Respect The Lead Campaign
I started the Respect The Lead campaign to spread the word about how to let your dog interact with others happily and safely, and help raise awareness that dogs are often kept on a lead for good reason.
In my work with animals over the years, I regularly see dog owners not understanding the importance of controlling their dog/s while around others. Whilst you may have a dog that is happy to interact with others, it is important to remember that this is not the case for everyone.
You can see an overview of the campaign in the video below, or visit the Respect The Lead website for lots more information on the subject.
How to Respect The Lead
There are a few key points that all dog owner should keep in mind when they are out walking their dog –
- If you are walking your dog off the lead and you see someone with a dog on a lead nearby, please recall your dog and avoid rushing over. Then either put your dog on a lead or re-route to avoid that contact.
- If an owner raises concern and tells you not to let your dog go near, then respect their request. Don’t allow your dog to rush over.
- Remember that even a seemingly friendly dog may lash out if it is approached whilst on a lead.
- If you are walking a dog on a lead and meet another dog on a lead, ask if it is ok for them to acknowledge each other and if it follows ‘the 3-second rule’, they can sniff and introduce themselves but after 3 seconds pull away. Keep the meeting brief.
- If you do not have a reliable recall, then your dog should be kept on a lead.
Taking your dog for a walk should be an enjoyable experience for both owner and dog alike, and by remembering to Respect The Lead, we can ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.
If you have any questions about this or any other pet-related issue, please feel free to get in touch, or you can follow the campaign on a dedicated Facebook page.