You know your dog.

What you don’t know is what the other dog — or their owner — might be going through.

Dogs are kept on lead for all sorts of reasons, and your dog rushing over, however friendly they are, isn’t fair on a dog whose story you don’t know.

The other dog might be reactive, recovering from a hard day, or working hard on building confidence around other dogs. They might be doing some training, or simply need space.

An unexpected off-lead approach can undo real progress an owner and their dog have been working on. It can be genuinely stressful for the owner too, who is often doing everything right to manage their dog safely, only to have that control taken out of their hands by someone else’s off-lead dog.

Why it’s an unfair interaction

When two dogs meet off lead, they can move freely — approaching, retreating, and communicating through body language without restriction.

But when one dog is off lead and the other is on, the on-lead dog is at a serious disadvantage. They can’t create distance or leave if they’re uncomfortable, and this lack of choice can cause them to overreact — lunging, barking, or even snapping — simply because escape isn’t an option.

Repeated experiences like this are part of how reactivity can develop or worsen over time.

If your on-lead dog is approached by an off-lead dog

• Try calmly walking away
• Move between the dogs and block the approach
• Look for a fence or other barrier to put between you and the other dog
• Tell the other dog to stop or sit
• If they’re running at full speed, raise your voice and shout “stop”
• Call out to the other owner and ask them to call their dog back
• Keep the lead as loose as you can
• Throw a handful of treats at the oncoming dog — a technique recommended by renowned animal behaviourist Patricia McConnell
• Use an umbrella or stick to create a barrier

Avoid picking up your dog — it can make you both more of a target for the oncoming dog.

If your dog is off lead

If you spot an on-lead dog approaching, the right thing to do is call your dog back and get them under control before any interaction happens. It only takes a moment, and it can make a real difference to the other dog and its owner.