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Original poster

Dogs on leads, yay or nay

373 replies

Aibutousethisname · 16/05/2023 13:15

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Bartg · 17/05/2023 07:53

I have a dog who I let off lead when appropriate places. But I would actually much prefer a world where all dogs are on lead. Too many people seem to think “under control” means “it is fine to have a dog approach anyone and everyone as long as they don’t attack them”

I feel our walks every day would be so much more relaxing if we knew other dogs couldn’t suddenly appear off lead harassing us

faffadoodledo · 17/05/2023 07:57

That's the theory @Brumbies
I just see dogs being 'teased' inadvertently.. owners randomly retracting the lead or letting it go out. Poor dogs don't know if they're coming or going! And many forget the lead is out, let the dog get too close to someone they oughtn't, then get into trouble anyway! I just think most owners use them so randomly that the poor dogs don't know if they're coming or going!

CoffeeCantata · 17/05/2023 08:09

Being purely selfish here...

Yes, please, for big dogs in parks and urban areas. Small dogs I'm not so bothered about.

When I'm in the local park and I see big dogs approaching I worry: will they jump at me or will they come and shove their nose into my crotch (yuk - so embarrassing for everyone). I'm rarely frightened of dogs, but I feel tense when they're running around freely.

Also, the park I visit frequently has lakes where most people go to see the waterfowl. If you're interested in the birds it's irritating to have dogs come bouncing up and scare them away, especially at this time of year when they have young or are nesting. I wish people in this park would be sensitive to nesting birds - I've seen big dogs go rushing up to families of goslings, cygnets and ducklings sending them all scattering and panicking.

Brumbies · 17/05/2023 08:09

faffadoodledo · 17/05/2023 07:57

That's the theory @Brumbies
I just see dogs being 'teased' inadvertently.. owners randomly retracting the lead or letting it go out. Poor dogs don't know if they're coming or going! And many forget the lead is out, let the dog get too close to someone they oughtn't, then get into trouble anyway! I just think most owners use them so randomly that the poor dogs don't know if they're coming or going!

Again it's the owner at fault not the lead!

MooseBreath · 17/05/2023 08:24

Dogs should be under control. So a lead may or may not be needed, depending on the dog.

My dog (a Sheltie) has excellent recall, has been raised alongside a toddler and a baby, and has no past trauma. He doesn't approach people or dogs he doesn't know when off-lead and prefers to sniff about in a field or run about with dogs he knows. Keeping him on a lead on a walking path surrounded by open space would be unnecessary and wouldn't give him the exercise and freedom he should have as an animal. I do keep him on a lead near roads, in city centres, and if anyone approaches who looks uncomfortable (including other dogs on leads).

BiddyPop · 17/05/2023 08:32

Our DDog is almost always on lead except when DH takes her to a specific beach if there are no other dogs around or we go to a dog park in a park. Because we don't have good recall and DH/dd refuse to put in the training (it's their dog and I always said it was up to them).

I know they don't tend to go to 1 local park as there are so many dogs off-lead there and lots don't have any recall or owners ignore them hassling small dogs.

But in appropriate settings (park or open space rather than tight footpaths), and where the owner has good recall and also keeps a good eye on their own dog and controls their behaviour, and is prepared to put back on lead when needed, I think it's nice to see dogs enjoying the freedom of running around themselves or with other dogs.

But it depends on owners being responsible.

steppemum · 18/05/2023 08:31

Aibutousethisname · 16/05/2023 15:59

I am not quite sure what you mean here. Surely, in those circumstances, the dog isn't under control?

Show quote history

I think what they mean is that dogs need to run. If you walk them on a lead then the owner would have to run as fast as the dog in order for the dog to be able to run.

Our old dog was a spaniel that needed to run. I walked him off lead. He ran in circles round the field while I walked across it. He probably did 20 km to my 5km.
If we saw another dog coming on a lead I called him, and he came back and walked to heel until we were past the other dog. He was well trained.
If he was not allowed off the lead for that amount of exercise, he would have been a nightmare, and been destructive in the house.

Making all dogs stay on leads actually will lead to MORE dog attacks from under-exercised and frustrated dogs. He was like a coiled spring if he wasn't walked. (although he was a gentle natured dog, not aggressive)

Our current dog (rescue) is not reliable. He also does not need that amount of exercise. He is walked on lead. We take a lot of effort to keep a distance between him and unknown dogs. He is loads better than when we got him, after a year of training, but he is still a work in progress and won't be off the lead any time soon.

DustyLee123 · 18/05/2023 08:33

Yes.
Some people’s idea of ‘under control’ is very different to mine. No, my dog doesn’t want to say hello to yours, and I don’t care if it’s just being ‘friendly’.

Luckydip1 · 18/05/2023 08:34

Dogs are born to run around, they, generally, have lots of energy. I just thinks it's cruel to keep them on leads all the time. Maybe give them a round around in a dog park or field once a week, as a bare minimum.

Tessisme · 18/05/2023 09:03

I think dogs should be on leads in public places. I understand that dogs need to run around and exercise and clearly that can't be done on a lead, so perhaps in a country of dog lovers, a case should be made for more designated areas for exercising dogs. We have one near us at the entrance to the sports pitches, but the problem is it's tiny. So dogs are generally let loose in the playing fields, often causing a nuisance to people there participating in sports, going for a run or walk or just having a bit of family time in the fresh air.

