To think dogs shouldn't be off lead in public if they don't come when you call

[ladylasagne]

So I should start by saying I love dogs, I think they're great. I generally have no issue with them being off lead in public if they are well behaved and obey a call to heel.

Today I was out doing my morning run. I was running along a well used footpath, that is popular with lots of people. I saw a lady with two dogs off lead (fairly little terriers) running all over the place, paying no mind to her shouts for them to come. I slowed right down as I approached (I was already pretty slow as I'm really not fast runner). When I was about 10 meters away (or 30-40 ft if you're old school), these dogs start running full speed towards me. Whichever way I moved, they would change direction to still be heading for me, so I just stopped and stood still hoping to avoid an accident, and both dogs crashed into my legs. It really hurt, but luckily I'm pretty solid because it was a hard enough impact that it could've done damage to anyone frail or vulnerable using that path. I dread to think how painful it must have been for the poor dogs. I stepped around the dogs and walked on until I was far enough away to start running again.

As I walked passed this lady, she said sorry (so she obviously knew she was in the wrong on some level!). Maybe I should have left it at that, but I couldn't bite tongue and so I said to her "don't let them off the lead if they don't come when you call", she replied "yeahhhh sorry". I didn't swear, I didn't shout, but I just couldn't let it pass without saying something. Whenever I see people doing this with dogs, I just think it's a matter of time before the dog runs in front of a car or ends up getting hurt as a result of irresponsible dog ownership, and it really upsets me.

20 minutes later, I'm running back along the path in the other direction. Surprise surprise, same dogs running around off lead, same lady pointlessly shouting at them. I slowed down to a walk and just walked past because I didn't want a repeat of the incident. The dogs were running up to me, I had to repeatedly step over and around them while trying to get past again. I said nothing to this woman (what more can I say really?!?) but I was shaking my head (very british) and just held my arms up in the air (half in despair, half to demonstrate to the dogs that I have nothing on me of interest - it works sometimes, not this time). This lady obviously recognised me, and just starts shouting "they have as much right to be here as you". I continued to say nothing, walked passed, and eventually was able to start running again.

So my question is, was I wrong to say to her that her dogs shouldn't be off lead if they don't come when you call? Should I have just keep my mouth shut, and accepted that I now have a bruise on my leg because of her dogs being allowed to run all over the place?

Thanks in advance ladies. I want opinions but please be kind, I do feel quite sensitive at the moment. The woman really shouted at me, I'm a very delicate, sensitive person inside and I did find it quite intimidating. Also, I ran a different route today because last week a lovely man in a van who is now regularly parked along my usual route shouted something out the window at me (didn't hear it fully but it involved the word 'chunky', so probabaly not a compliment) and I was really upset. He still parks there sitting in his van eating his Ginsters pasty for breakfast, and I still don't feel up to running past him again yet. I just want to be able to run in peace, I'm fat and it's a cheap way to exercise!

I pay for paddock use for my dogs to be off lead, for their safety and the public. I completely agree that tgey should not be off lead if they are not trained.

My dog has always been off lead. Every walk. But he had bullet recall.

I'd never ever let off a dog if they didn't have recall, it's not fair on other dogs or people otherwise.

I don't agree with dogs being allowed to approach other off lead dogs either without permission

@lalalapland Your dog should be coming to you immediately or he needs to be on a lead. In fact, he shouldn't be approaching anyone or other dogs without permission in the first place. He is your pet, not a wild animal. Domestic animals, like dogs, don't "roam the earth", they are bred for captivity. You took on the responsibility, if you want your dog to have freedom, buy some land.

That's your opinion though. Dogs are allowed off lead in public if they are under control. I am far far from an irresponsible dog owner.

@Downtrod · Today 11:16

How are you supposed to train them off the lead if you don't let them off the lead?

Is this a serious question?

