So when should dogs be on a lead then??

S

Starbucks

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 May 2007
Messages
15,799
Visit site
I think I'm one of the irresponsible dog owners people keep posting about on here, because my dogs are always off the lead unless we are on/near a road or near sheep. They do run up to other dogs and if the have them on the lead and look pissed off then I call them away, and I'm afraid I am guilty of saying "They are only being friendly"
tongue.gif
But they are!!
smirk.gif
I wouldn't blame someone if their dog snapped at mine or whatever... so I don't really see what the big problem is??
confused.gif


Obviously I don't want to annoy people who are worried about their aggressive/nervous dogs though, so is it best just to get your dogs back on the lead if you see another dog on a lead??
 
I put tink back on lead if I see another dog, unless its one we know. Dougal is NEVER off lead.

I also hold her collar if we are passing/being passed by kids etc

And always always on lead around sheep.

Shes offlead round cattle at home, but I trust her with them.
 
Is Dougal the evil one?
tongue.gif


We walk in a lot of parks in town most of the time and there are lots of doggies and lots of people and 99% of the other dogs are fine but there is sometimes the odd one with dog on lead looking a bit worried.

The main problem we have with pissing people off is that if anyone has a ball, Alfie will nick it and it's very difficult to get it off him again!!
tongue.gif
We've resorted to taking extra balls so we can trade!
smirk.gif
 
IT doesnt need to be on a lead-just not running up to my nervous dog..if my dog attacked yours and yours fought back, leaving one seriously injured where would you stand? They're just being friendly?
For the record, I walk the big ones off lead..because they will not go near other dogs unless the other dog makes an approach, and the little ones off lead but they come back if another dog approaches, as they are nervous of big dogs.
And no, it's not due to lack of socialisation, some dogs are just like that.
 
ps. also near a road obviously and I dont really care if your dog is on a lead, just that its not bothering mine without you checking its ok!
 
I do see your point, but I just can't see either of my dogs getting in a serious enough fight with a dog on a lead for either of them to get seriously injured. If it did happen and it was my dog that got injured then I wouldn't hold the other people responsible, but if it was the other persons dog that got injured (which I seriously doubt would ever happen) then I wouldn't hold myself responsible either!

Another point I'd like to make - I think a dog would really have to mean it to course another dog serious injuries, and I don't think that can be passed off as "it's because they are nervous", it's because they are aggressive!

confused.gif
 
Could be nervous aggression?
There is such a thing. I love to see dogs making friends
and having a good play but if a dog is on a lead it's
courteous to call your dog back
wink.gif
 
blush.gif
You wouldn't hold yourself responsible??
blush.gif

So say my dog is on a lead-your dog comes over gives it a 'nip', mine retaliates and yours gets a good bite in that needs vet trip/surgery/stitches nevermind complications. That's not your fault? Even a small wound can get infected.
Yes they would have to mean it and most dogs I know if nipped will either submit or retaliate, and this is obv. how fights start.
Nervous dogs can if pushed become aggressive, such as another dog nipping them....
Would you be objecting if I booted your dog to remove it? (booted meaning as much as it took to get it off my dog).
Why not just train your dog!
 
Just to add-great if dogs play and I think it is a real shame many dogs don't get company to play with, but it is not up to me to say my dog should play with a strangers...
Most dogs in our park are off lead and try to play with my lot..some of whom play, some of whom don't and I have no problem with that.
 
I said I wouldn't hold myself responsible if mine caused yours injury. TBH if my dogs got any injuries I'd never expect anyone else to pay for the vets bills, unless it was off the lead and blatantly came over and attacked them without mine showing any retaliation.

My dogs wouldn't run up to a dog and nip them though in the first place, so your question doesn't really apply. I do call them back but they are quite energetic on walks and often run ahead, say in the woods, where you might not see another dog on a lead. You must agree that in some circumstances even well trained dogs might approach yours while on a lead?

You can't train your dog not to be aggressive/nervous, what ever you want to call it, any better than I can train mine to be inquisitive and friendly.
smirk.gif
 
No.. I don't.
I think your mistaking inquisitve/friendy/energetic for not trained. I believe your dogs are the same ones have had problems before with following people?
I would expect anyone whose dog started a fight with my dog on a lead (provided obviously I hadn't thrown my dog at them) to pay vets bills.
You dont expect a dog not to retaliate if growled at/nipped?
There may be the very very odd occasion when you might not notice someone with a dog on a lead..but thats not very often IMO. And yes, the odd dog will approach and generally be called off while the owner either leads it or checks its ok..
One day your dog will approach an aggressive dog on a lead. I have seen lots of them out, even if it is muzzled and it attacks and yours retaliates, or a big aggressive dog on a lead and I do hope its not the dog that suffers. (Either that or someone like me will boot your dog away from theirs..and then you'll complain)
I have also walked a small, old terrier, on a lead with labs rushing up to her, she is frail and grumpy, she should not have to deal with that. It's totally unfair on her and dangerous as well.
Her companion was one of the dogs that was rushing off to greet others-he got put on the lead sharpish.