On roads, in streets, on paths, in parks, then definitely they shouldn't be roaming free. No exceptions. Because there are people whose dogs have excellent recall and there are people who THINK their dogs have excellent recall. And possibly a fair few who don't even know what that means and nor do they care. A blanket requirement for leads keeps everyone safe. I'm not sure what difference it makes - if your dog is supposedly just trotting along beside you, why make a fuss about having it on a lead?

BibbleandSqwauk · 18/05/2023 09:27

I can't take my kids on the nice country walks near us because one is v v scared of any dog and knows that it's quite likely there will be off lead dogs, scampering well ahead, sometimes out of sight of their owners who will not stop them in time from approaching us. It doesn't matter if they just run past, or have a quick sniff and go, it will ruin the walk for them and nowadays they just refuse to come at all. Yes we're working on it, but it's v annoying to have to pay ££ for therapy that wouldn't be needed if dog owners could just use a retractable lead on all but specifically designated dog exercise places. May -Sept is great because lots of beaches near us have dog free zones. There's plenty of space for both. I wish they'd keep it year round.

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 10:04

They definitely should be on leads and I'll go as far to say all dogs should be muzzled in public. I don't care how much you trust your 'furbaby doggo' - people are being viciously, violently attacked almost daily by 'trusted dogs' and it's everyone's fault but the horrible little mutts.

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 10:05

BiddyPop · 17/05/2023 08:32

Our DDog is almost always on lead except when DH takes her to a specific beach if there are no other dogs around or we go to a dog park in a park. Because we don't have good recall and DH/dd refuse to put in the training (it's their dog and I always said it was up to them).

I know they don't tend to go to 1 local park as there are so many dogs off-lead there and lots don't have any recall or owners ignore them hassling small dogs.

But in appropriate settings (park or open space rather than tight footpaths), and where the owner has good recall and also keeps a good eye on their own dog and controls their behaviour, and is prepared to put back on lead when needed, I think it's nice to see dogs enjoying the freedom of running around themselves or with other dogs.

But it depends on owners being responsible.

What's a ddog? A breed?

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 10:07

@Kokopenny put it on an extending lead or keep it out of the water. Who cares.

BiddyPop · 18/05/2023 12:03

@Chasingadvice ddog is similar to dc/DH/DMIL shorthand - my own dear dog. She's a mini schnauzer.

L1ttledrummergirl · 18/05/2023 12:14

It depends on the dog. Previous ddog, only had eyes for his ball, and would be fully under control when off the lead (unless he saw a deer when he would be oblivious to everything else, so on lead near deer).

Current ddog is shit at recall, she pretends her humans don't exist when off lead, so the only time she is off lead when out is if she is with other dogs who have good recall and owners who are sympathetic and call their ddog back when she won't come as she follows them. We gave a ridiculously long lead (50m) so that she can run.

If an off lead dog approaches an on lead dog then they should be put back on the lead also, that's just good manners.

Kokopenny · 18/05/2023 12:46

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 10:07

@Kokopenny put it on an extending lead or keep it out of the water. Who cares.

Absolutely not

OMG12 · 18/05/2023 12:52

JediIsMyMaster · 16/05/2023 13:17

Dogs should be under control in public places.

Depending on the place and the dog, this may or may not require a lead.

Basically this.

OMG12 · 18/05/2023 12:55

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 10:04

They definitely should be on leads and I'll go as far to say all dogs should be muzzled in public. I don't care how much you trust your 'furbaby doggo' - people are being viciously, violently attacked almost daily by 'trusted dogs' and it's everyone's fault but the horrible little mutts.

People are more likely to be attacked by other people than by dogs, I suggest all people going out into public places wear straight jackets and ankle shackles.

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 14:46

@OMG12 uh oh. Another crazy dog shagger that thinks dogs are equal to people and should have equal rights.

Anyotherdude · 18/05/2023 15:09

Yes, when on the pavement of a road…
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is a criminal offence for a dog to be on a ‘designated road’ without being held on a lead.
It comes under the same legislation that will see you fined if your dog isn’t secured in the car, and requires you to give your details to an owner should their pet be involved in a road accident.
In other areas, the dog just has to be “under the control” of the person walking it, unless there is a Public Space Protection Order in place (you can get this info. from your local government website)
This is in the UK

StoneofDestiny · 18/05/2023 15:14

Yes - then the owners will be right next to the dog when their animal shits on the ground and cannot deny it’s their problem to pick it up. Yes - so the dogs can’t run up to you ‘to say hello’ and leave muck all over your clothes. Yes - so they are in their owners control and bothering nobody but them.

OMG12 · 18/05/2023 15:43

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 14:46

@OMG12 uh oh. Another crazy dog shagger that thinks dogs are equal to people and should have equal rights.

You’re a cat person aren’t you 🤣🤣🤣.

Do you normally accuse people of illegal acts when the don’t agree with you???

Id certainly prefer a dog’s company over yours lol snd yes that does say a lot more about you than me.

Do dogs generally not like you, they’re really good judges of character you know.

faffadoodledo · 18/05/2023 15:45

It's cats who poo in my garden, not dogs.

Chasingadvice · 18/05/2023 16:06

@OMG12 if it's any consolation I hate cats too