Is it better to let dogs meet off leash?

When dogs are on a leash, their ability to avoid or escape is limited. They can’t just walk away if they’re uncomfortable like they could if they were off-leash. You don’t know the other dog, you don’t know their history or what kind of experiences they’ve had. Maybe they’ve had bad encounters before, or maybe they’re just not comfortable meeting other dogs up close. It's risky, and it's just not worth the gamble. Play it safe and give other dogs space when you’re out and about on a leash, whether your dog is friendly or not. The leash changes things, and not in a good way. If we all gave each other more space on walks, we'd see fewer incidents, fewer stressed-out dogs, and happier outings overall.

If you’re unsure of the other dog on the lead, it’s wise to keep your dog well away. You have no way of knowing if their dog is friendly towards other dogs, and if you approach them too quickly, they may not have a chance to explain to you to keep your distance. In certain situations, a normally placid and friendly dog may take offence at another dog, and let them know, in no uncertain terms, and become angry and irritated. If your dog is on the leash, he’s unable to approach the other dog in this natural way, from the side, and has to face the dog face on, bringing about an unhappy confrontation, with the possibility of a disagreement. Your dog feels trapped Most dogs, while off the leash, have quite happy temperaments but put them on the lead, restrain them and the uncomfortable feeling will make your dog reactive to situations. He may pull towards other dogs and bark if he feels trapped. A doggy greeting, when both are on leads, can quickly escalate and increase the tension between the dogs. If you do bump into an owner walking his dog on the lead, remember that he’s doing this for a reason. Our advice – if you don’t really know the owner and the dog, keep walking by, don’t risk a dog-to-dog meeting.