July 14th marks a new animal day called “Dogs on a Lead Day”. This campaign raises awareness about the many benefits of walking your dog on a lead. It was created by Zoe Willingham, a behaviourist who wanted to helped other dog owners make the most out of their walks while building a connection and having a stress-free walk.
Reasons to keep your dog on a lead:
Strengthen your bond. You are connected by this thing called a ‘leash’. Your dog must have leash respect, but you also must put in the work to have your dog walk well on the leash. On leash walks can be a time to connect with your furry friend. It is work, but it is worth it.
Safety. There are so many different safety reasons to keep your dog on a leash.
1.) Safety for other dogs/pets. You may trust your dog completely, however even the nicest dog can be triggered by something or someone and you don’t know how they will react.
2.) Safety for your dog. Your dog may have great recall; however, you don’t know what situation may come up that can provoke them to run. Dogs can run straight into traffic, or they can simply get spooked and run away into the unknown.
Respect. What you are doing may seem harmless, however there are people who may fear dogs or other dogs who are reactive and nervous. Respect their feelings and triggers because you would want someone to do the same for you.
