Why don't people keep dogs on leads?

[Greedybilly]

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.

I’ve got such a lovey big park near me and I hate going because there are just dogs roaming free everywhere. My kids are so nervous of it because all they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards them

Classic sign of fear. Your DC are probably so focused on the dogs running & playing that they think it's aimed at them.

When in reality the dogs just going about their own business.

Posters like this need to teach their children to mind their own business focus on their own play, not what others (incl. dogs) do.

Dog are here to stay, they will be off lead in the park running and barking and their owners will be happy to see their pet having fun!

I have had a dog snatch a sandwich from my toddler's hand inside a fenced playground. That's just one of many incidents with badly behaved dogs.

Classic sign of fear. Your DC are probably so focused on the dogs running & playing that they think it's aimed at them.
When in reality the dogs just going about their own business

That’s rubbish - it’s not a sign of fear to not want dogs to run at you, adult or child. I’m a dog owner and I’m well aware of owners who let their dogs run around off lead in the play areas of parks or let them barrel up to kids playing footy or whatever. Not every dog is minding their own business. If I ever had my dog off-lead in a park I keep him well away from children - both for his sake and theirs. Not every dog owner is bothered about the impact their dog has on others - not by a long shot.

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 thatall they see is loud dogs barking at them and running at speed towards themand 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

I think it's happened once to my DC and the owner was firmly told by me to sort their damn dog out.

I've seen other dogs off lead and not recalling as well as I would like, but that's not the same as them what some claim on here, where apparently some people can't walk outside without a million dogs bounding up to them, covering them in muddy paws, terrifying the children by jumping on them, and helping themselves to every picnic the Mumsnetter has in the park.

I think some people on Mumsnet are over-dramatic though, not just on the dog topic.

For most daily life situations I tend to think if someone happens rarely/as a one off then the chances are the other person is being very unreasonable, but if something apparently happens all the time then you're the common denominator so either it's something you're doing or your perception is off.

Because my dogs walk to heel when I need them to, don't jump up at (or show any interest in) other people, and they're big, active working breeds for whom a life of trotting round the pavements attached to a short lead would be no life at all. I like to give them time to sniff, run around, explore, and generally be dogs. Their recall is excellent, though, I wouldn't let them off if they made nuisances of themselves and, even as a dog lover, it really irritates me when some out of control dog, off lead with no recall whatsoever, comes hurtling up and tries to jump all over me.

And,

Because the people the dogs live with live with didn’t bother with teaching them how to walk nicely on a lead. So it’s not comfortable for the person to walk them on a lead. Therefore it’s easier for the person to let them romp around in an anti social manner.

Yes and normally it's a friendly sociable bouncy happy dog. We laugh and give them a stroke and say hi. Dogs are generally very social, friendly lovely creatures unlike humans.
They're not trying to intentionally hurt you, so there's no need to feel scared.

I’m mentally jotting this down as one of the many differences between the US and the UK 😉

Here (at least in my town) you aren’t allowed to have dogs off their leashes in public places, except for the dog park.

I didn't say I was scared, just that it happens very regularly to me and I am surprised by the number of posters who have apparently never experienced it

Not at all @MentholLoad . What I said was that, on the prom, you run the gauntlet of skateboards, bicycles and dogs. It’s a shared use, but pedestrians are supposed to have priority, except they don’t.

If the authorities decide that dogs are not permitted on the beach, it’s reasonable to expect that you won’t find them on the beach. They are permitted on the prom, but on a lead, which is frequently not the case.

Dog ownership has rocketed here since the pandemic, and I agree that dogs shouldn't be off the lead in public places like roads, pedestrianised town centres, pubs, restaurants etc.

A park is a different matter, but I think it should be possible to have areas in parks where dogs can run free.

They really don’t. 2 x 30 min walk and an hour of lead is ample. What those type of dogs do need is mental stimulation above “hours” of exercise. Over exercising will lead to all sorts of very costly injuries.

Because people love to exaggerate.

Turn to the annoying dog and shout "Back Off" as loud as you can and stand still.

The dog will whimper and not know wtf just happened and will leave you.

I am a jogger and go with my dog and have done this a few times. Worked every time.

I don’t mind dogs although I am quite allergic. I do think it’s an owner problem. I live in a very dog friendly area and have in the last 5 years had 3 dog issues, two jumping at me - very apologetic owners no harm done and one total moron who had an out of control dog that licked my child’s ice cream. Cheeky cow didn’t even offer to replace it.

The one thing I have notice though is lots of dog poo and dogs in the kids play areas which is irritating but I suspect it’s one or two idiot owners. Sadly we only tend to remember the ones who’ve pissed us off
though.

Ours is never off lead, we’d never see him again! We have to use secure dog paddock facilities for him to run.

but if something apparently happens all the time then you're the common denominator so either it's something you're doing or your perception is off.

Or maybe it actually does happen all the time?

It happens to me a fair amount - I think that's partly because I have young children and spend a lot of time in parks. And because I don't like dogs - I am not scared of them, I just don't like them so even if one is just being friendly, I don't want them up on me

most places in the UK don't have dog parks. parks are just for everything, mostly

If they’re jumping up at you, they should be on a lead. If they’re just wandering round, why shouldn’t they? A walk on the lead is not as good as a walk off lead.

If a dog cannot behave offlead (doesn't have good recall, jumps up, chases etc) then your shouldn't be offlead.

If your dog comes back when calls and generally isn't a nuisance then yes it's OK to be offlead.

Jumping up at strangers = shouldn't be offlead until trained

Runs off and doesn't come back = shouldn't be offlead until trained

Chases scooters, bikes, joggers = same as above

Also, if you see a dog on-lead pls be courteous and put your dog on lead until they pass. Do not let your dog run up to them. It's so rude.

Similarly- if your kids are screaming in a restaurant take them outside until they have calmed. And, don't let them run around disturbing others - it's a restaurant, not a playground.

I have been both a teacher and a dog trainer in my life. I love both - it's the owners and the parents that are the problem.

Most places don’t here either. We’re a tiny town and it was my first accomplishment on our city council :)

I think if no one was using a park or it was a really large area and a really well trained dog, probably no one would mind. But people would definitely complain if a large dog was running all over a park and you’d be told to put your dog on a leash.

I think it’s just a difference in attitudes toward dogs in general. Like I’ve heard people on here say that no one who works away from home full time should have a dog, and that’s just madness to me.

I walk my dog off lead. He walks to heel and has excelIent recall but he does like to sniff about and be free on a walk. I don't know where all these dogs are who jump all over people as I have never seen them on our walks. Yes, there are crap owners who are clueless when it comes to dog training but surely that doesn't mean my dog should suffer on a lead?

Someone I run with got bitten by a dog. A few weeks later we were out for a club run and were going through a park. I saw a dog at the other end of the park and just knew it would go for my friend. And it did! They do know when you don't like them, or are scared of them. It didn't bite him, just chased him (and only him).

And of course, when I shouted at the owner to get it under control, he told us to f off. Since then I always have my phone with me and would take a picture of dog and owner, but it's a bit pointless as we now we have no dog warden so they can do what they like.

I agree that people should keep their kids away from dogs as well. I posted on another thread about being out with a friend who had recently got a new dog and when we in the same park as above having a coffee at a new cafe there a couple of kids came over and started stroking the dog without asking. Fortunately she was very placid, but she might not have been.

Keep control of your kids, and keep control of your dogs, until you know that they will get on with those around them. It's not really difficult but so many parents and dog owners seem to struggle with that concept.

Even on the street?
I know dogs need to run around, but not using a lead when walking along the street isn't great.