Should all dogs be walked on leads?

codemonkey

I had a shining example of idiot dog owners the other day. Was walking my dog and at the top of a pathway was a woman and her off lead dog. She saw us and didn't put the dog on a lead so I assumed (possibly stupidly but there we go) that it was safe for me and Captain Dumbass to pass without putting him on the lead. My dog isn't overly keen on lurchers or greyhound types which this one was - he wasn't growly or hostile or anything, just sniffed around the grass ignoring it. So we went to pass and the other dog lunged and attacked him and the woman just shrugged and said "oh he's been like that since he got attacked by another dog". At which point I think I deserve a medal for not saying "In which case why isn't he on a lead so you can stop him attacking other dogs?"

Now, maybe I should have put him on a lead but she saw us coming and didn't react. If I see a dog coming towards me on a lead, I put mine on his lead, even if it's a dog we know is friendly, but otherwise I'm happy for him to be off lead as he gets a bit more exercise and his recall is good. I'm happy for him to meet other friendly dogs after checking with their owners (he's particularly keen on labs and collies) because it keeps him socialized and he always looks really happy after another dog plays with him. If he were to start reacting to other dogs there's no way I'd let him off the lead but if he meets a dog he's not keen on he just walks away.

He does stay on his lead near roads, even quiet ones because if he saw a cat, rabbit or bird he'd be off after it, but largely gets walked through fields.

wilykit

Haven't read all these posts, but in my opinion dogs should only be let off their leads on large parks or fields - surely its common sense to know when it is appropriate/safe to let your dog off?

Personally I never let mine off his lead as he wouldn't come back! Instead I have 2 different leads - a short chain lead attached to his harness for when we are walking in mainly public areas, and a very long lead for when we go down the track near my house so he can have a run and a roam

My dog is VERY friendly towards other dogs and people but I can't stand it when people in the street let their dogs off the lead and let them run up to my dog. What if my dog wasn't friendly?!

My mum's dog doesn't like other dogs running up to him and this has caused problems in the past.

I just think if a dog is on a lead, it is dog walking etiquette to not let your off lead dog to go near the other.

If I were you I would either change the time I walk or change the route. You are always going to get irresponsible people, just have to find a way to avoid them

wilykit

spacey2012 wrote: »

Those who insist on walking round with fighting breed dogs pay the insurance premium.
At the moment if one of these muscle dogs attacks yours, the responsible owner has to pay all the vet bills, thats if your dog survives.
In any society, that is not right or just.

I am sorry but I find what you said VERY ignorant. "Those who insist"...what about people who genuinely love Bull Breeds for their looks and personalities? Not everyone who owns a Bull Breed is a thug or a nuisance. I agree there are some that give them a bad name, but you can't judge everyone.

I have an English Bull Terrier who is without a doubt the most nice natured dog I have ever had the pleasure to own. He is extremely friendly with people he already knows and strangers. He loves other dogs and he loves children. He lives with a Pomeranian - hardly a savage breed like you seem to hint at them being.

I don't want to turn this into a debate about Bull Breeds, but having had my EBT for 3 and a half years, in that time I have got abuse, dirty looks and people shrieking when they see my dog. People's ignorance REALLY irritates me.

I am a responsible dog owner, my dog is kept on a lead, I clean up after him and he is microchipped. Why should I be penalised for preferring a breed you obviously don't find desirable??

Here, this is a photo of him cuddled up with his Pomeranian brother - sorry that he isn't ripping him to shreds, as you would have probably expected.

pawsies

wilykit wrote: »

I am sorry but I find what you said VERY ignorant. "Those who insist"...what about people who genuinely love Bull Breeds for their looks and personalities? Not everyone who owns a Bull Breed is a thug or a nuisance. I agree there are some that give them a bad name, but you can't judge everyone.

