Pet-iquette: Use common sense on walking trails

By Brenda Gray
Published: June 30, 2008

My Dad used to say, “Common sense is very uncommon.” My dog trainer always says, “There are no bad dogs, only people who have not been trained.” 

Everyone who enjoys a walking trail system needs to understand the importance of trail etiquette. I also believe it means that humans should use some common sense. 

We have a fantastic trail system here in Lynchburg, and it is terrific to see so many people using it. With so many people and their pets on the trails, we need to be mindful of giving each other space and being courteous. 

Rules are posted at trail entrances. One states that dogs must be leashed at all times. I know lots of dogs that are very well-behaved and stay with their owners even off-leash. However, the rule states that dogs must be on-leash at all times.

There have been too many incidents of unleashed dogs approaching leashed dogs, resulting in fights and injuries. In such incidents, the dog on a leash is at a serious disadvantage. When a dog fight between a leashed dog and unleashed dog occurs, not only could the dogs be hurt, but the owners could be as well. 

Types of leashes can be problems. Those who use retractable leashes, need to be aware of their surroundings at all times. An extra long leash can give a dog the opportunity to invade another dog’s or a walker’s space.

Humans are also required to clean up their dogs’ waste. The trails now have stations with disposable bags for dog waste scattered throughout the system. To be prepared, I usually pick up a couple of bags as I go onto the trails.

Then there’s a different kind of mess, the kind made when four-and two-legged trail users collide with users on wheels.

One never knows when a biker or a person on rollerblades might spook a dog, or when the dog might dart into a biker’s path. Certainly, no one wants to cause a crash. Bikers, please let walkers, runners and dog walkers know when you are passing from behind. Bikes can approach silently, making a bell, horn or just calling out a helpful warning. For those of us who use retractable leashes, a warning noise or words gives us time to reel in our dogs to our sides. 

My husband and I walk our three dogs on the city trails once a week. We try to be very aware of our surroundings, both in front of us and behind. We try to get our dogs to sit and stay if we are about to approach other people, or if people approach us from behind. Our dogs are not out in public places as much as they should be, so they are easily spooked. We walk early in the morning so the dogs can get lots of exercise, even on a leash.

When walking on the trail without a dog, one should ask the dog walker if it is OK to approach and pet his/her dog. It is not a good idea to assume all dogs are friendly.
If a walker does go places to let his dog off-leash, the dog needs to know basic obedience commands: “sit,” “down,” “stay” and “heel.”  The most important one of all is the “recall” command.

“Your dog must come to you when you call or whistle the first time. If you do not have a rapid and reliable recall, you cannot be said to have your dog under control. If your dog is not under control, he should not be off-leash in public places,” states the Citizen Canine Dog Owners Association newsletter, http://www.citizencanine.org/newsletter/scoopspring05.pdf. 

We all want to be able to enjoy our parks and trails It is just common sense to have respect for others. So take your dog walking on-leash and be mindful of others.

Visit the Lynchburg Humane Society shelter July 26 to help celebrate Puffin’s 12th birthday. She’s the office cat, who has been in charge of operations for a decade.