Irresponsible Owners

[CorvusCorax]

Again, nah, been here eight years and in my experience, the cats very much do not learn.

I suppose it's about the size of/how you use your garden as well. I walk through it to go and exercise my dogs by walking them or taking them elsewhere or to training by car, I've never put them out in it unsupervised to run around as the wall out front is too low.

So to return to 'cats very much do not learn', I am currently walking my oldest dog up and down the lane and he was almost on top of a young cat before it decided to move. I didn't notice it myself until the last minute. It's lucky that he's a lot older and slower than he used to be and I'm responsible and keep him on a leash.

 

[Goldenstar]

Cats do learn but I would have to say their true talent is for training not being trained .

 

[rabatsa]

Cats also like to push boundaries and see what havoc they can create.

 

[splashgirl45]

What about pigeons? Bloomin thing was on the path quite a way in front of us so I didn’t worry about the dogs being off lead.. it waited until the dogs were nearly there and I suddenly thought flipping heck, ( or similar)it’s injured so I ran up to grab my young lurcher and the pigeon just flew away, then driving home another pigeon landed in front of me and I emergency braked and it flew off.. they have a death wish!!!

 

[misst]

The Husky sounds like a it’s all about me dog whatever he feels is wants happening and that type of dog can change moods in a nano second .
People are so thick it’s just unbelievable.
I don’t know what the answer is is there anywhere quieter you can go when you have your granddaughter that really does not sound very safe .
It was chaos in the village where the other house is today first week of school holidays and every cottage is busy ,loads of town dogs in party mood .
We saw some excellent use of the extendable lead in a built up area how these dogs don’t get run over I have no idea and to top it off someone took there soaking wet filthy spaniel into the deli to get an oat cappuccino which amused me greatly I have never heard that ordered in real life ,the dog was dripping on the crisps in baskets which was a bit off .

I think you are right about the husky type. I felt he was not "friendly" just overly interested. I have never ever seen that dog or the GSD or the owner before and not seen them today. The lab - we do get quite a few bouncy ones round here but he was worse than usual - not seen him since either (I would recognise the owner), the dog walker was also not a regular so I think I picked a bad time on a bed day. I am glad I was right about the husky and not just being overly sensitive. He gave me the "willies" as my late mum would have said!

I walked in a lovely alternative area that I have to drive about 7 minutes to on Tuesday and had a super walk. Both dogs ran themselves ragged as they'd not been there for a while though we do go there from time to time we are lazy and use the common out front usually - it's why we bought the house. Granddaughter also loved throwing balls into the little stream there and the dogs retrieved about 10 times and lost balls 4 times . Ruby then decided a huge fresh fox poo was ideal to roll in so had to be put back in the stream before going home for a bath. We only met about 4 other people in the whole hour and a bit. All dogs lovely no dog walkers and clipped on lead at approach.

Today I walked out front as usual with granddaughter and saw all our usual acquaintances and had a lovely hour and a bit in the woods. We didn't meet anyone we didn't know and everyone was polite (dogs and people) everyone considerate. Both my two played with a pair of BTs they've known since pups and granddaughter ran around like a lunatic playing unicorns and princesses. Fingers crossed for an equally good morning tomorrow .

 

[MurphysMinder]

Not so much irresponsible as plain stupid. I went to a man trailing session yesterday with Zenya, so there we were in a car park on Cannock Chase, 5 cars all with boots open and GSDs in cars, one person standing out of the car with a GSD. In drives a woman, glares at us (which I can kind of understand if it's her normal quiet area) then opens her car door and lets out 2 chihuahuas and a little terrier type, all off lead and proceeds to head off onto the common land. Dogs take little notice of her and run up to my car and stick their faces up to my tailgate guard. Luckily Zenya didn't react, just looked a bit bemused, cue the stupid owner saying to her dogs "come here or you will get eaten" ! When she came back about 20 minutes later the damn things were still off lead but did at least go straight back to their own car. Had Zen reacted to them going in her space there would probably have been a post on local fb page about a "vicious Alsatian" !

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Talking of cats….There’s a handsome grey chap that I sometimes see out the front. Yesterday, putting Goose in the car (the youngsters both take their time getting in) I saw the cat in the neighbour’s alley nosing at the solid 6ft gate. Goose was very interested but didn’t move, not sure he knew what it was, we never have cats in the garden. Could have been nasty, he would have been cornered had Goose gone for him.

