To think people who own dogs should walk them?

[BWatchWatcher]

Walking my son to his swimming lesson yesterday at the local pool I passed the following:

Guy standing in the middle of enclosed astroturf football pitches.
He had two large dogs off the lead, they were running around the pitch, peeing on it and generally being dogs.

On the other side of the path, guy sitting in enclosed and largely abandoned playground while his dog played.

Just 30 seconds away (really!!) from them was a greenway in which millions had been invested. Lovely paths, perfect for dog walking.

I have nothing against dogs, they are lovely. I'm sure the next guy out playing football on the astroturf will appreciate the dog pee.

There is a fashion for cockapoos round here. And lots of people who'll tell you that they don't really need much exercise, just the 10 min to the school and back twice a day will do. Then they go on to tell you how their dogs can't be left in the house unless inside their crate because they're so naughty and destructive.

It's more about people walking their dog in an appropriate place.
Right near the astroturf in a large green walkway. Perfect for dog walking. Dogs even go off the leas further down where it's quiet.
Instead person 1 shut themselves and their dogs in an astroturf football pitch and stood there looking at their phone while their dogs peed (how many ees in peed?) on it.
Person 2 sat in a children's enclosed play area while their dog romped over it again peeing.
I know dogs need to play and run around, by why couldn't the people show consideration for others and use the lovely space allocated to them for their dog as opposed to a football ground or kid's play area?

You're not listening
Some dog owners like/need for their dogs to be enclosed, so they don't run

That's not the way you said it though op.

ferris I agree some dogs need an enclosed space to run in. But an astroturf pitch or a children's play area are not the places to do it

They need to find an appropriate enclosed space if they are worried their dog won't come back if off the lead. That's all there is to it.

Yes, and an astroturf pitch/playground isn't an appropriate enclosed space.

When I had large breed dogs, they couldn't go off lead due to their high prey drive. I'd walk them for a few miles first, make sure they'd been to the toilet and then let them have an off lead run in the basketball court which was enclosed and no one ever used anyway. They needed a good run/play that they just didn't get on a lead. I wouldn't have let them do this if I knew the area was used, or on Astroturf though.

My neighbour has two large breed dogs and a medium breed dog. They never, ever walk them. They are allowed access to a small, concrete square of garden and they do not have any opportunities to run. I think this is horribly cruel and as they have 5 children, I do worry about the pent up energy leading to aggression. However it's none of my business.

I have 2 dogs, one getting on a bit and one younger and with more energy. We walk about 4 mile round trip, every other day, and the days in between I take them to the field or the park (not kids play area or footie pitch) and they mooch and sniff and I'll throw the ball for the younger one while the older one pretty much does what she wants, either chases with the other dog, sniffs about or lays in the sun. I'll sometimes sit on a bench and have a rest for me the older dog on our long walks.
YANBU to say dog owners should walk dogs, or that astro turf football pitches or play areas are suitable for exercising dogs. I think you've been unreasonable to assume that for the dogs you saw, that was their only exercise.

TBH I'm more concerned with the dogs that don't get walked. I don't agree with the Astro pitch and the child's playground but I suspect that's because there isn't another enclosed space.

I don't agree with big dogs off lead at all in public places. I'm scared of them. Lots of people find them intimidating. Don't get a big powerful breed unless you have private land to exercise it! I hate going for walks and having a Rottweiler bound up to me on a canal path or a GS sniffing me in the park. It puts me off enjoying the outdoors.

Why can't dog owners walk their dog on-lead, then let it off in their garden?

ducks
Er, because dog owners have as much right to enjoy the outdoors as you do? I don't particularly like feral children in cafes or smokers in outdoor eating areas, but I would never suggest that my not liking them outranks their right to do what they want. You know, because I don't think the world revolves around me and my wants.

Private land to exercise it !

Most people want to let their dogs off because they can actually run around instead of being restricted to walking on a lead.

Obviously though people should use their common sense. Some dogs just shouldn't be let off in areas where there are other dogs, children etc. I learned that very quickly after I let off a large breed dog I'd rescued that I'd trained perfectly to recall. Whole beach was empty. She literally climbed a cliff face and dived right into the centre of a picnicking family at the top. She'd scoffed the lot by the time I'd reached her - they were absolutely furious and I was mortified. Never been so embarrassed in my life. She didn't go off ever again unless we were enclosed.

Why is it your business OP?

I have two dogs. I also have 3 children under 6 (SP), a business to run, elderly parents to care for so sometimes my dogs don't get a "proper" walk because naturally all the above have to come first. I will always take them for at least a walk around the block but if it's a nice day like this then they go and burn off some energy running around the park rather than going for a walk.

because dog owners have as much right to enjoy the outdoors as you do? I don't particularly like feral children in cafes or smokers in outdoor eating areas, but I would never suggest that my not liking them outranks their right to do what they want

Are you scared of feral children and smokers? Are they a threat to your safety?

Dogs are unpredictable. Big breeds are intimidating to people especially children. It's basic manners to keep your big dogs on leads in public. Why is the countryside less enjoyable for you just because your dog is on a lead? No-one's saying don't go outdoors, just stop spoiling it for other people!

As for exercising them in playgrounds and basketball courts, I think that's very rude and inconsiderate. keep it on a lead if it's in danger of running off (or in your garden). Dogs spread toxoplasmosis in playgrounds. I'm fed up of seeing dog shit in the local park and cleaning it off DC's shoes. I had to tell someone to get their dog out of the toddler sandpit yesterday (despite big signs up saying no dogs in the play area)

I can't run my dogs off lead in a basketball court that's not used because local hooligans ripped the hoops off? After I've ensured they've been to the toilet so they don't poo in there and there's more risk of my dogs being hurt by broken alcohol bottles and cigarette ends left there by teenagers?

Sorry, but if a safe and enclosed area is not in use then I'll use it for my dogs. I already said I wouldn't ever use astroturf or anywhere there was a risk of children playing.