Dog Walking Etiquette

Come rain or shine, wind or snow, dog owners and their beloved pups are exploring the great outdoors. Whilst the pavements may feel like their personal playgrounds, other humans or shy dogs need to be respected. With our proper dog-walking etiquette tips, you won’t go far wrong…

There is no doubt that a lead is a dog owner's best friend on any dog walk - from a quick walk around the block to long, wholesome Sunday hikes, you can’t be without it. For canine owners, they’re a perfect way to assert good dog etiquette and control.

Whilst there are many dog lovers out there, there are also individuals who could be spooked by a boisterous dog jumping all over them. The same can be said for shy, reserved pooches too! Standing between your pup and fellow walkers can help prevent any problems until opening pleasantries have been made.

Retractable leads are a superb invention, quite frankly (ask anyone whose pooch is a ‘puller’). However, some owners are guilty of giving their dogs too much slack and are then unable to prevent their excited companion from making a beeline for unsuspecting members of the public. Make sure you keep the situation under control!

Social distancing for dogs?! Yep, as much as some friendly dogs want to play with everyone, other more timid pooches may not be as willing. Whether they’re elderly, reactive, anxious or just under the weather, they still need their fresh air without being bombarded with over-exuberant dogs.

Check for signs: in some cases a helpful owner may have dressed their pooch in a yellow dog coat or something similar - a clear indicator that they need their space.

Whether you time your walk perfectly before the tea-time traffic or the lunchtime rush, there will always be the odd cyclist out there. As an overall rule for walking dogs alongside a cyclist or bike lane, keeping your pup on a shorter lead is highly advisable. Whilst long extendable leads can allow them to hop along their way, there is a possibility of it being tangled in the bike - particularly if your furry friend becomes over-excited and attempts to dart out in front of the cyclist. If your route is very bike-heavy, a fixed lead could be a better option.

Of course, there are a number of rules for walking dogs along public grounds, but that doesn’t mean they should be confined to their leads for the entire walk. Especially in the park, they need to be free to fetch their outdoor toys!

For well-trained pooches, and if as a dog owner you’re comfortable with them being off their lead, there are still a handful of rules to abide by:

We hear you; it’s difficult to stop your dog from answering the call of nature wherever they darn well please. But you should at least try to keep things civil!

Your neighbours will quickly get tired of your furry friend relieving him or herself on their front lawn twice a day. If there’s a particular spot that your pup has taken a shine towards on their regular walking route, aim to guide them past it before they have an opportunity to do their business. As an aside, if there’s a spot in your garden where you’d rather they didn’t urinate, a splash of vinegar can do the trick (we’d advise against pouring vinegar across your neighbour’s lawn!)

Walking your dog is good exercise, but it can become a chore, especially if they’re demanding a stroll in the dead of night in minus temperatures.

You should be as mindful of your own behaviour as an owner and dog walker as you are your dog’s. It’s common to see owners glued to their phones as their best friend hurtles towards somebody or something that doesn’t want to be hurtled towards! Paying close attention to your surroundings can also save you the horrible task of getting fox poop out of their fur when you get home (sometimes, only a trip to the groomers will do!)

From small to big pooches, they all just want to have fun on their daily walks! So, whether you’re laying the dog etiquette rules down for an excited, unruly puppy, or refreshing your memory as a dog owner - we’ve got everything you need to keep them entertained AND unintrusive.