Dogs on lead, dogs off lead - rant

meames_2

I always walk my dog on a lead, unless there are absolutley no other dogs around because occasionally he can be a real grumpy old man. He doesn't like other dogs invading his space but is quite happy if they keep their distance. He hates a dog to bound up to him it makes hime really edgy. He's a rescue so i have no idea about his past.

Of course its fine for other dog owners to let their dogs run free. When I see another dog off the lead I always ask the owner to be aware, make my dog sit and the other dog go past.

But what really gets me is when they just respond "my dogs ok" and let the dog bounce up.

Today this happened at a local park. The dog, a white staffie which was very similar to the one that attacked him last year, but was a different one, it did look friendly but I could feel my dog stiffen. I told the owner not to let him too near because of the attack, he says "my dog won't hurt yours", but a both dogs leapt at each other, luckily I was hold of my dogs collar and it was less than a second. I admit I did scream more out of shock than anything. But the other owners attitude was "for gods sake theres no need for you". I replied I had warned him, cue some verbal abuse as he walkd off.

I know in some areas they are looking at making dogs on lead compulsory. what are your thoughts on this? I don't think thats right but owners should be more responsible, and not assume all dogs are the same!

sorry rant over

lostinrates

meames wrote: »

I know in some areas they are looking at making dogs on lead compulsory. what are your tthoughts on this? I don't think thats right but owners should be more responsible, and not assume all dogs are the same!

sorry rant over

this comes up sporadically on here. It makes me very upset. I have sight hounds they need both physically anand mentally to have a good run: its what they are built for...running and sleeping.

If dogs on leads becaomes compulsory there will be more and more poorly socialised dogs and thus frustration and incidents like yours to day will be more common. My dogs are well socialised and know how to tell other dogs they want to play/be left alone, and most importantly how to read other dogs ''go away'' postures.

For a long time, until the last thread on the topic, I'd stopped walking mine on public land, instead walking with friends on their or our land. Its oimportant to me my dogs see other well socialised dogs so that they are still well behaved. After moving I learned that a local area is dog off lead friendly, and my dogs love it. They like seeing the same dogs they know, but also new dogs. if the other dogs are off lead I call and ask if ''your dog likes to play?'' and leave mine off, if I see dogs ahead ON leads I call mine and put them on a lead usually, even thoiugh mine will leave a dog whose body says ''no'' or agressive ''bring it on'' the owners are obviously tense.

The only problem we've had is caused by people who demand dogs are put on leads for running....sometimes people will come and scream and shout and then my dogs do get confused and defensive...weirdly when you are putting these confused dogs on leads so there is no risk of them becomeing defensive, people then scream that you are ignoring them!

Sadly, atm, one of mine has a shattered hock...ironically from running with another faster dog...so we're not walking atm at all.

revpeachy

But what really gets me is when they just respond "my dogs ok" and let the dog bounce up.


This totally gets my hackles up too!! (pardon the pun) My pup is blind in one eye and 40% vision in the other. He is never off the lead in park as he just bumps into everything and relies on sounds (I wear a bell on wrist when we are out.) I get fed up of dogs bounding over with the owner just in earshot shouting, as you say, "my dogs ok"...I shout back mines not and just wait for mine to give the warning snarl for the other dog to back off (fortunately all he does is snarl). The other owner generally looks at me as if I've got an out of control dog....eh excuse me mines on a lead...and then when they call their dog back to them they are generally ignored and the dog bounds on.

Wish some people would be bit more, bit more, clued up about it.

meames_2

Hi, For people I see regularly I always make a point of stopping and chatting and the dogs can get used to each other from a distance, My dog will turn his back and ignore them. In fact there is a gang of dogs he can sit in the middle of, he is quite happy to be near them and they now know to leave him be.

It does seem more and more owners disregard the fact not all dogs aren't friendly and their dogs don't seem able to notice the warning signs, or feel its fine to ignore them.

I didn't mean to scream, but the fear of the fight he had last year, sprung forward.

moments_of_sanity

We have 2 Border COllies, one is 2.5 years and the other is 18 weeks. Both are allowed to run off lead and ignore other dogs (something to do with being a Border and always thinking they are working) but we had an incident the other day - both of my dogs like to swim in the local lakes that we walk around, whilst we were out walking we didn't see a lady with 2 Huskies and 1 German Shepherd (hidden behind some big bushes, playing in the water) but as soon as they saw my dogs they were snarling etc - fortunately the lady had her dogs muzzled and was shouting at the dogs to come back, unfortunately they chose to ignore her and carried on trying to attack my BC's.

I wasn't particularly worried, the other dogs were muzzled and Lucy can get up some good speed when she needs to but the lady couldn't have been any nicer, she was soooo apologetic saying that if she'd known my dogs were there she would have kept hers on the lead but she wanted them to see the water and go in if they wanted.

Some people we meet aren't always so nice and polite though and I completely understand where your coming from - mine run off lead as they are dogs that are incredibly well behaved and will do whatever they are asked to - if they didn't they wouldn't be allowed this priviledge.

I hope your dog wasn't too scared by the other dog and hope he is OK.

meames_2

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

I hope your dog wasn't too scared by the other dog and hope he is OK.

Thanks he was fine, he knew I was upset and I got a very rare unpromted kiss from him.

I hope you dogs are ok, I love border collie they are so lovely x

Sally_A

This is a right minefield and a big part depends on the type of dog.

