on lead, off lead, what to do

[Tiddlypom]

Arghh, I’ve recently had a ‘My dogs don’t need be on leads’ interaction with some entitled muppet with two dogs which bounded up to my on lead dog on the road and bounced around her. He had no recall over his pooches, but it was all my fault, apparently. I’d called out in a friendly enough way to ask him to call his dogs back, but no serious attempt was made.

My JRT was actually fine, she’s well socialised and not aggressive, but it was her first interaction with other dogs after a most unfortunate altercation with a known aggressive local lab, which resulted in her needing two vet visits.

If another owner puts their dog on a lead, you do the same in return. Simples.

 

[Andie02]

Arghh, I’ve recently had a ‘My dogs don’t need be on leads’ interaction with some entitled muppet with two dogs which bounded up to my on lead dog on the road and bounced around her. He had no recall over his pooches, but it was all my fault, apparently. I’d called out in a friendly enough way to ask him to call his dogs back, but no serious attempt was made.

My JRT was actually fine, she’s well socialised and not aggressive, but it was her first interaction with other dogs after a most unfortunate altercation with a known aggressive local lab, which resulted in her needing two vet visits.

If another owner puts their dog on a lead, you do the same in return. Simples.

There you go people a classic example......2 vets visits.....totally unnecessary - painful for TP's dog, an expense no one needs as well as the inconvenience of going to vet's ...........all dogs should be on leads and in control in public places. The only way to stop anything like this happening is by introducing a law with hefty fines and or offending dogs being taken and PTS.

 

[splashgirl45]

i am amazed that so many of you keep your dogs on the lead, for those who said terriers are aggressive mine are not and i immediately put my dogs on the lead when i realised the women had put hers on and never let them bother other peoples dogs anyway.....i can also read dog language and wouldnt risk mine being attacked i walk in my local park and most of us have our dogs off lead so mine are sociable and will say hello to another off lead dog and walk on . perhaps we are all odd in my area as apart from the many of poo mixes most are off lead

tiddlepom, that is exactly what i do, if dog is on lead i put mine on, simple. but her dog was off lead until mine got level with her....

 

[Lintel]

Another that doesn't find it odd.
In my opinion if my dog is on the lead then he is never going to be in the wrong if we were ever to end up in a problematic situation.
His breed also carries a stigma, being a GSD he unfortunately he is going to get to get the blame of there is any drama... even though it was your Pomeranian that ran upto him having a go!
I would just rather not risk it?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Where I walk mostly dogs are off lead and owners are pretty relaxed. One of mine won't go up to other dogs at all, the other won't go up to dogs on leads. I know of some people who say they just always put their dogs on leads out of "politeness" which is all well and good but how do they learn to properly socialise.
I'd have done the same as you, particularly in my normal spot where off lead is standard. However I do get snotty with the occasional people who have dogs out of control, who don't make an effort to get hold of them - my little hound is a monkey for mugging people but she gets told off and put on lead for it - whether its being over friendly, snappy or anything else.

That isn't 'socialisation' in my book! I train my dogs to be dog neutral when the are out and about. They learn about interactions with dogs that they don't live with by being introduced properly to dogs owned by family and friends, not by jumping around with random dogs that we see on walks.

 

[Andie02]

I would not support this people need to train their dogs and keep on leads if they are difficult .
The issue is not dogs it’s people .

Clearly there are way to many morons that own dogs, so there is absolutely no hope whatsoever relying on them to take responsibility for keeping their dogs under control.

 

[splashgirl45]

perhaps its because i am older than a lot of people on here as i have always had dogs off lead as much as possible and so did everyone else. there were also lots of dogs who were let out in the morning when and left to roam the streets and although that is something i dont agree with i dont remember any fights or vicious dogs in my youth,,

 

[CorvusCorax]

More dogs, worse breeding, aversion to aversives.
My later posts are just me spouting off about various bugbears rather than your OP.
My mother has had GSDs since the late 60s, for right or wrong nobody likes seeing them offlead in public and they were certainly never allowed to roam the streets.
Aggressive dogs were usually chained up or in a yard and certainly didn't have the opportunity to procreate.
People breed for different things now, colour, 'teddy bear' looks etc, and character is lost along the way.
A lot of the breeds and types only used to be available to specialist/working/show homes and wouldn't have been seen walking down the street, nor were they ever intended to be kept as pets in low energy households. Now anyone can buy anything.

 

[blackcob]

I default to clipping a lead on for passing dogs or people for many reasons.

