Dogs on leads, yay or nay

[Aibutousethisname]

Genuinely interested in people's opinions on this. Should dogs be on leads in public places?
Yes =yanbu
No= yabu

When my MiL was in a care home
I used to take my dog in (with full permission). She (never owned a dog) loved it. And so did the other residents. It was amazing what worries it sparked among some. They'd tell me about dogs they'd owned it or known. And just smile at my dog's soppy face, and enjoy the touch element of stroking.
When MiL died I stopped doing it but maybe I ought ask the home if they'd like some visits....

@Bingbangbongbash I saw a news article quite a while ago now (maybe sky) that had children who were struggling with reading , were invited to go and read to dogs in kennels ,only suitable dogs who were a bit anxious . It really was quite amazing seeing the children and dogs helping each other

@ faffadoodledoo I hope if I end up in a care home someone does that , that would make my day 🐶 .🤗

I'm not sure I entirely agree with you about the avoidance in this case. It isn't like being scared of an immobile object, like a bridge, or something that's out of anyone's control, like a wasp. It's a human's pet, meaning it's fully mobile and under the ownership/control of a person.

When we walk our family dogs and someone approaches us, we call the dogs over, and either put them on a lead or just hold the collar until the people pass. I think in the instance of shared human space (because that's what we're talking about, we're not really talking real, off-road nature here, we're talking about paths and footways made by humans for other humans to use) then although both should ideally be accommodated, the onus should be on the people with the non-humans to give way.

Especially when the humans can't avoid using it - for example a bridle path parallel to a main road is sometimes used in place of a pavement, so there isn't one. It's unreasonable to tell a person to avoid it because a human's pet takes priority.

It's not that difficult if your dog is actually as well trained as everyone on this thread says theirs are. And I've never stood there hugging the dogs to me or restraining them, that's just ridiculous hyperbole - I just pause briefly to let people past. They understand the signal that I'm there and they don't need to be afraid to pass because I have hold of the dogs, both figuratively and literally. I'm out anyway, and I'm not in a rush, I'm basically there to wander aimlessly, it's not exactly a major hardship, is it?

Mine too @wildinthecountry
The funny thing was that MiL never owned a dog. She wasn't anti; they never had any pets at all. So I asked her to make sure she wanted me to do it, and kept checking. And she really did. It was definitely the tactile element she enjoyed, and the focus from another living thing who didn't judge her incapacitated state.
At least that's my take on it.

I agree. I very much doubt that the 19% who think that dogs don't need to be on a lead all own these types of dogs.

I agree. I very much doubt that the 19% who think that dogs don't need to be on a lead all own these types of dogs.

I would also be interested to know the breeds that the people who have said "it's cruel to keep dogs on a lead" own.

I work professionally with dogs and most of the people I work with, who go on lead walks with their dogs, have much better walks than the off lead walks 95% of people take their dogs on. This is because they are very engaged with their dogs the entire time, still go on a walk that the dog enjoys (regardless of a lead) and is in effect 'dog-led', the dog LIKES being near them and would opt for it anyway, and they know when to change the length of lead appropriately to a long line or similar. All of them are very happy and have great walks. Much nicer walks than dogs who are scampering about off lead but have no interest in their human counterpart, who is on their phone, or miles away from them, or has headphones in, or is generally not interacting with their dog.

There are some dogs that would struggle with being on lead as much but most people do not own them.

I have lived overseas and actually think UK (at least where I live) people are generally pretty responsible around dogs. My dogs are always on lead as they have very high prey drive. They also don't react well if other dogs get in their face. The vast majority of owners will see ours on lead and either take evasive action or put their dogs on lead.

As others have said you do still get the oblivious sort who do nothing, allow their dogs to approach boisterously. Even If I am shouting, 'mine are not friendly'. This just causes stress all around, I just don't understand people who do this. I think they probably just lack general self awareness in life. I always try to take evasive action - change direction, go as far to side as possible but some people will actively walk towards us - saying stuff like 'oh it will do him good to get told off by a bigger dog'

I am envious of some people who have dogs who just seem oblivious to other dogs/wildlife/livestock and keep away, doing their own thing. There is no reason for such dogs to be on leads, is lovely to see them living their best lives.

I also think parents often need to be more responsible with their children around dogs. Still see a lot of parents encouraging their young children (face height to the dog's face) to go and say hello to a completely strange and unknown dog. My dogs really don't like this - they have never reacted apart from try to move away but it makes me very uncomfortable. We have to say 'he is very scared and doesn't like to be touched'

I really think this is just a common sense issue. I have a working breed of dog, she needs some off lead running time otherwise she would be incredibly bored, as she's not actually owned as a working dog.

