Meeting other dogs on a walk. advice needed please!

[Broodle]

Yes I agree and in all fairness where I walk it is unwritten rule that a dog on a lead is not to be approached by loose dogs and most people do stick by that rule. I mainly walk my dogs on the mountain above my house and mainly meet sheep and cows. My dogs have also learnt not to approach the working sheep dogs even though they are obviously loose. I love seeing all the dogs together and if I walk with my sisters we have five between us and they all get along great.

Funnily enough where I walk the majority of dogs who are on leads are like that because their owners have no recall rather than because they're killers/terrified. I'd be forever faffing around with taking leads on and off if I were to follow your rule, as it's a popular dog walking area. I scan the faces of the owners and put leads on if they have 'the look' or outright tell me to. Otherwise I just let my nice natured dogs say hi. Works for us, and no one has got upset yet in 5 years!

Sorry to go off topic OP. In your shoes i would just carry on as you are, and try to arrange plenty of walks with known friendly dogs.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

You've never met an aggressive dog, CC?! You are incredibly lucky! In one week, my lot had all been jumped on by different dogs. A GSD killed a whippet in the park last year, a mastiff x type killed a greyhound, a staffie caused £2000's worth of damage to a chi, I'm amazed it survived.

One of mine was jumped on as a youngster and he turned very aggressive, still is, despite everything we've tried. He's fine as long as nothing gets in his face and he has a ball in his gob. We keep him focused so he can't jump on other dogs, we've had no incidents for years, thank god, but he's a little powder keg and needs close supervision when out. As someone said elsewhere, she aims for dog neutral, not mad socialisation as a puppy. She wants her dogs disinterested in others. Two of mine are and it's bliss walking them compared to when I also have Zak.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

You've never met an aggressive dog, CC?! You are incredibly lucky! In one week, my lot had all been jumped on by different dogs. A GSD killed a whippet in the park last year, a mastiff x type killed a greyhound, a staffie caused £2000's worth of damage to a chi, I'm amazed it survived.

One of mine was jumped on as a youngster and he turned very aggressive, still is, despite everything we've tried. He's fine as long as nothing gets in his face and he has a ball in his gob. We keep him focused so he can't jump on other dogs, we've had no incidents for years, thank god, but he's a little powder keg and needs close supervision when out. As someone said elsewhere, she aims for dog neutral, not mad socialisation as a puppy. She wants her dogs disinterested in others. Two of mine are and it's bliss walking them compared to when I also have Zak.

My god, where do you walk your dogs? I rarely walk mine where there are other dogs other than the farm dogs who can be unpredictable but are very obedient thank goodness. Many years ago we did have a collie in the farm next door who was exceptionally aggressive hut she was always behind the fence so she never got near my dogs but in the country park I have never seen an aggressive dog and very few on leads. One of mine could be a handful if I didn't keep on top of her.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

We live in a very urban area with lots of other dogs nearby. I'd love to live in the country, but round here, that's out of reach financially. If we go to the nearest park, we will meet up to five other dogs at least.

 

[bertin12]

Thought I'd give a little update!

Since I posted the original post we haven't been back through the woods and instead have been walking on the streets. We still meet dogs but they're on leads. Plus she isn't used to buses/ lorries motorbikes and I feel her confidence is growing now that we're seeing more and more of those.

This morning was pretty good as we met two old spaniels (not at the same time) who weren't interested in playing but were happy to say hello. She got very excited and was running around me both times, barking and trying to play, but at the same time was a bit unsure of getting too close.

The first dog we met just stood still and after a few minutes she got the confidence to have a sniff and stopped trying to play. The second dog was walking in front of us and we ended up catching up with it, again she wanted to play but didn't want to get to close, but she calmed down and said hello politely. Then the other dog walked off in front and we followed behind, she kept barking at it but I just ignored her.

We've also found a training class and will be starting in a few weeks

 

[Crugeran Celt]

The more dogs she meets the better I am sure of that and once you know her recall is spot on then let her loose to greet as many dogs safely as you can. I definitely think dogs that have the freedom to be a dog behave far better than dogs that are restricted.

 

[bertin12]

The more dogs she meets the better I am sure of that and once you know her recall is spot on then let her loose to greet as many dogs safely as you can. I definitely think dogs that have the freedom to be a dog behave far better than dogs that are restricted.

I agree, I just want to make sure she's meeting calm dogs especially at the moment. The amount of mad dogs I have met in my local woods who just tear around without their owner in sight is mad!