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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:
vodkaredbullgirl · 17/08/2023 10:20

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

Wow have you counted them lol

Dentistlakes · 17/08/2023 10:21

Dogs do need to have a chance to run off lead, but I think there are places where they should be ok leads, like children’s play parks. I wouldn’t expect dogs to be on a lead on a quiet stretch of beach for example, but I would in an area where there are lots of families sitting on the sand, perhaps with food. It seems like common sense
to me, but admittedly some dog owners don’t seem
to have any!

I don’t have a dog, but I think if everyone behaves and thinks beyond their own noses, then it is possible to coexist quite happily.

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:21

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.

FFS!!

I don’t know know how many times I have to say this seeing as this is now the 3rd time but…..

I have absolutely no problem with my children being around dogs who are on leads or dogs we know!

It is unleashed dogs that I don’t know who are running around and barking at and jumping up at my scared children that I have a problem with. And if keeping them safe if those kind of dogs are in the park then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs
Nellle · 17/08/2023 10:23

Um, exercise? Is this a serious question?

You're absolutely right that they mustn't be jumping up, but you're "sick of seeing them wandering around"? How pathetic. Go watch the cars in the road if that's preferable?

nolamesallowed · 17/08/2023 10:23

Because they don't give a fuck that their dogs are smelly, dirty horrible mutts.

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:25

vodkaredbullgirl · 17/08/2023 10:20

Wow have you counted them lol

Show quote history

My children like to and counting them is a game they like to play on the walk to and from school.

Andthereyougo · 17/08/2023 10:27

Ok if they’re well trained. Mine know stop, wait, heel etc.. and they wouldn’t disobey me. Not allowed near children or people unless adults say hello to them. It’s not rocket science but many people can’t be arsed training their dogs.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:28

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:25

My children like to and counting them is a game they like to play on the walk to and from school.

Show quote history

I can believe that there are that many dogs running around off leave, and more. I do not believe that many are running at your children, barking

vodkaredbullgirl · 17/08/2023 10:29

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:25

My children like to and counting them is a game they like to play on the walk to and from school.

Show quote history

What every time they go to school? or is it there and back?

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 17/08/2023 10:29

I always wonder where people are going for these walks?

I live in a rural town, we have millions of parks and green spaces all around as well as the beach being a short drive away. Almost everywhere is dog friendly including shops, cafes etc. I've never been jumped up on by a dog unless I've sort of encouraged it (by interacting with the dog). DS is 6 and I've always taught him to ask if dogs are friendly before he interacts with them and the few times we have been told that the dog isn't, they've been on a short lead and the owner has made an effort to keep away from people.
Even at the dog friendly beach last night, we walked past loads of dogs and only two sniffed in our general direction.

I'm not denying it does happen, but I find it very hard to believe that it happens as often as described on mn

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:30

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:19

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

Show quote history

No, I said about 50% of the dogs are off-lead, not all of them.

And neither did I say they all jumped up at my children.

Stop trying to twist my word or re-write my posts in order to suit your narrative.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 17/08/2023 10:31

BIossomtoes · 17/08/2023 09:51

Why don’t people stop posting countless dog threads?

Why don't people stop policing threads? You don't have to open the ones that bore you.

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:33

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:28

I can believe that there are that many dogs running around off leave, and more. I do not believe that many are running at your children, barking

Show quote history

Ok….you don’t believe me and therefore it cannot be true.

Thankfully I’m going out now and I hope this thread has been deleted by the time I’m back.

Thw entitlement and nastiness of dog owners on this thread is insane.

Perhaps you should all stop trying to belittle the experiences people have had with unleashed and untrained dogs just because you love your own.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:33

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:30

No, I said about 50% of the dogs are off-lead, not all of them.

And neither did I say they all jumped up at my children.

Stop trying to twist my word or re-write my posts in order to suit your narrative.

