{"id":2035,"date":"2026-02-12T11:34:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/the-reality-of-dog-walking-in-south-america-experiences-from-paraguay-and-bolivia\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T08:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T07:28:13","slug":"the-reality-of-dog-walking-in-south-america-experiences-from-paraguay-and-bolivia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/the-reality-of-dog-walking-in-south-america-experiences-from-paraguay-and-bolivia\/","title":{"rendered":"The reality of dog walking in South America: experiences from Paraguay and Bolivia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dog walking in Europe tends to follow clear rules. Parks, leashes, fenced off\u2011leash areas, mandatory vaccinations, and a general sense that you\u2019re in control of what\u2019s happening around you. If a dog scuffle breaks out, it\u2019s usually between two owners who then try to sort it out.<\/p>\n\n

After arriving in South America<\/a>, we quickly learned what we\u2019d already suspected \u2013 the reality of dog walking here is different.<\/p>\n\n

Walking the dog here isn\u2019t always neat and predictable. Dogs roam freely; many don\u2019t wear collars, and some don\u2019t 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\u2011ins with pet dogs (and other animals), strays, and smaller packs.<\/p>\n\n

Nothing veered into horror\u2011story territory, but the moments we did face taught us a completely different kind of vigilance. They also showed us how often an owner\u2019s intervention needlessly escalates things.<\/p>\n\n

Leash \u2013 yes or no?<\/h2>\n
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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 \u201ccome\u201d, \u201csit\u201d, \u201cstay\u201d, and \u201cleave it\u201d. He handles the usual situations you meet on streets, in parks, or in the woods.<\/p>\n\n

Naturally, that shapes the advice below. Take it with your own dog in mind and always adapt it to your pet\u2019s temperament, experience, and level of obedience.<\/p>\n\n

If you have a very well\u2011trained dog who can handle tense moments, you may manage even more than we did. The reverse is also true: if your dog doesn\u2019t listen, struggles to cross a busy road, or overreacts around other dogs, those shortcomings will only be amplified in a foreign country.<\/p>\n\n

Encounters with \u2018pet\u2019 dogs<\/h2>\n\n

If we\u2019re talking about encounters with owned dogs, it\u2019s only fair to start with Paraguay<\/a>. That\u2019s where we most often walked Ibo in areas where he met pet dogs on the street with their owners.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n

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We had plenty of meetings and interactions. Even if Ibo sometimes tried to act dominant (he\u2019s a terrier, after all), nothing ever turned into a serious conflict.<\/p>\n\n

We had a similar experience in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia<\/a>. The very center is hectic \u2013 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\u2011leash time.<\/p>\n\n

In both countries, the picture shifts as soon as you move into less developed or more peripheral neighborhoods.<\/p>\n\n

Street and stray dogs<\/h2>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Some dogs technically have an owner but roam around completely on their own. Another group are true strays with no owner at all.<\/p>\n\n

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\u2011organized packs of two to four dogs are common and will defend their space. You\u2019ll also meet shy, withdrawn dogs who prefer to avoid you and aren\u2019t looking for conflict at all.<\/p>\n\n

The atmosphere simply isn\u2019t the same as in Europe. You\u2019re walking down the street, a gate swings open, or a group of dogs spills out from around a corner. Sometimes it\u2019s just noise; other times it\u2019s a quick dash in your direction.<\/p>\n\n

It happened to us once \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Here are a few basics that worked for us:<\/p>\n\n

Spray as a safety net<\/h3>\n\n

Carry a dog\u2011deterrent spray. We never had to use it, but it gave us confidence to have a tool for an extreme situation.<\/p>\n\n

Use the leash wisely<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Check your gear<\/h3>\n\n

Stay on top of your dog\u2019s gear<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n

Keep your cool<\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Be ready for conflict<\/h3>\n\n

Accept that sometimes you simply can\u2019t avoid a scuffle. Keep your dog in good shape and properly vaccinated. Have a plan for where you\u2019ll go if there\u2019s an injury or complications.<\/p>\n\n

Avoid risky spots<\/h3>\n\n

Don\u2019t 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\u2019t feel safe, turn back and return by a familiar route.<\/p>\n\n

Stay aware of your surroundings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Keep an eye on what\u2019s happening around you and on possible risks. You can avoid many problems simply by crossing to the other side of the street.<\/p>\n\n

Risky places<\/h3>\n\n

Steer clear of spots with trash or anywhere dogs can easily get to food. They\u2019re natural magnets for packs.<\/p>\n\n

Use the internet to choose a suitable park or area. Read reviews and look for other travelers\u2019 experiences with dogs.<\/p>\n\n

Bolivia: literally on a higher level<\/h2>\n\n

Beyond Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we spent a lot of time on the Altiplano<\/a> \u2013 in towns like Uyuni<\/a> and San Pedro de Quemes, and especially in smaller villages across this high plateau.<\/p>\n\n

Dogs here live a very different life than we imagine in Europe: huge day\u2013night temperature swings, irregular food, harsh weather (dry air, wind), and extreme elevation.<\/p>\n\n

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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\u2011confrontational.<\/p>\n\n

This is where it really hit us that local dogs live a true \u2018dog\u2019s life\u2019. Their instincts are strong and active, helping them get by. Their interactions with Ibo felt natural, often playful. The biggest \u2018conflict\u2019 we saw was a local dog\u2019s clear body language showing he simply wasn\u2019t interested in meeting Ibo.<\/p>\n\n

Health risks you shouldn\u2019t underestimate<\/h2>\n\n

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\u2019t always the case here.<\/p>\n\n

Of the many risks, these are the most common.<\/p>\n\n

Rabies<\/h3>\n\n

It\u2019s still present in some areas. Your dog\u2019s vaccination should be up to date and, if necessary, documented.<\/p>\n\n

Parasites<\/h3>\n\n

Fleas, ticks, and internal parasites are more common than in Europe. Regular protection is essential. Prevention is half the battle.<\/p>\n\n

Leishmaniasis<\/h3>\n\n

In some regions it\u2019s a real risk. Prevention is especially important. Vaccination exists, but it\u2019s a more complex topic. As an alternative, insect\u2011repellent collars target the vectors that transmit the disease, though they don\u2019t provide 100% protection.<\/p>\n\n

Bites and infections<\/h3>\n\n

Even a small wound can become inflamed quickly in tropical conditions. Disinfection and regular checks are key.<\/p>\n\n

What did we take away?<\/h2>\n
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As the saying goes, what doesn\u2019t 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 \u2013 and, in the end, very instructive.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

We\u2019ll gladly return to this part of the world with him. Next time, we\u2019ll be better prepared and a little wiser.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dog walking in Europe tends to follow clear rules. Parks, leashes, fenced off\u2011leash areas, mandatory vaccinations, and a general sense that you\u2019re in control of what\u2019s happening around you. If a dog scuffle breaks out, it\u2019s usually between two owners … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Dog walking in Paraguay and Bolivia: encounters with local and stray dogs \u2022 IBO GUIDE","_seopress_titles_desc":"What is dog walking in Paraguay and Bolivia really like? Our firsthand experience with packs, street dogs, and health risks\u2014and, in the end, more upsides than we expected.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[92,94,139,137,100,132],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-americas","category-bolivia","category-general-tips","category-in-the-city","category-paraguay","category-with-a-dog","latest_post"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2035"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3194,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2035\/revisions\/3194"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ibo.guide\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}