Yesterday I was walking two of my regular dogs who share a combined weight of at least 140 pounds. One of the dogs, who is as sweet as can be with people, is a recent rescue and has some dog reactive issues. When she sees dogs, she pulls very hard on the leash and tries to lunge at them.

As a professional dog walker I can manage a potentially negative situation by crossing the street or walking in another direction to avoid any confrontations.

However, when we encounter dogs off leash running out their front doors or from behind unsecured back yards, the situation becomes not only difficult to manage, but downright dangerous for the dogs I am walking, the loose dog, and myself.

Yesterday as we were walking our usual route, two small barking dogs came charging out to the street from behind their house. They started running towards the dogs I was walking and I was barely able to control my reactive dog. She pulled and lunged as I tried to pull her across the street, watching for cars and trying to control the situation. The yapping dogs owner was no where around to call his/her dogs back and the situation was very bad. 

Fortunately, I was eventually able to get my dogs safely across the street out of harms way without anyone getting hurt. It was difficult to calm down the dogs again and my hands and arms were aching the rest of the day from the physical exertion of containing the volatile situation.  

PLEASE, as responsible dog parents, keep your unleashed dogs in the house or contained in a fenced, secured yard. If you love your furry kids don't put them into a potentially very dangerous situation.