Show quote history

50% of 20=10...twice a day=20

the question was, how many times do dogs run at your children, barking. not how many dogs are off lead. I'm not twisting your words, but you have answered a different question to the one I asked you

enchantedsquirrelwood · 17/08/2023 10:33

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 17/08/2023 10:29

I always wonder where people are going for these walks?

I live in a rural town, we have millions of parks and green spaces all around as well as the beach being a short drive away. Almost everywhere is dog friendly including shops, cafes etc. I've never been jumped up on by a dog unless I've sort of encouraged it (by interacting with the dog). DS is 6 and I've always taught him to ask if dogs are friendly before he interacts with them and the few times we have been told that the dog isn't, they've been on a short lead and the owner has made an effort to keep away from people.
Even at the dog friendly beach last night, we walked past loads of dogs and only two sniffed in our general direction.

I'm not denying it does happen, but I find it very hard to believe that it happens as often as described on mn

It depends where you live. In some areas dogs tend to be better trained but in others, less so. We have parks in our area that I tend to avoid because I know there will be off-lead/out of control dogs. Also narrow paths can be an issue because there is nowhere to "escape" to, eg canal towpaths. Other parks are fine - even if the dogs are off-lead they are on the grassy areas away from the parks.

I've said it on other threads but there is definitely demand for dog exercise areas in the UK - and equally for areas where dogs have to be on short leads or not be allowed at all.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 17/08/2023 10:34

Other parks are fine - even if the dogs are off-lead they are on the grassy areas away from the paths.

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:36

@WantingToEducate you said...

'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.'

LlynTegid · 17/08/2023 10:38

Just as some people believe that their children are wonderful and can do little wrong, some think that about their dog.

I feel fortunate to live in an area where those with dogs accept their behaviour is not always perfect, even in a place where most people would accept being off the lead is reasonable.

Alighttouchonthetiller · 17/08/2023 10:38

Screamingabdabz · 17/08/2023 09:54

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

Show quote history

I was just commenting on how I thought the thread would pan out, but whatever.

You sound a bit....tense. Hope you're ok.

RampantIvy · 17/08/2023 10:38

The entitlement and nastiness of dog owners on this thread is insane.

This only serves to give all dog owners a bad name. Unfortunately, it is the bad dog owners that end up tarring all dog owners with the same brush.

I wish all dog owners would keep dogs on leads when on the road/pavement.

Whereisthesun2023 · 17/08/2023 10:39

Because lead walks are dull AF I prefer to go to off into the forests, trails, rivers and let them sniff , run, swim.

of course as a responsible owner I put them on a lead when near roads, if I see another dog on a lead, or if someone shouts to ask me to put him on a lead I will.

my dog is also trained and generally ignores anyone else.

fullbloom87 · 17/08/2023 10:39

Because dogs need hours of exercise running off lead.

Whereisthesun2023 · 17/08/2023 10:40

Also I’ve never randomly been jumped on by a dog, I find it hard to believe it’s a daily occurence.

Whereisthesun2023 · 17/08/2023 10:40

fullbloom87 · 17/08/2023 10:39

Because dogs need hours of exercise running off lead.

They do not need hours of exercise

MentholLoad · 17/08/2023 10:41

WantingToEducate · 17/08/2023 10:33

Ok….you don’t believe me and therefore it cannot be true.

Thankfully I’m going out now and I hope this thread has been deleted by the time I’m back.

Thw entitlement and nastiness of dog owners on this thread is insane.

Perhaps you should all stop trying to belittle the experiences people have had with unleashed and untrained dogs just because you love your own.

Show quote history

I am not belittling people's experiences, I would just like people to be truthful about their experiences

there is no way you encounter 20 dogs a day running at your children, barking

how can people resolve an issue, if the issue is being misrepresented.

people say the issue is masses of untrained dogs, jumping and barking at people. but the ACTUAL issue is people don't like dogs and don't like seeing them off lead in parks

a possible solution to each of those issues, is different