A Call for Safer, More Accessible Dog Walking

Walking our dogs should be simple. It should be the highlight of the day — the chance to take a breath, enjoy nature, and connect with our pets. For a lot of people in Edmonton though, that simple joy has turned into something stressful, unpredictable, and in many cases, unsafe.

I hear it every week from my clients at Canine Blueprint Training. The number one frustration isn’t about how to teach a sit, or what food to use, or even about working through reactivity itself. It’s about where they can walk safely. Edmonton has no shortage of off-leash trails. But when it comes to on-leash options, the balance just isn’t there. And the result is that families, seniors, and everyday dog owners feel left out, anxious, and at times even pushed out of their own parks.

I think about the senior dog whose body can’t keep up anymore. That dog still deserves slow, sniffy walks without being bowled over by somebody else’s dog charging up. I think about the rescue dogs who come from tough starts and are finally building trust, only to have it shattered when an off-leash dog barrels straight into them. I think about families who want to enjoy a walk with their kids and their little dog, but instead find themselves nervously scanning the trails, wondering when an off-leash dog will come charging around the corner. I think about seniors using canes or walkers, who don’t have the physical ability to break up a scuffle if one happens. And of course, I think about all the reactive dogs in training. I see them every day. They make huge strides when given space and predictability, and then lose it all when an off-leash dog takes that choice away.

This isn’t about owners who don’t want to let their dogs “have fun.” Choosing on-leash isn’t about restriction. It’s about safety, respect, and accessibility. For many people, it’s the only safe option. Yet, in this city, that option isn’t supported nearly enough.

Even friendly dogs off-leash can cause harm. They don’t mean to — they’re excited, they want to say hi, they want to play. But when they rush up to a leashed dog who feels trapped or overwhelmed, that’s when fights break out. That’s when dogs and people get hurt. That’s when months of hard training fall apart in an instant.

I’ve seen it happen too many times. One client worked tirelessly with her shepherd mix who had finally begun walking calmly on a leash after a rough start in life. Then one day, an off-leash dog ran straight into them on a trail. Her shepherd panicked, snapped, and the trust she had built crumbled. The family now avoids city trails altogether. Another client had a border collie who had come miles in her reactivity training. Her handler was confident, her dog was checking in, things were going well. Then an off-leash doodle charged them, recall ignored, owner shouting from far back. The collie lunged and barked, the handler left in tears, and weeks of confidence-building disappeared. And it’s not just reactive dogs. I’ve sat with seniors who tell me they’ve stopped walking in the river valley because they’re terrified of being pulled down. Their dogs are calm and well-mannered, but the risk of an off-leash encounter is just too high.

These aren’t rare events. They’re happening every day in Edmonton. And the impact spreads far beyond dog owners. Families with kids deserve to feel safe. Seniors deserve to enjoy a peaceful walk without fear. People with disabilities deserve access to the same trails as everyone else. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers shouldn’t have to dodge unpredictable dogs either. On-leash trails aren’t just about dogs — they’re about public safety and accessibility for everyone.

What makes this harder to accept is that other cities have figured it out. Calgary and Vancouver both have systems in place that give people clear choice. They have designated on-leash trails alongside off-leash parks, so everyone knows what to expect. People who want to let their dogs run can do that. People who need structure and predictability can do that too. It doesn’t pit one group against another — it creates balance. Here in Edmonton, that balance is missing. Our city heavily favors off-leash use, leaving responsible on-leash owners with almost nowhere to go.

When we talk about accessibility, most people picture ramps, elevators, or inclusive playgrounds. But accessibility is about more than buildings. It’s about making sure everyone, no matter their age, mobility, or even their dog’s needs, can safely use public spaces they pay for. Right now, our trails aren’t accessible for everyone. If you own a dog who can’t safely be off-leash — whether because of age, health, training, or temperament — then your options are limited, and in many cases, unsafe. That’s not right, and it’s not inclusive.

The changes we need aren’t complicated. We need more designated on-leash trails, clearly signed and properly enforced. We need better enforcement of existing leash laws, because “on-leash” areas often turn into free-for-alls when nobody is watching. We need education, because too many people don’t understand the damage an off-leash interaction can cause to a leashed dog. And we need the city to actually listen to the people this affects — dog owners, families, seniors, trainers, and others who are out there every day.

Edmonton has done an incredible job building trails and green spaces that show off our city’s natural beauty. But it’s time to bring balance back. This isn’t about taking away off-leash privileges. It’s about making sure responsible on-leash owners have safe, accessible spaces too.

I’m asking the City of Edmonton to take this seriously. This is not just a dog issue. It’s a community safety issue. It’s an accessibility issue. It’s about respect and fairness. It’s about making sure every Edmontonian, no matter who they are or what kind of dog they own, can enjoy our parks without fear or setback.

And I can’t do this alone. If you’ve experienced this yourself — if your dog has been rushed, if you’ve had to stop going to a favorite trail, if you’ve felt anxious just trying to walk — please speak up. Share your story. Send an email to the city. Let them know this matters. The more voices they hear, the harder it is to ignore.

Walking your dog should be a joy, not a battle. Every Edmontonian deserves safe trails where they can walk with confidence. It’s time we made that a reality