Dear dog lovers/owners...

[INeedABiggerBoat]

A few tips for 'dog lovers':

• Don't leave your young children to pet a dog while you p* off to the loo or go to buy a pint, without checking with the dog's owners first. Dogs may not find your children as adorable as you do. Some dogs also bite children/when scared and I'm betting you won't be blaming yourself if that happens.
• It is not okay to feed a dog without its owners' permission - especially when you give the dog a small bone that could choke it/splinter in its throat. Unless you're happy for us to pass on the vet bill to you.

And one for dog owners:

• Whistling for your unleashed dog to follow you while you merrily cycle off home does not constitute 'having control' of your dog.

Any other tips to add, MN-ers?

Dear woman walking with two teenagers eating ice cream and a little shih tzu yes I'm sure I looked like an unfriendly git when I pulled the two little shih tzus away from the three of you when you tried to say hello. No I wasn't joking when I suggested you pick up the shit your dog had near the bloody dog bin.
Guess what, I walk up to six dogs at one time and I ALWAYS pick up their shit and you can't pick up after one! The difference between a dog owner and someone who loves dogs is the fact that the dog lover picks up the shit as they don't want to give dogs/owners a bad name. The dog owner is full of excuses.

These same dog owners are sitting inside when it rains whining that their dog "doesn't like the rain" Guess what prat, you've conditioned it to stay in when it rains. That's why your dog is yappy, aggressive, destructive and/or pisses in your house.

By the way, I don't have to keep my dogs off the beach when the dog haters bring your screaming kids out because the sun shines. I'm there all year round and I'm not going to disappear. Yes I can keep my dogs away from you but not if your child runs up to my dogs screaming "bad dog!" The reason my yorkie barked at your child is because he is blind, arthritic and was terrified. I didn't walk away because my dog might bite your child, I walked away because I might fecking bite you!

Blimey that felt good.

My spaniel is very reluctant to go out in the rain. And that ain't no conditioning from me.

I love all these generalisations.

Live and let live.

We have an elderly chap who walks past our house with two Yorkshire terriers on extendable leads. He lets them run into our garden up to our front door.

We were coming out of the door recently as they ran in. He smiled and said they liked our garden because they liked to chase our cats . I was so taken aback I couldn't think what to say. I'm now ensuring that the gate is shut at all times.

I don't see any reason to muzzle her if others can control their dogs. I keep her on a short lead unless I know we will be definitely alone, and even then she is pretty much instant with recall. I don't feel I should punish her - muzzles distress her - for others' lack of control and insight.

She's a rescue, , has suffered physical punishment before, she's a chihuahua mix, very small and does not appreciate being sniffed by malamutes, Akitas, etc (yes neighbour, I'm looking at you). She is absolutely fine with other small dogs (yorkies mainly, think she has had previous with them).

I have several times had people allow their dogs to bound about, sniff mine and then glare at me when I pull mine back or tell their dog to leave her. Even with a muzzle on should I still have to put up with her being distressed by people who can't accept that she should have some space?

On the topic of picking up poo - what would be best etiquette for diarrhea? I've clumped it with grass before but am wondering if something else would be better. We had a nasty bout last night - because silly Ddog thought she could snaffle my chicken -- and wasn't sure what to do with rememnants after picking up what I could..

Dear dog owners,

Please don't swear(loudly) and call me a twat when I point out to you
that dogs are not allowed in the cemetery- there is a notice on the gate.

Dear dog owner:

-Research the breed before you buy the cute little puppy. Train and socialise said puppy. Hearing you moan about how out of control your 6-18 month old husky mix (who's never been trained, excerised or socialised) is and how you're going to have to get rid of it is beyond annoying/depsessing

-I don't care if your dog is on a lead or not. If my dogs want to socialise with yours they will be off lead and if I think your dog is well mannered enough I'll release them from their 'close' command to play with yours. If however you let yours bulldoze into mine words will be had by me and my dogs

-Pick up your dogs poo if you don't have a poo bag you can have one of mine

Dog lovers:

-Do not let your children maul my dogs and excuses like 'he looks just like so and so's dog' 'they love dogs' ect come from the mouths of only the stupid. He may look like that dog but you know nothing of his temperament or his views on mannerless children mauling him

-Do not try to feed my dogs, they will reject whatever you're offering as they have never been given people food nor have they been trained to accept food from random people

-Just because my 3 year old is playing with our dogs does not mean we need to be bombarded by children

Basically I'll keep my dogs away from other dogs and children in the hopes that you will give me the same respect.

