The aim of the Respect The Lead campaign is to spread the word about how to let your dog interact with others in a happy and safe way, and help raise awareness that dogs are often kept on a lead for good reason.

When a dog is being kept on a lead, being approached by a confident or excited dog can make it feel trapped and cause it to lash out. This can be dangerous for both dogs and owners and can result in serious injury.

Whilst it’s common to see a dog being walked on a lead for obvious reasons, such as a road being nearby, there are many reasons which are sometimes not so obvious. This can include a dog which is –

• Reactive to other dogs, animals, or people
• Undergoing training
• A New rescue dog, gaining confidence
• Recovering from injury or surgery
• A Young puppy, learning about the world
• Elderly or frail

When a dog is being kept on a lead, being approached by a confident or active dog can make them feel trapped and cause them to lash out. This can be dangerous for both dogs and owners alike and can result in serious injury.

For some dogs, meeting lead to lead can also put dogs and owners in a vulnerable situation.

Your dog may be happy to interact with others but remember that this is not the case for everyone. If you see another dog on a lead, then respect that they may need some space.

We are seeking a new media sponsor to help increase the campaign’s message. By partnering with us, you’ll play a vital role in raising awareness, educating communities, and making a real difference for dogs and their owners. If your brand or business aligns with our mission of promoting responsible dog ownership and safer interactions, we’d love to hear from you!
Email me: zoe@thefriendlypetnurse.co.uk

There are a few key points which all dog walkers should keep in mind when they are out and about –

If you are walking a dog on a lead and meet another dog on a lead, ask the owner if it is ok for them to acknowledge each other. Once you have been given the ok follow ‘the three second rule’, they can sniff and introduce themselves but after three seconds distract away. It is best to keep the meeting brief.

Taking your dog for a walk should be an enjoyable experience for both owner and dog alike, and by remembering to Respect The Lead we can ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.

We have put together a selection of media, including multiple posters and a campaign video, all of which are ideal for sharing with your friends to help get the word out about the campaign.

These posters are ideal for either printing or sharing online. Each has an example of why a dog may be kept on a lead, as well as some key tips on how to Respect The Lead. Select an image below to open the full size poster.

This YouTube video has a complete overview of the campaign and is perfect for sharing via your website, blog, or on social media.

You are also free to use the following to help promote the campaign.

As a fellow dog owner and founder of the Respect The Lead campaign, I thought it would be great to hear from others about their experiences in their own words. Here is a series of interviews with owners and their dogs about respecting the lead, attacks, and how they feel about the campaign:
An interview with Kim and her dog Teddy >
An interview with Fede and her dog Asia >
An interview with Kirstie and Reuben>
An interview with Elaine and her whippets>
If you would like to share your story, please get in touch: email Zoe

The Respect The Lead Campaign has been featured on the following:

• Mystic Dog Mama podcast (June 2025)
• As part of the Neath Port Talbot Council’s Paws on Patrol NPT Scheme.
• The Sounding Out Horsham Podcast (March 2022)
• The Kaye Adams Programme on BBC Radio Scotland (see video below)
• Vet Times news section of their website
• Vet Times podcast
• VN Online website
• The Telegraph website, as part of their lifestyle section
• On houndy, the news section of our media sponsor Dog Furiendly.

You can also find interviews with campaign founder Zoe Blake on the:

• Finchley Dog Walker website
• LSJ news as part of Hannah Richardson’s report on Dog Attacks during the Pandemic
• Horsham TV’s May 2021 Episode 3
• Vantage Point Magazine as part of Pets and Petcare, July 2021 edition.

The campaign has also been featured in the print edition of the West Sussex County Times, and online with ‘Our Family Dog’ and ‘Rove Pet Services’.