Published in Human Dimensions of Wildlife on May 24, 2022, this study by **Lily M. van Eeden** and colleagues surveyed over 1,000 people in **Victoria, Australia**, including 313 dog owners, to understand what influences compliance with dog leashing rules in natural environments.
The research found strong overall support for leashing regulations from both dog owners and non-dog owners. However, **self-reported compliance was generally low**, especially in areas where leashing was not strictly enforced. Key predictors of whether owners leashed their dogs included:
- Social norms—the perception of what others do or expect was a strong predictor across all site types.
- Habitual behavior—those who regularly leashed their dogs even in non-regulated areas were more likely to comply elsewhere.
- Age—older owners were more compliant in water-based habitats like beaches and wetlands.
- Beliefs—owners who valued wildlife protection were more compliant, while those who believed in off-leash roaming benefits were more compliant only in non-water environments.
By identifying the psychological and demographic drivers of leash behavior, the study provides insight into how **customized messaging and behavior-change campaigns** can improve compliance and reduce wildlife disturbance. Land managers may benefit from using **targeted interventions** that resonate with specific dog-owning groups and contexts.
Source: Eeden, L. M., Geschke, A., Hames, F., Squires, Z., & Weston, M. (2022). The leashing behavior of dog owners in different types of natural areas. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 28, 356–371. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2022.2071512
