Dog Walking Etiquette & Recall: Setting Your Dog Up for Success.
- Madeleine Fear
- Mar 23
- 5 min read
Going on a dog walk is one of the main reasons people get a dog, nothing beats a walk seeing your best friend enjoying the world. It’s a daily ritual that brings joy, routine, and connection—not just between you and your dog, but with the wider community of dog owners around you. But as lovely as these shared spaces are, they only work well when we all follow a bit of unspoken etiquette.
Dog walking isn’t just about exercise. It’s about awareness, responsibility, and, above all, respect—for our dogs and for each other.
We’re All in This Together
Every dog owner has had “one of those walks.” The lead gets tangled, your dog reacts to something unexpected, or you find yourself trying to manage a situation that suddenly feels overwhelming. In those moments, a little understanding from others can make all the difference.
If you see someone struggling—perhaps their dog is nervous, overexcited, or in training—offer space, patience, or even a kind word. Dog walking shouldn’t feel like a test; it should feel like a shared experience where we support one another.
Sometimes helping simply means giving someone room. Crossing the road, pausing for a moment, or calling your dog back can instantly defuse a stressful situation. Small gestures like these build a culture of kindness.
I’ve seen countless interactions out on walks where, quite simply, if one owner had given the other a bit more space, a negative response from one or both dogs could have been completely avoided. Space is often the easiest and most powerful tool we have.
The Lead Rule: It’s There for a Reason
One of the most important pieces of dog walking etiquette is understanding what a lead represents.
If a dog is on a lead, it is on a lead for a reason.
That reason might be training, fear, reactivity, recovery from injury, or simply a responsible owner making thoughtful choices. Whatever the reason, it’s not an invitation for interaction.
Allowing an off-lead dog to run up to a dog on a lead can create immediate tension. The dog on the lead has restricted movement, limited choice, and may feel vulnerable. Even a friendly approach can feel overwhelming or threatening in that situation.
Calling out “Don’t worry, they’re friendly!” doesn’t change the impact. Respect means recognising that not all dogs want—or can handle—social interaction, especially when restrained.
Off-Lead Doesn’t Mean Out of Control
Having your dog off-lead is a privilege, not a right. It comes with the responsibility of ensuring your dog has reliable recall and can be guided away from other dogs, people, and situations when needed.
An off-lead dog should never assume access to another dog. Good manners mean checking in, reading the environment, and your dog responding quickly when called.
If your dog can’t come back when asked, it’s not fair—or safe—for them to be off-lead in shared spaces.
Teaching Dogs How to Approach Correctly
In my classes, we actively teach dogs how to approach other dogs correctly, rather than leaving it to chance. This means helping dogs learn calm, appropriate behaviour around others so interactions are more successful and far less stressful.
In my one-to-one sessions, I spend time walking with owners and their dogs, talking through what’s happening in real time. We look at how other dogs are reacting, what signals they are giving off, and whether they actually want to be approached or not.
I help owners understand what to look for, and in turn, how to guide their own dogs. We also work on building a level of control around other dogs that actually makes your dog more appealing to the majority of dogs.
Because the reality is, most dogs simply want to walk alongside their owners peacefully.
It’s no different to us as humans. If we’re out for a walk with someone, enjoying a conversation, we don’t want others running up, interrupting, and being loud or overwhelming.
That’s exactly what we aim to teach—calm, respectful behaviour that allows dogs to coexist comfortably, rather than feeling the need to interact with every dog they see.
Teaching Puppies the Right Way
Puppies are naturally curious and eager to explore the world, especially when it comes to meeting other dogs. But one of the most important lessons they can learn is this:
They do not have the right to approach every dog they see.
It’s easy to think that socialisation means saying “yes” to every interaction, but true social skills come from learning restraint, observation, and appropriate behaviour.
It is the owner’s responsibility to teach these skills—not other dogs.
When puppies are allowed to rush up to every dog, they miss out on learning calm approaches and respectful boundaries. Worse still, they may encounter a dog who reacts defensively, leading to a negative or even frightening experience.
We shouldn’t rely on other dogs to “tell them off.” That’s not fair on the other dog, and it’s not a safe or controlled way for a puppy to learn.
There’s also another important point here. Some dogs can actually find certain reactions rewarding. For example, if a larger dog rushes up to a smaller dog and the smaller dog squeaks or reacts, that noise and movement can be exciting. Over time, that larger dog may begin seeking out those reactions, which can lead to very problematic behaviour.
Instead, we need to guide our puppies carefully. Set your dog up for success. Introduce them to dogs that are suitable—calm, well-mannered dogs who will help teach good social skills, not overwhelm them.
Etiquette and Recall Go Hand in Hand
Good dog walking etiquette is directly linked to having a great recall.
To have a reliable recall, you need to be the most important and rewarding thing in your dog’s environment. You need to “trump” everything else—other dogs, people, and distractions.
If a puppy or young dog learns that they can run up to any dog, anytime they like, they are constantly being rewarded for ignoring you. Whether that reward is play, excitement, or even a reaction from another dog, the habit is being reinforced.
That’s not how you build a strong recall.
Recall starts when they are tiny. It’s built through consistency, guidance, and making yourself more engaging than the environment around them.
If we allow repeated habits of running off to others, we risk creating adolescent and adult dogs who simply don’t see a reason to come back when called.
Support, Training, and Setting You Both Up to Succeed
Learning these skills doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, both you and your dog can feel more confident and relaxed out on walks.
We offer training classes, one-to-one sessions, and socialisation walks designed to help you and your dog develop these essential life skills in a supportive and practical way. We also offer Zoom sessions for those who prefer guidance from home.
Training—both online and in person—can be booked at www.madeleinefear.com.
Our focus is always on helping you understand your dog, read situations clearly, and set your dog up for success—so that both of you can enjoy calm, confident walks.
Respect Creates Better Walks for Everyone
At the heart of dog walking etiquette is one simple principle: respect.
Respect for the dog on the lead.
Respect for the dog off the lead.
Respect for the owner doing their best.
Respect for the shared space we all enjoy.
When we take responsibility for our own dogs and remain aware of others, walks become more relaxed, more enjoyable, and far less stressful.
So next time you head out, remember—it’s not just about your walk. It’s about everyone’s.
And with a little awareness, training, and kindness, we can all help each other have better ones.
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