09/09/2026
“MY DOG’S FRIENDLY.”
It doesn’t mean your dog is under control.
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month, so over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some simple reminders about what responsible dog ownership actually looks like.
And this one feels like an important place to start.
Yesterday, I watched a client’s dog be approached repeatedly by an off-lead dog.
My client’s dog was on lead.
He was wearing a GIVE ME SPACE sash.
We moved away.
The other dog followed.
We moved away again.
It followed again.
Three times, this dog got into my client’s dog’s face, barking and snapping.
And despite all of that, my client’s dog disengaged rather than retaliating.
Eventually, the owner managed to get hold of her dog.
This is why “he’s friendly” isn’t enough.
Your dog might be friendly.
Your dog might want to say hello.
Your dog might have the best intentions.
But you don’t know what the dog approaching them is comfortable with.
And it’s not the dog on lead’s responsibility to be okay with every dog getting into their space.
Nervous, fearful and reactive dogs need to be walked too.
They deserve to be able to enjoy a walk without having to defend their personal space from dogs who are allowed to run up to them.
This isn’t about keeping dogs apart. It’s about respecting each other’s space.
And if your dog doesn’t have a reliable recall, letting them run up to other dogs isn’t keeping them under control.
It’s putting the responsibility for the interaction onto the other dog, and their owner.
Give other dogs space.
Not every dog wants to say hello. 🐾
I’ll be sharing more Responsible Dog Ownership reminders throughout September.
Know someone who needs this reminder? Share this post with them.