This cat regularly walks down my windscreen, I have no idea why, given there’s a panel missing from the fence that he could walk through. Maybe he walks all the way along the edge of the garden.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Not so much irresponsible as plain stupid. I went to a man trailing session yesterday with Zenya, so there we were in a car park on Cannock Chase, 5 cars all with boots open and GSDs in cars, one person standing out of the car with a GSD. In drives a woman, glares at us (which I can kind of understand if it's her normal quiet area) then opens her car door and lets out 2 chihuahuas and a little terrier type, all off lead and proceeds to head off onto the common land. Dogs take little notice of her and run up to my car and stick their faces up to my tailgate guard. Luckily Zenya didn't react, just looked a bit bemused, cue the stupid owner saying to her dogs "come here or you will get eaten" ! When she came back about 20 minutes later the damn things were still off lead but did at least go straight back to their own car. Had Zen reacted to them going in her space there would probably have been a post on local fb page about a "vicious Alsatian" !

Imagine caring so little for your own or other people's dogs. I don't know why some people have dogs.

 

[blackcob]

I know I’ve said it on here before but people opening their boot in car parks and letting the dogs run amok or leap out and belt down the footpath, heedless of anyone coming the other way, is an absolute pet hate for me.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I know I’ve said it on here before but people opening their boot in car parks and letting the dogs run amok or leap out and belt down the footpath, heedless of anyone coming the other way, is an absolute pet hate for me.

Yes, it's massively stupid and inconsiderate behaviour, the thing about car parks is that there are usually large moving vehicles in them.
I've had to tell people off for running their dogs off lead in our club car park (which is shared, vehicles come roaring around the corner all the time) and one person (who isn't a member but has permission of the landlord, unfortunately) arrives, lets her (aggressive, barking) dog out and lets it run around the blind corner into where the training field is without ever looking to see if anyone is on it. I was doing a bit of panic training one night and only my friend had agreed to come and spot for me and sprinted across the field to close the gate, or I would have been on my own in the middle of two scrapping dogs.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I so dislike when I'm struggling with motivation to go for a walk, largely to do with where we live meaning basically every walk starts with a drive now, get myself up and out in a positive frame of mind and then some nonsense happens on the walk. Even minor nonsense. I miss the days of the majority of the walks being nonsense free.

New favourite spot this evening, it's lovely open space but also enclosed so when it's empty we've been doing really small bits of off lead recall practice. Ivy's whole demeanour brightened the very first time we visited and every time she has some extra bounce in her step (also her ears and tail!) I also quite like it because for the most part you can see where others with dogs are and just choose different tracks to keep in your own space.

Couldn't avoid two guys and their dogs on one track so shortened long line right up and put us right over to one side. It's a fairly wide grass track but they made no effort to give us any space. Their Collie X stopped a little way off, fixed stare at us, slow walk/stalking, and blocking our way forward. I decided this was a "no thank you" situation. Got a classic "oh he's okay" in response so I stopped and reiterated the no. Glad I did because just as owner did get hold of his dog it reacted. Quelle surprise. Not sure to what extent it really went for us as was busy trying to move on/away. Not really okay was he?!

 

[Goldenstar]

Good one this morning, walking down a busy promenade in Ayr people kids the lot .
Dog wearing one of those don’t pet me things on his leader on an extendable leader clearing a path through the crowd. What happens when a small child who can’t read gets too close and how is it acceptable not to have the dog close on a locked length .
I don’t even think it’s acceptable to have a dog with issues like that in a busy a place it’s setting it up to fail.
I never remember seeing this inappropriate use of extendable leads so much as I do now it’s depressing .

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I know I’ve said it on here before but people opening their boot in car parks and letting the dogs run amok or leap out and belt down the footpath, heedless of anyone coming the other way, is an absolute pet hate for me.

I find it bizarre that owners don’t train dogs to wait. When we looked after my bil’s dog, he tried this while our three waited patiently. It’s a matter of safety, as well as manners, imo. Another owner was amazed that they waited nicely. It isn’t a very busy carpark, but still, I wouldn’t fancy a squished dog.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Dogs wear 'don't pet me' wraps on their leads? Good grief, news to me, but I never approach a strange dog anyway let alone try and touch it.

Wraps available on Etsy.



Extendable leads are great in the right situation, and can perfectly well be used as a normal fixed lead as they lock. Requires common sense and a brain to apply the lock button, though.

 

[CorvusCorax]

As I said on the other thread, people very rarely see what their own dogs are at, never mind read the leashes of others. And as BC pointed out, you're on top of them before you even realise they're wearing anything.

 

[skinnydipper]

If you see a dog with yellow kit then please give them space.

