A plea and reminder to parents of dogs

ali-t

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

When you had a 'nightmare of a dog', did you muzzle him in public?

How does one 'keep away from' someone who is walking past us in the street or on a woodland path and we have to pass by closely?

No I don't/didn't muzzle him BUT I didn't put him in positions where he was being set up to fail. He was never off lead, was never left outside shops, wasn't taken to crowds of people, was kept on a short lead when there were people and dogs in close proximity and when children asked to pet him they were told not to but they could speak to the other one who was more friendly.

The way I would keep him away from someone on a woodland path or street is to pull my dogs into the side and put them into a sit until the walker/runner/dog/cyclist went past. simple and no hindrance to anyone else.

Is that sensible and responsible enough for you????

I am bowing out of this now as the responses are verging on the ridiculous.

Guinea_2

I have two dogs. One is muzzled mostly at home when we have visitors and when we go for walks due to her being aggressive to our other dog (not all of the time but when we have visitors as she wants to impress them and get all the attention) and mostly barks at other dogs, although has never done anything to another dog on any walks. She is actually one of the most loving dogs and loves cuddles and kisses but I feel that it's better to be safe than sorry. I have taken her to so many training groups, behaviourists and even to the vets to do tests as to whether there was a medical problem that we had missed. Nothing and no help! Therefore we have accomodated for this and always walk the dogs on the lead unless we go to places where we know there are no other dogs or people. This is so that they don't feel apprehensive about seeing a dog with a muzzle.
Anyway...back to my point! I sometimes walk the dogs on my own (without my OH) but with my baby in a harness. A few weeks ago I was walking my dogs and saw a child (maybe about eight years old) with a cross breed dog on one of those stretchy leads which go for about ten metres or something! (I HATE those leads!) He also had his parent alongside him I hasten to add. Knowing my dogs (and knowing that a muzzle can look scary) I crossed to the other side of the path thinking that the Mum would take the lead and reign in the dog a little which is what people generally do when they see a dog with a muzzle!! DId she h*ll?! The dog started coming towards us faster and faster and the child being tugged along being it but about ten metres behind because of the bl**dy lead! The Mum chased the boy, got the boy but of course the dog was now along side us and running rings round me. I couldn't do anything as my hands were full AND I had my baby attached to my chest and now a lead wrapping around my legs!! As there was a child ( and my baby!) present I did not swear but I did let the Mother know that she should have responsibility for the dog and to be more careful.
So...I must say that I would never let a child go on their own for a walk with our dogs or any dogs. I am much more wary when I see a child alone on a dog walk, especially when they have big dogs. I find this totally irresponsible of the parents. I believe that they are also lazy for not going with the
dog and child. I would allow them to take the lead with my guidance, although not if I knew that the dogs were pull.

pulliptears

Several years ago I was walking my little Scottie and Westie, on leads along a beach front on Anglesey. From nowhere came a Heinz 57 who dove in and viciously attacked the smaller of the 2 dogs, the Westie. Several minutes of panicked Westie and distraught Scottie ensued until finally OH managed to get the Heinz off him. The owners casually walked over and complained to me because the Scottie had tried to wade in and help the westie. This made my Scott vicious according to her and he should be 'put to sleep!'. I won't go into the conversation, but needless to say the woman and her out of control vicious mutt got a decent helping of my tongue.

Fast forward a few months and we were out one day when another off lead dog comes bounding towards us. This time my Scottie decides to get in there first and while the Westie cowered the Scottie went for it. From then on he's always been the same. If he is walked alone he is fine with other dogs, but when out with the westie he will defend him to the hilt.

As has been said here the amount of owners who happily shout "Oh he's friendly" as their dog comes running over is untrue. Please don't assume that because your dog is friendly mine is too. A stupid woman with an out of control, vicious animal made sure that my poor little dog was mentally scarred for life.