By Lila Teunissen
I openly admit, I was among the dog owners that have uttered these words as I allowed my off-leash dogs to run up on other owners and their dogs that were on-leash.
I also humbly admit that when I did that, I did not have a great recall for my off-leash dogs either.
I did this because I was unsympathetic, and disrespectful and didn’t take into consideration the situation the other dog owner may be in. I was on my walk, with my good pups, and was completely oblivious to the feelings or concerns of the other person or dog. That owner had as much right to be walking their dog(s) on-leash and undisturbed by my dogs (if not even more right to do so since they were doing the right thing by keeping their dogs under control and on leash), while I allowed my dogs to run up on them and potentially start a fight or at the very least aggravate and stress the owner and their dog(s).
I have since become a volunteer within the rescue world and a professional dog trainer that helps to rehabilitate nervous and reactive dogs, and I am mortified by my previous callous actions. I humbly apologize to everyone that I allowed my dogs to run up on. I am truly sorry.
Why the change of heart?
Once I began working in rescue, and especially after I became a dog trainer, I realized that there is a multitude of owners that have reactive dogs and many rescues and fosters that are working very, very hard to save as many dogs as possible from euthanasia that have been rescued from horrific situations. These individuals have spent a significant amount of time, and often money, to help rehabilitate these dogs and are trying to give them happy and rewarding lives. When we oblivious people allow our dog(s) off leash in an area where there is likely to be other dogs, we are saying that the feelings and behaviors of the other dogs are not our problem; but they are, because we are creating major problems for those dogs and owners. The owners and fosters of these reactive dogs are working very hard to overcome their dog’s nervousness and overreaction to new people and dogs by working them in (hopefully) controlled on leash environments.
An off leash “friendly” dog can undo months of training and be a crushing experience for the owner of the dog who loses its mind, despite the owner working very hard to do the right thing, while we allow our dogs to run up to everyone unsupervised, often in areas where leashes are required by law.
Additionally, there are many people that are terrified of dogs, or at the very least, don’t like them. It doesn’t matter that your dogs are friendly. Every person has the right to walk unmolested by dogs in any public park or space. If you don’t care about how the reactive dogs feel, have some sympathy for the humans that would prefer to have a nice stroll in the
park without dogs running at them, not knowing if the incoming pile of fur and teeth wants pets or to have a little taste of the stranger in front of them. Just because you love dogs, doesn’t mean everyone else does too.
What to do?
Be respectful. If you are in an area where there are likely to be other dogs and people, please keep your dogs on leash as you pass other people, especially people with dogs. If your dogs don’t have a good recall, they should not be off leash, ever, unless you are at your family’s farm and they won’t run up on someone.
We owe it to dogs that have suffered at human hands to be given a second chance, and owners, rescues, and fosters NEED the safety of on-leash areas to help work with their dogs and rehabilitate them so that they can be adopted and live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Respect other people’s rights (to include their dog’s) to be able to stroll through public spaces without undue stress. Keep your dogs on-leash. I know I do now.
About the Author
Lila Teunissen is the co-owner and lead dog trainer at Bed N Biscuit Ranch and co-owner of Bed N Biscuit 2 in Bismarck, ND. She is retired from the military with over 23 years of service and enjoys volunteering with local animal rescues.
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