Post by @championdogtraininguk

Can we PLEASE stop allowing the “it’s okay, they’re friendly!” dogs to go running up to dogs on lead? IT’S SO RUDE. If you’re someone who lets your dog off lead with little to no recall and has the mindset of, “It’s okay though, they’re friendly,” you’re potentially putting your own dog AND somebody else’s dog in a dangerous or difficult situation. You have absolutely no idea about the dog they’re approaching. They could be nervous, reactive, recovering from an injury, in training, or simply not want another dog in their space. In this situation, if I hadn’t advocated for my two clients’ dogs, this could have ended very differently. The dachshund could easily have bitten out of fear after being rushed from behind. Being friendly doesn’t equal having manners. Please advocate for your dogs when they’re rushed by off-lead dogs. Your dog should not have to tolerate another dog invading their space just because that dog “only wants to say hi.” And before anyone comments on my foot — it didn’t touch the other dog, although it was very close. I had a split second to react and my priority was protecting the two dogs in my care because I had no idea what this dog’s intentions were. I’m sure they probably did just want to “say hi”… but my clients dogs most certainly did not. Friendly or not — recall your dog or keep them on a lead! #offleaddog #rudedogs #DogTraining #advocateforyourdog #dogtrainer