dog walking etiquette

Us lot, its you who dont get it, all we are saying if you see someone with their dog on a lead its polite to either put your dog on a lead or call your dog to heel.

Not everybody has access to open countryside and are able to walk their dog at unsocial times, but a lot of people do manage to do this but are still being accosted by unsocial dogs.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Us lot, its you who dont get it, all we are saying if you see someone with their dog on a lead its polite to either put your dog on a lead or call your dog to heel.

Not everybody has access to open countryside and are able to walk their dog at unsocial times, but a lot of people do manage to do this but are still being accosted by unsocial dogs.
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Yes and just as unsociable owners!
 
I will make one more attempt at explaining this, but this really is the last thing I'm going to say about this subject as this really has turned into a pointless discussion that is going round in circles.

If a dog comes over and bites you or your dog, call the police and have the bl...y thing put down!

My dogs are not aggressive and because they are GSD's I make the effort to take them to classes and do their KC Good Citizen exams etc - simply so that the likes of you would have a hard time claiming that my dogs are aggressive or untrained just because they came over to you.

Believe it or not, I have as much right to walk my dogs off the lead as you have to walk yours on the lead - as long as they are under control. As you will no doubt agree, there are plenty of dogs on the lead that are out of control and launch themselves at other dogs!

If your dog is on the lead and my dog goes bounding over to say hello (in a non aggressive manner), that is NORMAL dog behaviour.
If that frightens your dog, then YOUR dog clearly has an issue that YOU need to deal with in a controlled environment.
If your dog is injured, then again, please walk it in a risk free environment.

If I put my dog on the lead every time it sees another dog, I will create a neurotic dog that will probably become aggressive and eventually bite someone.

So, you expect other people to go out of their way to accomodate you and your dog with the issue - why not just occasionally do the same and go out of your way to accomodate other people?

And once again, if you meet a dog that actually bites, report it! But please do not call dogs that display normal canine behaviour aggressive.
 
Delta99 said:
I will make one more attempt at explaining this, but this really is the last thing I'm going to say about this subject as this really has turned into a pointless discussion that is going round in circles.

If a dog comes over and bites you or your dog, call the police and have the bl...y thing put down!

My dogs are not aggressive and because they are GSD's I make the effort to take them to classes and do their KC Good Citizen exams etc - simply so that the likes of you would have a hard time claiming that my dogs are aggressive or untrained just because they came over to you.

Believe it or not, I have as much right to walk my dogs off the lead as you have to walk yours on the lead - as long as they are under control. As you will no doubt agree, there are plenty of dogs on the lead that are out of control and launch themselves at other dogs!

If your dog is on the lead and my dog goes bounding over to say hello (in a non aggressive manner), that is NORMAL dog behaviour.
If that frightens your dog, then YOUR dog clearly has an issue that YOU need to deal with in a controlled environment.
If your dog is injured, then again, please walk it in a risk free environment.

If I put my dog on the lead every time it sees another dog, I will create a neurotic dog that will probably become aggressive and eventually bite someone.

So, you expect other people to go out of their way to accomodate you and your dog with the issue - why not just occasionally do the same and go out of your way to accomodate other people?

And once again, if you meet a dog that actually bites, report it! But please do not call dogs that display normal canine behaviour aggressive.
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yes and of your dog is in a field on the lead and a dog comes bounding over and decides to pin your dog down and attack it, well don't worry because they will pay the vets fee or worse. How exactly do others know they are friendly do they wear red scarves? Personally I put my dog on the lead when others are around, for her safety and others.

if a dog bites its going to get my walking stick wrapped around its head. She is on a lead for a reason, respect it.
 
Delta can I ask, if your dogs are " bounding" over to another dog and the owner asks you to call them back do you do so? This is all that is being asked by people, and I would add myself to the list.
 
I can kind of get where Delta is coming from, especially when she makes the horse analogy. However, with the horse analogy - I wont let my horse touch noses with another without checking if everyone around is alright with that. (cue inevitably screaming and striking)
But no - you don't expect the world to stop turning, however you do expect a small token of manners. Yes, you go out at quiet times hacking, still, doesn't give that wunker the right to pass at 50mph within inches of you does it?
I think you might be over thinking what people are asking here - people are just asking for politeness and some thought towards your fellow human. Which surely is the backbone of a nice society???? I'd certainly rather NOT live in a world where, like the attitude you seem to be displaying is

"I'm alright Jack so stuff you if you're not?" :( bit sad really.
 
