My dog is on a lead for a reason

[lifeisabowlofcherries]

Occasional poster, just needed somewhere to vent..

Out having a lovely walk this morning, ddog is a manchester terrier with some fear issues, always on a lead.

Whilst a pup he had numerous incidences on separate occasions of bounding black labs and spaniels "coming over to say hello" off lead and totally in the face of him. Hence the fear issues :-o

So normally, if I see one of these breeds heading my way I very often detour as otherwise he whips himself into a frenzy, only this morning there was no escape. Narrow path by side of field, neighbours black lab off lead heading towards me. I have mine on short lead by my side. Mine seems just about ok and then the lab takes a sniff of me (the foot path was only 18inches wide) and my terrier then totally loses it. Neighbour tuts at me and says "Well that was nasty"

We live a few doors apart. When I see him next do I say something or do I just let it go? What else could I have done? (Neighbour knows that my dog has issues).

I get so frustrated with off lead dogs (or rather their owners) - it happens so often, isn't it etiquette to put a dog on a lead if the one coming the other way is on one or am i being unrealistic?

[starryfright]

You're not wrong at all.

Look at yellow lead scheme. I've bought a bandana. Find its helpful.

[georgedawes]

Yes it is definitely etiquette! But lots seem ignore it. My dog is generally off lead but I always put her on if I see a dog on lead. If she got to another dog first I would apologise profusely!

I don't know what the answer is. Some people just seem ignorant!

[CodyKing]

My dog is better off lead than on - he's not that interested in other dogs and comes when called.

I have never seen anyone put their dog back on a lead of mine is on his - it doesn't happen -

If your dog has issues - maybe fine a quiet time to walk him or the yellow lead scheme -

I think you are generalising others dogs.

[Wolfiefan]

I agree with an utter. If your dog is off the lead and you see someone appoaching with a dog on the lead it is up to you to recall your dog.
But many people don't seem to take any responsibility.

[georgedawes]

I always put my dog on lead if I see a dog also on lead Cody. She is too 'friendly ' for her own good and I don't think it's fair to bother on lead dogs. I'm working on her not saying hi to every dog she sees and off lead dogs bombing up to her when she is on lead set us back!

[AuditAngel]

We gave 2 dogs, from the same litter. The female has fantastic recall, we often exercise her off lead, and always call her back so we can see where she is and that she us not bothering other dogs.

Our male is ridiculously timid, runs away and hides, so there is only one enclosed space we take him to exercise off lead.

[BombadierFritz]

On a path that narrow, would leads have made any difference?

[Rubydoobiesmum]

Not just on-lead dogs. My lab is off lead 99% of the time - her recall is bombproof and she stays at heel better off lead that on.

However a lot of people allow their dog to charge up to her but cannot read either her body language or that of their own dog - on a few occasions she's started giving off calming signals to overly aroused (not sexually) dogs. I intervene and am told that "they are only playing" - great, except mine very obviously does not want to play!

[lifeisabowlofcherries]

Good point Bombardier - maybe a lead may not have made any difference. I think I just felt a bit frustrated as the owner knows that mine has his issues, and seemed so nonchalent. Cody - I normally walk him first thing before 7 am, this morning was a bit later - I do try to go at "quiet times" - this was still before 9 though.

Starry - Worth giving the bandana a go :) At least I will have made the situation perfectly clear

[ChairRider4]

I agree with you Op I thought that was etiquette
Mine goes on lead second I see another dog on lead .Till least checked with other owner

And even if offlead playing and it's obvious other dog had enough or not want be bothered mine is called back and back on or told to leave (he then ignore other dog )?

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I'm completely the same georgedawes. Working really hard on my dogs training, putting him back on a lead as soon as we see another dog approaching but the amount of times the other owner will also call their dog back and put its lead on are fairly bloody low. He's a year old lab, he is incredibly dog focused and wants to bound up to everyone he meets. I am really trying to inhibit this behaviour but it is very difficult when dogs keep running up to us. I don't want to be precious about it but I know it would benefit him in the long run and other people seem so ignorant and hell bent on spoiling our walk. At least he has a good recall and will come back if we get surprised by an out of control dog, i.e. one miles away from its owner.

