We live aq block from a large school property ( a kindergarten, Grade school and middle school all on the same grounds - acres of open property) that we often take our dogs up to for long walks. there are some fenced areas that are bigger than our backyard, Big open playing fields where we would let them run off leash and play ball, and a track where Jon often rollerblades with Fizzy. there are also playground equipment areas near the kindergarten and grade schools that attract local kids outside of school hours. and of course, other dog walkers at times.


ALL of my dogs have been 'friendly' - Tristan, especially, had a way that could win over even some supposedly unfriendly dogs - but that doesn't mean I let him be used for dog bait!

Since Tristan did NOT have perfect recall - the minute we saw another person or dog, we would call him back and put him on back on the leash.

As many of you pointed out - it takes ALL parties to be 'friendly', for things to 'work' and unless you already know them, there's no way to tell. I have seen lots of purportedly 'friendly' dogs surprise their owners with a growl or snap!

Fizzy is not formally trained - she doesn't know how to
'heel' or some other commands, but she ALWAYS comes when called. More importantly, when we are walking, and we let her off leash - if she sees someone or something new, she will pause and look back to us as if to ask, "is it OK? can I go see them?"


if it's neighborhood kids we know on the playground, I tell her "OK - Go." and if I don't know them, I call her back. if they are strangers and want to meet/pet her, I will walk up to them with her ON LEASH. Of course, I love to show off my sweet and friendly Fizzy! But if they are jogging or minding their own business, and show no interest in her or us, I avoid them and pass them by.

Since it is a school (and even if it weren't) we always carry baggies to pick up any 'deposits'. Because many local groups use the sports fields, our walks often include picking up trash, easy to do - as there are trash recepticles about the property.

As we leave the school grounds, the dogs are always back on leash. there's just too many hidden directions that things can pop out at you - and you can't control; driveways, kids, other dogs, squirrels, traffic, etc.

If we are at a park and it says 'LEASH your dogs' then they are leashed. We camp alot, and have always taaken Tristan with us. Fizzy hasn't gone yet, but I'm sure she's gonna love it, too. it's just common sense - it's not a dog park, (heck, even designated 'dog parks' have problem dogs sometimes) and you never know who or what you might meet on the path. Most state parks can confiscate your dog if they catch them off leash!

Still, there are alot of stupid people out there!

laura