I am DONE

[palo1]

Blasted things I have always hated them and have been pretty determined to train my dogs to simple collar and lead though that is not always the best solution. I prefer that though. I guess a flexi lead gives some dogs a bit more room/freedom if they cannot be allowed off lead but they are horrible...If Red was on one of those I would be like a fly in a spider's web lol (wrapped up ready for dinner!!) I can't imagine they are pleasant to use either tbh.

 

[conkers]

I often shout to the idiot owner no where near there dog that they aren’t friendly and get blank looks back,

You then get the reply - 'it will serve him right. He needs to learn.' They seem surprised when you answer that it isn't your job to teach their dog some manners.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I walk mine on Flexis, they know how to walk by my side and will go into static commands at a distance. Twice in the last week when mine have been walking beside me on a Flexi, people have let their dogs drag them across the path and make unwanted face to face contact, theirs on normal collars/leads.
They're no more difficult to use than any other type of collar or lead **if your dog is trained to come to call/go into a static position at a distance when told/walk beside you** which I think is the main issue, not the actual tool.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Blasted things I have always hated them and have been pretty determined to train my dogs to simple collar and lead though that is not always the best solution. I prefer that though. I guess a flexi lead gives some dogs a bit more room/freedom if they cannot be allowed off lead but they are horrible...If Red was on one of those I would be like a fly in a spider's web lol (wrapped up ready for dinner!!) I can't imagine they are pleasant to use either tbh.

I didn't mention it in my first reply, but I actually have a few different length flexis in a drawer myself. Sometimes it goes years between, but I've used them periodically before, and will probably do again. As long as you use them sensibly, I think they can be useful.

I actually happened to think about mine just some days ago. Thought that one of these days I should check if they're still in working condition, in case Jonna starts to go a bit senile now that she's 15½.

 

[fiwen30]

Agreed that flexis aren’t the devil, but it doesn’t help that most useless owners use them, presumably as a way to avoid actually training their dogs to walk close/not pull.

Personally we’ve always used a 2m long line, so that our dog can either walk a bit ahead and enjoy a good sniff if the way is clear, or get reeled back in easily to walk at heel when needed.

Does mean that you need both hands free to control the line, so not so great for the dog walkers more interested in their phones!

 

[palo1]

It is interesting to hear positive comments about flexi-leads; I have never had one as I just don't find them ergonomically friendly! I am not sure I have the co-ordination skills either to use the reeling-in mechanism in a timely fashion. Or to train a static halt for that matter!! Also, I love traditional leather dog collars and leads so always try to train in that set up (as much as I do train my dogs). Always it is the person and not the tool at fault and watching dogs strain against a collar isn't great either. Red does that a bit Training is all obviously but I think I only ever see daft dog owners with flexi-leads so that is what I have come to think about them.

This does remind me that I must try to find a way of getting Red to understand that straining against a collar is definately the wrong thing to do...I was impressed though yesterday, what with his terrier mindset and all, that once I had got his attention he was able to move on and trundle along with me rather than trying to get back to the JRT on a fishing line!!

 

[blackcob]

I occasionally use a giant flexi for walking the big dogs individually but as CC refers they will stop, change direction and recall at a word (it's only taken 11 years ?) but I still loathe flexis on principle because they are so often ill-used. Particularly the inspired Julius K9 harness/flexi lead combo which gives zero control over any part of the dog.

Following on from the OP we had a lovely long walk last weekend with two of small dog's bezzie mates, both of whom will send a marauding dog packing, which was a nice confidence boosting experience for him.

 

[palo1]

I occasionally use a giant flexi for walking the big dogs individually but as CC refers they will stop, change direction and recall at a word (it's only taken 11 years ?) but I still loathe flexis on principle because they are so often ill-used. Particularly the inspired Julius K9 harness/flexi lead combo which gives zero control over any part of the dog.

Following on from the OP we had a lovely long walk last weekend with two of small dog's bezzie mates, both of whom will send a marauding dog packing, which was a nice confidence boosting experience for him.

That sounds like a lovely walk! I love it when dogs I know and trust can join in with Red and I

 

[ponyparty]

Ugh I hate flexi leads... I do have one, a hi vis yellow tape style one, which I use occasionally - for example on holiday when I’m not sure of the lay of the land/if there are stock around/if we haven’t got an enclosed area for F to toilet.

I had to slam my brakes on yesterday as a lady walking a golden retriever had him on a long flexi lead and he looked as if he was going to step out in front of me into the road. Scared me to death (and her too I think); I glared daggers at her as she reeled the dog in, no harm done so hopefully she’s learnt the lesson and will keep it at a suitable length on the street now... one can hope ?

 

[Karran]

We got harassed by the resident evil GSD yesterday. Its the 5th time since Lockdown that its come barrelling over teeth and snarling. Miss Collie for a while now has been on edge with similar looking dogs, so I always put her on the lead around anything that looks similar. We saw it coming, so I popped her on the lead and went to take a wide berth. She saw it at the same time I got her on the lead (Thank God, cos she firmly believes attack is the best form of defence) and walked her past while she was growling and twisting to keep an eye on it. It came charging us and I had to yell at it.
Unfortunately for us, (although in the bad days, I was quite grateful!) my local council doesn't have a dog warden so I have no way of reporting it. The owner blames me because Miss Collie goes on the defensive, but she's on a lead when I see it and marched away ASAP with as much space as I can between us. The park we use is a small 10 minute loop and is the only one I can get to on a lunch break and in the dark, its also at the end of my road so its really convenient when I can't get her further afield but he won't put it on a lead and it'll rush us three or four times sometimes racing across the park to get us before its owner gets the harness and then it'll do the same to another dog elsewhere.

