Yikes! It’s Dogs’ Day Out today. My
pair of trail dogs and I just completed a three-mile jaunt, and we encountered five other dogs along the way. That
almost never happens around here. And the passing approaches those pet owners
took varied dramatically.
A few of the meet-ups were altogether
uneventful, and we didn't even break pace. A couple were not. What made the difference?
Basic
dog trail etiquette
Let’s consider some of the most
fundamental matters of manners, when it comes to hiking, running, or walking
with dogs on the trail.
Check local regulations. Some trails
allow dogs, either on-leash or off. Others require leashes. Some don’t permit
dogs at all. Many trails have right-of-way rules for dogs, bikes, horses, hikers,
and others.
Train the dog before taking him on the trail.
This sounds like a given, but it’s clearly not. The dog must be leash-trained. He
needs to know and obey basic voice commands, such as “come,” “heel,” “stop,” “sit,”
and “stay.” He must be taught not to chase wildlife – even birds, rabbits, or
squirrels – on the trail. Ideally, any dog on a public trail will be leashed.
Take only as many dogs along as you can safely
manage. Can you control one, two, or three dogs at a time? What if you
encounter another person with multiple dogs or another surprise along the way?
Draw the dog close to you, as others
approach. It’s a lot easier to keep a dog under control (and hold his
attention), if he is within arm’s reach, rather than out on the end of a long
leash. Some pet owners take along treats to lure their dogs out of on-trail
interactions. Other disagree on this, considering treats an unnecessary
temptation to wildlife along the way.
Announce a challenging dog, if you have one.
Is your pup fearful, nervous, or aggressive? Hold on tight, but give the
passers-by a clue, so they can steer clear.
It’s OK to ask a passing pet owner to
collect his own loose or unruly dog. Don’t accept “Oh, he’s friendly,” if
you and your own dog are unfamiliar with the other animal. Each owner needs to
take control of his own pet.
Be aware that a dog may be in training on
the trail. Never assume, when passing a dog, that he is a seasoned trail
dog. Expect the unexpected, and give him and his owner a wide berth, if
possible.
Don’t stop to pet an unfamiliar dog.
Always ask permission. Discourage children from approaching unknown dogs. And,
if you have your own dog in tow, it’s better to avoid stopping.
Keep moving, when you encounter others.
This is especially true in dog-to-dog meetings on the trail. It’s best to avoid
actual contact and march right along, if possible. Besides,
some of us are timing our runs. Lingering can lead to tangles
and other trouble. You may even have to encourage the other person (and dog) to
continue moving as well.
Clean up after your own dog. Sure,
there may be wildlife droppings on or near the trail. So it pays to watch your
step. But domesticated pet presents are a no-no. And please don’t leave plastic
bags filled with pet poo along the trail, either.
The basic idea is to be considerate of
others, keeping dogs and humans safe along the way.
Images:
Runderdog personal photo –
all rights reserved
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