I am DONE with walking dogs in public spaces

I just echo your post, CC. Bloody sick of it. Sick of the idiots who claim their dog has ‘never done that before‘, sick of the owners who allow their poor stressed dog to carry on straining desperately to get to another dog that they’re scared of because ‘that’ll cure them”. Oh yeah, it really won’t, I promise. Sick of the owners who haven’t arsed themselves to teach their dog a solid recall, I did them the favour a thousand times of recalling mine so they could grab theirs. Drives me crazy.

My two are 25kg turbo springers; because I have two and the one defends the other, I get all the blame-not that it‘s ever allowed to happen-if there’s a problem. Drives me so crazy, I’m so careful but other owners don’t seem to give a crap. We’ve picked walk times and places carefully, the boys are obsessed with retrieving and I’m now very vocal about it, so it’s very rare to encounter problems. I like the idea of filming, that’s definitely a trick I’ll try!
 
My poodle was attacked by a border collie just over a year ago. I was suddenly aware someone was screaming and realised it was me. It was awful, amazingly he got away with 2 puncture wounds and bruising and a £65 vet bill. If the owner handnt hit her with a ball slinger I’m not sure he would have survived He also had 2 close encounters with aggressive chocolate labs on separate occasions and was attacked twice by a collie Cross. I found out afterwards that the border collie dog has a history of attacking and the owner has previously been advised not to walk her off lead near other dogs. We have a husky near us that has attacked 2 dogs now that I know of, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is more than that. The first dog the husky attacked the other owner punched the husky owner in the face. We have a Japanese Akita nearby and I won’t go anywhere near it. The owner never lets it off the lead and it has a head collar on as well as collar and 2nd lead
 
It was an Akita cross that bit Brig, he had continuous antibiotics for months until I finally demanded they excise the tissue, multiple pus filled cysts along his back. The Akita thing then attacked a rough collie, the owner bent to separate them and the Akita bit his arm, guy ended up in A&E. I haven’t seen it since, thank god. Bloke who owns it is clueless, used to drag it round and let it watch other dogs but never interact, so when it was finally allowed, it was clueless.
 
I think it is important to remember that aggression is not breed or size specific.

For example, the rabid behaviour of the lab and cockerpoo a few doors down is not representative of these breeds.

In the last couple of days we have met 2 cockerpoos - different sex, owners and locations. Both delightful dogs. The big girl and I were quite smitten. They invited her to play and she them (I am sure she thinks she is the size of a Yorkie when she is bouncing about and offering the play bow).

What I think is important is the ability of the owner to recognise a problem behaviour, at least attempt to rectify it, but ultimately be able to control their dog/dogs.

I don't hold anything against the breeds that have attacked my dogs. Best not to ask me what I think of their owners.
 
I dont know, I'm not a fan of the average dog walk style anyway.

The slow, trudging meander that leaves any normal dog miles ahead while the owner disinterestedly checks his/her phone.

I WALK with my dogs (I run with my GSD) but they are expected to quick march so they settle into that lovely ground covering trot which switches them out of trouble seeking mode and into movement mode. They are always on the lead when we walk in public. The whole scenario is lovely. (For us unless we meet others who are in the former catergory)

Its a huge amount of factors as CC has said, people not paying attention, people thinking discipline is a dirty word, lazy and uneducated. Shame its spoiled your walks :(
 
skinnydipper said:
Oh, I think I must be doing things wrong.

I slowly trudge and meander WITH my dog. She enjoys sniffing, a form of canine enrichment, and I indulge her.

After all, the dog walk is for her benefit not mine.

The phone never leaves my bag.
Click to expand...

I never said it was wrong, I said I wasn't a fan. You walk how you like my friend :D
 
I deliberately didn't mention the dog's breed in my rant. ;) I'm not 100% sure what it was in fairness, some sort of scruffy brown terrier of a size that will fly some distance if I put the boot in next time

We've been out between 9pm and 11pm last few nights, in a hastily purchased half-check collar, and haven't met a soul. If we go out in daylight at the weekend I will take some deterrent muscle with us in the form of a grumpy Siberian husky.

We are marchers rather than trudgers too but I get what Ranyhyn is saying - a bit like the type of people who only ever go to the local park and expect other people's dogs to be their dog's exercise rather than engaging with them meaningfully themselves.
 
blackcob said:
I deliberately didn't mention the dog's breed in my rant. ;) I'm not 100% sure what it was in fairness, some sort of scruffy brown terrier of a size that will fly some distance if I put the boot in next time

We've been out between 9pm and 11pm last few nights, in a hastily purchased half-check collar, and haven't met a soul. If we go out in daylight at the weekend I will take some deterrent muscle with us in the form of a grumpy Siberian husky.

We are marchers rather than trudgers too but I get what Ranyhyn is saying - a bit like the type of people who only ever go to the local park and expect other people's dogs to be their dog's exercise rather than engaging with them meaningfully themselves.
Click to expand...

