Dog walking like most activities has a basic set of do’s and don’ts.     The Buck’s Tales and Trails family follows the rules below.  We review these rules before going on a walk and add to them when we need to. 

1. Pack a dog walking bag with a leash, poop bags and a water bottle for the dog before going on a walk.  
2. Clean up after your dog regardless of where you are walking. 
3. Discard all used poop bags in a park trash can.  If the park does not have a trash can to discard a used poop bag, take it home and discard it.   
4. Leash and heel your dog when a biker, walker, or jogger is getting close.  When you leash and heel the dog it lets the passerby know it is safe to pass.
5. Keep your dog leashed, if the dog does not like other dogs, children or people
6. If you dog has not been socialized with other dogs, avoid a leash free dog park until you are sure that your dog will react in a positive way with other dogs and their owners.
7. When a person asks to pet your dog, politely ask them to let your dog sniff the back of their hand before they start petting.  However, if your dog is unfriendly, politely let them know the dog is not social and cannot be petted.
8. When meeting another dog owner ask if their dog is social before letting your dog approach.
9. When a dog park has rules posted, read the rules before entering the dog park.   The rules are there to keep the owners and dogs safe.  
10. Do not bring food into an unleashed dog park.  All the dogs in the park will expect you to share and some dogs will not take no for an answer
11. When on a path or trail always stay to the right, so others on the path can pass.