And then they look at you like your dog is dangerous because you've put him back on the lead. Um, no, actually, it's a training method. Bloody try it sometime.

[Gide]

Not many people know about the yellow dog scheme.

I'm bloody sick of the idiots who cheerfully let their untrained dogs bounce at my fear aggressive dog who's under control but will not tolerate dogs in his face. It's just rude, especially if I'm out training. I had one idiot tell me she wanted to let her untrained husky off. I was like 'knock yourself out, love, no-one stopping you, just keep it away from my dog, I'm entitled to have an undisturbed walk' but she couldn't recall him the persistent little bastard dog so eventually left the park.

[Rubydoobiesmum]

And they always have the nerve to shout "S/he's friendly". I must admit I got so pissed off with a frequent offender that I ran up to him, went nose to nose and said "it's ok, I'm friendly". Sorry, not sorry

[FarrowandBallAche]

If I see a dog walking on lead I call mine back and put them on just in case the other dog isn't keen on ' friendly dogs running over to say hello ' common sense really.

In your situation I would grab the neighbour and explain that your dog is scared of other dogs.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

OP I feel your pain.

My spaniel is dog on dog aggressive so if I seen another dog I have to call him back and put him on the lead. I have lost count of the number of times people have then let their off lead dogs come up to him and then get cross when he gets arsey. I have even had people telling me that if I didn't put him on the lead then he would be ok with other dogs. Yeah right. I've had him 8 years and you know more about him from seeing him for 30 seconds.

[horseygeorgie]

Completely with you here OP. I have a small terrier who is aggressive if pushed by strange dogs and is ALWAYS on a lead when out. The amount of times a dog has bounded up to us off lead and its owner has called 'Its ok, he's friendly!' Yes, YOURS might be but mine is on a lead for a reason!

[Godstopper]

We use the yellow lead with NERVOUS on, and it seems to make some difference.

I've gone past caring about what others think if my dog reacts to their badly behaved dog. If mine is on lead, and a dog gets in her face, then a reaction is quite understandable - I'd do the same if a stranger did that to me!

I am working on it, and we have made massive strides. But I don't think she'll ever be o.k with strange dogs getting inches from her face .... and that is o.k. I expect her to be able to walk past dogs from a sensible distance, and we've got that mostly, but ... in your face is not a sensible distance! And then, often, it is the other owner moaning about my aggressive dog. Mad.

You can control your dog, but sadly cannot control the idiots who think all dogs need to be socializing with each other in an uncontrolled manner.

[nmg85]

Dog on lead equals my dog on lead. Mine is overly friendly so wants to approach all dogs, trying to train it out of her but until I can guarantee it she always goes on lead if another dog is. It has annoyed me when my friendly dog has been on lead an approached because a few times she has been on vets orders to stay calm as she has had stitches and then you have an off lead dog with no recall jumping all over her

[Whatamuckingfuddle]

It's rude not to put your dog on a lead if you're walking towards someone with a dog on a lead. I never have a lead with me though, although my dog isn't interested in other dogs

[MrsJayy]

My dd got a mouthful from an owner because my dog snapped at hers dd turned when she saw bounding friendly dog but it was my Dd who couldnt control dog he is on lead as you say for a reason

[NoahVale]

if we let dogs just get on with it, there would be less angst.
my terrier is not keen, understandably on big bouncy in your face dogs, she tells them off, they back off.
end of story.
no need for words with the owner.

[lanbro]

We've got a pup who is still learning and very excitable. He is only off the lead when no other dogs around and goes straight back on if we see another dog. DH had to use his foot, definitely not a kick more of a lift and move, to get another dog off him this morning as the owner had no control. It's my pet hate so YANBU

[Greyhorses]

I also hate this. My dogs are big, fear aggressive and hate other dogs in their faces. I hate the 'my dog is friendly' group of people...how is that helpful when mine clearly aren't