I'd like to take a minute to flip the tables a bit and discuss the danger we pose to others if we decide to let our dogs off-leash in the city. Many times I have heard the words, “Don't worry, she's friendly!” being shouted out as a wiggly–butt retriever rushes toward someone walking his leashed dog at the other end of the block. “Don't worry, she's friendly” is not sufficient explanation for an off–leash dog charging uninvited towards a leashed dog and I'd like to provide you with a couple of reasons why.

Let's say I'm the other person in the latter scenario. While that off–leash dog may be friendly, mine may not be. As a responsible dog owner, I can control my dog; keep him safe; keep him out of trouble. However, I can't control the other dog, and neither can his owner if he is bolting from him and heading straight toward my reactive dog.

By not leashing his dog, he is putting both dogs and me at risk. It is unfair to impose upon the right of another dog owner to walk her dog safely on leash down the sidewalk or through a park without fear of being accosted. Not all dogs like all other dogs. My unfriendly dog doesn't like other dogs rushing up to him and might bite if one does. Can we blame him? I wouldn't want a stranger running up to me full speed, throwing his arms around me, kissing me, scaring me. Why would my dog?

Another thing we have to consider is that a lot of people are afraid of dogs. They shouldn't have to be afraid to walk through a park or down the street because we decide that we don't have to abide by the law and leash our dogs. Everyone should be able to enjoy a walk without fear of being charged by an off–leash dog. I have seen more than enough children get knocked down by a friendly dog, only to struggle to get up, crying and terrified. I once saw a small, frail old man have his legs swept right out from underneath him. Not okay!

A dog does not have to run loose to enjoy a walk, and for those who don't believe that, we have dog parks all over the city; fenced, designated areas where dogs are free to run and play and greet. Which leads us to another point: Unless you are 100% positive that your dog will turn around and come running back to you when you call him, he shouldn't be off leash in an unfenced area in the city.

If you don't have total control of your dog, he is going to get hurt either by another dog, by a car, collision with a biker, etc. Do you really know, with 100% certainty, that your dog won't dash across the street into traffic to chase that squirrel that just ran right in front of her? Are you willing to bet her life on it??

Oh yeah, one more thing: In most urban areas, it is against the law to walk your dog off leash…

The bottom line is that we all love our dogs: you, me, and the guy at the other end of the boulevard with a dog–aggressive dog. We all need to respect each other's desire to enjoy safe outings with our pups. Dogs get lost, dogs get stolen, dogs get hit by cars, dogs get in fights, dogs get attacked, dogs hurt people… we can prevent a lot of this by simply leashing our dogs. It is the responsible thing to do. I'll leash mine, will you leash yours? Please?