My dog isn't aggressive...she's nervous, it is a completely different thing and a failure to recognise that is well.. I don't know what.And yes she is being trained out of it, as it is not useful to have that behaviour. It just takes time to overcome.
You can quite easily keep your dog on a lead until it has learnt sufficient call back to behave. It does not take that much effort and if it is a breed that has poor callback (e.g husky) you let it off the lead only where it will not cause harm to others (secure area).
I just don't understand why that is so hard. And I am just glad we don't seem to have that attitude in our parks..maybe because we also have small children and everyone is concious of safety.
I'm not sure I have that much more to say on it really.
 
i'm sorry you don't think you'ld be to blame but the law has a different opinion, my intact male dog would not take kindly to an unknown dog bounding up to him and would go on the offensive out of pure instinct my dog is exceptionally well trained but i would never think it ok for him to charge another dog as a rule if you don't know the dog or owner it's best to great them side by side not face to face ( thats a challenge in the dog world of communication)and ask how the dog is with other dogs my dog is a gundog and show dog with excellent pedigree and worth alot of money the last thing i would want is him being maimed or classed as aggressive for being a dog with natural instincts because at the end of the day they are dogs and not human and don't forget the owner at the end of the lead is their pack member and they will protect when necessary.
 
It almost seems like you are not replying to my post S&H!
confused.gif
My dogs are not aggressive and would never start a fight with a dog on a lead, granted they might get bitten by a dog on a lead and for that I would take responsibility for.

Yes my little dog, Alfie followed another dog out of the park when he was out with my OH when we first got him, he wouldn't do it now and he was a rescue. As you've said training takes time and they do come back when i call them (which I do if they look like they might hassle another dog) but they are young lively dogs and run around a fair bit!
tongue.gif


I just think people should chill out a bit! I like my dogs to run around and have fun when they are out and I don't see why I should stop that just because of the odd over-protective dog walker!
 
You are effectively forcing your views on those you share public space with.
Your dogs may be having 'fun' but the dogs they approach are not necessarily and are generally on the lead for a reason-a fact you fail to grasp.
And here is why I was referring to nipping etc. So apologies if this is not what you meant
'If dogs do have a bit of a scuff is it really the end of the world?'
To me, a 'scuff' should not happen if we are all responsible.
As I say, some day the dogs you meet will not be friendly, or the owners! And we're starting to go in circles I think so if you wish the last word, feel free
laugh.gif
 
It is called courtesy. If you approach someone who has their dog on a leash, then it is common decency to do the same with your own dog.

If they don't have their dog on a leash and don't look like they are planning on putting it on, then you can expect that the dog is well behaved and will be friendly, however it should remain beside it's owner and NOT run up to your dog ahead of them.....and neither should yours be allowed to run up to theirs.

If the owner has the dog off leash and then sees you and your dogs off leash, and they call their dog to them to put the leash on, then they are closing the door for your dogs to come up and play. Therefore etiquette would be that you would put your dogs on a leash too.

It really is quite simple and shows people who have respect for other dog owners and those who don't.

I have 2 large dogs who, I'm told, are pretty scary to meet if you don't know them. My other 2 are medium sized and soppy looking. My dogs have good recall and are well trained to come the moment I ask them. Mine rarely go off my farm, however on the rare occasion that they do, if a dog is approaching us, I will ALWAYS call my dogs back and put them on their leashes.

If there was a dog approaching us and the owner did not put it on a leash and allowed it to come up to my dogs. If it went for any of my dogs I think the big dogs would simply rip it to shreds; I have a pack and they will look after each other if attacked. My dogs are all very, very easy going though and providing a dog did not show signs of aggression towards them, my girls would just sniff and wag their tails. If a dog came up to us off leash, when my dogs were on leashes, and attacked one of my dogs and caused damage to them, I wouldn't expect the owner to pay compensation - I would demand it, because I would sue the ass off them! Legally I am in the right as my dogs are on their leashes and the owner of the dog off-leash would be legally responsible for any financial recompense.
 
The thing is, I'm not complaining, I'm complaining about people complaining!
tongue.gif
I don't really see how that is enforcing my views on people? I don't think I'm being selfish for myself but you might be right that I'm being selfish for my own dogs, as long as they are not hurting anyone/anything they can do what they want.

I don't really have any problems with it TBH, just saw that a lot of people dislike it on here. I just like to understand peoples view on these things.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
you might be right that I'm being selfish for my own dogs, as long as they are not hurting anyone/anything they can do what they want.


