Find the wider place early
As you approach a narrow section, look at both its entrance and its far end. A passing place behind you may be more useful than a small gap halfway through. If another walker is already in the section, stay back where you can manage your dog without blocking their exit.
Check the ground before stepping aside. A verge may conceal a ditch, unstable edge or protected planting. Do not move onto private land or towards traffic simply to be polite. Where neither side offers room, retreat to a genuinely usable spot instead of squeezing dogs and people together against a fence.
Agree on a simple pass
Make eye contact with the other handler if possible and say what you intend: “I’ll wait here so you can come through.” Keep your dog on the side farther from the passing party when that can be done comfortably and safely. Avoid wrapping the lead around your hand or forcing the dog into an uncomfortable position.
The other person may need extra distance too. If their dog cannot pass your chosen spot comfortably, moving farther back may resolve the problem more easily than insisting they should manage. A walker without a dog, a runner or a person using mobility equipment also needs a clear path; a narrow route is shared space, not a training arena.
Continue only when the space is clear
Give the passing group time to move beyond your dog before stepping back onto the path. This reduces the chance of leads crossing as everyone restarts. Use a familiar movement cue and walk away together rather than pulling suddenly from a standstill.
If the same path repeatedly produces uncomfortable encounters, choose a different time or route for regular walks. You do not need to rehearse the same difficult squeeze every day. A longer but wider approach may be easier overall, while an alternative short loop can suit a day when you have less time. Make the decision according to the conditions, not a determination to finish the original circuit.
