Other peoples dogs

[Burke1]

AIBU to ask that people with dogs that they can't control keep them on a lead in public? Witnessed one dog run towards a group of other dogs on a walk. He was much bigger than them and scared them by chasing them for ages and his owner did bugger all to get him back. If you can't control the dog, keep it on a lead, so it doesn't annoy other people and other dogs.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Other peoples' dogs are never as good as one's own. Or they are so much better. Dog people can be soooo judgemental. If dog owners are afraid of other dogs they will teach their dog to be afraid as well. Dogs are different. People are different. I am absolutely certain that a lot of people on this thread would not want to meet me and my dogs on a walk.. I agree with Sunshine about the OP: Nothing happened.

[tomandizzymum]

It's not ok for dogs to run up and all over other dogs. It's not ok for dogs to run up to and all over people.
I don't live in the UK and in my town almost every dog is off lead, almost half the off lead dogs don't have owners.
Three things we have no problem with

1. Dogs getting over friendly with our leashed puppy, they investigate but you stamp your foot and say "go" they leave you and your dog alone.
   
2. Dogs attacking or eating food from our small children, they just don't approach the outside cafe tables or playgrounds. They clean up scraps once you leave.
   
3. Dog poo, not a dollop on any pavement, not anywhere and I've walked all over town, even around the market where the stray pack live. Naturally dogs go in one place, and by free choice that is not where they walk.
   

Conclusion: people are the problem, not the dogs.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

So true tom

[Wroguewriter]

I have a five month old puppy and I am confused about what to do,really!
Unless I let him off lead how will he learn recall? And how will be learn how to socialise with other dogs? He has had some big dogs (he is only a little poodle cross) run around and be a bit rough and he is a bit fearful of this now. He wants to say hello to other dogs and he can only learn by doing this surely?
Any suggestions?

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Other dogs off lead, ok to let yours off.

[hairylittlegoblin]

Another one who agrees with Sunshine. Can I just clarify - was one of the dogs involved in this story actually the OP's dog? It sounds as if she observed this from a distance and judged it to be inappropriate behaviour rather than her dog being there.

My lurcher pup runs up to groups of dogs - he stops a short way from them and assesses if he will be welcome, puts his head down and waits for another dog to signal him over and then they're off, running and chasing. Normal dog behaviour.

On the other hand I do not let him approach dogs on lead as they are often not up for a daft puppy trying to be their friend and it's my job to ensure he doesn't get his face bitten off.

I've had a rescue dog who was in the grumpy bugger camp and had to stay on lead if there were other dogs around so I've been on both sides of the fence. I find it easier having a friendly dog but am fully aware of my responsibilities towards dogs that are less sociable. I don't see anything in the OP to suggest that the group of dogs here was on lead or that they were scared of the approaching dog.

These threads never go well.

[EasyToEatTiger]

It's here and the Doghouse where people come to shout at each other. Metaphorically of course... What did you say?

[EasyToEatTiger]

I still can't hear!

[dejarderoncar]

If we were more aware of normal and necessary dog behaviour, and allowed them space and time to function as such, we would have better behaved and happier dogs.

Any runner with two brain cells would slow down when running up to and then past an animal whose instinct is to chase a moving object. Mind you, so mmany runners don`t see other people at all, especially when they want to spit or blow their snot everywhere.

There is room on this planet for everyone. Humans are not entitled to everything, although they mostly think they are.

If you pull your dog tightly to your side on a lead whenever you see another dog, your dog will be unable to access neutral territory and form it´s own relationship with that other dog. It will asume you have drawn it in to defend you. Therefore dogs on leads tend to learn to be more aggressive and antisocial.

I agree dogshit is unpleasant and can be dangerous occasionally.

It´s tricky sometimes trying to pick it up from betweeen the used nappies, broken bottles, discarded needles and general rubbish the other animals have left behind.