Agree. Too many dogs, too many clueless owners.
 
I don’t use my phone on dog walks off lead, only when on a short on lead walk. I have seen some dog walkers on my local park who stand in the middle of the park, talking,whilst their dogs have a sniff and stand around looking bored. I play with Teddy on walks and do a few little tricks occasionally. The number of times I’ve run round in circles with Teddy chasing me. I do get some strange looks. I’m also fed up with owners who walk along chatting and don’t check on their dog, they then tag along with me and Teddy, they probably think we’re more exciting. And don’t get me started on owners who walk their dog off lead next to road or walk them with no collar and ID tag ?. I do worry and probably label some dog breeds but I am aware, having seen Teddy attacked by a BC and he’s only small that he most likely wouldn’t survive an attack by a dog BC size or bigger.
 
Lownthwaite Rob said:
And don’t get me started on owners who walk their dog off lead next to road or walk them with no collar and ID tag ?.
Click to expand...

I liked all your post but this particularly.

Why risk their friend's life? I think they think its clever. No, it isn't.

They may have not been run over YET, but past behaviour does not guarantee future behaviour IMO.

A local dog boarder/dog walker does this (on the pavement, next to the road) - with other people's dogs!

ETA. She, the dog walker told me she has regulars that she doesn't even take a lead with her when walking them o_O Not somebody I would trust to walk my dog.
 
Last edited:
Worst cohort, IMO, are the owners who meet up in the park, stand in the middle so I‘m restricted to a corner and ignore their dogs whilst chatting blithely. Drives me nuts. I’m training their blasted dog and returning it safely-repeatedly! One was stood squeaking a toy endlessly, ineffectively, very annoyingly! If you’re using it to recall, then use it effectively, once. The dog was ignoring it.
 
I feel everyone's pain, I have a new breed of dog owner around my way - "dappy dog owners" they allow the dog to be in charge - usually some overpriced poodlely doodley thing that is referred to as a "fur baby" these owners most often are clueless and of the ham and cheese training brigade, they ask the dog nicely in weak apologetic voices to do as they ask - actually they are very effectively teaching the dog to ignore them instead!!

The last twonk didn't like me when I said a very firm NO I didn't want my 2 spaniels having a "playdate" with her cockapoo, she then proceeded to let the rude little thug to the full extention of it's flexi as it "wants to say hello" to my entire male by leaping at his head, and she was surprised when he told the thing in doggy laungauge to piddle off - luckily I stopped any ruckus, by growling at my boy and telling the cockpoo to piss off!!!

I tend to avoid popular spots like the park, but our normal fields have been underwater and miserable and muddy, so I have been using a local park and the beach - if I was stuck with theis option I wouldn't own a dog! It's a nightmare - I get what others say about the chatting crowd, stupid old woman with a horrible terrier thing wandering around picking fights whiule she just yats with her equally stupid companions.... AGGGGGGHHHHH!!! And the woman who thinks I'm cruel as I don't allow my dogs to "have fun" chasing birds and squirrels, yet if I told her mine were gundogs I'm sure she'd be appalled....numpties the bloody lot of them!!
 
blackcob said:
I deliberately didn't mention the dog's breed in my rant. ;) I'm not 100% sure what it was in fairness, some sort of scruffy brown terrier of a size that will fly some distance if I put the boot in next time

We've been out between 9pm and 11pm last few nights, in a hastily purchased half-check collar, and haven't met a soul. If we go out in daylight at the weekend I will take some deterrent muscle with us in the form of a grumpy Siberian husky.

We are marchers rather than trudgers too but I get what Ranyhyn is saying - a bit like the type of people who only ever go to the local park and expect other people's dogs to be their dog's exercise rather than engaging with them meaningfully themselves.
Click to expand...

Is it wrong that I gave a rueful laugh at reading this? Yes probably.... George is that scruffy brown terrier of a certain size, and yes he might well absolutely fly given the right circumstances..... ?

He is also never off the lead without a muzzle now and is never off the lead if I feel there is a minute chance we might meet someone, it’s not worth it.

I wish everyone could just accept that their dog is lovely (to them) but has certain character flaws which mean control in public is required ?
 
skinnydipper said:
I liked all your post but this particularly.

Why risk their friend's life? I think they think its clever. No, it isn't.

They may have not been run over YET, but past behaviour does not guarantee future behaviour IMO.

A local dog boarder/dog walker does this (on the pavement, next to the road) - with other people's dogs!

ETA. She, the dog walker told me she has regulars that she doesn't even take a lead with her when walking them o_O Not somebody I would trust to walk my dog.
Click to expand...

I had to sit on my hands not to post on a local Facebook page today.... someone ranting that her parents dog had been hit by a car which didn’t stop in the middle of our small town/big village. I absolutely agree that this is awful - and also illegal not to report hitting a dog to the police - but WTF was the dog doing wandering around loose in the middle of town in the first place???!!!!

sorry I am deviating from the OP, but it made me so cross ?
 
skinnydipper said:
I liked all your post but this particularly.

