Why can't people just let dogs be dogs?

magentas

So there's constantly new threads here about people getting mad meeting off lead dogs but...

On the other side of the coin...I have a serious issue with people that won't let dogs be dogs and if both are off lead and both owners are responsible, just let them have a sniff, say hello and <gasp> maybe even play together!

In my own estate, when I'm out on the green just outside my house, I've had people pass comment or sometimes even verbally attack me because my dogs are off lead. people get on their high horse telling me about how dogs have to be on lead...I must admit I take joy in actually informing them what the dog control laws are and advising them to brush up on the law before they try to quote it!

It's a small enough estate but has a big big green but there's a shortcut to another road and although our estate is very quiet people use the estate for shortcuts and a good few people walk their dogs in the area.

Last week for instance, I'd my 3 out. Throwing the ball entertains 2 of them (1 chases it obsessively, the other chases him obsessively! She's his shadow!) while the third likes doing her own thing, very very placid and well mannered, just chases the birds and swings by my way every now and then for a rub!

My neighbour came out with his dog who joined in the fun chasing the ball and the four of them were totally pre-occupied and enjoying themselves.

Cue a couple walk through the gap with their 2 little yorkies, the minute they see us they pick their dogs up and keep giving us dirty looks and are clearly mouthing about us. Not one of the dogs so much as looked in their direction and yet it's like they wanted a scene. The "lady" kept looking over and raising her voice enough that I knew she was bitching about us but not enough to know what she was saying.

Anyway, I thought to myself just let her pass through and she'll be gone. So if the shortcut is at 12o'clock on the green and my house is at 10o'clock, they only live at 9o'clock! So they went a very long way around just to avoid walking by the corner of the green we were on!!!

This is just one of many many cases I've encountered where other dog owners wrap their own dogs in cotton wool and can't stand to see someone elses well trained, well socialized and well mannered dogs out enjoying themselves. They are doing a dis-service to their own dogs by denying them the right to play and connect with other dogs...I mean picking them up straight away!!

It just makes me sad that there's such intolerence of dogs by other dog owners. I'm rediculously respectful of people walking in the area and make certain they never approach people as some people may be afraid of dogs or just plain not like them. Their recall is 100%.

And yes, I know you need to exercise caution with any dog you don't know...and it's different if one dog is on lead...but when it's a dog that's under full control of it's owner and clearly isn't a threat...just let them do what comes naturally, sniff, be sniffed, play.

Rant over.:D

Whispered

I really think it depends on your own dog, and I believe if you have a headstrong dog it can be a case of never trusting them fully off lead. Our older dog is with us since a pup and he was always a bit of a handfull. He's 4 now, he walks perfectly on the lead and has great recall - however I wouldn't walk him without his harness because sometimes, one walk out of a hundred, an idea gets onto his head and he'll pull (usually to greet a certain friend). He's a strong fella so I need to know that I have full control for that one in one hundred time he acts the brat. Same with recall, 99% of the time it's perfect, but because of that 1%, I put him back on if I'm ever unsure.He's great, but not 100%.

However, my other dog, I would 100% trust to walk beside me off lead, come back every single time no matter what. His attention is totally focused on me (this is not entirely a good thing either). If he wasn't an RB I would never use a lead with him. He's just perfectly well behaved. He doesn't seem to have that bit of a wild streak the other one has.

mickmcl09

I agree with your post entirely. While it's always good that responsible owners with dogs 'off leash' would anticipate that there might be an issue of their dogs going over to other dogs, where, to be fair, they might or might not get on. There are those who don't give a f¥(k, then it's entirely fair enough to moan at owners of an unleashed dog.

These 'pouty' owners gall me too, moaning to themselves about what could happen to their prize pooch because your own fellas are on the loose and they 'might' come over and say hello. Granted if your dogs do go over, it's common courtesy to call your dogs or go over and get them ASAP, just in case they don't care for each other.

The owner of a leashed dog should only have reason to moan at you, if your dogs are coming over bothering, as distinct from playing with the leashed dog.

evilmonkee

My girl can't be trusted off lead, but I have no issue with other dogs who are under control while off lead.

What really gets me, is owners dragging their on-lead dogs away , while scowling at you, when all the dogs want is a quick sniff.

Taceom

evilmonkee wrote: »

My girl can't be trusted off lead, but I have no issue with other dogs who are under control while off lead.

What really gets me, is owners dragging their on-lead dogs away , while scowling at you, when all the dogs want is a quick sniff.

What really gets me is when I'm walking with my dog on a lead (which isn't always, but there are some places I know I can't trust him off lead, so he stays on when we're walking there) and people come up with their dog off lead and the 2 dogs begin sniffing and playing and the usual and that's fine, but when the owner of the other dog starts asking me why my dog is on the lead and then starts doling out advice about how I'm making him nervous by keeping him on the lead and how he needs freedom etc. etc. One of these days I will snap at them and tell them mind their own business. Why can't people accept that not all dogs are ok off lead all the time and surely the owner knows their own dog best and if they decide the dog needs to be on the lead well that's their decision!

