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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs off lead in park - AIBU?

86 replies

SneakyGremlins · 04/10/2018 13:34

We have a pretty large park in town. Two play areas, two lakes full of birds, and then a wooded clearing. People walk their dogs in the park. Not an issue. People let their dogs off the lead in the clearing to play fetch - I'm not too bothered about that if they don't approach me.

However - AIBU to think dogs should be on leads in the rest of the park? Especially when they go after the birds and the owner just stands there looking gormless. There are no signs in the park regarding leads but surely it's common sense to keep a dog on a lead around birds/other dogs/small children.

I don't have a dog so not sure if I'm just being grumpy - AIBU?

OP posts:
QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 19:56

I think most animals enjoy the sport... Pissedoffdotcom My dog has never killed another animal, he just likes the chase, I'm ok with that.

Pissedoffdotcom · 04/10/2018 19:58

Hey, your dog, your decision. OP asked for opinions. Mine is that if you cannot recall your dog every time - regardless of what small prey animals are around - you shouldn't have it off the lead. Dog owners moan that there are so many rules now & wonder why non-dog owners hate us so much. Shit recall is probably the main bugbear usually accompanied by 'oh my dog is friendly don't worry

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 20:04

I don't moan about more rules - we have amazing facilities on our doorstep - lots of public footpaths, at least 3 commons with 2 miles and massive parks. Bars, hotels, shops and restaurants are becoming increasingly dog friendly - I think we are very lucky. Grin

FinnegansWhiskers · 04/10/2018 20:06

I guess there's a few MNetters who haven't seen the freezers in raw pet food shops then... Rows of rabbits with fur on, day old chicks, chickens and ducks complete with feathers etc. The fur of the animal is a natural wormer. Dogs do so much better on raw food.

Dogs have a natural prey drive. Something runs, they will chase. I've owned dogs most of my life. None have ever caught a squirrel or a bird... I wouldn't let them chase ducks, swans, geese or any birds that were swimming though. Or cats and I fucking hate cats But I have no problem with them chasing birds who can fly away easily. The dog gets the exercise it needs. The bird flies away and taunts the dog.

All these posts from non dog owners telling dog owners how to train the perfect dog gets a bit wearing. I take my dogs out every day, at least twice a day. I rarely encounter the problems with other dogs that non dog owners seem to experience all the time...

My dogs have excellent recall. They walk to heel when requested. There is no need for them to be continually on lead. They need to exercise - like us all really.

Some dog owners are clueless I agree, and their dog gets the blame, but on the whole I have found most dog owners allow their dogs off lead only when it's safe to do so.

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 20:11

We had a pheasant in our garden last Christmas the dog was very excited - putting it mildly and that pheasant didn't have a chance - they are crap at flying on short notice - we got the pheasant out of the garden before letting our ferocious beast loose in the garden. Pigeons on the other hand have chosen to nest in our garden, every bloody year and they are fair game - he is never going to tire of telling them to fuck off, but also very unlikely to get one - should we not let our beast into the garden?!

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 20:12

Or is it only birds in parks that deserve protecting?

Pissedoffdotcom · 04/10/2018 20:13

Quantum compared to places i've lived like Germany we have so many restrictions i think! Where you live sounds almost blissful...we are limited where i am.

I feed my dogs raw. That still doesn't mean they get to chase small animals for fun (and they don't). And it's interesting how a lot of dog owners say their pets have excellent recall...unless there is a (insert small prey animal here) in which case the dog goes deaf. If that's the case, then no, your dog doesn't have excellent recall 😂

FinnegansWhiskers · 04/10/2018 20:22

Most dog owners who feed raw wouldn't recall their dog for chasing a squirrel. Free dinner!.... Except they won't catch it.. Dogs don't climb trees 😂

Collaborate · 04/10/2018 20:24

I'm having great fun reading all the sanctimonious posts aghast at my dog chasing squirrels. You guys rock!

Seriously, you ought to get out more. She's only got close to one once, and swerved to avoid colliding with it. She's a submissive Labrador, who has great recall, and would stop a chase on my command any time. But I choose not to stop her chasing birds and squirrels, as she loves it. And I don't really care what you think about it.

