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Original poster

Why don't people keep dogs on leads?

147 replies

Greedybilly · 17/08/2023 09:30

Why? Just why? Sick of being jumped up at - sick of seeing them wandering round the park/our allotment/every decent walk. Is it seen as cruel to not let them off? Is it a bit like putting reins on a toddler? Genuinely I don't know because I don't have a dog. Please educate me - I just know there's been a massive cultural shift and leads seem a bit out of fashion.

OP posts:
Screamingabdabz · 17/08/2023 09:54

Alighttouchonthetiller · 17/08/2023 09:40

Here we go again. Froth, rage, froth, recrimination, child-hate, dog-hate, plenty of 'vile', 'disgusting', 'utterly foul', bile, froth, rage and a bit more froth.

So…just go with denial and gaslighting then. Dogs are never a problem? Ok then.

gogomoto · 17/08/2023 09:54

Because my dog likes chasing a ball, he ignores other dogs and human's because he's trained! If you are having issues with dog's jumping up it's not the fact that they aren't on leads that is the problem, it's the fact that they are not trained properly!!!

Bluevelvetsofa · 17/08/2023 09:57

There are notices all along the promenade here, indicating that dogs aren’t allowed on the beach at all during certain months and are allowed on the prom only on leads.

So there are dogs running loose on the beach and dogs not on leads on the prom. If you enjoy walking by the sea, you have to navigate dogs running around and weaving in and out of your legs, in addition to cyclists, scooters, runners and skateboarders.

It’s bad enough that the sea is polluted, without having the beach compromised too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
Lightningrain · 17/08/2023 09:57

If you consider what a lot of dogs were bred to do you’d understand it would be cruel to not let them ‘be a dog’. By keeping high energy, working breeds on a lead at all times you wouldn’t be fulfilling their needs.

I have a dog breed that was originally developed to hunt, running miles every day. It would be very cruel of me to stop her from ever engaging her natural instinct to run. Having said that I have spent a lot of time on training and she would never jump at anybody. She’s completely indifferent to people she doesn’t know and will ignore them. The problem you have is people not training their dogs properly rather than the fact that they’re letting them off the lead.

Grimchmas · 17/08/2023 09:58

Because they are living breathing beings whose welfare includes having a bit of freedom when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

You may disagree on when it is safe and appropriate, of course.

I'm very sorry that the mere sight of a dog off lead in a park sickens you. How often are you really jumped up at?

lightinthebox · 17/08/2023 09:58

Greedybilly · 17/08/2023 09:34

You're free to scroll on by if you don't have anything to add ofcourse;)

Or you could post on the million other ‘dogs off lead’ threads on here.

ShirleyPhallus · 17/08/2023 09:59

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 09:52

I don’t contribute to their fear as I have absolutely no problem with them being around dogs on leads or dogs we know etc, I just don’t want them being approached by big dogs that aren’t on a lead that I don’t know and who are scaring my children.

The safety of my children is my priority as is every other parent’s priority.

Show quote history

in your previous post you said:

My kids are so nervous of it because all they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards them.

If I ever do have to walk through the park I always carry my youngest and tightly hold the hand of my eldest.

of course you’re contributing to their fear if every time you see a dog you pick them up

I walk my dog (responsibly) twice a day and the only dogs I ever see barking are playing with other dogs or barking at their owners to throw a ball. I’ve honestly never seen a dog running at a child while barking at the same time. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but I just don’t believe that happens every time you go in the park.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 09:59

Screamingabdabz · 17/08/2023 09:54

So…just go with denial and gaslighting then. Dogs are never a problem? Ok then.

Show quote history

or the truth....dogs are occasionally inconvenient and rarely they are a problem

justme2022 · 17/08/2023 10:00

I used to let mine off of the lead to run around because she had excellent recall. But she knew if I called her back and she didn't come straight away then she would go back on her lead and stay on it.
The kids though? No recall whatsoever so they stay on their reins.

Original poster
Greedybilly · 17/08/2023 10:00

Thanks to those who have answered my question. To those who say they don't believe me. Why? Why would I make it up? Weird.

OP posts:
Grimchmas · 17/08/2023 10:01

@Bluevelvetsofa i hate to break it to you but if the sea is polluted the beach is too. I'm intrigued how all the cyclists, scooters, and skateboarders manage on a beach! But mostly it sounds like you don't like other people using the shared spaces with you.

MagpiePi · 17/08/2023 10:01

When people complain about random dogs jumping up at them all the time, do they actually mean ‘I don’t like/am scared of dogs and I saw one off the lead today and it came near me’ ?

I regularly walk through parks and countryside where dogs are off the lead, have friends with dogs and have owned my own dogs. I can’t remember a single incident where a strange dog has jumped up at me while I’m out walking. They mostly ignore me, have a quick look or succumb to being patted if I’m persistent. My own dogs or friends’ dogs might jump up as a greeting, but otherwise, nah.

LolaSmiles · 17/08/2023 10:02

Here we go again. 🙄

Some people have dogs off lead because they're responsible owners with well-trained dogs. They choose their spaces appropriately and their dogs don't bother anyone else unless they're given permission to.

Other people, a minority in my experience, will have their dogs off lead because it's an easy way to get their dog exercise and they hope for the best that they won't have to recall/nothing bad will happen when the dog runs off. They're lazy owners.

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:04

ShirleyPhallus · 17/08/2023 09:59

in your previous post you said:

My kids are so nervous of it because all they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards them.