Aurum

I suppose it's a question of balance. I've no problem with dogs being off-lead if they aren't too near to a public footpath, have good recall, aren't aggressive and don't bother other dog walkers. Some people are quite inconsiderate though. My small(ish) dog is terrified of large, very playful dogs and I've seen countless owners of Labs, Boxers etc. let their off-lead dogs bounce around her and visibly frighten her, and not bother to call their dog for at least 3 to 4 minutes. Also, dogs shouldn't be off lead on a public footpath unless it's very calm and controlled. Off-lead dogs can be very worrying for small children, the elderly, cyclists, people who are afraid of dogs or people who are walking on-lead aggressive dogs. On the other hand dogs adore exercising off lead (mine certainly does), and as long as your pet is under control and it doesn't frighten anyone/thing it shouldn't really be a problem.

unclebill98

I am constantly met with dogs of leads or not contained within there own homes when walking my dogs. It bugs the crap out of me tbh.

From labadors to rott to JR etc. While most people think there dogs are non aggressive, which I'm sure is the case a lot of the time my old JR was just an aggressive dog and generally did not like any other dog it did not know.

So, while I trying to walk my dog I'd have other dogs run up and I've had many a fight while owners scream at there dog to come back....which it don't.

Maybe your dogs are fine, you just don't know who is going to come around the corner.

Just to add, the JR was a rescue and had a very bad upbringing. I also then had to muzzle her due to her aggression while walking.

Some people just don't like seeing dogs of a lead, for example that couple you mention have a right to walk there dogs while feeling safe. They did not feel safe.

I love letting my dogs of the lead, however it's in a secluded field behind my house which I'm the only one to use.

I guess there's is pros and cons here.

Latatian

Yes, some people just have silly ideas about how all dogs should be on-leash all the time (sometimes because they don't have experience with dogs with good recall, or socialised dogs).

But they might be less worried about your dog's behaviour than their dog's. If your dog's not great with others, whether it's because they're bouncy and playful, whether they try and intimidate soft dogs or are fearful themselves, it could be a big worry to have another dog come up for a friendly sniff.

It can also be a problem if a dog's not feeling well (recovering from an injury, exercising after surgery, or even a bad day with the arthritis) and other dogs come to meet-and-greet. The leashed dog could hurt themselves, or they could take it into their heads to be more cross than usual because of the pain. DINOS, it's called- 'dogs in need of space'. Some people in other countries have tags and things to warn other dog owners.

That's without even getting into the rude or out-of-control dogs. Even if the unleashed dog is as good as gold, sometimes it's not a good idea. And while you know your dogs won't go over and greet if you tell them not to, most unleashed dogs will. If you've a dog who needs to be given a bit of space for whatever reason, it's safer to assume the other dog will come over.

So it's likely not that your dogs look like man-eaters, don't worry about it! So long as you can keep them away from people when you need to, and the other walkers have space to pass without their dog getting excited, I wouldn't mind them.

gigawatt

yea I'm split on this one. I had 3 dogs who were well socialized and I used to walk them off lead to chase a ball on a reasonably secluded green near the house. I never had any issues. they were well socialised and all they cared about was chasing the ball. some people walking by the odd time would have a bit of a 'tut-tut' attitude, but I wasn't concerned because I knew the dogs wouldn't approach them.

However, once when I was out an unleashed GSD attacked my smallest dog, and tried to savage my other two with me standing between them.There was mayhem, my dogs were in danger, I was in danger and one of my dogs was injured. eventually the owner got over,leashed the dog and dragged him away.That small dog developed social problems because of that incident and displayed aggression towards other dogs to varying extents for the rest of her life. that happened when she was 3 and she died at 15. I had her in training classes for 2 years on and off, and it was something that would go away and come back over the years. so thanks to that unleashed dog I had to deal with behavioral problems in my own dog for 12 years.

as I said, I'm split. I've experienced the issue from a couple of different angles. Atm I generally keep my dogs leashed but that won't stop other dogs attacking mine, so if I walk them I bring a stick.
if I have an aggressive dog on a leash the last thing I want to happen is an unleashed dog coming over to say 'hello' its stressful, and half of the time the off leash dog becomes aggressive in response.
Ideally the only way a dog should be off leash is if it is placid and socialised and will back off it it encounters a leashed aggressive dog. but, sh1t happens! dogs fight etc and as a dog owner its something that you have be prepared for.

