I Channel My Inner Neighborhood Karen When It Comes to Unleashed Dogs

“Is your dog friendly?” I call out to my neighbor as his enormous, unleashed pit bull charges towards me and my 12-pound leashed pup.

“She’s super friendly!” my neighbor replies with a laugh and a wave. “She loves making new friends!”

While she is indeed friendly, she is also wildly untrained. She’s fixated on my dog and me, eager to play. She leaps and bounds, circling around us, even darting between us to run under the leash. My dog, although not showing overt aggression, is starting to feel tense; he enjoys meeting dogs on walks, but gets anxious when their energy is too chaotic and they don’t respect boundaries.

We attempt to move forward, but the other dog continues to circle us, playfully rearing up and jumping around. She nudges her head under my dog for close-up sniffs. Meanwhile, her owner, about ten yards away, is unloading groceries from his car as if this whole situation is perfectly normal.

“Uh, can you please get your dog?” I ask, trying to keep my cool.

“Oh, she won’t hurt you! She just wants to play!”

At this point, my dog is starting to show his teeth. “Well, my dog doesn’t want to play. You really need to control your dog.”

Eventually, we manage to push through while my neighbor chases after his unruly pet. His utter lack of control over her would be amusing if it weren’t so inconsiderate and potentially dangerous.

Just a block later, I spot another unleashed dog. This time, at least the dog is in its own yard with its owner, but I’m still on high alert. I’ve been in situations like this before; sometimes the dog remains with its owner, sometimes it’s well-trained and we make a new friend, but there have been a couple of times where the dog has charged at us in attack mode, snarling and barking. Once, I had to lift my dog into my arms to protect him, losing one of his teeth in the process. Another time, I wasn’t quick enough, and my dog got bitten—thankfully not hard enough to draw blood.

So, no, I’m not reassured by the sight of a neighbor with an unleashed dog, even if it shows no signs of aggression. I stand there, arms crossed, giving the owner a look until he gets the hint and calls his dog back inside. I thank him as we walk past.

I am fed up with people who think it’s their right to let their dogs roam free. This issue isn’t just limited to my neighborhood; it’s a widespread problem. Last year, a viral incident emerged where a woman called the police on a Black man who asked her to leash her dog. Another TikTok video showcased a similar scenario, where a woman labeled the man filming as rude, despite her unleashed dog charging toward him and his leashed dog. He had even warned her that his dog wasn’t friendly.

This is essential dog-owner etiquette, and far too many people are oblivious. If you see another dog owner creating distance, it usually means their dog isn’t interested in meeting yours. Respect their space. If someone explicitly says “not friendly,” as in the TikTok video, keep your distance. These measures are crucial for everyone’s safety, including your own dog’s.

I’m not referring to dogs that accidentally escape or slip their collars (though proper training is key). I’ve trained my dog to stop at the threshold when the door opens, and he’s been great about it. However, one time he spotted a squirrel and dashed out, ending up in a muddy ditch. I understand that accidents happen. I’m also not addressing dog parks or remote trails where off-leash play is acceptable. But your crowded neighborhood, filled with people walking their pets or children, is not the place for it.

Dog owners need to recognize that when an unleashed dog approaches a leashed one—even in a playful manner—it disrupts the social dynamic. A leashed dog is at a disadvantage, creating anxiety and potential for a negative reaction. My dog, although small, is aware of his size. Large, boisterous dogs in his space make him uncomfortable, not because he’s poorly socialized, but because he’s had negative encounters with other unleashed dogs. What if your dog gets too close and my anxious dog snarls, provoking a response from your normally well-behaved pet? Why create that risk?

“But my dog is well-trained! I trust him completely!” That’s all well and good, but how am I to know that? The little child who’s just been bitten doesn’t know that. The person walking alongside a dog that dislikes others doesn’t know that. Those of us with a history of negative encounters certainly don’t know that.

Out of respect for your neighbors, it’s crucial to signal control over your dog. Always use a leash.

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In summary, it’s essential for dog owners to be aware of their surroundings and the impact their unleashed pets have on leashed dogs and their owners. Maintaining control through leashes not only shows respect for neighbors but also ensures a safer environment for everyone involved.

Keyphrase: unleashed dogs

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