“Is your dog friendly?” I yell to my neighbor as his enormous, unleashed pit bull charges toward my small, leashed dog.
“She’s super friendly!” he replies with a wave and a chuckle. “She loves making new friends!”
While the dog may be friendly, she is also incredibly untrained. Her excitement is palpable as she zooms around us, lunging and playfully jumping. My dog, though not aggressive, is starting to show signs of stress; he enjoys meeting other dogs but feels overwhelmed by her high energy and lack of boundaries.
We attempt to move forward, but the pit bull continues to weave around us, playfully nudging my dog for a sniff. Meanwhile, her owner remains about ten yards away, unloading groceries as if everything is perfectly fine.
“Could you please get your dog?” I ask, trying to remain calm.
“Oh, she won’t hurt you! She just wants to play!” he insists.
At this point, my dog is beginning to show his teeth, clearly uncomfortable. “My dog doesn’t want to play. You need to control your dog,” I reply firmly.
Eventually, we manage to push through as my neighbor chases after his unruly pet. His lack of control would be amusing if it weren’t so inconsiderate and potentially harmful.
Just a block later, I spot another off-leash dog. This time, it’s at least contained within its owner’s yard, but I’m still on edge. I’ve encountered this situation before: sometimes the dog stays put, sometimes it’s well-trained, and sometimes—like twice before—it bolts toward us with aggression. On one occasion, I had to lift my dog up into my arms to protect him, resulting in a lost tooth in the scuffle. The other time, I wasn’t quick enough, and my dog was bitten, luckily not severely.
So, I stand there, arms crossed, glaring at the owner until he gets the hint and calls his dog inside. I thank him as I walk by, but I’m fed up with people who let their dogs roam freely.
This isn’t just a local issue; it’s a widespread problem. Last year, a viral incident involved a white woman calling the police on a Black man who asked her to leash her dog. Additionally, a frustrating TikTok video showcased a similar scenario, where a woman berated a man for filming her unleashed dog charging at him and his leashed pet, ignoring clear warnings that her dog was out of control.
Many dog owners seem oblivious to basic dog-owner etiquette. If you see another person and their dog walking and they create distance, it often means their dog isn’t interested in interacting. Respect that boundary. If an owner states that their dog is “not friendly,” take it seriously. Approaching without permission is not only disrespectful but can also lead to dangerous situations.
I’m not referencing those rare instances when dogs escape or slip collars—though proper training is crucial. My dog was trained early on to stay at the threshold when a door opens, but he once bolted for a squirrel and ended up muddy in a ditch. Accidents happen. However, your neighborhood, bustling with families and other pets, isn’t the place for off-leash dogs.
Moreover, when an unleashed dog approaches a leashed one, it creates an imbalance. The tethered dog may feel trapped, which can lead to anxiety and defensive reactions. My little dog knows he’s small, and he’s been bitten before by other off-leash dogs. What happens if your pet gets too close and my anxious dog reacts? It could end in disaster.
“But my dog is well-trained! I trust him completely!” That’s great for you, but I don’t know that. The child who was bitten or the person walking with a dog that dislikes others doesn’t either. For the sake of your neighbors, it’s essential to show that you have control over your dog—always keep it on a leash.
For more on thoughtful pet ownership and ensuring safety, check out this resource on home insemination and this excellent guide from Kindbody about pregnancy and home insemination.
Searching for more information? Here are some helpful queries related to this subject:
- How to train your dog not to run away
- Best practices for dog socialization
- Tips for responsible dog ownership
- What to do if your dog gets aggressive
- How to introduce dogs safely
In summary, it is crucial for dog owners to understand the importance of keeping their pets leashed in residential areas to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone in the community.
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