REGARDING the letter stating dogs should all be kept on leads (Echo Letters, July 26).

The Animal Welfare Five Freedoms policy states animals must be allowed to perform breed specific behaviours. For dogs, this means the ability to forage, sniff, play and run.

Dogs should ideally have off lead exercise to ensure good physical and emotional health.

Nina's Nannies are right to exercise dogs on lead as they are not the owners and there is a good chance a dog might not recall to them.

However, well behaved dogs should be allowed off lead to ensure their physical and emotional needs are met.

The problem is that a few dog owners are irresponsible. They behave without consideration for others. Dog owners should undergo training with their dogs, or have to show that they do not need training.

If people exercised common sense we would not have these problems.

For example, if you are walking your dog and come across another dog on lead, you should always place your dog on lead too.

If there are small children in the vicinity, put your dog on lead. If the recreation ground is in use for sport, put your dog on lead. If you see a dog wearing a yellow jacket or bandana or lead, put your dog on a lead. If you see a family having a picnic, put your dog on lead. If you are the owner of a large bouncy dog you should put them on lead if a small dog is nearby. If you are the owner of a small dog, put them on lead if you see a large bouncy dog. If we could all behave with respect for others the dog owning world would be a far better place for dog owners and non dog owners.

DENISE NUTTALL Dog behaviourist and trainer B.Sc (Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour Masters in Research Science in Dog Cognition and Forensic Psychology, Maple Drive, Ferndown