Introduction

Daily walks are one of the best parts of life with a dog. They provide mental stimulation, physical exercise, social interaction—and of course, quality time with their favourite human. But walking your dog safely requires more than just putting on a lead and heading out the door.

Whether you’ve got a brand-new puppy or a more mature dog who’s still learning the ropes, these 5 essential dog walking safety tips will help you build a positive routine, avoid common pitfalls, and turn every walk into a training opportunity.

From choosing the right equipment to managing on-lead greetings, here’s how to make your daily walks safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for both you and your dog.

1. Choose the Right Walking Equipment

When it comes to leads, collars, harnesses, and more—it can feel like walking into a pet shop is entering a maze of choices. So what should you use? Harness, Collar, or Slip Lead?

Each type of walking apparatus serves a different purpose:

• Harnesses: Originally designed for pulling (think sled dogs), harnesses give your dog more control and can encourage pulling unless your dog is already well-trained. Once your dog walks nicely, a harness can be a good option for comfort.
• Slip Leads: Popular with working breeds, slip leads tighten when the dog pulls. When fitted properly high on the neck (near the base of the skull), they offer clear guidance without constant tension. Used correctly, they’re a brilliant training tool—not a punishment.
• Flat Collars: We recommend training your dog to walk calmly on a collar for most breeds. A well-fitted collar (two fingers should fit between the collar and your dog’s neck) allows you to guide your dog while discouraging pulling.

Important note: Brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Pugs, Bulldogs) should not wear slip leads or collars due to their sensitive airways. These dogs are safest walking in a well-fitted harness.

3. Meeting Other Dogs: Train Your Dog to Greet Politely

Dog-to-dog interactions on lead can be unpredictable. Some dogs are friendly, others are fearful. And even confident dogs can become reactive if they feel trapped by the lead.

Tips for Safe On-Lead Greetings:

• Ask before approaching: “Are they friendly—would they like to say hello?” is a polite and simple question to ask another dog owner.
• Watch body language: A wagging tail doesn't always mean a happy dog. Look for loose body posture, soft eyes, and gentle movements.
• Limit greetings to 30 seconds: On-lead greetings should be short and sweet to prevent tension or lead tangling.
• Avoid tangled leads: Nothing disrupts a walk faster than the “twisty dance” with a stranger while your dogs get their leads wrapped around each other. Give space, and step in if needed.

Remember: dogs lose their flight response when on lead, so they may resort to freezing or reacting. Your job is to advocate for them. It’s perfectly fine to say no to a greeting if your dog isn’t comfortable.

4. Master Recall Before Letting Your Dog Off Lead

Recall is one of the most important commands your dog can learn—and a vital part of safe dog walking, especially at the park.

Letting your dog off lead too early (before recall is reliable) can lead to stressful or even dangerous situations. If your dog can’t come back to you 100% of the time, they’re not ready for off-lead freedom just yet.

Top Recall Tips:

• Start on a long line: Use a 10-metre lead in open spaces to practice recall while staying in control.
• Be more exciting than the distractions: Use toys, treats, or your voice. Call your dog in a happy, high-pitched tone—then reward generously.
• Use your recall cue often: Don’t wait until there’s a distraction. Practice recall every 30 seconds on walks to build a habit of checking in.
• Respect other dogs’ space: If you see a dog on lead at the park, recall your dog and clip them on. A dog on lead usually means they’re not ready to socialise.

Check out our full blog on teaching recall if you want to dive deeper into this life-saving skill.

5. Cool Down and Rest After the Walk

You’ve made it through the walk—nice lead walking, polite greetings, and a recall that worked when you needed it. But the walk isn’t quite finished when you return home.

After a stimulating walk, dogs need time to decompress. All those smells, sights, and sounds take time to process—and rest is essential for healthy behaviour.

What to Do After the Walk:

• Give your dog a quiet place to rest, undisturbed.
• Don’t overstimulate them with more games or fuss immediately.
• Let them sleep—it’s during rest that their brain sorts through what they’ve just learned and experienced.

A dog that’s allowed to rest after a walk is less likely to become overstimulated, irritable, or bitey later in the day. Think of it as “downloading” their walk.

Bonus tip: it’s also the perfect time for you to grab a cuppa and relax.

Final Thoughts: Safe Dog Walks Start with Calm, Confident Owners

Walking your dog should be enjoyable—not stressful. The secret to a safe walk isn’t in the type of lead or whether your dog sits before crossing the road (although that helps)—it’s in the energy you bring.

With preparation, consistent training, and a calm, kind approach, walks can become a source of connection and confidence. And for puppies, safe walking habits built early will pay off for a lifetime.

Let’s recap the 5 essential safety tips for walking your dog:

1. Choose the right lead, collar, or harness for your dog’s needs.
2. Train calm behaviour before the walk even starts.
3. Teach polite dog greetings and limit on-lead interactions.
4. Master recall before letting your dog off lead.
5. Allow rest and recovery post-walk to avoid overstimulation.

Want More Help with Puppy Training or Walking Skills?

At Lola’s House, we specialise in helping dogs build calm, confident habits in everyday situations. If you’d like help with loose lead walking, recall, or puppy socialisation, check out our homepage or get in touch at lola@lolashouse.co.uk. We’re always here to help.