I'll recall my dogs to heel and/or put them on a lead when I see a horse or a bike - I expect the same from other dog owners when I'm on a bike or horse

People with good manners and well trained, socialised dogs are a joy to meet while out :-)

shouldnthavesaid - I usually carry a small rucksack with tissues, wipes, disposable gloves and bottled soapy water, amongst other things. I used to carry stuff for the kids when younger and take same attitude when walking dogs. Use gloves or bag to cover hand and hold tissue/wipe to clean up excess then pour water on stain. Mind you, I walk dogs so I'm particularly anal when it comes to being prepared and cleaning up mess.

If your dog has the scoots put her on a bland diet for a day or two. Chicken and pasta are good.

Regarding your wee dogs past, I also have a badly abused yorkie that I got "by accident" ( long story). He was terrified of all dogs, v v difficult considering what I do. It was like walking a gremlin. He now loves meeting dogs, so long as they don't bounce on him at first meet. Good luck as I know that smaller dogs can be even more difficult to train but you'll have a very loving friend for life.

Haha so much here that I relate to.

I have. Dog and a 5 year old. My child does not touch other peoples dogs and has always known not to and when he is told he can he know to gently hold his hand out to the dog 1st so they can sniff him.

He is only ever off lead when we walk round the farmers fields nearby which are nearly deserted.

My dog is nervous and I get so fucked off with wankers and their 'lovely under control dogs' running up to mine. Mine is on a lead for a reason! I even had one women who's pug attacked mine and she said 'oh he doesn't like dogs that are on leads' so I said 'we'll maybe he should fucking be on one then so he doesn't attack dogs that are!

Just because I have a dog and you have a dog doesn't mean I want to stop and chat.

please understand not all dogs are pets, some dogs are working dogs, we don't walk them in the playpark so when you come across them training in a wood or a field do not try to distract them or talk to them with squeaky babying voices they don't understand!!

Shouldnthavesaid I forgot to add, I would normally agree that bitey dogs should be muzzled but if your dog has been abused then you may make her more fearful by muzzling her. My wee one was horrendous when we were out but muzzling him would have literally finished him off. He didn't mind people but I would say if they were going to approach, to stop as he was unpredictable. I would also warn of lead dog walkers to call their dogs as he would bite. Only on extreme situations would I carry him, ie: large groups of walkers/kids. If you lift her every time you meet someone/dogs then you are reinforcing her fear of people/dogs. If you get to know other dog owners with gentle dogs then perhaps stand talking to them with her on a short lead beside you. Hopefully in time she will become more relaxed as you relax. I have no hesitation in calling ahead to people if their dog is friendly as I approach as I know my wee dog will always have issues with "cheeky" dogs. Good luck.

keep your dog on the lead at all times in public spaces (unless fenced in dog runs)

Sorry, but there is absolutely no way I'm going to keep my dog on a lead at all times for no good reason. He's a well behaved dog who trots along minding his own business and bothering nobody and I can't see why that's deemed as being unreasonable.

to the ones who spoil it for the rest:
pick up the dog's shit ( i see lots of dogs around school, there is only one person, possibly two who let their dogs shit near school most pick up their shit. )
don't take them on the dog free beaches,
on doggy beaches/ parks/street do not let your dog run up to other people ( my dad inadvertantly scared a dog when he was shovelling snow. owner let dogrun down street way ahead. dad picking up snow to right, threw it to the left just as the poor dog tried to go round dad to the left. snow and dog met. thankfully shovel and dog did not meet. poor dog gave dad a very wide berth on the return journey .dad had not seen the dog approach from behind)
do not assume everyone knows how to behave around dogs/ is capable of not panicking aand lashing out. my child has a disability he may hurt your dog.
put your dog on the lead near the cafe as per notices
do not let your dog in the children's park as per notices.
stand back from the school gate with your dog. it might get hurt as well as scare some children

I teach my children never to approach dogs without the owners and my permission. I feel very sorry for the dogs that are outside school sometimes as they are patted rather too vigourously by too many unsupervised children.

dear council. it is a lot easier to enforce the no dogs in the playpark rule when their is a fence. (also easier to keep a child in if you only have to watch two places in the perimeter. ) fence also provides a place to attach dogs and allows owners to manage child and dog.

dear parents. donot let your child poke things through the fence at the dogs.

Dear dog lovers,

Don't let your children just run up to dogs and pet them without permission. Not all dogs are ok with children or getting overwhelmed by people.

