If your dog doesn't recall 100% reliably keep it on a lead!

[Nottherealslimshady]

Just had someone's dog get in my car!

Saw it coming so got my girl straight in the car and shut the door just as he came up to it. Went round to get in drivers side and it pushes past me to get in. Had to shout three times "will you come get your dog, he's getting in my car!" Ended up piss wet through standing in the rain trying to get his dog out while my dogs making it very clear she doesn't want to meet him.

I agree, if a dog's on lead in an area safe to let them off there's a reason and you should put yours on lead.

If your dog is snappy, bitey, or goes for other dogs, you should keep it on lead and muzzle it.

It's so nice to be able to do that, after 12 years frantically avoiding other people. I've discovered in the last few months that actually, 99% of dogs and their owners (around here) are normal and friendly, and don't want a scrap or a confrontation.

Yep, I'd honestly say that was true for most places. I work with dogs and am out daily and I very rarely meet anyone who isn't understanding of the fact that no dog is perfect.

@Mammyloveswine

I'm so sorry *@Nottherealslimshady* but I can't stop laughing! I'm picturing this dog sat with its paws on the steering wheel!

I've had a shocking time lately so I think that's why this has tickled me so much!

And you being really polite under the circumstances! Hats of to you! I'd have probably sworn!

When I lived in the country years ago, the meter reader came to my door, because my dog, a large pitty/boxer mix, had climbed into his car and was ensconced in the passenger seat when he was out looking at the electrical meter.

He was quite determined that wherever that car was going, he was going there too.

I don't think there is such a thing as a 100% reliable dog.

That being said, some people do seem a little clueless.

I so hope so @vanillandhoney - if you read too much Internet everybody's dog will savage yours and every owner will have a massive angry outburst if you don't get your dog back with military timing.

Of course there are a few grumpy people around but I haven't found many. Not everyone wants to chat but most dog owners are as delightfully sappy as me.

I admit I was a bit at the owner this morning who disappeared into the distance as her dog was emptying the public bin. I went over and managed to get most of it back in again, mainly in the interests of making sure he didn't come to any harm - he was scoffing something and I wasn't about to try and get it off him, but even if I had found him eating a cooked chicken carcass she wouldn't have heard me yelling. Luckily it was just some chips so I left him to it.

I so hope so @vanillandhoney - if you read too much Internet everybody's dog will savage yours and every owner will have a massive angry outburst if you don't get your dog back with military timing.

I take MN and Facebook threads about "errant dogs" with a huge pinch of salt

I'm a dog walker and have my own dog too, and I've only had a couple of negative experiences in the past three years. Most owners just want to walk their dogs and aren't interested in arguments or drama - I think if you follow the general rule of "approaching dog on lead = put your dog on lead" then you should be fine.

Well the Highway Code, rule 56, says:

Dogs. Do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders. (my bold)

So it looks as if the law expects the dog owner to keep the dog under control on pavements, roads and paths.

@contrmary thats your opinion and thankfully isn't law. My dog needs to be off lead.

@unicornpower I have a male lab and when he was an older puppy (from about 9 months) he used to get lots of aggression from other dogs. He was such a friendly dog and had good recall (at that time). Every time this happened the owners would claim their dogs weren’t normally like that! I think it was the fact he was an entire male who although looked like a puppy was getting quite big.

Anyway, he was attacked a few times and has become a bit nervous:m/reactive himself which is such a shame. I have to have him on lead most of the time. Except empty/quiet fields.

this is a little bit funny...some wine and cake for you...