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.

[Oldraver]

Even though there are guidlines re out of control dog its hard to get anyone to act on it.

DS and OH have been chased and nipped while on their bikes I have also been chased and DS nipped a second time. The owner was as agressive as the dog screeching that he wouldn't do any harm and was just being friendly. It took two PCSO's nearly an hour to explain and try to get her to understand how a dog chasing a cyclist and nipping them made them feel frightened of her 'friendly' dog.

She was warned to keep it on a lead but didnt, however the police didnt really want to follow the second incident through as she was moving and this to them would remove the threat

The dog is now terrorizing the OAP's housing it is now in in and the police have had to become involved

Thames Valley Police, I am looking at you............

[kittentwo]

We havetwo labs an 8 year old who is very well behaved and a year old who is getting better. They play together an recall is great but the younger one is still selectively deaf at times and very bouncy. I do lots of apologising but we always start off on an empty field it isnt always easy to spot other owners in time but I feel she needs to practice or she will never get better. She stopped today and came back but just isn't 100 percent yet. I dont mind dogs off leads if they are friendly if yours isnt muzzle it as well as keep it on a lead.

[shadowfax07]

Depends what type of extending lead, SoupDragon. I loathe the string ones, I've seen too many horrific injuries. The tape ones are fine in certain circumstances, I use one myself when I walk our dog on the canal bank. It means he gets a bit more freedom but I can keep him out of the water (hopefully).

[holeinmyheart]

However awful the behaviour of the dog lovers dog, it will not make any difference to a dog lover. My friends dog nipped my Grandsons face and she did absolutely nothing. The dog still lay on the Sofa with loads of small children running around it.The dog is king in her house. I love her to bits but she has a totally irresponsible attitude towards all dogs.
She is highly intelligent, what the heck is wrong with her.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

hole

She's a total arse?

[SoupDragon]

I was responding to the comment that extending leads should be banned as they give less control.

I use one with SoupDoggyDogg as his ears and nose don't work at the same time. He wouldn't get any kind of walk at all without one.

[specialsubject]

dogs do jump up on people, they are trying to greet you. I mind this less if I am already dressed for a muddy walk than if I am wearing something smart. But I always mind to some extent as I have no idea if the animal will bite.

all those whose ickle-poochie-woo would never 'insert bad behaviour here' might wish to note: had to assist an elderly neighbour the other day when her dog would not return when called for the first time ever. The dog is also getting old and its behaviour is changing.

no harm done on this occasion, and she is going to change what she does to prevent escape. She's a good person who knows that the dog is a bundle of instincts that doesn't think.

I quite like dogs, but on my terms.

[bubalou]

Yanbu

And people who say 'but the dog isn't aggressive' is fucking pointless.

I have a very nervous 9 year old JR who is epileptic.

He is always on a lead because nervous dogs like him can tend to act out at other dogs if they feel nervous or threatened.

We constantly have fucking idiots let their dog run up to mine off lead and then my dog tries to fight them off and I always end up having a go at the owners.

My dog is on a lead for a reason. If your dog isn't well enough trained that it will come to you and walk past
other dogs without bothering them it should be on a lead.

Yes my dog has had fits twice from being attacked by dogs off leads.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Get a Yellow Ribbon then. www.yellowdoguk.co.uk . There are actions you can take. There is a choice.

[bubalou]

They're a great idea wasytoeattiger

However I have one

Seems to make no fucking difference! Haha

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I have no problem with dogs under close control (not a dog owner).

But two things I wanted to say:

A jogger should not have to slow down for dogs. If your dog instinctively chases moving objects surely it should be on a short leash?

I think it is possible to train your dog to shit at home/on command. Dont guide dogs do this?

[ExitPursuedByABear]

kitten. No I won't muzzle my on lead dog just because your youngster might approach him. As I have said, he is all bark and no bite, your dog is your responsibility.