Delta99 said:
I will make one more attempt at explaining this, but this really is the last thing I'm going to say about this subject as this really has turned into a pointless discussion that is going round in circles.

If a dog comes over and bites you or your dog, call the police and have the bl...y thing put down!

My dogs are not aggressive and because they are GSD's I make the effort to take them to classes and do their KC Good Citizen exams etc - simply so that the likes of you would have a hard time claiming that my dogs are aggressive or untrained just because they came over to you.

Believe it or not, I have as much right to walk my dogs off the lead as you have to walk yours on the lead - as long as they are under control. As you will no doubt agree, there are plenty of dogs on the lead that are out of control and launch themselves at other dogs!

If your dog is on the lead and my dog goes bounding over to say hello (in a non aggressive manner), that is NORMAL dog behaviour.
If that frightens your dog, then YOUR dog clearly has an issue that YOU need to deal with in a controlled environment.
If your dog is injured, then again, please walk it in a risk free environment.

If I put my dog on the lead every time it sees another dog, I will create a neurotic dog that will probably become aggressive and eventually bite someone.

So, you expect other people to go out of their way to accomodate you and your dog with the issue - why not just occasionally do the same and go out of your way to accomodate other people?

And once again, if you meet a dog that actually bites, report it! But please do not call dogs that display normal canine behaviour aggressive.
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You can report a dog that has bitten your dog all you like- if the dog that bit was on a lead it will get you NOWHERE as YOUR dog is in the wrong, bounding over- UNCONTROLLED.

I guess it is up to you if you want to put your dog in a position that it can get bitten because you can not be bothered to put it on a lead briefly.
 
BoolavogueDC said:
I can kind of get where Delta is coming from, especially when she makes the horse analogy. However, with the horse analogy - I wont let my horse touch noses with another without checking if everyone around is alright with that. (cue inevitably screaming and striking)
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But if we are using that analogy, we are talking about dogs off lead in places safe and suitable for them to be off the lead and where you would expect to meet other free roaming dogs, therefore it would be like putting the horses loose in a field together with your horse still on a lead rein and not expecting them to come over and investigate. I realise this isn't a great analogy but then really neither is yours, horses who you meet out are not usually running around free, dogs in the appropriate placers for running free are and would expect to meet them. This does not mean they are allowed to hassle your dog or act viciously towards them, but equally you cannot expect them to totally ignore you as you pass, that would not be normal dog behaviour.
 
I dunno Burtie, I know its not a perfect analogy but out hunting/fun ride/shows I still wouldn't let my horse do that without checking.
Yes you expect other horse people to be there and yes you expect horses to trot past/ canter past/ jump things around you - but you dont (well I don't) expect riders to allow their horses right into the personal space of my horse which is asking for a possible accident.

As is letting your dog just run up to another. Run past - fine. Run up to - not.

I might add that this isn't a problem I have, my dogs are fine with other dogs and a damn sight faster than most if they get into a pickle :D but I do feel sorry for those who feel tense and worried when they go out. They are only trying to have a nice walk in peace :confused:
 
If I go to a big country park, I expect to see and perhaps meet loose dogs. If loose dogs cause you anxiety, don't take them places where there's a big chance he'll have to interact with other dogs. I think a lot of this anxiety stems from puppy socialising, people are fine with dogs in what they perceive as a controlled environment with instruction, on their own they haven't the confidence to allow dogs to be dogs. Before I get jumped on, yes, I know dog on dog attacks happen, but they are comparitively rare. If as an owner, everytime you see a loose dog, you recall your dog and put him on the lead, what sort of message is this sending your dog? For me it's the same message mothers give their children when they see you approaching with a dog and cross the street to avoid you. Socialisation doesn't begin and end at puppy/training classes, dogs need to intereact with others in the big wide world.
 
blazingsaddles said:
Socialisation doesn't begin and end at puppy/training classes, dogs need to intereact with others in the big wide world.
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Agree but not without asking whether the other dog isa suitable socialisation partner first surely? After all socialisation is only as useful as the dogs involved.