If I ever do have to walk through the park I always carry my youngest and tightly hold the hand of my eldest.

of course you’re contributing to their fear if every time you see a dog you pick them up

I walk my dog (responsibly) twice a day and the only dogs I ever see barking are playing with other dogs or barking at their owners to throw a ball. I’ve honestly never seen a dog running at a child while barking at the same time. Not to say it doesn’t happen, but I just don’t believe that happens every time you go in the park.

Show quote history

As I said, I pick them up if a dog I DON’T KNOW know starts running towards them at speed and barking at them etc.

What would you have a parent do? Just stand there and let it happen whilst crossing their fingers that the unknown dog is just “being friendly” and simply let the dog get on with it even if means the children are scared?

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:04

Grimchmas · 17/08/2023 10:01

@Bluevelvetsofa i hate to break it to you but if the sea is polluted the beach is too. I'm intrigued how all the cyclists, scooters, and skateboarders manage on a beach! But mostly it sounds like you don't like other people using the shared spaces with you.

yes it definitely read like that didn't it! beach reserved only for the enjoyment of @Bluevelvetsofa 🤣

Disturbia81 · 17/08/2023 10:04

I have a dog. I LOVE dogs. But he is never off lead. An off lead one came up to him and attacked him, the owner couldn't get it off him. I went mental at her and now never see her with it off the lead.
The dog had apparently never done that before. You can't predict who they are going to jump up on, might be kids who are afraid.. or if a dog sets them off randomly.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:06

When people complain about random dogs jumping up at them all the time, do they actually mean ‘I don’t like/am scared of dogs and I saw one off the lead today and it came near me’ ?

ah, that makes more sense @MagpiePi

WhoWants2Know · 17/08/2023 10:08

I've wondered this before. I'm not really one to have my dog off lead on a walk, and I don't feel like they're missing out.

Granted, I wouldn't take on a breed that needs a great deal of running. And I've been lucky enough to have gardens where they can zoom.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:11

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:04

As I said, I pick them up if a dog I DON’T KNOW know starts running towards them at speed and barking at them etc.

What would you have a parent do? Just stand there and let it happen whilst crossing their fingers that the unknown dog is just “being friendly” and simply let the dog get on with it even if means the children are scared?

Show quote history

I think everyone would agree that it's appropriate to pick up a child if a dog is running towards them barking

I would question how often that actually happens. you said that all they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards them and said you carry them through the park, which suggests it is happening everytime that you go to the park/regularly

I've been walking my dog through various parks multiple times a day for 10 years. I have never witnessed that. it's definitely not a regular occurrence

SternJosie · 17/08/2023 10:12

I don't think I've ever been jumped up at by a random dog off lead. They sometimes come near me but not jumping. And I'm out every single day walking in places with plenty of offlead dogs.

I'm sure it does happen sometimes. But I don't believe for a second that someone regularly gets dogs jumping at them on every walk.

To the poster that picks her child up every time they walk through the park - the problem isn't dogs, it's you. You are instilling a life long fear into your children which will massively impact them.

Grimchmas · 17/08/2023 10:13

I too am puzzled by all these dogs running straight at children barking, and jumping up at strangers. I have had a few dogs in my lifetime, I have walked quite a fair few miles with my dogs on and off lead, and I can think of one time ever that a dog off the lead jumped up at me. It was a family who had 5 dogs and three small kids, and no control over any of them.

(My current dog loves people and will automatically go up to anybody and everybody asking for a fuss, but he is untrustworthy off the lead so he's never in public off the lead and able to reach anybody who doesn't look delighted to be approached by a hairy rat catcher.)

Other people's small kids bumping into my legs, grabbing hold of me in unfortunate places, wandering into my path etc - happens WAY more often - practically every time i go to the supermarket or a busy shop or high street. I'm not a fan of children, but you wouldn't believe the number of times I've not posted to mumsnet complaining that other people don't keep their nasty little germ factories away from me.

RampantIvy · 17/08/2023 10:14

As a driver I get nervous when driving past a dog walking on the pavement with its owner if it isn't on a lead. It only takes a cat or a bitch in heat on the other side of the road (if it is a male dog) for the dog to run across the road.

DH's well trained dog was killed this way when it ran after a bitch in heat.

I grew up with dogs and each dog we had was walked twice a day to the park at the bottom of the road on a lead, then let off the lead, well away from the children's play area and the road to run around.

Tippley · 17/08/2023 10:15

vodkaredbullgirl · 17/08/2023 09:36

Why shouldn't they be off lead, they need a run around.

In appropriate places, yes. Many people just let them off lead wherever even when their recall is crap though. There's a field near here which is private land but has historically always allowed access to walkers, including dogs if they are on the lead. Some selfish dog walkers kept letting their dogs off lead and there have been sheep injured so now the land is locked and no one can use it. Also see them in play parks (as in by the equipment), walking through town...owners get real rude when you mention it though.

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:17

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:11

I think everyone would agree that it's appropriate to pick up a child if a dog is running towards them barking

I would question how often that actually happens. you said that all they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards them and said you carry them through the park, which suggests it is happening everytime that you go to the park/regularly

I've been walking my dog through various parks multiple times a day for 10 years. I have never witnessed that. it's definitely not a regular occurrence

Show quote history

I would say on an average day, when we walk to school through the park, there will be about 17-20 dogs on each journey, and at least 50% of them are off lead and just running around, jumping up at the children and barking at them.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:19

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:17

I would say on an average day, when we walk to school through the park, there will be about 17-20 dogs on each journey, and at least 50% of them are off lead and just running around, jumping up at the children and barking at them.

Show quote history

so there and back to school, between 17 and 20 dogs bark and jump up at your children every day? I just don't believe you