Here are a few reasons why we might see a dog on lead or wearing the colour yellow when we are out on a walk.
In training:
You may see puppies or dogs either on a lead or a longline when out on a walk and this could be due to the fact that they are being trained when out on this walk. This could be any kind of training from loose lead walking to recall training.
No recall:
If a puppy or dog has no recall then you should see them on a lead or a longline whilst their recall training is being worked on. By law your puppy or dog can be classed as dangerously out of control if it: injures someone or makes someone worried that the dog or puppy might injure them. If your dog or puppy doesn’t have a reliable recall then management should be put into place by either having them on a lead or longline.
Elderly dogs:
Our elderly dogs may be kept on lead for a number of reasons: they don’t want young dogs running over to play with them, their health may have deteriorated in old age e.g., going blind or deaf or even both, they may have Canine Cognitive Dysfunction or our elderly dogs may just need a peaceful slower paced walk.
Injury/restrictive exercise:
Our dog may have an injury or may be recovering from an injury or surgery which means they need strict on lead restricted exercise whilst they are recovering. Having an off-lead dog running over to or running into or at our on-lead dog can put their recovery process back to square one or result in them needing more veterinary treatment.
Rescue dog (from abroad or the UK):
Our dog may be a new rescue (from a UK rescue or a rescue abroad) and they need to stay on lead to start off with until we as a new owner build a bond & reliable recall with them. This is something that takes time and patience so they may be on a lead or a longline for longer for their safety.
Nervous/reactive dogs:
You may see a nervous or reactive dog on a lead or longline but also wearing the colour yellow (this could be a yellow lead, longline, bandana, lead slip or jacket) to signify that they need space and to not approach them. The dog in yellow may be nervous of or reactive to dogs or people.
Around livestock:
When walking around or near livestock you should see dogs being kept on lead, this is to prevent the dogs from livestock worrying. Livestock worrying is where your dog chases or attacks livestock animals, this is in fact a criminal offence and you can still be prosecuted even if your dog doesn’t physically harm the livestock. Also, farmers can as a last resort shoot your dog if you can’t get them under control and back on lead.
In season:
Some owners will choose to walk their female dog in public areas when they are in season to keep them exercised but they will keep them on a lead to prevent their female running off to find a male and also to prevent them being approached by off lead dogs. If you still want to exercise your female dog who is in season you can normally hire private secure dog fields so they can be exercised but without the risk of bumping into any other dogs.
Entire (unneutered) males:
Some owners may choose to keep their unneutered males on a lead or longline. This could be to prevent them running off if they smell a female in season or they might choose to keep them on lead to prevent other dogs from approaching their unneutered male. Some dogs can take an instant dislike to unneutered males and may charge, growl, lunge or snap at them or even attack them.
why are dogs on lead?
To recap, here’s some of the reasons below why you might see a dog on lead when out on a walk:
- In training
- No recall
- Elderly
- Injury or on restricted exercise
- Rescue dog (from the UK or abroad)
- Nervous or reactive dogs
- Around livestock
- In season
- Entire (unneutered) male
Respect
It’s important that if we see a dog on a lead or longline or wearing the colour yellow that we respect their space. If you see a dog on lead and your dog is off lead, recall them & pop them on a lead until it is safe to let them back off. You can always politely ask the owner of the on-lead dog if your dog is allowed to come over and say hello, but if they say no we need to respect that and give them space.
Paige’s Pawfect Dog Training is proud to be an official partner of My Anxious Dog, an incredible haven of support and mine of useful products for owners of anxious, nervous and reactive dogs.
Not only does My Anxious Dog make space awareness products such as yellow dog leads, harnesses, rain coats and lead covers but they’re also on a massive mission to educate the public on what to do when they see a dog in yellow.
The yellow army is a collective of people who are joining forces to spread the word, raise awareness and make sure that our anxious and reactive dogs get the space they need.
Through awesome awareness-raising campaigns, we will make sure that everybody knows what to do when they spot a dog in yellow!
