Sharing Victoria's Trails: What Two Dogs Taught Us About Awareness
By Anna Hakim & Perry Fanthorpe, Happy Homes Team, eXp Realty | AI Certified Agents
Sharing Victoria's Trails with Dogs, Runners, and Cyclists:
If you have ever walked Elk Lake on a quiet morning, or stood along the Dallas Road waterfront watching the sun come up with your dog at your feet, you know what we mean when we say — we are lucky to live here. Greater Victoria is stunning. Every trail, every beach, every path through the trees reminds you why you chose to call this place home. And the fact that we get to share all of it with our dogs? That is something we never take for granted.
After years of walking these trails with our own dogs, we have picked up a few things — not from books or classes, just from being out there, paying attention, and learning as we go. We wanted to share some of that, not as advice, but as observations from two people who walk their dogs here every day and love this community.
Meet Ziggy and Sahara
Our dogs could not be more different, and they have taught us a lot about what it means to share trails with other people.
Ziggy is a large, friendly Rottweiler who genuinely loves people. He wants to say hello to every single person he sees on a trail. The problem is, he is 90 pounds and his excitement can look a lot like aggression if you do not know him. A big dog pulling toward you on a narrow trail can be startling, even when all he wants is a pat on the head.
Sahara is our 13-year-old Lab mix, and she is the opposite. She is cautious, a little nervous, and she prefers calm, predictable encounters. A cyclist appearing behind her on a quiet trail can send her tense for the next few minutes. She does not want to say hello — she wants to know what is happening and feel safe about it.
Two completely different dogs, walking the same trails, and they taught us the same thing: awareness makes almost every trail interaction easier.
We eventually started working with a trainer — not because Ziggy was aggressive or because anything had gone terribly wrong, but because we wanted to become better handlers. We wanted to understand what our dogs were actually experiencing on these trails and how we could help them feel more comfortable. The biggest lesson was not a magic command or a quick fix. It was learning to notice situations earlier, read our dogs better, and respond before excitement or uncertainty took over. That shift — from reacting to anticipating — changed almost everything for us.
A Few Things We've Learned Along the Way
These are not rules. They are not instructions. They are just the small habits we have fallen into over the years of walking Ziggy and Sahara around Greater Victoria. Some of them we figured out on our own. Some we learned from watching other dog owners who seemed to have it a little more together than we did.
Little Habits That Have Helped Us
- We leave the earbuds out on shared trails. The single biggest thing that changed our walks was simply hearing someone approaching before they were right on top of us. It gave us and our dogs a few extra seconds to adjust, and that made a real difference.
- We keep Ziggy on the side away from passing runners when we can. It gives everyone a little more room and makes passing feel easier. It is a small thing, but it has made a noticeable difference in how those moments go.
- We shorten our leash before we need to. If we see someone approaching, we shorten up early. A long leash on a shared trail can make things feel tighter than they need to be, no matter how well your dog usually walks.
- We step off the trail when it feels right. If Ziggy is getting ramped up or Sahara is looking uneasy, we step off the path and let people pass. There is no drama in it. It just gives everyone a little breathing room.
- We practice a simple redirect at home first. Before we ever tested it on a busy trail, we practiced getting our dogs' attention back to us in the backyard. It took time, but having one reliable way to refocus them when something exciting happens has been worth every repetition.
- We always carry waste bags. This one is simple. Pack it out, every time. We keep a roll in every jacket pocket and both leash pouches.
None of these things happened overnight. We are still figuring it out. Some walks are great, and some walks remind us that we are still learning. But over time, these small habits have made a real difference in how our trails feel — for us, for our dogs, and for the people we pass along the way.
We All Share the Same Trails
One thing we have noticed over the years is how considerate most runners and cyclists already are. Many of them call out when they are passing, slow down when they see a dog, or give us extra space when the trail is narrow. Those small gestures matter more than people probably realize. When someone slows down and says "passing on your left" instead of zooming by, it gives us a moment to settle our dogs and it makes the whole interaction smoother for everyone.
We really appreciate that. Genuinely.
Everyone out on these trails is here for the same reason — to enjoy this beautiful place we all call home. The runner getting their morning miles in. The cyclist out for a Sunday ride along the Lochside. The family with a toddler on a balance bike. We are all just trying to have a nice time outside, and for the most part, people are wonderful about it.
Victoria's trail community is a good one. We feel that every time we are out there.
A Note on Quieter Times
If your dog is still building confidence around fast-moving trail users, or if you are working through something with your dog the way we have, a quieter trail or a quieter time of day can simply make the walk more relaxing. Mid-morning after about 9:30 on weekdays and mid-afternoon tend to be calmer on the busier trails like the Galloping Goose and the Lochside. Some of the less-trafficked routes — the paths around Thetis Lake, Francis/King Regional Park, or Mount Douglas Park — are often a little quieter too. Sometimes the nicest walk is just a calmer trail at a calmer time.
Why We Walk These Trails
We walk these trails because we love this place. Elk Lake on a misty morning. The Galloping Goose stretching out toward the countryside. The Lochside Trail with the ocean visible through the trees. We are out here because Victoria is magnificent, and walking our dogs on these trails is one of the best parts of living here.
After years of exploring Greater Victoria with Ziggy and Sahara, some of our favourite moments have happened on these trails — quiet mornings, unexpected conversations with strangers, watching our dogs discover something new in a patch of sunlight. These trails are where we feel most at home in this community.
A little awareness, a little patience, a little kindness, and a little space — that is really all it takes for all of us to enjoy them together. We are grateful for everyone who shares them with us.
See you out there. 🐾
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs need to stay on leash on Victoria trails?
It depends on the trail. In the City of Victoria, dogs must be leashed unless you are in a designated leash-optional area — there are about 15 of them, including areas of Beacon Hill Park and the Dallas Road waterfront. The CRD's major regional trails — the Galloping Goose (KM 18–55), the Lochside Trail (KM 3–13), and the E&N Rail Trail — all require dogs to be on leash. Most CRD regional parks do allow off-leash dogs, but there are exceptions in certain parks and near beaches during summer months (June 1 to September 15). When in doubt, check the signage at the trailhead, and if you are not sure, leash up. You can always verify current rules on the CRD's Pets in Parks page.
What should I do if my dog reacts to runners or cyclists?
Stay calm — your dog picks up on your tension right away. Step off the trail if you can, give the runner or cyclist room to pass, and take a breath. Most trail users are patient and understanding about it. If it happens regularly, it is worth considering a session with a trainer who works with dogs in these kinds of situations. That is what we did, and it gave us a much better understanding of what our dogs needed from us. You do not have to figure it out alone.
What is the best time to walk busy Victoria trails?
Mid-morning after about 9:30 on weekdays and mid-afternoon tend to be calmer on the busiest trails. Weekends are generally busier across all the major corridors. If your dog is still getting comfortable with trail activity, a quieter route — like the paths around Thetis Lake or Mount Douglas Park — can make the whole walk more enjoyable. Sometimes the simplest solution is just a calmer trail.