Dog walking in Europe tends to follow clear rules. Parks, leashes, fenced off‑leash areas, mandatory vaccinations, and a general sense that you’re in control of what’s happening around you. If a dog scuffle breaks out, it’s usually between two owners who then try to sort it out.
After arriving in South America, we quickly learned what we’d already suspected – the reality of dog walking here is different.
Walking the dog here isn’t always neat and predictable. Dogs roam freely; many don’t wear collars, and some don’t really have owners at all. This environment will thoroughly test your patience and preparedness, and it will show how much control you truly have over your dog. Ibo had his share of run‑ins with pet dogs (and other animals), strays, and smaller packs.
Nothing veered into horror‑story territory, but the moments we did face taught us a completely different kind of vigilance. They also showed us how often an owner’s intervention needlessly escalates things.
Leash – yes or no?
A quick note up front. Our dog, Ibo, has been walked off leash since he was a tiny puppy. He obeys (almost always) the commands “come”, “sit”, “stay”, and “leave it”. He handles the usual situations you meet on streets, in parks, or in the woods.
Naturally, that shapes the advice below. Take it with your own dog in mind and always adapt it to your pet’s temperament, experience, and level of obedience.
If you have a very well‑trained dog who can handle tense moments, you may manage even more than we did. The reverse is also true: if your dog doesn’t listen, struggles to cross a busy road, or overreacts around other dogs, those shortcomings will only be amplified in a foreign country.
Encounters with ‘pet’ dogs
If we’re talking about encounters with owned dogs, it’s only fair to start with Paraguay. That’s where we most often walked Ibo in areas where he met pet dogs on the street with their owners.
In safer parts of town, the experience felt very similar to Europe. Most owners walk their dogs along local streets, usually on a leash, and the dogs are used to that routine.
We had plenty of meetings and interactions. Even if Ibo sometimes tried to act dominant (he’s a terrier, after all), nothing ever turned into a serious conflict.
We had a similar experience in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia. The very center is hectic – narrow streets and heavy traffic make a leash practically mandatory. Just a few kilometers out, though, you find newer neighborhoods with parks of all sizes. Traffic eases and side streets are calm enough to allow some off‑leash time.
In both countries, the picture shifts as soon as you move into less developed or more peripheral neighborhoods.
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Street and stray dogs
In both Paraguay and Bolivia, the presence of street dogs is part of daily life, especially on the outskirts of cities and in rural areas.
Some dogs technically have an owner but roam around completely on their own. Another group are true strays with no owner at all.
Their behavior varies widely. You often see strong territoriality around a house or an entire block, constant barking from yards and behind fences, or sudden charges onto the street through an open gate. Small, quasi‑organized packs of two to four dogs are common and will defend their space. You’ll also meet shy, withdrawn dogs who prefer to avoid you and aren’t looking for conflict at all.
The atmosphere simply isn’t the same as in Europe. You’re walking down the street, a gate swings open, or a group of dogs spills out from around a corner. Sometimes it’s just noise; other times it’s a quick dash in your direction.
It happened to us once – in the very scenario where Ibo was on a leash. A much larger dog burst out of a gate with clear territorial intent. Everything unfolded in seconds. The dog went for Ibo and I had no choice but to step in with my foot and separate them. The moment he realized we outnumbered him, he turned and bolted back home.
It sounds chaotic and unpredictable. Yet despite spending a fairly long time with a dog in two South American countries, we got through it without a single serious injury.
Here are a few basics that worked for us:
Spray as a safety net
Carry a dog‑deterrent spray. We never had to use it, but it gave us confidence to have a tool for an extreme situation.
Use the leash wisely
If your dog is well trained and the situation allows, consider whether a leash is always necessary. A leash restricts a dog and, in some moments, can rob them of the chance to react naturally. Yanking on a leash in a tense situation often makes things worse.
Check your gear
Stay on top of your dog’s gear. The collar should fit securely. If you use a training collar, keep it charged and working. Keep your spray accessible and know how to use it.
Keep your cool
Stay calm, even if things feel uncomfortable. Dogs pick up on your nerves fast. Not every heated moment calls for shouting and panic. Handle it with your head more than your emotions.
Be ready for conflict
Accept that sometimes you simply can’t avoid a scuffle. Keep your dog in good shape and properly vaccinated. Have a plan for where you’ll go if there’s an injury or complications.
Avoid risky spots
Don’t seek out problem areas. Walk your route in advance without the dog if you need to. Avoid wild or hectic zones. If you end up somewhere that doesn’t feel safe, turn back and return by a familiar route.
Stay aware of your surroundings
Keep an eye on what’s happening around you and on possible risks. You can avoid many problems simply by crossing to the other side of the street.
Risky places
Steer clear of spots with trash or anywhere dogs can easily get to food. They’re natural magnets for packs.
Use the internet to choose a suitable park or area. Read reviews and look for other travelers’ experiences with dogs.
Bolivia: literally on a higher level
Beyond Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we spent a lot of time on the Altiplano – in towns like Uyuni and San Pedro de Quemes, and especially in smaller villages across this high plateau.
Dogs here live a very different life than we imagine in Europe: huge day–night temperature swings, irregular food, harsh weather (dry air, wind), and extreme elevation.
Most of them roam the streets during the day, regardless of whether they have an owner. In our experience these dogs were mostly easygoing and non‑confrontational.
This is where it really hit us that local dogs live a true ‘dog’s life’. Their instincts are strong and active, helping them get by. Their interactions with Ibo felt natural, often playful. The biggest ‘conflict’ we saw was a local dog’s clear body language showing he simply wasn’t interested in meeting Ibo.
Health risks you shouldn’t underestimate
In South America, you also need to consider health risks when your dog meets local dogs. While pets are generally well cared for in Europe, that isn’t always the case here.
Of the many risks, these are the most common.
Rabies
It’s still present in some areas. Your dog’s vaccination should be up to date and, if necessary, documented.
Parasites
Fleas, ticks, and internal parasites are more common than in Europe. Regular protection is essential. Prevention is half the battle.
Leishmaniasis
In some regions it’s a real risk. Prevention is especially important. Vaccination exists, but it’s a more complex topic. As an alternative, insect‑repellent collars target the vectors that transmit the disease, though they don’t provide 100% protection.
Bites and infections
Even a small wound can become inflamed quickly in tropical conditions. Disinfection and regular checks are key.
What did we take away?
As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. That was our story, too. We were wary at first, but it turned out that even a seemingly chaotic region like South America is manageable with a dog – and, in the end, very instructive.
Ibo learned to handle new situations, and we learned to stay one step ahead: to read the streets, gauge risk, and react before something happens.
We’ll gladly return to this part of the world with him. Next time, we’ll be better prepared and a little wiser.