Ah, May. The fresh smells of new leaves and sprouting greenery. The pinks and purples of azaleas, rhododendron and lilacs. The longer days and warmer temperatures.

May is the month when the outdoors beckon and many of us seek the peaceful trails at so many of the wonderful parks throughout the region. For many of us, that also means bringing our best four-legged friends along as our trail-hiking companions.

As we begin another outdoor season, however, we should remember some basic dog-walking etiquette. Nothing ruins a trek as completely or as quickly as an encounter with a canine that isn’t quite as well-behaved as its owner professes.

Anyone who has walked the trails at Haley Farm or Bluff Point state parks, Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Pachaug State Forest or other natural areas has no doubt experienced a scenario such as this: while walking quietly, with or without an accompanying leashed dog, an exuberant unleashed dog bounds around a corner from the opposite direction and a flurry of leaping and barking pursues. The owner may call the pet from a distance, but there is a delay before he or she appears and regains control of his or her pet.

Then there are dog vs. dog encounters. Even friendly dogs can be aggressive when leashed. Many will seek to protect their human from approaching unleashed dogs. Many dogs also fear other dogs and fear can trigger aggressive behavior.

Most parks and trail systems that allow dogs also prominently post signs asking dog owners to practice common courtesy: pick up after the pet and keep it leashed. Still, many dog owners ignore both, which makes for unpleasant or even dangerous encounters.

Public places are meant to be enjoyed by all. That means dog lovers as well as those who are indifferent to or fearful of dogs.

Famed Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan offers numerous no-nonsense tips for dog walking etiquette. Two of these are: don’t let your dog approach other people or dogs without asking; and don’t space out while walking your dog.

Even more important, in our book, is following the rules. Keep your dog leashed, no matter if you think it will do no harm.