A playful chase quickly turned into a worrying moment for one dachshund after she lost track of her owner in a crowded public space.
The dachshund, Ruby, had been running after a squirrel through the park in the United Kingdom when she suddenly realized she was alone, pausing to anxiously scan the sea of people before her for her owner, Mariia. The owner told Newsweek via Instagram that, when the two walk together, Ruby is always a bit in front of her. This time, the dog chased the squirrel in the opposite direction they were walking.
“The squirrel climbed a tree, and Ruby started to look for me,” Mariia said. “She was moving toward me, but couldn’t see me, so I started recalling her and squatted down so I could be on her level.”
In the February 26 Instagram video on the account @ruby_the_dachshund_uk, Ruby is seen running through the crowd, checking every passerby as Mariia called her name. The dog’s head swiveled from side to side before finally spotting her owner. Mariia said Ruby was searching for only about a minute or two.
Despite the brief separation, Mariia stayed calm. She said: “I wasn’t worried at all, because this is the park where we usually go, and she is familiar with it. I was keeping my eyes on her all the time.”
Seeing Mariia again brought instant relief, and her tiny legs immediately carried her back to her owner.
Ruby’s quick sprint after the squirrel isn’t that unusual for her dog breed. An article from the American Kennel Club states that these dogs were originally bred to hunt badgers and follow scent trails into tight burrows. Dachshunds are known for their boldness and persistence—qualities that can make small wildlife like squirrels almost impossible for them to ignore.
Aside from their strong prey drive, these small dogs can be independent yet affectionate with their families, which Mariia has noticed from the start.
“She is very smart and likes to learn new things,” Mariia said. “She has her opinion and always shows if she is not happy about something, like me not giving her an extra treat or not scratching her…She is very sweet and cuddly, too.”
Viewer Reactions
The Instagram clip had reached over 1 million views as of Monday, with many viewers calling her reaction “so cute,” and joking that Ruby would do it again. However, others felt conflicted about her dog being off-leash.
“The only people who need a leash are when a dog doesn’t have a good recall…this dog seems to listen to its owner,” wrote one user.
But many thought it was irresponsible for Mariia to have her dachshund off-leash. Someone said: “Please use a leash, you could lose this sweet baby forever, they panic and will run away. Please be responsible.”
Another added: “That wouldn’t have happened if your dog was on a leash.”
UK Leash Laws
In the United Kingdom, there is no single law requiring dogs to be kept on a leash in all public spaces, according to the Blue Cross. However, there are a series of orders requiring owners to leash their pets in certain areas, such as children’s play parks, sports pitches, beaches or near roads.
Many councils have also introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders that can require dogs to be on leads or ban them entirely in designated locations, encouraging owners to check signage and local guidance before letting pets roam freely.
Dog Recall Training
While many owners enjoy letting their dogs explore off-leash, experts emphasize that pets should be reliably trained in recall first. Teaching a pup to return when called can be life-saving, helping owners steer pets away from traffic, aggressive animals, or getting lost, according to an article from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Trainers recommend starting recall practice in low-distraction environments and rewarding prompt returns with treats, toys, or praise. Even well-trained dogs can be distracted by wildlife, crowds, or loud noises, so supervision is essential. Tools such as long training leads or recall whistles can help safely practice recall while giving canines more freedom to explore.
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