A new episode of popular comedy and lifestyle podcast Giggly Squad came out today, and I found myself immediately needing to write about the contents. Midway through the episode, the topic turned to dogs. The two giggled their way through different opinions and stories about dog etiquette before host Hannah Berner said, “I don’t fuck with dogs off leash.”
I’m listening.
She continued on to explain that she used to foster dogs, and some had behavioral issues around other dogs. Host Paige DeSorbo added, “I think having your dog off leash, you’re very trusting of random people...It's not about trusting your own dog.”
Berner expanded, emphasizing the exact reason I started this website. “I trust that you think that your dog is safe. What if my dog isn't and your dog loosely comes up to my dog?”
“And now my dog has to eat it,” joked DeSorbo.
In true Giggly Squad fashion, Hannah began to elaborate with a story about an off-leash dog when the two got distracted by an interruption. The bulk of the conversation around off-leash dogs ended there, but my excitement sure didn’t.
Giggly Squad has a massive audience and reaches millions of listeners. They continuously chart in the top 10 comedy podcast list on Spotify and just recently sealed a massive deal with SiriusXM. They’re not experts on dog behavior nor are they advocates for responsible ownership. But their comments have the potential to reach a huge audience and start the important conversation around responsible dog ownership, which is also why I started this reactive dog support website.
So many reactive dog owners are tired of hearing other owners shout, “Don’t Worry, He’s Friendly” while their dog runs toward them, completely unaware of how their dog might react. It doesn’t just make owners nervous, it can create a seriously dangerous situation between a dog who feels threatened and another dog who might not pick up on that body language.
As the PAWS Director of Programs & Engagement Stephanie Sokol put it, “When you allow your ‘friendly’ dog to approach a leashed dog, you are not considering the other dog’s needs. The dog might be injured, ill, or simply does not react well when other dogs approach. If you see a leashed dog, that is your cue to immediately call your dog to you and leash them.”
It’s also why I and other advocates warn against going to the dog park. It’s just too risky.
So while I know the hosts of Giggly Squad were just making casual conversation, I want to thank them for being on the right side of the dog ownership debate. Be respectful of other dogs’ needs, and keep yours on leash when out in public and in the presence of other dogs if yours doesn’t have excellent recall.
You can listen to the full episode here.