Close Control

Clodagh

Clodagh

Playing chess with pigeons
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Not wanting to steal another post, but loving debate for the sake of it, I thought it might be interesting to define 'under close control'.
So if your dog is 'under close control' on a footpath, how do you define that? To me, my dogs would be ranging up to maybe 20m from me, but not in the crops either side and not in the hedge bottoms, on an open grass field they could be out to either side. They come as soon as called if necessary, and do not chase. If there was livestock in the field they would be to heel, and if it was anyone but my neighbour who knows me if I walk through his sheep, they would actually be on a lead for the farmers peace of mind.

In Scotland I know there is right to roam but I think in the nesting season dogs should be on a lead? Is hat for set months of the year or is it at owners discrection?
 
Close control is the distance from me short enough that I know the dog feels he has to obey me under any circumstances. It varies from dog to dog. It also means I can see the dog at all times so i can see what he is up to every second.
 
planete said:
Close control is the distance from me short enough that I know the dog feels he has to obey me under any circumstances. It varies from dog to dog. It also means I can see the dog at all times so i can see what he is up to every second.
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That is a good definition.
Twiggy - it is your liking for longdogs that causes you these problems! Get a lab!
 
To me, close control would be near enough for immediate obedience to be guaranteed and paying attention to me. Neither of mine are ever really there, the beagle will work on lead to heal beautifully but not if I am not actively working her. She will also work off lead to heal if there is food and not too many distractions.
The springer is never far and will kind of work to heal but is often just rootling and doing springer stuff, she is near enough but not switched on to me enough always for true control.
My fault because I am happy enough to let them be that way 😉
 
mine would never be off lead either with livestock or near it. Also on lead near roads.
Otherwise within about 5 metres. Not allowed to wander in to other fields or out of sight.
 
Clodagh said:
That is a good definition.
Twiggy - it is your liking for longdogs that causes you these problems! Get a lab!
Click to expand...

I had a German hunting terrier and a quarter staff / quarter bull terrier half jack russel both of whom I could trust with all livestock and we were withe if I said close, as reliable as they come, last lurcher was great at close command too.
I am a bit lax with this one and in the last few weeks she has found her 'drive' I was hoping she wouldn't but she even watches the open fields when we are in the car now. :'(
I could be tempted with an Australian cattle dog or a working cocker but as always it will be what turns up and takes my eye.
 
To me it is within a few meters and with complete control, i.e. immediate responses to all commands. Daisy has no concept of close control so is on the lead (with a SWAG headcollar as pulls like a train in anything else) unless we're sure the area is livestock free and she is unlikely to worry other animals or humans. We try and plan long walks carefully so that she can be off the lead as much as possible without being likely to cause others problems.
 
here's some info

http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/Practical-guide/public/dog-walking

I don't think the close control and nesting bird thing can be enforced except in certain areas and yes, twitcher friends tell me its a problem around beaches although one of those is quite rabidly anti-dog as he's terrified of them.


close control to me means having the dogs at heel or very close with rock solid verbal commands if off lead-if they don't have those they are not under close control. Neither are they under close control on the end of a flexi lead!

I know you think there are marauding dog walkers on every bit of available farm land here Clodagh :) but in reality, its not like that from what I've experienced. I am sitting looking at moorland which will never have walkers or dogs on it except from the path at the very top-much of Scotland's countryside just isn't great to walk (or ride) on and the majority of dog walkers will be the types that will stick to easy routes that aren't muddy or too rocky. Those that don't are generally a little more clued up. Farmers can shut off fields/land they want to, same as forestry.There's very little arable where I live and I'd not walk anywhere I didn't have permission. Basically I think we just have more room and less people.

I do think shoving cyclists/walkers/riders together makes everyone a little less precious and more likely to be able to cope with the other and it means we all have more places to go. I live out of the way but we often visit a local manmade loch and moor which is the local towns dog walking/jogging/cycling place and apart from dog owners not picking up enough, I've not witnessed any problems and all the dog walkers have been great with Quarrie as a pup and Fitz being socialised.

Thats not to say some dog walkers are not idiots or even nice (I had a very unsettling encounter with a bloke last week, spoiled my day), just means I know where to go to totally avoid people when I want to (i.e. mon-fri ;) ) Sheep attacks are on the rise but it seems to be UK wide.

I was brought up on the Suffolk/Cambs/Essex border. All the birds that we had there in the 70s that disappeared in the 80s are up here-plenty of curlew here in the summer and lapwing, meadow larks, snipe, skylarks.
 
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Close control means at heel or on a lead when in or around livestock, other than our own, or where there are ground-nesting birds (between Apr-July).

Close control at other times means within 5 metres or so and who will return immediately when recalled.
 
I would say always within site and close enough to know to listen at all times- my two also regularly 'check in' of there own accord they prob range would be up to 5m and Occasionally to 10m max but only in open spaces where the surroundings can be seen.
In livestock fields they are on lead except in cattle fields when they would be off lead at heal i try to avoid by going in different field even if off the footpath have had close friend severely injured so don't particularly like walking through cattle if it can be avoided and prefer dogs to be free so if the worst happens they run off and I don't get trampled
 
This: https://youtu.be/ZLFzbfJ-foU

Zak is very DA, so is never allowed to simply run wild. He doesn't go to the woods anymore except on the lead, he can't be trusted. He is always under close control. He and his brother normally train together and are very closely supervised after they disappeared one afternoon. A tennis ball or dummy is the magic trick.

Brig and Bear will heel all day long wherever they are, as will Zak. They can go on any walk (off lead, without Zak!), as long as there is no livestock. Brig never goes too far and checks back frequently, Bear recalls to the whistle and is usually within view.
 
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