I have an English Bull Terrier who is without a doubt the most nice natured dog I have ever had the pleasure to own. He is extremely friendly with people he already knows and strangers. He loves other dogs and he loves children. He lives with a Pomeranian - hardly a savage breed like you seem to hint at them being.

I don't want to turn this into a debate about Bull Breeds, but having had my EBT for 3 and a half years, in that time I have got abuse, dirty looks and people shrieking when they see my dog. People's ignorance REALLY irritates me.

I am a responsible dog owner, my dog is kept on a lead, I clean up after him and he is microchipped. Why should I be penalised for preferring a breed you obviously don't find desirable??

Here, this is a photo of him cuddled up with his Pomeranian brother - sorry that he isn't ripping him to shreds, as you would have probably expected.

But he *is* hogging the sofa

What a bully

wilykit

The only nasty thing about him is his farts....they can clear a room!!

wilykit

Ps. He is called Bully, not because he is mean but because he is a bull breed. Plus he had that name when I got him

gettingready

caringa wrote: »

My daughter and I were walking with our dog off lead along a riverside path the other day when an elderly couple approached us with a huge Ridgeback dog on a lead. Our dog, being very sociable, went up to sniff and say "hello" - their dog reared up and the woman shouted"you'd better get you dog away othewise mine will rip yours to shreads!! We couldnt believe our ears, as this is a very popular path for families and dogs, most of whom are off leads.


We were so flabergasted that we just quickly walked on but on reflection, wish we had said that their dog should have been muzzled if they thought it capable of "ripping" our dog to shreds. Whats more, they were quite elderly and wouldnt have stood a chance controlling their dog had it decided to attack our dog - or a child!

Sorry but you are so wrong on every count here.

Dog walking etiquette - YOU do not allow YOUR dog to run up to any dog that is on a lead. The dog is on a lead for a reason (whatever that reason my be) so keep your under control, do not yours run up to a dog on a lead.

My personal pet hate is "oh.. he/she only wants to say hello" - well, mine does not and that is why mine is on a lead.

My other personal pet hate - what if it was a child. Nonsense. Dog reactive dogs are not necessary aggressive towards people.

My 40kg GS girl will happily play with dogs she knows. But she hates strange dogs running up to her when she is on a lead. And I know a lot of dogs with the same attitude.

Just because YOU think yours is "friendly" does not mean you should allow it to invade personal space of another dog who is on a lead.

Rant over....

*********************

On topic - I feel dogs should be on a lead when near roads, on busy city pavements etc.

Open spaces - depends on the dog (and the owner). If the dog has a very good recall, place is safe, off lead is fine.

If the dog tends to run away/not come when called - on a lead/long line.

Generally - if your dog is off lead - please make sure that dog is in your view all the time. I lost count of dogs running up to me and Zara with owners nowhere to be seen so not in charge of their "little (or not so little) darling"

Dimey

There is one time where its definitely illegal to have your dog off the lead....

In the closed season between 1 March and 31 July, "dogs must be under the control of their owner or keeper on a fixed short lead and not stray offthe public path. " Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Its to do with Protectionof wild birds, their nests and eggs.

pawsies

Dimey wrote: »

There is one time where its definitely illegal to have your dog off the lead....

In the closed season between 1 March and 31 July, "dogs must be under the control of their owner or keeper on a fixed short lead and not stray offthe public path. " Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Its to do with Protectionof wild birds, their nests and eggs.

Also depends on area. Usually it will be signposted if there is a risk to local wildlife.

Taking your dog to the park- probably not going to be many nesting birds there in the first place apart from maybe pigeons.

Dimey

pawsies wrote: »

Also depends on area. Usually it will be signposted if there is a risk to local wildlife.

Taking your dog to the park- probably not going to be many nesting birds there in the first place apart from maybe pigeons.

Yes I thought it just meant in country areas where you get pheasants, partridges, birds of prey etc. But someone told me it also covers songbirds, in fact any wild bird, pesky pigeons included :-)