 

[Clodagh]

We got harassed by the resident evil GSD yesterday. Its the 5th time since Lockdown that its come barrelling over teeth and snarling. Miss Collie for a while now has been on edge with similar looking dogs, so I always put her on the lead around anything that looks similar. We saw it coming, so I popped her on the lead and went to take a wide berth. She saw it at the same time I got her on the lead (Thank God, cos she firmly believes attack is the best form of defence) and walked her past while she was growling and twisting to keep an eye on it. It came charging us and I had to yell at it.
Unfortunately for us, (although in the bad days, I was quite grateful!) my local council doesn't have a dog warden so I have no way of reporting it. The owner blames me because Miss Collie goes on the defensive, but she's on a lead when I see it and marched away ASAP with as much space as I can between us. The park we use is a small 10 minute loop and is the only one I can get to on a lunch break and in the dark, its also at the end of my road so its really convenient when I can't get her further afield but he won't put it on a lead and it'll rush us three or four times sometimes racing across the park to get us before its owner gets the harness and then it'll do the same to another dog elsewhere.

You should be able to go to the police and say you felt in danger. I would!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

This happened to a dog at a very popular local dog walking spot on Friday, police weren't interested. It isn't the first dog to be attacked either. Some sort of English Bull or cross I believe.

 

[Clodagh]

Oh my goodness EP, that is awful. Poor poor dog.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

It is and I can't believe the police won't get involved. This was someone who lives in the village where I keep my sheep and was walking her dog at a local new wood. I was thinking about taking mine there but won't be now. Shame as it is a lovely place to go.

 

[blackcob]

Those pics are awful EP. I am thankfully no longer front desk/client facing but saw similar sights when I was (including dogs DOA) and I will never forget it. It was a significant factor against the decision to get a smaller breed of dog, I will almost certainly go big again next time.

 

[skinnydipper]

Yesterday my dog and I had a lovely walk. She met and made friends with a Bichon x poodle pup. She is a big dog but gentle and he wasn't bothered at all by her size.

Today we did not enjoy our walk. I've seen them before, 2 labs running wild, but not close enough to be a nuisance to us. Today was different. They homed in on her, running at her, circling, barking. It wasn't play and it wasn't nice. She was getting upset. I shouted to the pr1ck to call his dogs and he didn't/couldn't. OH is still acting as chauffeur following my surgery and I was glad he was there because he grabbed the harness of one of them and held it till dickhead came to get them, the other, was still behind her barking. No apology.

I am not having it. My new policy will be to use the dog deterrent spray on nuisance dogs and with a bit of luck people like him will learn to avoid me.

 

[Clodagh]

Yesterday my dog and I had a lovely walk. She met and made friends with a Bichon x poodle pup. She is a big dog but gentle and he wasn't bothered at all by her size.

Today we did not enjoy our walk. I've seen them before, 2 labs running wild, but not close enough to be a nuisance to us. Today was different. They homed in on her, running at her, circling, barking. It wasn't play and it wasn't nice. She was getting upset. I shouted to the pr1ck to call his dogs and he didn't/couldn't. OH is still acting as chauffeur following my surgery and I was glad he was there because he grabbed the harness of one of them and held it till dickhead came to get them, the other, was still behind her barking. No apology.

I am not having it. My new policy will be to use the dog deterrent spray on nuisance dogs and with a bit of luck people like him will learn to avoid me.

Go for it. Shame you csn't run over and spray it on the owner, but the dogs would be a start.

 

[Smitty]

I have a small dog. I dont want a big one as I live on my own and if it was injured or ill would not be able to lift it, also I do not have a large house or garden. As well as the aforementioned, I need to be able to lift it over stiles/gates if it cannot get through, plus I love terriers!!

I mostly walk on my own, with a walking stick?? which I am happy to use, but am reaching the point where I believe all dogs should be muzzled in public.

I have over the years had dogs attacked by a Pointer, GSDs (2 at once), labs, a Staffy (resulting in a vet visit), my friend's Weim/Greyhound/Staff (vet visit) and JRs belonging to a friend and my sister. Oh yes, and her Greyhound! But sis muzzles both hers so no damage done.

There are breeds and crosses out there now that can do serious damage to other dogs and people. I think the time has come for stringent measures which do not rely solely on people training their dogs.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

Flexi’s should be burnt at the stake. The majority of people who use them as a means of physical control -but when the dogs 15ft ahead and doesn’t respond to vocal commands, it may as well be off lead.

 

[blackcob]

Latest installment in my dog walking saga... today I was shouted at by a bloke who asked me why I was so ignorant and never said thank you; on asking him what on earth he meant by that, turns out my crime is to not thank him for trying to call his dog back. I've never spoken a word to him before and he was disproportionately aggressive in his approach so I think he's perhaps got wider issues going on.

He does call the dog but it ignores him and runs at us every time; I ignore them both and just move away and keep walking, apparently that's not ok. I told him that I'd thank him if the dog was under control, at which it helpfully proved my point and circled back to have another go.