The increase in dog ownership, fueled by the pandemic, has had many consequences – some more apparent than others. The number of poorly bred dogs has led to an increase in health issues, particularly with short-nosed breeds; and under socialised dogs belonging to inexperienced owners has led to an increase in nuisance behaviours such as incessant barking.

Another consequence of the increased number of dogs in our midst is overcrowding in parks, such as Nobles Park in Douglas, and popular dog-walking spots such as our plantations. Dogs are coming into contact with each other more frequently, with some off and some on a lead. Issues then arise when owners of more sociable dogs, knowing them to be friendly and well-behaved, let them off the lead but then fail to prevent them from running up to sniff and greet other dogs. Many of these latter dogs are on leads for a reason.

Some dogs are innately nervous or aggressive around other dogs – perhaps because they have been attacked by another dog in the past. Their owners generally know to keep them on a tight leash, and endeavour to go for walks in less crowded areas. But there’s always the possibility of meeting another dog, and problems can arise when that dog is off its lead. The gregarious and friendly dog will naturally approach the dog that is still on its lead, simply to sniff and say hello, but this can all too easily be interpreted by the other dog as an aggressive act. This, then, causes a confrontation.

A recent survey by Manchester Metropolitan University found that a significant number of dog owners had ‘encounters leading to heated exchanges’ with dogs on and off leads, which became ‘a source of frustration, embarrassment and anxiety that exerted an emotional and social toll’.

So what is the solution? Better communication between owners, and a respect for each other’s dogs, is key. We often receive calls from dog owners who struggle to ask other dog owners to keep their pets at a safe distance. Owners of dogs on leads need to be very clear verbally that their dog needs space – polite but firm. And the spoken word can be reinforced by brightly coloured leads and harnesses that say ‘I need space’ or ‘Nervous dog’.

Good advice for all dog owners is to ensure their canine companion has great recall (i.e. it will come when called). As with all dog training, time and patience are needed to ensure a dog’s behaviour is modified in a positive and rewarding manner. There are no quick fixes.

Start recall training in a safe, enclosed and low-distraction environment; choose a consistent cue word or sound such as ‘come’ or a whistle, and use it every time to call your dog; use high-value treats or toys, and lots of praise, when your dog responds to your cue; and gradually increase the distance and difficulty of the recall, and practice, practice, practice.