[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think you are being selfish, I think you are being irresponsible. It isn't always about YOUR dogs. What if your dog came up against an aggressive version of my dogs? And your dogs were killed? Would that be okay with you too? You see, under the Law of my country, providing MY dogs are on their leashes, then they will never be seen as the guilty party.

As it happens my dogs aren't aggressive in the slightest and are very sociable dogs - but I know fine well that if any one of my girls were attacked, that my other dogs would defend her and go in for the kill.
 
ok thanks Tia, that makes sense.
smile.gif
I agree if a dog attacked mine when it was on the lead I'd want them to pay too!!

So advice a bit more on my circumstances - if you are in a park with loads of dogs off the lead running round like mad playing, and someone come in with one on the lead?? What to do then?
confused.gif
 
If they come up with a dog on the lead, then you can call to them and ask if they would like you to put your dogs on leads. If you can't call to them, just put them on anyway until the person has passed. It only takes 2 minutes of your time and could save your dogs life.
smile.gif
 
Well I'm thinking then they would have the instinct not to run up to them?? Maybe I'm giving them too much credit!
tongue.gif
 
If a dog is that dangerous that it is capable of killing another dog on or off the lead, is it really suitable for it to be walking in a public park AT ALL?
 
The problem comes when people don't have the same agenda as you. You take your dogs to the park to run and have fun with other dogs. Some owners will be there to do exactly the same as you - and that's fine. However others may not be there for this. They may be taking their dogs there to train them, to do their toilet or simply just for some exercise and time out alone with their dogs.

A dog on a leash is a no-no for your dogs. The owner is basically saying "stay away", so either change your direction and avoid this person, or pop your dogs on their leads for a couple of minutes.
 
Any decent sized dog is capable of killing another - it doesn't have to be a "dangerous dog", it just has to be a normal dog who doesn't like your dogs whizzing around it, or feels threatened by them etc.
 
ok, I'll try!! It would help if they weren't so flipping mental all the time!!!
tongue.gif


I do think some people are over protective sometimes though. We were walking in the peeks around a reservoir the other week with my mum and her friend - we had ten dogs between us!!! 2 GSD's, 3 Terriers, 2 hound pups,a Staff x, a pointer and greyhound, all friendly and off the lead. A chav type with a Staffy was coming the other way, it was really friendly and wanted to play, but no it had to stay on the lead. We got bitched at because we should have ours on the lead apparently.
smirk.gif
What fun lives some dogs have!
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Any decent sized dog is capable of killing another - it doesn't have to be a "dangerous dog", it just has to be a normal dog who doesn't like your dogs whizzing around it, or feels threatened by them etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

So is a person not dangerous - if they only kill people if they are pissing them off or they feel threatened by them?? I know it's not the same thing as obviously dogs are not human
tongue.gif
, but i'm sure you are as confident as I am that your dogs would not kill another just for the sake of it.
 
Yes there are some oddities around, but you see, that is their prerogative, it's their dog and they decide what it is allowed to do and what it isn't allowed to do; same as with children really. Some parents let their kids run wild and others keep a tighter rein.

In your story, I'd hazard a guess that the owners of the single dog were, perhaps, rather intimidated by meeting 10 dogs off leash. And that's why I would always put my dogs on leash on meeting another dog. My dogs are intimidating-looking; they aren't though, they are lovely girls and very friendly, but the single dog owner doesn't know that, so it's good manners for me to just put my dogs on leash.
smile.gif
 
You're right, it isn't the same; no comparison
tongue.gif
.

And if I met you out on a walk, I would put my dogs on leashes. If I wanted to speak to you and decided that I would talk for longer than a few minutes, and you told me your dogs were friendly, then I would be happy to let my dogs free to run with yours. But other people may not wish to do this and you have to respect their wishes.
cool.gif
 
I think this one was just an "on the lead all the time" dog.
frown.gif


That is the point though Tia - I don't complain at people for having their dogs on a lead, but on the lead people seem to bitch about off the lead ones all the time!

As you say though it effects my dogs safety, especially little Alf, a big dog could eat him in one munch! So I will try to be more careful in future.
smile.gif
 
I don't know if they do, do they? My dogs are always off leash UNTIL I meet another dog. I would only put my dogs on their leashes IF I was going to be meeting the other dog head-on, if I was in a large open space, I'd simply give them a wide berth with my dogs walking at heel by my side. Mine wouldn't go over to say hi, if I didn't allow it, and they don't have to be on their leads for me not to allow play. Anyway I don't need anyone else's dogs to come and play with mine, my girls play enough by themselves, so no loss there.

Anyway, nice chatting but I have to toddle off now. Sweet dreams.
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top