Living in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia where one in ten people own a dog, we are fortunate to share our community with many of our four legged. For the most part, dog owners are considerate of others when they are out with their dogs, but on occasion we are reminded that not everyone is aware of or follows good etiquette when walking their dog.

If you own or care for dogs, be sure to follow these etiquette guidelines when taking your dog to public places:

Respect on leash areas of parks and streets
In BC, we are fortunate to have many off leash dog parks and areas. These areas are specifically set aside to allow dogs to run and interact with other dogs unhindered by a leash. When you are not in an off-leash area, keep your dog on a leash. Many people are uncomfortable around dogs or even allergic to them. Some simply don’t want dogs putting muddy paws on their clothes or are concerned that they will be bitten. Even if you think your dog is well trained and friendly, keep him on a leash unless the area specifically allows dogs off leash and especially when someone looks nervous about the dog, if they have a leashed dog, or if they have small children with them.

When Using a Leash, Keep your dog on the same side of the walkway as you are
If your dog is on a leash, particularly a retractable leash, make sure your dog does not cross to the other side of the sidewalk or path from where you are walking. Runners or bikers on that path may come along quickly and not see the leash stretching across their path. If they trip over the leash, they and your dog could be seriously injured.

Give way to bikers, runners, and horses that share the path
If you are walking in an area where people ride bikes, run, or ride horses, do not allow your dog to chase or get in the way of these people. If your dog is off leash, call them back and hold onto them until the area is clear. If you dog is on a leash, bring them in close to you and make sure the leash doesn’t cross the path. Depending on their speed and distance from the ground, bikers, runners, and riders may not be able to see and navigate around your dog in time.

Always clean up after your dog
Whether you are in a residential area or off on a trail, do not leave dog excrement laying about. It is extremely inconsiderate to leave it on a sidewalk or grassy area where children play, but even on a trail where you might rationalize that it would decompose on its own, it is inappropriate to leave it. With the large numbers of dogs sharing the trails and parks, the amount of dog excrement that would be left would not decompose in a timely manner and the trail would be less enjoyable for others.