Dogs on a lead feel defensive and restricted, dogs off a lead will soon get their pecking order sorted out, especially if they see their respective owners being chatty to each other. Yes there may be a bit of barking, growling, snarling, etc.

If you do regularly timed walks you will meet the same dogs, and they will run off to sniff and play with their doggy mates.

Saying that, I took in a stray staffie (approx 18m to 2 yrs old) for a day or two - all was fine until there was a treats issue, they all had an equal treat but the Staffie ate hers quicker than mine, the Staffie grabbed my dog by the throat and would not let go - it was nasty with skin piercing. Luckily my mate was to hand, shoved my toothbrush into the staffies mouth so it had to gag, as they will not let go otherwise.

Since then I cannot let myself trust Staffies - sorry owners.

lostinrates

Sally_A wrote: »

This is a right minefield and a big part depends on the type of dog.

Dogs on a lead feel defensive and restricted, dogs off a lead will soon get their pecking order sorted out, especially if they see their respective owners being chatty to each other. Yes there may be a bit of barking, growling, snarling, etc..

This is how it used to be. But more poorly sopcialised dogs are walking, and perhaps more dogs with good owners but a poor history regarding other dogs. I don't mind putting my dogs on the lead for these....and don't want an attack on my dogs or to make anyone uncomfortable.

I just want my dogs to have a good romp with dogs who also like a good romp. safely and to no bodies detriment.


I have wondered in the past if a safe time in the morning and evening when dogs walking then would all be on leads is a good move for people whose dogs, and themselves, would feel safer in that situation....it must be very stressful walking a dog who has been attacked/is vulnerable/is aggressive with other dogs.

Caroline_a

Sally_A wrote: »

This is a right minefield and a big part depends on the type of dog.

Dogs on a lead feel defensive and restricted, dogs off a lead will soon get their pecking order sorted out, especially if they see their respective owners being chatty to each other. Yes there may be a bit of barking, growling, snarling, etc.

If you do regularly timed walks you will meet the same dogs, and they will run off to sniff and play with their doggy mates.

Saying that, I took in a stray staffie (approx 18m to 2 yrs old) for a day or two - all was fine until there was a treats issue, they all had an equal treat but the Staffie ate hers quicker than mine, the Staffie grabbed my dog by the throat and would not let go - it was nasty with skin piercing. Luckily my mate was to hand, shoved my toothbrush into the staffies mouth so it had to gag, as they will not let go otherwise.

Since then I cannot let myself trust Staffies - sorry owners.

I have taken many things with me on dog walks, but have to say never a toothbrush. Respect for your dental hygiene.... :cool:

bagginslover

I too have a sighthound, but he never runs off lead. We were told by the rescue (GRWE, a sighthound only rescue) that he didn't NEED to run at all. We have a large enclosed garden that he burns off steam in,ans if we didn't we'd find somewhere suitable and safe. He has very hit and miss recall, so remains on lead at all times when out.

He is a very friendly dog, but is very funny about his feet-he appears to have suffered either badly healed broken toes, or arthritis (all knarled looking, like old lady fingers) and if dogs come bouncing around him, he warns them off, several times if needed, then snaps. I have yet to meet an off lead dog that has backed off on the first warning (thankfully, I have met a few that didn't need warning at all) and Every.Single.Time. the owner has tried to make out my dog is at fault. Never their dog, that ignored their recall several times before they gave up and shouted 'don't worry, he's friendly!'. The look on their faces is priceless whan I reply 'mines not!', and they realise they'll never get to us in time.

He hasn't ever actually bitten another dog,but if he did bite an off lead dog, it would be that dogs owners fault, not mine. If they have no recall, they should be on a lead,period. I have nothing at all against letting dogs off lead to run around, as long as they return as soon as they are called-mine doesn't, so he stays on. I now put myself between my dog and an approaching dog. My boy feels more secure this way, and I can keep the other dog at bay slightly easier without him in the way. Its harder when there are several dogs coming at you, but I tend to scream at them if they don'tback off, tht brings the owners running!!

OP, I feel for you, its a horrible thing to happen, and sadly,I don't think it'll be that last time

lostinrates

bagginslover wrote: »

I too have a sighthound, but he never runs off lead. We were told by the rescue (GRWE, a sighthound only rescue) that he didn't NEED to run at all.

this is obviously contentious amoung sight hound organisations, breeders and people with an interest in them.

Mine are young, not rescued. Greyhounds have the highest percentage of fast twitch muscle of all dogs, other sighthounds similarly are built, anatomically, and physiologically for speed, and most of them are physochologically wired for sofa to flat out in a blink of an eye.

I'm not suggesting it would kill them not to have speed, or socialisation, but in the same way I personally wouldn't keep a rabbit alone in a hutch, a horse 24 hours in a stable or eat battery meat I feel it better for MY dogs to meet their needs, I'm not saying what I do everyone should, but its worked for us for a very long time, the dogs my mother bred held the average longest age in the breed at the time (she no longer breeds), and at the time the longest living dog in the breed at all. Through the breed society ongoing research into health (medical, physiological) and behavioural issues in their sighthound breeds: not rescue dogs though.

I hope that clarifies that I don't think it will kill my dogs but I do believe it to be better for my dogs. If you have a dog with poor recall etc then obviously the priority changes, as the risk of other ill fates increases!