Dear dog owners,

If your dog is not people friendly or does not like kids, for fucks sake keep it at home. You can't count on all kids to know "dog rules" or to just listen to their parents 100% of the time and not get excited and run up to your dog. I have exactly zero patience for a dog snapping at me while I'm walking on the sidewalk. I have a right to be out walking. Your dog does not. Also, we all know that if you have to reiterate to someone over and over as your dog is barking and growling "He's really friendly! He won't bite" that he's not as friendly as you keep trying to convince yourself them.

Dear dog owners if you are walking your dog off lead and come across another dog owner with their dog on the lead you should put your dog on the lead whilst you pass each other. I'm amazed how many people don't do this.

Dog lovers -

1. Yes my dog is very small and pretty. That doesn't mean you should let your children touch her without checking it is ok first. She is very loving towards towards children, luckily enough ( so much training!) for you.

Dog owners -

1. If your dog doesn't like other dogs, do not let it off the lead and merrily wander 50 foot ahead. Pay attention.

2. Why are you picking your dog up? It's small, and what? It is still a dog and you picking it up teaches it to be frightened of other dogs. That is poor ownership. If it has aggression issues itself, get it a muzzle and socialise it.

3. Yes, you love your dog. That doesn't mean everybody else does. In fact, assume you are the only person who likes it, no matter how small and cute ( I have a small and cute dog). Be considerate of others. Funnily enough most people will like your dog. But don't selfishly assume that will be the case.

Chumhum I'm not going to put my dog on his lead everytime i pass a dog who is on his lead. Why should I? My dog will never approach other dogs or people. If we pass a dog he will walk on the other side of me as far from the other dog as possible as he is wary of other dogs. He was attacked as a puppy, he was on his lead and the other dog wasn't, I dropped the lead for him to run whilst trying to grab the other dog but he tried to hide behind me. We both got very badly bitten that day. The owner got off scot free with the false address trick. My dog only tolerates his lead purely due to years of training but I'm not going to stress him out anymore than I need to on a walk by constantly putting it on and taking it off again. He thinks if the lead is on he is trapped.

I don't have to keep my dogs off the beach

Actually, you might have to - depending on the rules of the beach. If the rules are that the beach is dog free between May and September (as per the beach at MILs) then that rule applies to all dogs - your dog is not exempt (as some owners seem to think)

I think it should be law to have all dogs on leads in a public place.

Yes, your dog may trot obediently by your side, and you know they're soft etc etc...but when i'm at the local lake or park with my children, and we see a big dog trotting towards us, head up and looking interested, we have NO way of knowing if that dog is going to go trotting past ignoring us, or make a beeline for the dc, jumping and being 'friendly'.

My dc have no fear of dogs (neither do I, only from the dc's pov) but I still feel obliged to keep them next to me when we see an unleashed dog heading our way. Which isn't fair.

A dog doesn't need to be off the lead on their stroll around the park. Get an extendable one if you want them to have a bit more freedom.

Keeping

I disagree. Also keeping your children near you in public places is a good shout because of the risk other people and cars pose, rather than dogs.

I think split parks would be the best way forward, as they do with some beaches.

Dear dog walkers

If you are out for a lovely walk across farm land please keep your dog under close control, preferably on a lead through livestock. Claiming that your dog is still under control cos you can see it 3 fields away just isn't good enough. Please remember you are walking through someone's work place.

Also if there are signs asking you to put your dog on a lead because of ground nesting birds that does apply to you even if you claim your dog won't hurt them.

Also the farmers dog is perfectly capable of moving the sheep with the help of your "only playing" dog - let them get in with it and keep yours well away.

Oh and to the lady in our village who refuses to keep her dog on a lead near our sheep - vets bills for the last 2 chewed sheep were enough - he will be shot if I find him in the field with them again

I am really struggling to instill into my 4 yr old the need to not approach and pat strange dogs . I keep telling him and now have to restrain him if we see one , before he gets close .
Because we have a dog , he doesnt seem to understand that not all dogs appreciate his love for them , although he walks over calmly and gives them a gentle stroke , which is possibly why he has got away with only one incident so far . Apparently i was exactly the same as a child !

keeping your children near you in public places is a good shout because of the risk other people and cars pose, rather than dogs

I see no need to keep a 6 year old attached to my side in our local park. It's a massive open space, no where he can go and no cars, I can keep eyesight at all times. But even being 5 metres away is too much when there's an unleashed dog fast approaching and I have no idea of its intentions.