, and allows them to gauge whether the interaction is safe.
It's really about being mindful and considerate of others in shared public spaces. Dog owners need to realize that not every dog wants to socialize, and it's their responsibility to control their own pets in a way that ensures everyone's safety and comfort. Hopefully, more awareness will lead to fewer stressful encounters and more positive experiences for everyone.
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