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PAW’S

CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

THINK YOUR DOG DOESN’T NEED A LEASH?

D EAR PAW’S CORNER: If your dog is well-trained, instantly to be innocent or harmless could
returns when calls and stays within
On long hikes in the
cause a lot of grief. Say their dog
woods behind my
lunges at your dog, and their owner
visual range while you’re hiking, that
house, I let my dog run might be a different matter. However, falls or gets between them. You could
off leash. Yesterday, a I have rarely met an owner in the be looking at a lawsuit, even if there
neighbor ran up yelling that I need U.S. who trains their dog so well. are no leash requirements in those
to put “Skip” on a leash, because particular woods.
it’s dangerous for my dog in bear Your neighbor is right: You’re in black
country. I told him where to shove it. bear country, and while most bears Make life easier for yourself and Skip
What do you think? prefer to leave when a big yappy dog and keep him on a leash. Reinforce
-- Carl in Asheville, North Carolina bounds into their view, some may get his basic obedience training as well,
aggressive. just in case he escapes your grasp.
DEAR CARL: This is a sensitive topic
for some pet owners, but keeping What’s even more likely is that your COMMENTS
your pet on leash can keep them dog will run into another dog out in Send your questions or pet tips
to ask@pawscorner.com.
safe -- as well as local wildlife, other the woods, or another person. Loose
hikers and their pets. dogs make many people nervous, © 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
and an interaction that you consider