Why risk their friend's life? I think they think its clever. No, it isn't.

They may have not been run over YET, but past behaviour does not guarantee future behaviour IMO.

A local dog boarder/dog walker does this (on the pavement, next to the road) - with other people's dogs!

ETA. She, the dog walker told me she has regulars that she doesn't even take a lead with her when walking them o_O Not somebody I would trust to walk my dog.
Click to expand...
It makes me really angry when I see it. A neighbour was threatening toward my husband when their dog was off lead, ran across a road with thankfully no cars and then expected my husband to get hold of his dog and wait for him to jog across. He then threatened my husband as he walked away so my husband walked back and asked exactly what did he mean. The man went a bit white and shut up!
 
skinnydipper said:
I liked all your post but this particularly.

Why risk their friend's life? I think they think its clever. No, it isn't.

They may have not been run over YET, but past behaviour does not guarantee future behaviour IMO.

A local dog boarder/dog walker does this (on the pavement, next to the road) - with other people's dogs!

ETA. She, the dog walker told me she has regulars that she doesn't even take a lead with her when walking them o_O Not somebody I would trust to walk my dog.
Click to expand...
I thought it must be illegal to have a dog unleashed on public footpaths so I googled it and its not which I find bizarre. Aside from the obvious risk to the dog, it must be tricky for cyclists or cars if the dog just steps slightly on to the road and they swerve on instinct and something serious happens. Or some lowlife sees a dog they can easily steal.
 
I think, whether it is illegal or not, commonsense should prevail. The average family pet is not 100% reliable (is any dog?) and I have certainly not seen any round here trained to a high standard.

As I said previously, past behaviour does not guarantee future behaviour and they can always throw us a curve ball.

Not worth the risk IMO.

I used to bump into a chap called Alan with his lab Sam when walking my dogs. Neither of them in the first flush of youth. I met Alan in the vets one day, Sam had crossed the road and been hit by a car. Alan said he had never done it before. He also said he would never forgive himself. Sam pulled through but it was a hard lesson learned.

A friend had 2 dogs. Her adult son took them out one day. Only one dog returned alive. One of her off leash dogs was hit by a vehicle while crossing a country road.

ETA. I don't think we've strayed too much from the original post. ;) BC's dog was attacked by an off leash dog on a residential street.
 
Last edited:
Sukhpreet Aujla said:
I thought it must be illegal to have a dog unleashed on public footpaths so I googled it and its not which I find bizarre. Aside from the obvious risk to the dog, it must be tricky for cyclists or cars if the dog just steps slightly on to the road and they swerve on instinct and something serious happens. Or some lowlife sees a dog they can easily steal.
Click to expand...

Public footpath or pavement? Or both!? I know it is not illegal on a footpath, but they must be on the footpath with you. Pavements I suppose laws were written for that when they assumed a modicum of common sense? Although of course if your dog caused an accident you would be liable.
 
Clodagh said:
Public footpath or pavement? Or both!? I know it is not illegal on a footpath, but they must be on the footpath with you. Pavements I suppose laws were written for that when they assumed a modicum of common sense? Although of course if your dog caused an accident you would be liable.
Click to expand...
I meant both, I assumed in all public areas unless its its a field or enclosed area that basic practice is to have your dog on some sort of leash, whether a normal one or retractable leash. Although I guess a retractable leash can still lead to some of the issues raised by the op if the person holding it isn't paying attention.
 
The law in this case (as always really) is open to interpretation. The dog needs to be under control, for some people this can be achieved off lead but in a lot of cases (where people are honest) this is only subject to luck dependant on the external circumstances.

If your dog causes an RTC you as the owner would be liable. Wether or not it was on a lead as you'd be deemed to not be in control.
 
Ranyhyn said:
The law in this case (as always really) is open to interpretation. The dog needs to be under control, for some people this can be achieved off lead but in a lot of cases (where people are honest) this is only subject to luck dependant on the external circumstances.

If your dog causes an RTC you as the owner would be liable. Wether or not it was on a lead as you'd be deemed to not be in control.
Click to expand...


Some councils have bye-laws which say that all dogs must be on a lead in public spaces/highways. This can only apply to publicly owned land of course.
 
In the past few years I have taken to almost always walking my dogs in remote and wild places where I rarely come across other people and dogs. I am thankful I have plenty of these areas on my doorstep. I do try to go to the beach or lowland woods every so often to keep my dogs "socialised" and used to seeing strangers, other dogs, traffic etc but I keep my distance and always have my dogs engaged with me so they aren't off bothering other people or their dogs/children/horses/pushbikes etc. Every day on FB I hear of on lead or under control dogs being jumped on, attacked, annoyed by out of control dogs. The problem seems to be getting worse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top