Yellow Dog UK | Some Dogs Need Space

www.yellowdoguk.co.uk

 

[skinnydipper]

Not only should dogs wait to get out of the car, they should be on lead in car park.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I find it bizarre that owners don’t train dogs to wait. When we looked after my bil’s dog, he tried this while our three waited patiently. It’s a matter of safety, as well as manners, imo. Another owner was amazed that they waited nicely. It isn’t a very busy carpark, but still, I wouldn’t fancy a squished dog.

Pity more people don't take the Good Citizen tests. Can't remember if that came into the Bronze or Silver. Mine wouldn't dream of getting out before I release them. One of the first thing I teach puppies is to wait when a door of any kind is opened.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you see a dog with yellow kit then please give them space.

Yellow Dog UK | Some Dogs Need Space

www.yellowdoguk.co.uk

I only know that because you've just posted it. I very much doubt that many other joe publics would be aware of the significance of a yellow bandana.

 

[AmyMay]

I only know that because you've just posted it. I very much doubt that many other joe publics would be aware of the significance of a yellow bandana.

It’s been a ‘thing’ for many years.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It’s been a ‘thing’ for many years.

Not a well publicised thing in these parts, then.

 

[Clodagh]

It’s been a ‘thing’ for many years.

But I’m still not sure that other non dog owning people would know it. Although I accept you have to start somewhere.
How about give everybody else and their dogs space? Obviously that’s just too hard!
Worked at the pub today. JRT puppy. Yes it was very cute but scrabbling at my legs and yapping - on its extendable lead - every time I took plates through the bar area was a bit wearing. After the fourth time I took to moving it aside with my foot. Owner didn’t mind, or try to help. . I didn’t kick it, oh panic people!

 

[Arzada]

It’s been a ‘thing’ for many years.

I mentioned it to two dog owners this week, one a friend, the other a relative. Both were amazed and said they'd never heard of it!

 

[CorvusCorax]

The yellow lead thing isn't really that well known amongst the general public.

 

[Jenko109]

Bizarre dog walking day for me today. Not irresponsible as such, but bizarre.

They all went out this morning to the horse fields and had a good gallop about. Fine.

This afternoon, I take the collie x out alone on a long line to the local public field. It isn't overly hot today. Overcast and breezy. She stays on the long line the whole time and we do some training and a little bit of fetch, but of course being on the long line, she isn't running far and the opportunities to chase the ball were few and far between and it's generally a pretty chilled out walk.

On our way back home it sounds like she is scuffing her feet on the floor. Queue a complete panic thinking she has heat stroke or something that is making her unable to walk properly. Home is only about a three minute walk so I walk her home, thinking I will have to rush her to the vets. About 30 seconds away from home, I notice that the long line is trailing along as that's where the scuffing sound is coming from I pick up the lead and the scuffing sound immediately disappears.

Now at this point I know logically that the dog is absolutely fine. I know the noise was the lead. I know she hasn't been ran hard. I know the weather is not particularly hot. Yet because I have got myself in such a state, I took the dog in the garden and proceeded to hose her down for the next ten minutes, much to her bemusement

 

[SilverLinings]

Not a well publicised thing in these parts, then.

Other than the last ~18months I have had dogs for over thirty years ,and I had never heard of the yellow lead/harness/bandana thing until I read about it on here probably around two years ago. I have lots of friends with dogs, have had working (gun) dogs and also competed regularly in agility (albeit low level) and I haven't ever noticed a yellow lead etc on a dog anywhere, nervous or otherwise. After reading about it on here I asked friends and work colleagues, and none of them had heard about it either.

The idea is a good one, but only if the majority of people (both those who own dogs and non-owners) know about it. Until then I can't imagine it is very effective in public places as IME the sort of people who let their kids run up aren't the sort to be very aware of dog behaviour etc. As others have pointed out, you have to get too close to read the message on the lead/harness/etc, so the scheme will only work reliably if the general public are aware of what the colour means.

Mind you, it would also help if people learnt more about dog behaviour and gave their dogs a safe and appropriate home environment and stopped letting their dogs/children run up into the faces of strange dogs, then we might have fewer anxious dogs in the first place.

 

[misst]

My vets have several posters in the waiting area and at reception about yellow stuff and giving dogs wearing it space.

 

[Arzada]

Seen today, on a dog, an at least 10" x 6" notice attached to the short lead "NOT FRIENDLY"

 

[TheresaW]

Thing is, whether you know about the yellow or not, if I’m stood as far off track as possible, with dog on lead and sat beside me, I tell you he’s nervous of people, why would you (they) March up to him arm outstretched?

 

[skinnydipper]

Thing is, whether you know about the yellow or not, if I’m stood as far off track as possible, with dog on lead and sat beside me, I tell you he’s nervous of people, why would you (they) March up to him arm outstretched?

Because they are one of the 'all dogs like me' brigade?