[Mumtothreeboys27b]

Kleptronic - you posts have really interested me, in that my dog has fear aggression and it is great to hear someone else talk about it like it is not the biggest thing in the dog world!
We have had a behaviourist to see him and give advice.
He was not a rescue, or ever attacked by another dog. She suspected it may be down to the testosterone levels from neutering (timescales coincided with this theory).
I am currently working really hard with him to overcome this, but I'm not sure if it will ever be 100%.
I walk him very early every morning with a number of other dog walkers and he is fine, but any new dogs that we pass at that time, I distract him and put him on the lead.
Day time walks are on the lead and full of constant distractions.
I would not trust him not to run up to another dog or person and bark - I know he would not attack, but his bark is so loud that it would frighten a person and potentially antagonise another dog to have a go at him.
I know what he is like, so therefore it is my responsibility to keep him on a lead, therefore under control.
I would really like to hear from others whose dogs have this 'fear aggression' issue!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Meeee!

[Gemzybelle]

Our dog is never walked off lead. She isn't aggressive in the slightest, she is the complete opposite. Overbearingly friendly and thinks everyone loves her and wants to play.

Sadly this is the problem with a lot of owners too. They seem to be of the mindset that because THEY think the sun shines out of their dogs arse then everyone else will think the same and thoroughly enjoy the intolerable little bastard dog jumping all over them.

Usually this isn't the case

[awfulomission]

Me. Ours is rescue plus being badly attacked a few years ago. He's happy in his own bubble though and getting on now so we're not rocking the boat. We live fairly remotely tho so easy for him to do his own thing.

[happywanderingwithdog]

I walk my dog off lead and let him play with other dogs. He is big, but never aggressive, likes walking beside friendly strangers but would never jump up. I even let him chase squirrels . Looks like it's the firing squad for me going by this thread!

Oh, and if your dog IS aggressive, a lead is not enough. Muzzle the fucker. My last lab was attacked by a dog on a lead that pulled away from the owner, got him round the throat and wouldn't let go. My lucky children got to witness the attack in all its glory. That was some vet bill.

[Kleptronic]

Well it depends what is meant by aggressive, really. I watched a tv programme the other day which showed dogs in a town in Peru which are allowed to roam freely, and sometimes there are fights. The programme said that this behaviour is normal and rarely results in damage. My dog would do what the dogs in the fight on that programme did; lots of snarling, whipping about, teeth flashing and ruff biting. He's left spit on dogs before I got wise to him, but never done damage. I'm fine with that, other people are very much not. So I keep him on a lead if there are other dogs about, but I don't muzzle him. The one time I did (and I rue the day, I was feeling put upon and wanted a rest from hyper vigilance, well more fool me and bad dog handler!) he was attacked by a springer spaniel, and couldn't defend himself. That was terrifying, and I'll not put him in that position again.

[SirNoel]

Z

[GingerLDN]

I hate dogs bounding up to me it brings me out in a right panic. They should be well behaved/controlled and if they can't then they should be on a lead.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Mine is just the same klep. All sound and fury, signifying nothing. Some other owners realise that, others don't and think he is going to tear their dog to bits, hence why I keep him leashed round other dogs. A small terrier can sort him out no problem.

And he is a springer.

[EasyToEatTiger]

It's a problem when it all goes quiet.

[Kleptronic]

That's exactly it, the sound and the fury and the flashing teeth don't mean anything, still wall-eyed quietness means it's serious. It's such a relief when I meet other owners who understand a bit of grumpiness doesn't equate to a demented wild animal, but they're few and far between. My miniature dachshund sees off my collie on a daily basis, but I must keep the collie leashed out of doors to save other owners' delicate sensibilities!

[HappyAgainOneDay]

Okay dogs need exercise. But why take your dog out for a poo? What's the matter with letting it poo in your own garden rather than letting it spoil other people's enjoyment in public parks, grass verges, footpaths? I know! It's because you don't want your garden to be spoiled by dog poo. Well, do you think other people want their public space to be spoiled?

Ban extending leads. The more distance they allow, the less control there is.

As an aside and with regard to muzzling, how would you muzzle a dog like a pekinese?

[SoupDragon]

why take your dog out for a poo?

Because you take them out for a walk and they poo whilst out?

[SoupDragon]

There's nothing wrong with extending lead given you can lock them shorter than a standard lead.

[Doggygirl]

Totally agree - I posted yesterday about my dog getting attacked whilst on lead by dog off leash.

The very rude owners refused to pay vet bill, but coughed up in the end.