Dogs need to be trained properly before being taken off the lead and don’t naturally “run to face each other”, according to one dog expert. 

The Journal reported this morning there is a “litany of complaints” about dogs running off leash in their local parks, streets, playgrounds and beaches. 

Many complaints said the dogs were “out of control” and their owners were aggressive when asked to put their pet on a lead. 

Dog trainer and behaviourist Samanta Rawson said all dog owners have a “legal responsibility” of their dogs. 

“The Control of Dogs Act says your dog must be under effective control,” she told The Hard Shoulder. 

“If you call your dog and it doesn’t respond, then it's not under effective control and therefore it should be on the lead. 

“If somebody says, ‘Please call your dog back and put it on a leash’ and you don't, you're being highly disrespectful. 

“You're in breach of legislation as far as I'm concerned.” 

'Training should kind of start at home'

Ms Rawson said dogs should have a certain amount of freedom, but owners have a duty to be respectful. 

“Training should start at home when you get the dog at eight weeks, but it's never too late,” she said. 

The best way to train a dog is to have one person calling the dog and another person holding the dog so it eventually learns to listen to its owner while enjoying some freedom. 

“So, it's getting exercise, but it has a focus to where it’s running,” Ms Rawson said. 

Two stray dogs on a road in Murcia, Spain. Image: David Moreno / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Rawson said a lot of new dog owners post-pandemic aren’t aware of dog legislation and behaviour. 

“There's a misconception out there that dogs should be sociable to every dog and it's okay to let your dog run up to another dog,” she said. 

“It's not normal for dogs to run into the face of each other – dogs sus each out from a distance.” 

Like a small child

Teaching a dog is a lot like teaching a small child, according to Ms Rawson, and "you wouldn't let a small child run away from you".

“You train a dog by giving it gradually more freedom depending on its obedience or response to you,” she said. 

“You gradually teachers if you respond to me, I might give you a bit more freedom and a bit more freedom.”