If your dog comes to socialise with mine (on lead) and mine gives it a hammering (hence why it was on the lead) what does that teach your dog?
 
I always put henry on a lead if i see another dog on a lead as i cant be sure he wont run up to it (then ask if ok to great and act accordingly) except when Henry is off lead and playing with his ball i leave him off as he has no interest in other dogs if his ball is in his mouth. If they are off lead Henry stays off lead and i leave them to get on with doggy greetings! I always keep an eye just in case.

Isnt it a bit of give and take? I live at the seaside so we are usually down at the beach at some point most days of the week and it does get busy especially with dog walkers. To me the beach is where dogs can be off lead and have a good run around on a soft surface playing ball or whatever. People still walk dogs on a lead on the beach and Henry will be playing ball showing no interest in them and they go nuts barking and lunging at him as he runs past. Why would you take your dog who was likely to react like that down to a busy beach and have a go at people as thier dogs are off lead and upsetting yours? You see the same people regularly so not holiday makers etc. I am not going to put him on the lead in that situation.
 
SplashofSoy said:
Why would you take your dog who was likely to react like that down to a busy beach and have a go at people as thier dogs are off lead and upsetting yours? You see the same people regularly so not holiday makers etc. I am not going to put him on the lead in that situation.
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Maybe because you like the beach? maybe because you think your dog would like a change of scenery and think that hopefully, when people see yours on the lead, others will put theirs on too?

I don't agree with being nasty to someone else, I'm sure it would suffice to say sorry can you put yours on a lead/call it off, mine isn't very sociable.

Just playing devils advocate here because as I say, mine are fine with whatever happens.

And just remember it could have been a off-lead dog who came up to theirs, attacked and CAUSED it to be shouty and aggressive in the first place.

I just think tolerance and communication and maybe printing out and sticking up those posters might help everyone realise what is expected maybe?
 
I see both sides as I am the one with the shouty dog. However if HE came bowling up to your dogs I imagine you would have a few choice words for me (has a tendency to knock dogs over with OTTness)- so please do not allow yours to come up to us (with the most annoying phrase ever uttered "its ok, he just wants to play")- racing past us at a distance of three inches. Am sure there is plenty of beach for everyone to use how they want.

I do however avoid areas/times when I know there will be alot of off lead dogs about, to avoid winding my dog up, and avoid people annoying me!
 
I know everybody thinks their OWN dogs are awesome and well behaved - but not everybody ELSE might think or automatically know that, just some food for thought which can apply across any number of subjects :)
 
Mine have no idea what a name is. But they wonder why my mouth is open. Again. And whether there are birds/rats to be chased anywhere and maybe someone's left a tennis ball somewhere. Then they can steal it and run around barking while I shout to them about something, again. She probably wants to play with the tennis ball lets run past her - oh look how happy she is about that ..:D
 
Sorry maybe wasnt clear, at the beach Henry has his ball and has no interest in other dogs but if bringing his ball back or chasing it he may have to run past another dog (no interaction not even a look in the other dogs direction just running past). This then sets on lead dog off barking, lunging etc and i get a mouthful from the owner. I am not going to put my dog on a lead in that situation.

I agree if your dog is likely to go up to another dog on lead (i cant unless the ball is involved) i put on lead to pass.
 
In fairness that would gee MY dogs up and mine aren't aggressive dogs. They'd be really like "wheyyy lets go!" and because they are terriers its very likely they'd go into full voice too, maybe an excited scrap would break out between the two of them and I might be annoyed too! :) it's no-one's fault, mine aren't nasty - neither is yours.
Just one of those things :D
 
My youngun is very, very, very ball driven so I do ask if we are passing someone with a ball to refrain from throwing it or teasing their own dog with it (please :)) until we have passed or until I have produced our own ball. Especially if I am on the bike :p
 
And God don't get me started on balls.

