Don’t worry, he’s friendly!
Owners can’t read the minds of their off-leash dogs
BY JENIPHER LAUGHTON
Early this year, a dog ran up and jumped on me while I was on a walk, just as its owner called out, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!”
Several weeks ago, a colleague was heading to a meeting when a dog blocked her path and refused to let her pass. When she asked the owner to recall the dog, the person responded with hostility. And last year, a close friend was bitten while trying to protect her dog from another one that had gotten out of its house.
The common thread between these events is that all three dogs were off leash in areas where they were required to be on leash. Two-thirds of the dogs had poor recall and wouldn’t return to their owners on command.
The City of Edmonton states that dogs “are not allowed to be loose unless they are on your property or in a designated off-leash area.” Violations to the bylaw come with a $100 price tag.
There will always be instances in our city where individuals accidentally or willfully ignore bylaws. When it comes to unleashed dogs, the consequences can range from mild annoyance to a hospital visit. In order to lessen the frequency and severity of such events, it’s necessary to have both knowledge of city bylaws and appropriate training for one’s dog.
Local dog trainer Marty Springstead also teaches mushing and skijoring in the river valley. One of the key things, he advises, is to know your dog and its habits and quirks.
“If you’re looking to get a dog, you need to be honest with yourself,” says Springstead. “What is your activity level? Does your chosen dog match you and your lifestyle?” He points out that, just like people, dogs possess a myriad of personalities: some are energetic, others are calm; some are super friendly, and others just want to be left in peace.
Springstead recommends that training starts with a younger dog, and smaller in the case of larger breeds. “As with children, training that starts with younger dogs will provide better learning results,” he explains. “If one type of training doesn’t work, then try another technique. Dogs, like people, also have different learning styles.”
If the cost of training is prohibitive, there are good online resources to help and guide owners. Springstead also suggests that if a dog isn’t good at sitting or staying, something like agility training or “learning through play” could be more beneficial than stereotypical “obedience” training.
An energetic dog can use up energy while passively learning other skills, such as recall. This could lower the likelihood of altercations in the future if they are off leash or in a dangerous situation. With this kind of training, there’s less possibility of a disturbing interaction with an individual — or another pet — who doesn’t like dogs or doesn’t wish to engage with one.
Whether you’re looking at getting a dog, or already have one, it's important to understand their behaviours. Take the time to learn how to manage your pet’s needs for both its benefit and the safety of your community: Even friendly dogs can be unpredictable.
Jenipher Laughton is a graduate student who enjoys aerial sports (hoop, pole, and silks) and napping with her two cats.