It's courteous - not everybody likes dogs, and especially some breeds of dog. Not every dog needs or wants to greet another dog; they could be in training, aggressive, nervous, old, ill or just plain uninterested. It's a clear signal that your dog is under control, won't interfere with theirs and that you don't want to interact in turn. I don't trust the ability of many dog owners to understand their dog's body language and behaviour. It gives you the moral high ground and a physical advantage should anything kick off. For small dogs or for bolters it could literally be life saving if the shit hits the fan with a loose dog (and unfortunately in my line of work I have seen what happens when a large dog gets hold of a small dog).

Doesn't mean that the dog spends its entire life on the lead or never gets to socialise.

 

[Goldenstar]

That isn't 'socialisation' in my book! I train my dogs to be dog neutral when the are out and about. They learn about interactions with dogs that they don't live with by being introduced properly to dogs owned by family and friends, not by jumping around with random dogs that we see on walks.

I know I know ,I want to say I don’t know you ,I don’t know your dog , I don’t know it’s health status and if its been playing around with unvaccinated dogs or dogs from abroad who owners are dappy about checks and medication and you will have handled that dog and I don’t know if you have CV but I don’t .

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

There is a council bye-law here that dogs should be on a lead on publicly owned land. It is amazing the number of dogs whose owners are barely within calling distance, despite the fact that they are walking along a 40mph road with no pavement. They seem to think that because the road only goes to the village it is similar to a public park.

 

[Andie02]

perhaps its because i am older than a lot of people on here as i have always had dogs off lead as much as possible and so did everyone else. there were also lots of dogs who were let out in the morning when and left to roam the streets and although that is something i dont agree with i dont remember any fights or vicious dogs in my youth,,

What the heck has age got to do with it? Though I hate to think about it, we are closer to 70 than 65 even. Things were different way back, not so many people, aggressive dogs and busy roads with traffic. Perhaps if something happens to any of your dogs you may change your views on this entirely. You are probably someone who thinks 'that will never happen' !!! Unfortunately these things do happen and when it has its too late !!!

It seems to me that you are just trying to justify your original post which also appears to be trying to raise an argument with my post on the other thread.






.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I know I know ,I want to say I don’t know you ,I don’t know your dog , I don’t know it’s health status and if its been playing around with unvaccinated dogs or dogs from abroad who owners are dappy about checks and medication and you will have handled that dog and I don’t know if you have CV but I don’t .

It annoys me most in the vet's waiting room, when people allow their dog to wander up to ours to sniff. They have no idea why we are there and we certainly don't know why they are but goodness knows what kind of germs they are spreading.

ETA, I am within weeks of my 66th birthday, my parents had a dog before I was born, which did not wander around the district. During my teenage years my Dad walked 5 dogs, usually all off lead and woe betide any of them that was distracted by another dog/dustbin/cat/whatever. They certainly wouldn't have gone up to another dog without permission.

 

[Andie02]

More dogs, worse breeding, aversion to aversives.
My later posts are just me spouting off about various bugbears rather than your OP.
My mother has had GSDs since the late 60s, for right or wrong nobody likes seeing them offlead in public and they were certainly never allowed to roam the streets.
Aggressive dogs were usually chained up or in a yard and certainly didn't have the opportunity to procreate.
People breed for different things now, colour, 'teddy bear' looks etc, and character is lost along the way.
A lot of the breeds and types only used to be available to specialist/working/show homes and wouldn't have been seen walking down the street, nor were they ever intended to be kept as pets in low energy households. Now anyone can buy anything.

This Absolutely.

 

[blackcob]

It annoys me most in the vet's waiting room, when people allow their dog to wander up to ours to sniff. They have no idea why we are there and we certainly don't know why they are but goodness knows what kind of germs they are spreading.

This! I could write a book on the absolutely bizarre behaviour of clients in veterinary waiting rooms but yes, my bugbear was absolutely:

"Mrs Smith, a very large dog is about to come out of the consulting room, could you please reel Fluffy in a little/move your cat box into the cat area/up on to the desk?"

"Oh, she's friendly, she loves dogs/Oh, she's not scared, we have dogs at home."

...Yes, but the very large, very angry dog is beyond stressed at being here, has probably just had something unpleasant and invasive done to it by a stranger, and is about to exit that door at speed. Towards you. And right now Fluffy's flexi lead stretching across the whole room is going to clothesline you all into a nice scrap, or your cat is about to become a takeaway lunch...