CherryPavlova · 04/10/2018 20:25

Dogs shouldn’t be in children’s playgrounds but most are fenced.
Parents and dog owners should be mutually respectful but sadly that’s not always the case.
Our dog has good recall. We rarely put him on a lead but then we don’t take him to children’s parks. The parents who actively encourage children to approach my big, loud dog who is frightened of children are irresponsible. I get quite cross with them telling me their children love dogs as they run towards him.i dislike shouting at children but if their parents won’t protect them.....
He does chase squirrels, pheasants, deer, farm cats but wouldn’t have a clue what to do with them if he caught them. He has never been successful yet and he’s fast. Its what dogs do.

Yerroblemom1923 · 04/10/2018 20:26

If your dogs are well trained then free range is fine but I don't want nasty fierce ones jumping up at me or my dd (e.g. Rottweilers, Doberman, German shepherds , akitas etc etc yes, I'm sure they "wouldn't hurt a fly" but my dog phobic dd doesn't know that)Off leash is fine but you have to be able to call them back if they run towards people. Simple.

Pissedoffdotcom · 04/10/2018 20:28

I clearly run with a different breed of dog owners. Allowing your dog to chase other animals on our local heath/quarry is very highly frowned upon. But, as i said above...your dog, your decision. Not hard to see why non-dog owners get the hump & label us all privileged etc tho!

Mc180768 · 04/10/2018 20:37

Where I live, there are a lot of dogs. We have a dog walking group that meet each afternoon.

The children's play area does have clear signs that dogs should be on a lead. I agree with this entirely. My dog is very sociable and although little, Shiuh Tzu, he thinks that everybody is his mate. I know he'd run to the children's play area if I let him. He doesn't jump up though. His recall is poor.

On the open fields, we allow our dogs to have a run. It's a huge field which has had a bike path placed in it. There's plenty enough room for our dogs to roam loose and still allow the kids to have their space.

We manage in our area to have time together on our green spaces and for the most part, our local dog owners appear pretty responsible.

FinnegansWhiskers · 04/10/2018 20:38

Pissed off...you feed your dogs raw? Would that be proper raw or minced little furry animals? Either way your dogs food come from the animals you seem to like being seen to protect.

Fact is very rarely will a dog kill - or even catch - a squirrel, rabbit or bird. We have to leave it to humans to kill your dogs food I'm afraid.... Unless it's a pheasant or grouse that dogs have been trained, by humans, to kill and retrieve for human consumption.

bettytaghetti · 04/10/2018 20:38

@FinnegansWhiskers mine does! The first time the squirrel ran up the tree, dog followed, squirrel was so shocked it leapt out the other side followed by dog, who fortunately was okay! She's tried several other methods of coming down since & think that's the main reason for deterring her from climbing more trees: doesn't like the descent bit!

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 21:14

He catches wasps and flies and kills them too - sometimes they get him, mostly there are plenty of corpses lying at the base of the glass doors - should I keep him away from the windows and doors too or are wasps not part of the favoured species.

missyB1 · 04/10/2018 21:27

My dog has been having a ball with spider season, she’s munching every one she finds! Does that make me an evil irresponsible dog owner?
In our town park lots of dogs are off lead and no one gives a hoot, mine isn’t but that’s only because she thinks toddlers are puppies and wants them to play with her. The kids probably wouldn’t mind but I don’t want parents freaking out.

IamMoana · 04/10/2018 21:45

What about being told off for feeding the birds, as their dog (off the lead) is on a diet and keeps eating the bread. In a busy park full of families/other dogs/birds/squirrels. It's a nuisance, so this woman told me & my 3 year old. If I can prevent my 3 year old from hoovering the bread off the floor, surely a dog is no problem either? Grin

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 21:47

There's a sign up requesting that no one feeds the bird bread at our local pond.

IamMoana · 04/10/2018 21:51

These are pigeons (wish we had a park lovely enough for a pond)

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 21:56

Everyone should have a park lovely enough for a pond!

QuantumGroan · 04/10/2018 21:58

But pigeons are a pest and I definitely would not be feeding them - but I wouldn't admonish someone for doing so.

Alltootrue2u · 04/10/2018 21:58

We live in the country and my dogs not only chase but sometimes catch birds. One has had a squirrel and a mouse too. I don’t see a problem, they haven’t broken any laws. Dogs are carnivores and carnivores chase and catch prey some times. It’s a booody sparrow so I’m not going to loose any sleep
Over it!

Alltootrue2u · 04/10/2018 22:00

Utter rubbish! Most dogs have a strong prey drive - it’s innate!

Wolfiefan · 04/10/2018 22:03

Strong prey drive?
Mine has a strong play drive. Grin
I caught her with a hedgehog the other week. Carefully sniffing it and trying to make out what it was. Not all dogs are the same.