snuggles09

i was in our local park last Wednesday with our Springer and was giving him the bit of time to run around and I'm trying to teach him how to fetch..there were 4 other dogs running around ( park is fairly big so they were all just running around and having a play ). I threw the stick my dog went to run but i threw it towards where a woman was approaching with a white westie on a lead..now my own lad was tearing down after the stick but as soon as he saw the Westie he went over sniffed his nose, had no interest and came back towards me...he was more interested in the stick and his treats than playing with the dog

literally i'd say 2 throws of the stick later he got bored and went off playing with the other 4 dogs and muggins here had to go half way down the field for the stick and when I turned around and was walking back one of the other dogs again went over and she stopped and they were sniffing noses..then the other dog ( a spaniel ) bent down to show he wanted to play and the Westie copied him and made a run but half choked himself on the choke lead... she bent down picking up her Westie and was over talking to ( talking at would be better) the owner of one of the other dogs and i got the jist of the rant being that we should have our dogs on leads and she can't bring her dog for a walk in the park without her dog being harrassed by other dogs

i was a bit miffed to be honest..dogs will be dogs, they were doing no harm..if they were up growling at her dog or anything i wouldnt mind but they 4 of the dogs, mine included, were no where near and there was only 1 dog having a sniff and a nosey...i pitied her own dog, he was up in her arms wriggling like mad to get down out of her arms..if she'd let him off the lead i'm sure he'd have had a great time running around

on the reverse of it though you wouldnt know what issues her Westie may of had but in my head at the time i was thinking it was a bit cheeky out of her, the park is where a lot go to let their dogs run and also on this particular fielded area..there are loads of pathways and other areas if she wanted to walk the dog on the lead and she would know this as I know her face and have seen her in the park a few times before this with the same dog

magentas

unclebill98 wrote: »

Some people just don't like seeing dogs of a lead, for example that couple you mention have a right to walk there dogs while feeling safe. They did not feel safe.

If they didn't feel safe, do you honestly believe that is MY problem? My dogs were nowhere near them, infact not one of the dogs even noticed them as they were too busy playing. If they have issues with dogs off lead, then why didn't they have their own dogs on a lead?

Can you elaborate on how or why they should have any reason to feel unsafe?

magentas

Latatian wrote: »

Yes, some people just have silly ideas about how all dogs should be on-leash all the time (sometimes because they don't have experience with dogs with good recall, or socialised dogs).

I think you've a very valid point here. The kind of people that generally have an issue with me playing with my dogs in our estate are owners of small/toy breeds. They have fancy collars and leads but don't appear to have much knowledge of dog behaviour and the importance of socialization. They seem to be of the opinion that my dogs are beast that want to savage their little ones! (Joke!)

All of my dogs are well trained, friendly and obediant. If they weren't, I wouldn't have them out off lead full stop. All of the kids in our estate love them, sometimes they even call to the door asking if we'll bring them out to play!

I know irresponsible owners tend to give everyone a bad name but for those of us that actually have control of our dogs and have taken the time and effort to train, exercise and socialize our pets, we shouldn't then be given dirty looks and snide comments by those that haven't infact afforded the same to their own pets:p

unclebill98

You don't mention they where off the leads as well however they controlled their dogs by picking them up.

If someone walks into a park with their dogs and yours are free to run over to theirs and they are worried, yes it's their problem. However you are the cause of it.

For example, one of my dogs ran out of my garden to, as you put it "sniff a dog" who was walking with it's owner, the dog owner screamed and hit my dog with a stick. Who's at fault, the answer me, I did not have control of my dog.

magentas

unclebill98 wrote: »

You don't mention they where off the leads as well however they controlled their dogs by picking them up.

If someone walks into a park with their dogs and yours are free to run over to theirs and they are worried, yes it's their problem. However you are the cause of it.

For example, one of my dogs ran out of my garden to, as you put it "sniff a dog" who was walking with it's owner, the dog owner screamed and hit my dog with a stick. Who's at fault, the answer me, I did not have control of my dog.

Yes I did, I said it's different if one dog is on lead.

So mine were under control and theirs were under control...so where exactly was the problem unclebill?

I Love iRadio

I know what you are saying. Yes it can be dangerous, but if your dog is well behaved why not? Let dogs be dogs! Mine is absolutely fine.

galwayjohn89

I'm not really a dog person at all although getting more comfortable with them now my sister has a lab pup I don't really have a choice.

But when I was younger, I was bitten by a dog off the lead and down the road from me dogs frequently jump out at people walking buy which nearly cause a toddler to be run over. Dog barked, she jumped away which was unfortunately onto the road and very close call. This is a regular enough occasion. It's all well and good saying let dogs be dogs and let them off the lead. But you have to remember you're coming from a dog lovers point of view. I personally think I should have been able to be in my garden when I was younger and not get chased by a dog and eventually bitten.

DBB

Mod note: this thread is 6 months old. There seems to be a veritable glut of people resurrecting old threads in the forum tonight, and I am deleting all posts made which are reawakening zombie threads. Except this one, just to give me an opportunity to ask posters to check the age of the thread they're posting on. If it's not current, please don't post. By all means start a new thread, but resurrecting old threads also resurrects old arguments too!
Thread closed.
Thanks,
DBB