So she has a mixture. She has off lead walks with us, on rural footpaths where we meet next to no one. If a person is approaching, with or without a dog she is called to heel and she sits and waits until either that have passed us, or the person has let us know it's fine to release her. She has off lead walks in a secure field with her dog pals. And she has on lead walks, walking to heel or on a loose (none extending) lead. Those are either on roads, in town, or if I feel the footpaths are very narrow or busy then I will walk her on lead.

Our previous dog was anxious and reactive and we found walking her problematic because of other dogs approaching. So we have this in mind whenever we walk our new super friendly, high energy dog. All that's needed is for everyone to have respect for each other and we could all enjoy the outdoor spaces.

And what about the dog walkers who haven’t got time to wander aimlessly and actually are in a rush. In a park you’d never move if you did what you suggest. It appears you live rurally, many don’t. Children will come across dogs, they need to learn to just walk past, as my dog does with them. If I can get a dog to do it, except in cases of major send then a parent can get a child to do it.

I don't live rurally. At all, actually. I don't find this a problem, other than city Central London I can't think of anywhere that I would walk a dog that's so teeming with other people that I'd be stopping that frequently! Also if I'm in a hurry I'm not going to choose that second to walk a dog because the point of walking the dog is to take it for a walk for a reasonable space of time - not to go somewhere in particular in a rush!

Well every single park you are constantly passing people. You can take a dog for a decent walk without wandering aimlessly!

the solution is to train dogs to ignore people and just pass and parents to teach kids to do the same. It’s really not that hard. Also grabbing hold of your dog every time a person passes is likely to embed negative associations in both the dog and person. Just keep walking

Could those posters saying just teach your kid not to be scared and not to react, it's not that hard, please pop over and teach mine? Cos Ive been trying for a decade and I'm obviously a deficient parent 🙄

Well you need to go back to the beginning and find out why they react in that way to dogs.

Yes. Not that it overly helps, given I was attacked by a dog the other day. On a lead.

2 Dogs WERE on Leads when they were gunned down by Police

There was never an incident particularly, he wasn't bitten, just had many experiences of off lead dogs running past him, sniffing round his feet and occasionally jumping up. He hates the unpredictability. He's actually ok to pet and stroke a dog if it's on a lead because he knows the owner has control...which, as pointed out about isn't necessarily true actually anyway. It's not rational. Like most phobias, there's no point trying to reason with it. UK domestic spiders can't hurt you but how many people on here will insist they can't possibly go in a room with one. Doesn't stop every bloody dog owner who's let their pooch out of their sight talk to me like an idiot though about what I should "just" do.

@BibbleandSqwauk I've seen plenty of dogs 'under control' on leads rear up and jump, or lunge (not maliciously, but it's something they can do), and plenty of off lead dogs just sit nicely on command for a stroke. Leads are no guarantee of control!

Maybe seek professional help. Like most phobias if it’s impacting on quality of life you are best seeking help

This here.

And if a park has notices displayed at all entrances saying "All dogs must be on leads", that means ALL DOGS. It doesn't say "Except you if you don't want to". We walk our dog in the grounds of a 'stately home' near us (it's free to use the grounds for half the year) and I'm sick of encountering off-lead dogs, despite the clear signs about leads.

Yup , this is what annoys me , most people (non dog people) don't really understand that a dog can be not under control on a lead or a dog can be under control off a lead .

I was walking my daughter’s 2 yr lab in a country park today ( on her lead) I noticed 100 yards further ahead on the path a couple with 3 large dogs all off the leads. Not sure what breed, looked like labrador cross. Large heavy dogs. The dogs were looking back at us when suddenly all 3 of them came bounding along the path towards us barking all the way. The owner called them to stop but it fell on deaf ears. I felt physically sick as I thought they were going to pounce. My dog froze and they completely encircled her with me on the outside of the circle still holding her lead. The owner eventually caught up with them and said in a silly voice “oh you have to say hello nicely boys, don’t be rough! I didn’t want to inflame the situation so didn’t say what I was thinking ie “we don’t want to say hello to your 3 out of control dogs, put them on a fuckin lead!

Should have let yours off so they could have all had a play, she probably felt very reactive being trapped on the lead like that

@Jitterybugs this is why i use a whistle. Trained from 8 weeks with a whistle and recall is much simpler. some people just don't have commanding or loud enough voices to recall (even if their dogs are trained!). My dog turns on a sixpence at the sound and pitch of his whistle.