Why Do Reactive Dog Owners Dread Off-Leash Dogs?
I originally titled this piece with the word “hate” instead of “dread.” But I pulled it back a little because I think the true emotion many reactive dog owners have when faced with an off leash dog is indeed dread and fear, not hate.
Reactive dog owners dread seeing off-leash dogs because one bad interaction can set back months, even years of training and desensitization. Plus, leashed dogs can’t escape an approaching dog, which can make their anxiety and reactive behaviors even more intense. Off-leash dogs are unpredictable and unknown, potentially putting everyone in danger.
And while I believe there is some hatred toward dog owners who don’t responsibly leash their dogs, I don’t think most reactive dog owners hate the off-leash dogs as much as they hate the lack of responsibility demonstrated by the owner.
I originally started this website with one intention: to shame off leash dog owners and help reactive dog owners thrive. I’ve since toned it down a bit, understanding that many off leash dog owners aren’t necessarily bringing ill intent. Shame isn’t a very productive emotion to invoke when the goal is to improve the overall dog ownership ecosystem, not further divide it.
So whether you’re reading this because the presence of your off-leash dog upset someone else or because you’re the reactive dog owner who doesn’t want to interact with other off leash dogs, let’s look at the main reasons reactive dog owners dread off leash dogs.
While I could fill this page with my own lived experience and stories from other dog owners I’ve talked to, I’ve instead pulled some stories from the internet to give additional context.
Bad off-leash dog interactions can set back training
“Every time this happens it feels like our training goes back to square one. I wish people understood that they need to be in control of their dogs at all times. I’m just so tired of this.”
The name for this website comes directly from this scenario: An off-leash dog runs up to a reactive, leashed dog. The reactive dog owner tries to keep their dog calm and the other dog away from theirs. The off-leash dog owner, with no sense of urgency, yells, “don’t worry, he’s friendly!” But the reactive dog isn’t, and now the owner who responsibly kept their dog on a leash is the one dealing with the consequences.
Here’s an excerpt from a Reddit post on the same subject:
“So yesterday we are on a walk and this puppy comes running up to us. The owner says "it's okay, he's friendly!" and I am like "No! My dog is reactive!" He tries to recall his dog, but he won't come. I'm trying to hold my dog back, and this just puts my dog in a place where he is getting worked up, which is exactly what I try to avoid doing. I understand where this guy is coming from. His dog is fine with the other dogs in the neighborhood, but it frustrates that he assumes that because his dog is friendly, that means his dog is safe and that he can just be off leash all of the time. I feel like this could be solved with a good long lead for his dog and some good training, but I don't feel like it is my place to give him advice.”
The owner of the leashed dog knows their dog’s threshold and is actively working to keep their dog within its limits. But the off leash dog comes running up and obliterates the boundaries, upsetting the reactive dog and confirming its belief that other dogs aren’t safe.
Here’s another comment from a different Reddit thread about off-leash dogs:
“I really need to vent about what’s been happening lately. I have a small dog who’s almost two and we’ve been working on his leash reactivity. He’s only 10 pounds so managing him isn't the hard part but the constant setbacks are exhausting. I keep running into people in my neighborhood who let their dogs off leash with absolutely no recall. I can understand if a dog accidentally slips out the door and the owner is rushing to grab them. That’s fine.
What I can't stand are the owners who just stand there saying "he's friendly" while my dog is already barking and stressed out. Today was the worst. I kept asking this person to please come get their dog but they just stayed far away calling the dog's name over and over. It’s so obvious the dog isn't listening so I don't know why they even bother. Every time this happens it feels like our training goes back to square one. I wish people understood that they need to be in control of their dogs at all times. I'm just so tired of this.”
Off-leash dog interactions can turn dangerous
Even if an off-leash dog has great behavior, an interaction between an off-leash dog and a leashed reactive dog can quickly turn dangerous. Many dogs display leash reactivity because they can’t act on their natural fight-or-flight instincts when on leash. When an off-leash dog approaches a leash-reactive dog, their reaction can be exacerbated by the power imbalance.
Here are just a few examples from a single Reddit thread about off leash dogs attacking leashed dogs:
“We went on a short hiking trail near our home, and at the end of it, huge 80-90lb dog ran towards our dogs and started attacking the both of them. We did our best to triage the situation but given our dogs’ reactivity, there wasn’t much we were able to do besides leave.
Meanwhile, the off leash dog kept coming back towards us and continued to attack our dogs. While the dog had a collar, his owner was nowhere to be found. I managed to snap a photo of him and reported to animal control.
We’ve been going to group training regularly to get our dogs desensitized to new dogs but feel like today was a huge step back in the process.”
“A huge mastiff tried to attack our dogs when my boyfriend and daughter were walking them. We only have the 3 smaller ones but our standard doxie mix held this huge dog off the other two while my bf and daughter got control of the situation.”
“My reactive lad was attacked by an off leash dog a few months ago now, it bit him but thanks to his fairly substantial leather lurcher collar he sustained really minor damage (his collar, not so much, haha), just nursed a sore ear for a few days.”
“Our previous dog got killed right in front of us by an off leash dog. Always have protection or steel toes.”
These types of interactions happen often. Much of the time, it’s a close call or a frustrating set back. Sometimes it ends with injuries. And in the worst cases, it ends with unsurvivable injuries.
Even if an off-leash dog is friendly, the dog on the other end of the leash might not be comfortable with an interaction. Even if an off-leash dog is friendly, other dogs and their owners don’t know this for sure. They just want to keep their dog safe, which starts with keeping them away from unpredictable situations like an approaching off-leash dog.
At the least, off-leash dogs need excellent recall, every time
Well-trained off-leash dogs shouldn’t approach leashed dogs because their training should have taught against this behavior. Should they run toward a leashed dog, their owner should be attentive enough to notice the behavior immediately and call them back. And their recall should be excellent without hesitation.
Unless explicitly requested or at a dog park-style socializing event, off leash dogs should not approach others. If everyone followed this one rule, the urban dog ecosystem would be in much better shape.
Don’t Worry, He’s Friendly was created to help reactive dogs thrive in the city. Check out ourother articles to learn more about reactive dog training.
Written by: Macey Wolfer
Macey Wolfer is a freelance writer from Seattle. She wants to see more confident dogs and owners with a lower rate of shelter surrenders.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice.