To think one of the rules should be dogs on leads at this time?

[ShesGotBetteDavisEyes]

Went for a walk as a family today down some country lanes near us. We knew we would pass a few people but the paths are quite wide so it’s easy to keep your distance, as we and most other people did.

Except three separate lots of dog owners who allowed their dogs to run over to all of us, repeatedly jumping up at us and pawing at our clothes.

One of the women was letting her two dogs run around our feet and not calling them away (in fact was laughing indulgently) so I shouted “you know, usually we would pet them but the virus can live on dogs fur so could you call them away?” She and her companion looked a bit surprised and said “oh, we haven’t heard that?” They STILL didn’t call them right away.

It actually really annoyed me. We are taking the care to lecture our kids about not touching anything, keeping their distance moving to the side to let people pass etc. and then dogs are just running and jumping up/brushing against us whilst their owners smile & laugh ffs! What is the actual point of doing all this if it can be passed on by a dog? We have to keep the kids away but dogs are allowed to run rampage?

AIBU to suggest Boris puts a “dogs on leads” rule in his next speech?

YANBU and I'm a dog lover with a dog!

There are definitely people on both sides who do the wrong thing. I certainly do not hate dogs but IME the vast majority of dog owners literally couldn't care less whether other people like their dog or want to be in contact with their dog, they just assume that everyone likes their dog just as much as they do. They will not intervene but simply stand there doing the whole aww isn't he cute pushing his nose into your hands/legs/crotch, oh and look haha he tried to jump up at you, that means he likes you! And oh don't worry, he's not biting it's only gentle, it's his way of exploring the world, and you know dog saliva is actually cleaner than the toilet...etc blah blah blah.

Obviously there are some dog owners who don't do this (can you come and live near me please?) but most I've met are exactly like the above. It's obnoxious and rude, virus or no virus.

I generally like dogs, but some owners really do put me off.

Yes. For every considerate dog owner like QueenMab or Bellad there is another one who doesn’t give a toss. These threads always demonstrate it.

Yes there are some considerate and responsible dog owners keeping them on leads, in parks as well.

Parks are potentially dangerous places at the moment now the fenced off no dogs allowed children play areas are inaccessible

Can I just say a big thanks to the responsible dog owners

I'm a dog owner and I don't like off-lead dogs. I can handle them, know how to read their body language and I don't hesitate to tell off or grab a dog if it jumps up etc. I also keep mine on her lead at all times.

Honestly though, at the best of times I sometimes don't know what to do. I've been shouted at for my dog going even within a meter of someone (thankfully not often), and I've had people get angry because I wouldn't let my dog go to them. I keep her away by default now, only to hear people grumble passive-aggressively, "We're not going to give your dog Corona"...

I've been shouted at for my dog going even within a meter of someone

I tend to start to get upset while jogging if a dog comes within a couple of feet. Why? Because I then become the person who has to watch with hypervigilance to pick where that dog is going to make sure a) I don't accidentally hurt the dog and b) it doesn't then respond to a command from its owner and dramatically change direction across my path and trip me up (happens regularly sadly, the owners are often around the bend of the path) and c) the dog doesn't decide to then get aggressive (sadly, this has happened too. I have been bitten and chased too often)

I am not saying this JMoore to be goady, and not implying that your dog would do any of these things. I am just trying to highlight why as a someone might react negatively to a dog being even one metre away and not on a leash or close to the owner.

YANBU. I have a dog and for the moment her walks are in a lead as she has not long had an operation. Even before Coronavirus I can’t count the amount of times I had to ask owners whose dogs were off lead to come and get them off my dog. Often people can’t recall their dogs and end up coming over to pull their dog off mine. Previously that was sort of annoying, now it’s infuriating and making dog walks stressful.

My dog doesn’t like other dogs, she is always on a lead. I try to keep her away from other dogs, get off the path, shout out to dog owners who have dogs off the lead, they usually put them on except for the few who think their dogs will do what they are told, they don’t, they usually pass and then come back, cue barking and straining on the lead from my dog. In my experience, those who think their dogs are well behaved are usually those who are most likely to cause problems. For f**ks sake, Just keep your dog on a lead for now, honestly it is not too much to ask during these exceptional times and stop being so entitled.

@Flaxmeadow
Yes.
He is not aggressive or dangerous, he exhibits anxiety aggression.
Two very different things.
I suppose resent was the wrong word to use, I feel sad that I now need to keep him on the lead, that's all.
😊

Personally I prefer people to dogs. I can have a 2 way conversation with them for starters

That’s precisely why I prefer dogs.

Ah I see you don't like people to disagree with you!

@Winesalot I completely agree with you. My dog is always when we are out (except at places like the dog beach or dog park) and I keep her under control. An unleashed dog can be a hazard for all kinds of reasons. I keep my eyes on her especially when there are joggers, actually, because she would like to run along with them.

I also don't like when strangers just start petting my dog. I know that she is cute and cuddly and looks like a teddy bear, but that doesn't mean that she wants to be touched all the time. And right now that means people come closer to me than they should.

JMoore I have seen just as many dog owners who certainly agree with you there too, about strangers patting their dogs. And many who express the frustration that uncontrolled dogs are a problem for their own well-behaved dogs.

It made me a little sad to read about the farmer who shot the dog during lambing. Sad that they had to do it to protect their own animals. Sad that the owner lost their dog because maybe they were unaware of the need, but also probably did not check.

There were no winners in that situation.

In New Zealand the government have ordered all dogs must be kept on leads, and have closed the dog parks.

Their government has been much more on the ball with everything

Whilst I agree that dogs should be kept on a lead in busy areas such as small green spaces in urban areas - out of consideration to others , the OP proposed a sledge hammer to crack a nut. It is not reasonable to suggest that all dogs should be leashed at all times. Why should my dog be leashed? He is the small black dot in the middle of this vast expanse (no livestock nearby either)

Just to add, on the walk down to the Common he was leashed and carrying his own social distancing device

@LimitIsUp I don't have a dog phobia, but like most people who are not dog lovers, I don't like dogs that I don't know jumping up at me and scratching me. That's not a phobia. And you sound unpleasant. Carry on doing what you like then, and I'll carry on feeling nervous and trying my best not to show it. Have a good time with your dog.

I think it should have been a rule before this that dogs should be on leads at all times.

Sucks for those that actually train their dogs, but the number that don't bother or try but do a crap job of it outnumber you greatly.

I've lost count of how many times I've found dogs coming into my horses field. He's terrified of dogs after being chased by one, and now he will attack them to defend himself. He's a big animal. I don't have to tell you what will happen to your dogs head if he kicks it, or tries to trample the dog.

And look at all of the farmers who are having dog owners taking their dogs into fields, letting them chase sheep and not giving a crap.

Then of course how many times dogs have attacked people, adults and children. How many kids have been killed in the past year from dogs attacking them?

It's not worth it, for the sake of £5 on a lead. Like I say, it sucks for those that bother, but I know I, farmers and other people are fed up of the idiots who spoil it for everyone else.

I sound unpleasant? Wow

SudokuQueen - a lot of people find horse riders a nuisance. How would you feel if it was proposed that horse riders shouldn't be allowed on public roads but only on private property for instance?

I've been shouted at for my dog going even within a meter of someone

Your dog shouldn't be going within a metre of someone. Covid or not.
My dog is on a lead for a reason. He can be very protective of me. He will stay on a lead until he proves himself and his recall is perfect. It really really pisses me off people just allowing their dog to run up to him when ive asked them not to.
If your dog does not have perfect recall, do not have it off a lead.

@LimitIsUp

I don't go on the roads anymore because I can't trust the rest of you not to hit me and drive off, as so many do now. A lot of riders feel the same now. But if you're going to ban horse riders from the roads, you'll have to ban cyclists too.

Difference with us is we aren't causing a danger on the road. If you just wait a few minutes or even seconds, you'll get past no problem, safely and everyone will be alive. But not wanting to wait, being impatient to pass, can cause the horse to spook, or the driver tries to pass at a bad moment. You're forgetting that we are on top of half a ton of animal that has a brain, and a strong flight instinct. They can leap sideways at about 40mph in a split second, when spooked. That's when well trained as well.

Overall though I wouldn't mind. At least it would save the lives of many people and horses who could be killed on the road.

sudoko I know exactly what you mean about horses and out of control dogs, but people are a far bigger problem. Entitled wankers are the same whether they own dc, dogs, or neither. And tbh I can think of far more instances of harm or death to horses because of people than dogs. And that's not including shit driving, just through feeding them, dumping rubbish, trespassing etc.

I don't see why a dog owner such as limit should be punished for idiots with dogs, anymore than every family should be punished for idiot families.

I wouldn't personally ban horse riders or cyclists, I highlighted this as an analogous situation, and whilst you might be happy with it I very much doubt that most riders would agree. I wouldn't want riders or cyclists banned from the road (and yes I do find the presence of both on the road a bit irritating sometimes - but you wouldn't know because I slow down and give plenty of space) because I believe that in society we all need to be tolerant and appreciate that we can't have things just exactly our own way. A few posters on this thread definitely need to reflect upon this

As I have said - dogs should be on a lead in certain scenarios (busy public areas / alongside fields of livestock etc)- but again, consider the picture of my lone dog in the middle of empty acres of countryside (this was taken at lunch time today) and give me a good reason why he should be leashed?