[kittentwo]

Thata great all bark an no bite is fine as a youngster it does her good to be put in her place by an older dog but there is a massive difference between true aggression and an older dog telling a pup whos boss I have no problem with that my older one puts her in her place all the time .

[Behindthepaintedgarden]

Those extendable leads drive me mad. Yes, some dog owners have common sense and retract them when people are around, but others don't bother and their dog might as well be running free. Are there any regulations about how those leads should be used in public spaces?

Re dog parks, there's one in my local park (Marley Park in Dublin). It still doesn't stop lots of selfish dog owners allowing their dogs to run around off the leash in the main part of the park where children are playing and elderly people are walking around

[SoupDragon]

Those extendable leads drive me mad.

No, crap dog owners drive you mad.

[Owllady]

My dog can be a bit sharp with other dogs so I keep her on the lead with dogs we don't know (she's a collie too kelp, a young one)

[Nearasdammit]

Stance A) that dogs should be able to interact with other dogs at will especially if they're not aggressive and that anyone who disagrees is a dog hater and if their dog reacts it's THEM who is BU.

Stance B) that dogs who can't be trusted not to run up to people/other dogs should be kept on lead until their recall/ability to ignore distractions is reliable, and that preventing your dog from approaching others until you've checked it's ok is Just Very Rude at best.

Stance A tends to be taken by people who either can't control their dogs, or are Very Rude, or both.

Stance B tends to be taken by people who have manners, or know a bit about dogs, or both.

[Nearasdammit]

*NOT preventing

[FisherQueen]

Just because it would do your dog good to be told off by an older dog kitten doesn't make it good for the dog doing the telling off, it can set back training and cause stress and real harm to the dog being harassed. My older dog is on lead, muzzled and walked in quiet places at quiet times or in parks that are on lead only. Just because he can't harm another dog hasn't stopped him having seizures when he has been repeatedly harassed by a dog that is unable to socialise correctly (and yes a dog that ignores the clearly uncomfortable/avoid body language he displays before he even gets to the vocal displays is poorly socialised and a bully).

[SoonToBeMrsB]

Totally agree. My dog isn't great with other dogs so he is never allowed off his lead but I hate taking him to the park because everyone and their granny allows their dogs to run wild. I've actually had to lift my dog up and remove him from the area because other dogs come running up, getting him all stressed and their owners do nothing.

[Nearasdammit]

Exactly FisherQueen.

My dog is very good at telling other dogs off if they come too close and she feels threatened but I don't want her practising that behaviour thank you very much. I've spent a long time getting her to be more comfortable around other dogs and just one bad incident is enough to set her back WEEKS. Sorry but I'm not willing to let her feel uncomfortable just so that some muppet who can't/won't show some consideration can have their dog "taught a lesson". Teach your own dog!!

[Nearasdammit]

For those who, for whatever reason need their on lead dog NOT to be approached by other dogs, one thing I've found incredibly useful is a "Watch Me" cue.

If there's a dog in the distance that has spotted your dog and looks like it might be thinking about coming over, asking your dog to hold eye contact with you, rather than eyeballing the other dog is sometimes enough to cause the other dog to lose interest in yours.

Not comparing this with LAT and similar techniques - but since I've been asking for a watch I've noticed FAR FAR fewer other dogs have even bothered coming over.

[paxtecum]

I'm with Sunshine.
I thought puppies went to 'socialisation' classes, so they learn to say hello to each other, ie sniff each other's rear ends and then play or trot off.

Luckily where I live 99% of dog walkers think the same and enjoy watching the dogs chase around.

[Nearasdammit]

Sigh. They don't HAVE to be aggressive to be a nuisance. The OP states that a bigger dog SCARED the other, smaller dogs by chasing them for ages.

That is NOT socialisation. That is possibly setting the other dogs up for having issues. But hey it's ok because the big dog was having fun eh?!

[EasyToEatTiger]

How do YOU know????