To have assumed it was common courtesy among dog walkers

[SomewhereInbetween1]

To put your dog on a lead if you see another owner do so to their dog once they've spotted you? Especially if your dog's recall is a little sketchy? I've seen a lot of owners put their dogs on the lead at the sight of other dogs because they may, for instance, not get along with other dogs. But if the other dogs are off the lead and so still able to approach the one on the lead, it entirely defeats the effort. Anyone had any experience with this?

LucieLucie I am teaching my dog how to socialise with other dogs. Initially a friend's dog and my neighbour' dog; dogs and people we know, dogs whose temperaments are sound and owned by understanding people happy to help, in situations where we can control their interactions and set my dog up for success.

It's not for strangers to decide how and whether my dog is "socialised" especially if what's actually going on is a free-for-all with the other dog being unable to read the signals (despite supposedly being so "well-socialised" themselves that my dog is giving off that their attention is unwanted.

Blackfell your poor dog I am so sorry . A behaviourist advised me not to socialize my dog also (well not to allow unfamiliar dogs to come over).

I've read back through the posts on this thread and have to say I am disgusted and at the ignorant, selfish attitude some people have. I see many of them claiming to have experience in dog ownership but it seems like they need educating. I actually don't care if I get flamed for saying that.

"The world is seriously messed up when people think that a dog under control on a lead is more of a pest than one running up to anyone"

It's because dogs are supposed to be 'nice' - not being friendly to everyone they meet is the biggest failing a dog can have, I've lost count of how many times I've been told that dogs like that shouldn't be out... as if I'd have him out in public if I had any other option.

What never occurs to people is that my dog is nice, he's a big soppy lump who will quite happily let me clip his skin infections (allergies) dremmel his nails.

That every single specialist, behaviourist and trainer comments on how well trained he is - because he is, he's got more commands than you can shake a stick at, has been trained to do things like empty my washing machine for me, has done enough scentwork that I can get him to sniff something, hide it in the next room and he'll go hunt it out.

But because I can't convince him that other dogs aren't going to hurt him - because they frequently do...people see the couple of minutes where he's hugely stressed by a dog coming over to him.

And that's it, he's not a nice dog, so he shouldn't be upsetting their walk, even though they've caused the issue to start with, it's not their fault because their dog is nice.

Tabula your dog sounds lovely.

Ditto Tabula. PageDog is brilliant at scentwork and retrieving, and is so soft with people that more than one person has suggested he should be a PAT dog.

Blackfell I'm so sorry to hear of your poor dog's experience, that must have been incredibly traumatic for both of you.

Lucie - maybe the fact you meet a lot of uptight owners says more about you than anyone else. Most people I meet are considerate and responsible. Socialising a fear aggressive dog is a really slow and careful process - your 'friendly' dog is making things worse.

Blackfell - your poor dog, that must have been awful and all because of stupid, irresponsible people!

Thanks everyone- it was awful at the time and I nearly had him PTS as I couldn't cope with a dog so worried about everything but he's happy in his bubble as long as it isn't invaded by idiots

Why should my dog not be able to mind his own business and walk beside me without being pestered? He has very defensive body language that a well socialised dog can see a mile off is warning everyone to back off. The ones that do approach are NOT socialised at all.

My dog is also lovely at home and is the soppiest beast once he trusts you.

I do see the other side, I have a lovely second dog who adores people but even so I always put him on lead too as I don't want him to go around pestering other people. Lots of children love the 'black wolf' but it's hard to tell who is scared or hates dogs or just wants a peaceful walk without a dog sniffing them.

I generally know the dogs near me who struggle with other dogs. I will put mine on a lead too, or if Pup is in a sensible listening mood I might keep her off the lead but very close. Or make her sit and wait.

I don't think that people should rely on the unwritten rules as much, and should just talk! And say the reason why - instead of putting your dog on the lead and expecting the other dog owner to copy (there could be loads of reasons why you put your dog on the lead, just a poor recall around dogs but happy to meet and play on the lead? Practising catching your dog and letting it off again? Got to the end of your walk? or saying 'please put your dog on the lead' to be met with 'mine is friendly'. I much prefer people waved at me and said - I'm training/my dog is aggressive/don't worry my dog just won't come back if he starts playing.

If I notice someone putting their dog on a lead who I don't know, I will usually ask dog to sit, and then call out to the other owner to ask if they want her on the lead.

I met a woman this morning walking a staffie who was bowling over every dog it encountered, she was about to leave the park so had just put it on the lead. "Oh", she said "You're so lucky, your dogs just walked past my dog but he jumps on everyone". Well newsflash, they didn't ping out of their mother knowing that it's wrong to approach dogs on leads (or jump on children or pull my arm out of its socket...) you have to teach them manners, the same as you do children.