When I bother to walk my dogs, I cry inside when I see someone with a ball. "Can you stop throwing that please? My dog WILL get it before yours and then you will never get it back and I'll be here til 10pm trying to catch the little rat!" :D
 
CaveCanem said:
My youngun is very, very, very ball driven so I do ask if we are passing someone with a ball to refrain from throwing it or teasing their own dog with it (please :)) until we have passed or until I have produced our own ball. Especially if I am on the bike :p
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I would happily do so if asked as it is only good manners to comply with a polite request but no one has ever asked me. :)

Think that was partly Delta's point though in that why should people whose dogs are behaving perfectly well having a nice time enjoying thier walk being no bother to anyone (man nor beast) have to restrict their dogs by putting them on a lead because someone chooses to walk their not so well behaved dog in a busy place at a busy time that will cause its behaviour to worsen. Especially when they are not training it to deal with these things and just blaming everyone else. I know you have to get dogs used to loads of situations and some they may not like but this is part of training and i dont see training as being being rude the other dog walker whilst straining to hold a dog which has gone a bit mental but not doing anything about its behaviour.

Just to confirm I do think it is unacceptable for any dog to go bounding up willy nilly to dogs on lead.
 
Bearing in mind I have spangles, which are allegedly "high energy" dogs, I always call mine to heel when passing other dog walker's etc. However, I am incredulous about the amount of people who are not in control of their dogs - especially on the beach.

My dogs do not appreciate being approached and jumped on at speed, and we then have a tag along dog with us, and if I wait for the dog owner to come over and catch hold of their dog I rarely get a thank you, it infuriates me.
 
Delta99 said:
I If your dog is on the lead and my dog goes bounding over to say hello (in a non aggressive manner), that is NORMAL dog behaviour.
If that frightens your dog, then YOUR dog clearly has an issue that YOU need to deal with in a controlled environment.
If your dog is injured, then again, please walk it in a risk free environment.

.
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100% DISagree! I think that attitude is quite selfish.

I agree that walking your onlead dog through the middle of a busy park would be a pain. But when H is injured I either road walk him, so no problems or I walk him in in the middle of nowhere at times when I truely believe I won't meet anyone else.

I therefore HAVE done everything I can to keep my dog safe. When my dog was injured he had a huge bandage on his leg, it was very obvious, yet I still met 1/2 dogs whose owners made no attempt to call their dog away from me and let them jump all over me and my dog. Why do they have the right to let their dog do this? Dogs are meant to be kept under control at all times, their dog clearly was not. Dogs "bounding" over to other dogs is actually very rude doggy behaviour. If they approached slowly then that is different.

I don't mind if you put your dog on a lead or not. I walk H off the lead all the time when he is not injured. If I see another dog off the lead I just make sure he doesn't approach. If I can do that and not put him on a lead I won't. It's not about putting your off lead dog on a lead, it is about not letting your dog approach a dog that is on a lead.
 
If you come around the corner in the woods, and I call my dog, and he turns round to come to me, please DON'T say 'Hellooooooo!' to him in a super-exciting voice, as yes he will turn around and bound over to say hi to you and your on-lead dog. I know he's not perfect but at least give me a fighting chance here people!:rolleyes::D

At least she had the good grace not to have a pop at me when I staggered up (this was when I was still ill and was having to have lots of sitting down time on walks) to retrieve the Spud!
 
BoolavogueDC said:
Agree but not without asking whether the other dog isa suitable socialisation partner first surely? After all socialisation is only as useful as the dogs involved.



If your dog comes to socialise with mine (on lead) and mine gives it a hammering (hence why it was on the lead) what does that teach your dog?
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It wouldn't get a chance, mine does 0-30 in five seconds flat!:p:D

If the other dog is an unsociable git, it shouldn't be off lead in the first place. If it is on lead,I assume it (or the owner) is unsociable and I don't allow mine to approach it. If I go to the only place for miles that I can let my dogs off safely and some dimwit decides to bring his /her dog for an on-lead walk and no dog is allowed within 20 feet because it will create, then tough cookies. Take it walking on the roads, don't bring it to a country park where many dog owners will be doing exactly the same thing as me.
 
I still dunno, I still kind of feel like - why shouldn't they walk their dogs where they like? People think we shouldn't be riding on roads at all and hate riders being there simply because it makes their life difficult for like, a minute...? Same as heeling/leading your dog to pass another on the lead dog really. :)
 
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