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

@Hugasauras yes I can feasibly ask you not to let your dog "just" run past my son. The possibility of that means he won't go on a walk and is increasingly losing all sense of joy in being outside at all. If you keep your dog within sight at all times, no more than ten feet away so the second you see us you have him back next to you, being held, fine, but that never happens. The lovely time your dog is having scampering about is costing children like mine and the other PPS a really important aspect of their life and health. They can't "just manage". 🙄

This. First post is spot on.

I'm sorry for that but I don't think it's reasonable or even feasible to expect a dog to never run past anyone or or for an owner to be on their knees or however you mean holding them clutching their dog to them whenever they see someone on a walk. If you shout over to me in advance I'm happy to do it, however. Sorry, it sounds very difficult to deal with

What do you mean by run past someone though? How close? At least 10 feet? Or basically running at them so they think they're going to die? Looking like it's going to rip your throat out, panting viciously especially at child height.

Why on earth would I mean the latter? I mean running past, as in passing your child on a path or on the beach or wherever without any interest in them. My dog has no interest in going near your or anyone's child, believe me!

Close control, good recall and no likely distractions some dogs are fine off lead. They shouldn’t approach other dogs or people unless invited. If that’s not the case, on lead until there’s somewhere they can run without bothering people, other animals or wildlife. I cannot stand off leash dogs bounding up to o mine and I only allow mine off lead where I know he’s not going to be a nuisance. It’s common courtesy but most dogs do need off lead time and need to be trained so that can happen without annoying others. I would hate to see only designated places as it would mean a lot of dogs wouldn’t get adequate exercise

Vicious panting is a good one though Damn those vicious dogs trying to cool down when they're on a walk.

Of course a domesticated wolf should be on a lead in public. Why would anyone think otherwise.

Yes 100% it's safer for the dog and others, you can receive a fine for not having your dog on a lead in public. X

That's a new one 🤣🤣🤪

Yes, they should be on a lead.

I cycle to work. Part of my route is through a park that has a wide cycle & pedestrian path running across it. It's always busy. A couple of days ago a dog darted across the path in front of me with no warning. I braked and swerved but still hit it. Luckily it wasn't harmed and I didn't come off the bike.

The owner screamed blue murder at me for 'not watching out for pedestrians'. I pointed out that the dog should be on a lead near a cycle path and got sworn at. I could have killed or seriously injured the dog which would have been horrendous.

The possibility of that means he won't go on a walk and is increasingly losing all sense of joy in being outside at all. If you keep your dog within sight at all times, no more than ten feet away so the second you see us you have him back next to you, being held, fine, but that never happens. The lovely time your dog is having scampering about is costing children like mine and the other PPS a really important aspect of their life and health. They can't "just manage". 🙄

I must say I disagree with this. If a dog is showing absolutely no interest in your son then people shouldn't have to call them back every time they see a person. If your son has a fear of dogs that is that detrimental, there are specialist courses you can take for children to help overcome this. People shouldn't be letting their dogs run at your child but if a dog is doing nothing but minding their own business then it isn't fair to blame other people.

@Hugasauras but "running past" on a woodland path that's two feet wide means running at us basically. He has (nor me) any way of knowing what your dog is going to do as it reaches us. By "holding on" I mean on a lead or grabbing their collar, not a full body hug. But by the time your dog is "past" us my son will be halfway up a tree, screaming. And yes I completely understand that it's irrational and as I said, were are trying hard to address it but I will never agree that an animal's preference comes before a human's wellbeing. I don't disagree with the idea of more designated off lead spaces but they should be just that.

For us, if a dog ran past my son on a path (his autism means he can't decipher wether this is a danger to him or not but he perceives it to be) he would become hysterical, very obviously has additional needs and still all the dogs owners berate him and us that their dog is friendly and ds is ridiculous and if he just calmed down everything will be fine - like anything with disabilities is that simple.

It just misses the point completely. Im not saying every dog isn't allowed to be off leas, I just wish dog owners would have a bit of a bigger perspective about why people react the way they do and show a bit of kindness instead of aggression which we get literally every time we go on a walk. Dogs and their owners don't get the monopoly on green open spaces and them thinking they do is literally alienating so many other people and they really don't seem to care.

And yes, no treatment has worked for him due to his significant needs before the dog owners come for me again.

Such a shame for your DS @orangekiwiloot . My friend has two autistic boys (one non verbal with multiple physical needs too). Her boys love their family dogs and get so much support and comfort from them, as well as a sense of responsibility in looking after them. Obviously the dogs are well trained. But they're a literal lifeline.

Yes dogs should be on leads in public areas unless in a dog park or similar specifically designated area.

these dog parks. How many ought we have? Who sets them up? Do we pay for them? What about parking? How popular would a dog park be in a rural area where frankly its much more fun for dog and owner to just go out for a walk? By all means let's have more - they might suit some people and dogs. But I just don't think it's practical. Imagine the planning objections!

This. 💯 this

I would imagine non dog people would be furious at losing x space to a dog park . Also ditto council tax going into the upkeep of dog park .😏

My dog has fantastic recall but at the same time is anxious + reactive so only goes off lead if it is deserted, the first sight of people/dogs he goes back on. The amount of dogs I’ve had in parks bombing up to him off lead (with my dog on lead) whilst their owners shout “it’s okay, he’s friendly!” well mine isn’t!

Last week I was pushing my DD in her pram through the park on our way home from nursery. She was minding her own business, eating a biscuit & chatting away. An out of control Labrador came & snatched the biscuit from her hand, which terrified her. YANBU.

I'm semi rural, and have my dog off lead on our walks. We meet other walkers, I put her on lead usually to pass anyone, usually people with dogs also. Sometimes I don't, she walks to heal when asked and ignores anyone without a dog.

I wouldn't use a dog park, although I'm not aware of such a thing around here, it's not necessary.

*heel

Dogs need to run and play at speeds appropriate to their breed. Insisting they were all on leads all the time would make them unhappy and more prone to problematic behaviour.

So many entitled fools on this thread. We’re a nation of animal lovers and pet owners, so spaces are shared.

There are lots of shit dog owners but they are going to be shit whatever the law says. There’s no need to make the lives of everyone worse to tackle them. Existing laws are suitable, just not enforced.

As for the aggressive poster with the aggressive dog - your dog is the problem here, not the other one. You should move to a safe space or you should decide not take your dog in public. Why should someone else change their behaviour to accommodate your dog’s foibles? If all dogs have to be on leads everywhere, I think all reactive dogs should be destroyed. Never being allowed to run would be akin to death to my dog, so it’s only fair.

My dog’s well-being is my well-being. Sharing walks with them and seeing the joy they have at running is an incredible, powerful experience for me. I care about them deeply and wouldn’t consider tempering that joy because some kid is scared of being in their vicinity. I know my dog isn’t interested in your kid and would run straight past. Your kid’s emotional well-being is for you to manage, not me. If being within 2 feet of a dog on a woodland path is too scary for him, why on earth are you taking him to places like that? You must realise that you are the one putting him in positions he’s not comfortable in, surely? If you want to keep him separated from dogs, use your own garden or stick to the multiple places dogs aren’t allowed. Animal haters don’t have a monopoly on green spaces anymore than dog owner do.