 

[Andie02]

This! I could write a book on the absolutely bizarre behaviour of clients in veterinary waiting rooms but yes, my bugbear was absolutely:

"Mrs Smith, a very large dog is about to come out of the consulting room, could you please reel Fluffy in a little/move your cat box into the cat area/up on to the desk?"

"Oh, she's friendly, she loves dogs/Oh, she's not scared, we have dogs at home."

...Yes, but the very large, very angry dog is beyond stressed at being here, has probably just had something unpleasant and invasive done to it by a stranger, and is about to exit that door at speed. Towards you. And right now Fluffy's flexi lead stretching across the whole room is going to clothesline you all into a nice scrap, or your cat is about to become a takeaway lunch...

Seriously it's really not funny is it? ......But it is 'too funny', made me giggle blackcob. Absolutely sums up what irresponsible moron's are like.

 

[Parrotperson]

it used to be the rule long ago and in another galaxy that if you saw another dog coming whether on or off the lead you put yours on the lead out off courtesy. The other person would do the same until a conversation had been had about letting them play.

Nowadays no one seems to care.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

My GSDxRottie would've been off lead but told to heal and would've done so without question.

Current hairy gang are good but not good enough, though the GSD is close.

As an aside, mine all know the command 'Close'. When they're off lead and I can't see around a corner, they all walk close to me (within grabbing distance).

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

my collie cross is always off lead and is very obedient so i dont worry if i see another dog whether off or on lead as she will walk next to me. my 2 terriers are a little different and if i see someone with a dog on lead i put mine on as i dont want to be a member of the "its ok my dogs are friendly" club as i know its really annoying for them to jump all over someone else's dog ....so, saw a spaniel off lead coming towards me , left all mine off lead so they could say hello, as i got closer saw dog was on lead so i said, sorry i thought yours was off lead, she said he was but i put him on, so i said is he not ok with other dogs and she said he is absolutely fine, i put him on out of politeness and stalked off.

i was a bit confused anyone else think it was a bit odd or is it me?

It’s the correct thing to do, IMO. I wouldn’t ask if a dog wasn’t ok with other dogs, bit rude, I feel! Mine aren’t allowed anywhere near other dogs, Zak is a werewolf.

 

[ponyparty]

Omg don't get me started on dogs in the vets.... Took F for his vaccinations just before Christmas, I muzzled him because he is vet phobic after some painful and traumatic vet experiences, he was clearly terrified, trembling, tail between legs... yet STILL an idiot owner of a black lab let it get right up to him, towering over him, I asked him straight away to move his dog and although he did, I still got a load of attitude back! Receptionists didn't say anything, and the dog then proceeded to bark constantly until we went into the consult room. Poor F was all over the shop.

 

[Arzada]

Omg don't get me started on dogs in the vets.... Took F for his vaccinations just before Christmas, I muzzled him because he is vet phobic after some painful and traumatic vet experiences, he was clearly terrified, trembling, tail between legs... yet STILL an idiot owner of a black lab let it get right up to him, towering over him, I asked him straight away to move his dog and although he did, I still got a load of attitude back! Receptionists didn't say anything, and the dog then proceeded to bark constantly until we went into the consult room. Poor F was all over the shop.

It's not much fun for my cat in a waiting room like yours. The last visit but one included 3 bouncy children freshly released from school. One of them took the opportunity to practise her majorette baton tossing skills. She didn't always catch it as it came down only to crashland noisily on the floor. My policy now is to wait in the waiting room while the cat waits in the car and I get her when the vet is ready for her. When we're finished with the vet she returns to the car and I then go back in to pay.

 

[eggs]

My two dogs are off the lead as much as possible (10 month Rottie and 6 year old Lab). Both are very obedient and friendly but if I see another dog when out walking (doesn't happen very often) I always put mine on their leads and keep them close. I also put the Rottie on her lead if we have people walking towards us as not everyone is confident with big dogs. It only takes a couple of minutes and then they are off the lead again. Like others I think it is only polite.

A few years ago I was walking my now sadly deceased rottie x mastiff (a big girl) along a narrow path with her lead on as there were a lot of people about. There was a man coming towards us with his dog off the lead. As we passed each other his dog jumped up and grabbed mine by the throat. She did not retaliate at all and the man just carried on as if nothing was happening as I was kicking his dog off mine.

The one good thing to come out of Covid is that we not have to wait in our car for our vet appointment rather than in the waiting room so no danger of others dogs coming up to say hello whether you want it or not.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I tend to behave differently depending on the area. Most of our walks are anything from 6 to 12 miles and we don't meet many dogs, but when we do, those dogs are the same as ours. Well exercised, stimulated and don't suffer from issues, so leads aren't needed.

