Dog Walking Safety: How to Avoid Risks

Most of us walk our dogs on a regular basis. It's important for our pups to get out and exercise! Ambling around a park or neighborhood can be a peaceful activity for both our furry friends and us pet parents—but sometimes things can go wrong, too.

Here's what you need to know to keep your dog safe on your next walk. Read on for:

• TL;DR summary of key dog walking safety tips
• Common questions about safely walking your dog
• Helpful training cues and behaviors to use on your dog walks
• Alternatives to walking your dog

Overview: Key dog walking safety tips

Safety should be a priority on every dog walk. Be proactive! By following these tips, you'll make everyone's experience more enjoyable.

Use a secure leash and collar or harness

• Choose a sturdy leash that is appropriate for your dog's size and strength.
• Avoid retractable leashes (unless your dog already has a strong training foundation) to ensure a high level of safety.
• Use a properly fitted collar or harness—it should be comfortable for your pup to wear—that won't slip off their head or allow them to escape.
• Check your gear before each outing to make sure there aren't any rips, tears, frays, or issues with the buckle attachments.
• Consider bringing along reflective gear or light-up safety equipment (like an LED collar or handheld light) if you'll be walking at night.

Know your individual dog's behavior

• Be aware of your dog's temperament and typical behavior.
• If your dog is reactive or fearful around other dogs or people, take extra precautions. (We also recommend working with a trainer, if possible, to help your pup handle more situations!)

Plan a safe route

• Choose walking routes that are safe and appropriate for your dog's size and temperament.
• Avoid high-traffic or busy areas, especially if your dog is easily spooked.

Stay alert

• Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware of potential hazards like cars, cyclists, and other animals.

Watch for signs of distress

• Keep tabs on your dog's body language. If they show signs of distress or discomfort—like heavy panting, limping, or anxiety—take a break and assess the situation.

Clean up after your dog

• Dog poop is an environmental pollutant that causes health risks both to natural ecosystems and other people and pets.
• Always carry waste bags and clean up after your dog to be a responsible pup parent.

Have your dog wear ID and contact information

• Ensure your dog wears a collar (or haness) with an ID tag. You want clear contact information in case they get lost!

Should you let your dog greet other dogs on leash?

Whether you should let your dog greet other dogs while on a leash depends on several factors—like your own dog's temperament, the behavior of the other dog, and the specific circumstances.

Here are some things to consider.

• If your dog is well-socialized and comfortable around other dogs, and you have guidance over their behavior on a leash, it can be safe to allow controlled interactions. Some environments, like busy cities, make it hard to avoid these greetings altogether.
• That said: Many trainers recommend keeping interactions very brief and limiting them whenever possible. Unless you know the other dog and owner personally, it might not be worth the risk.
• Pay close attention to your dog's body language and the other dog's signals. If either dog shows signs of stress, fear, aggression, or discomfort, separate them immediately.
• Avoid tight leashes, as they can create tension and anxiety in both dogs, potentially leading to aggression.
• In stressful environments—like if there are a lot of loud noises or scary things happening that might startle your dog—it's often better to walk past other dogs without greeting to avoid overstimulation or conflict.

Too many uncontrolled on-leash greetings can result in both excitement and fear-based reactivity. You can read more about dog reactivity here!

Should you let your dog greet people on leash?

Many of the same considerations apply here as greeting other dogs on leash.

Some pups are happy to say hello to strangers. There's nothing inherently wrong with these interactions if both you and your dog are comfortable with them!

If you're at all uncertain, though? Don't be afraid to advocate for your dog and say no to greetings. You know your pup and environment best.

Should you let your dog sniff on walks?

Yes! We're big fans of letting our pups sniff. It's the natural way they explore their environment, and it can help them feel more relaxed and fulfilled.

There are a few times to limit your pup's investigation of interesting smells, though:

• Some walking routes require a shorter leash. If you're going through a busy area or spot with sensitive wildlife, you might want to keep your pup close to you and sniff in a different location.
• Don't let your dog eat food off the ground. This can cause stomach upset—and in extreme cases, life-threatening obstructions. If your pup likes to grab left-behind food, you might consider limiting their sniffing in areas with lots of trash.

You can read more about dog enrichment here!

Helpful training cues and behaviors to use on your dog walks

Click on each topic below to learn more about how to teach your dog certain behaviors!

• Ignore other dogs
• Resist jumping on people
• Recall (coming back to you when called)
• Loose-leash walking

You might also want to teach your dog a solid "leave it" cue or some basic positions, like sit and down, to navigate distractions in the environment. You can read more dog training advice here!

Alternatives to walking your dog

If your dog doesn't seem to enjoy regular walks very much—maybe they're working through some type of reactivity or simply get bored easily in the same environment day after day—here are some ways you can change up their exercise routine.

• First: Know how much exercise your dog really benefits from! This article has everything you need to calculate your pup's needs.
• Consider some "unconventional" ways to exercise your dog. You're sure to find something fun and fulfilling that's a great change of pace.
• Take your dog to a private dog park. Many dogs love getting off-leash time but aren't a fit for traditional, fenced-in dog parks. (What's more: Many professional dog trainers advise against these parks even if your dog is usually social.) One solution? Renting your own field, hiking trail, or other private area to explore! Sniffspot is a network of private dog parks hosted by fellow dog lovers where you can book a safe space to play.

Trainers that reviewed this article

There is so much misinformation out there. We want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community.

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Lindy Langum
Founder - K9 Fun Club
Staff Trainer - Summit Assistance Dogs
Certified in Canine Studies (CSS), NW School of Canine Studies