If I'm walking in a more residential area or a touristy type of place where there are dogs who never get to walk more than 3/4 mile from the car, then, my dogs are kept on a lead, simply to prevent owners of untrained dogs who feel anxious.

 

[Andie02]

It's not much fun for my cat in a waiting room like yours. The last visit but one included 3 bouncy children freshly released from school. One of them took the opportunity to practise her majorette baton tossing skills. She didn't always catch it as it came down only to crashland noisily on the floor. My policy now is to wait in the waiting room while the cat waits in the car and I get her when the vet is ready for her. When we're finished with the vet she returns to the car and I then go back in to pay.

Who on earth allows their child to behave in such a manner in any waiting room let alone the vet's? If I had been supervising the reception I would have have told them to leave forthwith and not come back. It beggars belief ! God help the next generation. Morons breeding even worse morons. Unbelievable, teachers have got no chance.

 

[Andie02]

i am amazed that so many of you keep your dogs on the lead, for those who said terriers are aggressive mine are not and i immediately put my dogs on the lead when i realised the women had put hers on and never let them bother other peoples dogs anyway.....i can also read dog language and wouldnt risk mine being attacked i walk in my local park and most of us have our dogs off lead so mine are sociable and will say hello to another off lead dog and walk on . perhaps we are all odd in my area as apart from the many of poo mixes most are off lead

tiddlepom, that is exactly what i do, if dog is on lead i put mine on, simple. but her dog was off lead until mine got level with her....

It is a terrier's and many other breeds natural instinct to hunt, chase and kill, in seconds they could be gone, it only needs something like a rabbit to pop up and run. Terriers have a habit of turning their 'hearing aids' off when so minded.

You are risking your dogs lives by letting them run loose.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Who on earth allows their child to behave in such a manner in any waiting room let alone the vet's? If I had been supervising the reception I would have have told them to leave forthwith and not come back. It beggars belief ! God help the next generation. Morons breeding even worse morons. Unbelievable, teachers have got no chance.

Without wanting to derail the thread, I was in our local Sainsbury's (small store) when the local secondary school pupils started to appear. I usually try to avoid the area around that time. There was a group of 3 or 4 teenage boys, maybe aged 13 or 14, cuffing each other and generally being a pain near the self- service tills. Automatically, I said in my best teacher voice 'what on earth do you think you are doing? This is a shop, not a playground'. Cue very chastened boys picking up their shopping and scuttling off. A member of staff told me that they are not allowed to do that! Why not? They would intervene if the boys were shop lifting, so why not get involved when they are annoying other customers?
I am so glad to hear that you would have intervened.

 

[fankino04]

It is a terrier's and many other breeds natural instinct to hunt, chase and kill, in seconds they could be gone, it only needs something like a rabbit to pop up and run. Terriers have a habit of turning their 'hearing aids' off when so minded.

You are risking your dogs by letting them run loose.

I'll admit to not being a huge fan of terriers but I do feel we may have presumed something's about the ops dogs here, she says they go on lead if around other on lead dogs and are left off if approaching dogs are off lead which if they are polite with other dogs I don't see an issue with, if they run around "trying to play" or anything else with the passing dog then they should be on a lead around all unknown dogs leaded or otherwise, we don't know which category of "good with dogs" these terriers fall into and whilst most terriers I meet are "annoying little sh!ts" maybe these ones aren't. Also just because they are hunters doesn't mean they can't be trained, there are many people on sled dog forums that say malamutes should never be off lead as their prey drive is too high but all 3 of mine have had good recall, they do go on lead around other dogs due to their size and that people and other dogs can find them intimidating though.

 

[Andie02]

Put simply ......... In a nutshell ......... its too late shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Accidents are occurring far too regularly due to dogs running loose.

 

[AmyMay]

I love a terrier ??

 

[splashgirl45]

thankyou fankino04, my older terrier is well trained and is not a hunter, he is a mix of 6 breeds half of them are not prey driven and he has taken after them. he has never showed any aggression to other dogs and is very popular in the park where i walk with both people and other dogs. my puppy is almost 6 months and follows him so i am pretty confident with both of them...and yes, they go on lead if there is any doubt in my mind on temperament of a loose dog or if another dog is already on lead. i try to be a good dog owner and not upset anyone... not all terriers are nasty, same as not all rotties,german shepherds etc arent. its a shame certain breeds get stuck with labels although i must admit i have done that earlier with the poo crosses i have known...