You should never EVER own a dog if you think it's OK to let them roam around in public spaces while you 'train' them. Get them trained in a private space/dog training school! Like normal (decent) dog owners! If you CBA, or can't afford it, then DON'T get a dog!

@ladylasagne She was being a very irresponsible owner.

If I see a runner, and we are on a narrow track, I put my dog on a lead, simply as I don’t want the runner to worry ( I have a small fast breed)

Even though mine hasn’t ever chased runners or cyclists.

It’s easy to clip a dog on a lead, IF the dog is trained- But like you I have been sent flying and been bruised by dogs crashing into my legs-

It’s lazy ass owners who can’t or won’t control their dogs.

You are NOT a responsible dog owner if you think that dogs are always allowed off lead in public. What a very ill-informed remark!

It isn't necessary for dogs to be leashed at all times. However, dogs must be kept on a lead in designated pedestrian zones and on land where livestock is present. Councils have bye-laws to show the areas where leashing is required, such as in public places like parks/high streets etc.

Let your dog roam off lead as much as you like. But be prepared to pay the price if you're caught. (Or if your dog attacks someone!)

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All dogs should be on a lead when in public spaces. No exceptions.

In this instance you are right, both dogs were not compliant, more than once on that walk, and she continued to allow them off the lead.

That being said, even a dog whose recall is 100%, is only 100% until that one time when it drops to 99.99%.

No dog's recall is 100% all the time for the rest of their life forever and ever and ever. It's alive and it's an animal. If recall fails more than once or twice, or you see a trend of disobedience starting, then you'd hope the owner would go back to basics - longline lead, start from the beginning again and re-train the skill until it is 10/10 again.

Recall is an obedience skill that wants constant review and re-assessment.

She's a prick, the man's a prick. Sorry you've come into contact with them both in the same week.

This is not the only method.
I trained all of my dogs using a long-line which can be used in public spaces because you are still in control of the animal.

Granted i wouldnt use a LL to train in a crowded space like a park, but i live right by the beach so use that early in the morning, both to train back then and now to let him run and chase his ball a) before anyone else gets to the beach and b) because he has recall.

Maybe you should 'buy some land' for yourself and you wouldn't need to leave

I've never had any negative comments about my dog, and he has a good sense for grumpy animal haters so probably just doesn't approach them in the first place. Similarly with other dogs.. he'll take a look and decide if they seem friendly or not.

I find it crazy how many people are so horrified by another animal being within a meter of them. Humans bump into each other or brush past each other in busy places every day, but it's apparently a crime if a 7kg fluffy pooch does the same 🫠

Yes, report it to them. They may think twice about using him again.

Where did I say always???

Yeah until the day they attack...then some poor bugger has to pay with their health or life for your 'responsible dog ownership' because people like you believe your dangerous animals who could kill if they wanted to pets have as much right to roam around humans lead free.

Again. In your opinion

He doesn't roam. He goes off lead where allowed with recall which has never failed in over 13 years.

He shows no interest in other people or dogs.

People who have no control over their dogs piss me off as much as all the dog haters

Exactly. Those are the type of 'responsible owners' you see everyday either their dog-ownership entitlement to the pavements and public roads.

Which is where my dog is on a lead.

Well, yes, obviously. If it was the law - and it should be - I’d have said “it is the law that all dogs must be on a lead in public spaces”.

I’d very much like that to become a true statement. But until then it’s my opinion. And a very sound opinion it is too.

Where do you stand on teenagers and cats?

I don't need land because I don't have dogs to give "freedom". Your dog will have ankpurd people, they just don't say anything. Why does your dog need to be within a meter of anyone else in the first place? Keep it under control.

Cats can be a bit of a nuisance to neighbours. But they’re pretty benign compared to dogs, all considered.

Teenagers are humans between the ages of 13 and 18. Being humans they don’t attract the same considerations as pet dogs. You know, we don’t neuter them or make them eat their meals out of bowls on the floor. Or take them to be put down when they’re old and past it.

🙄

I don't appreciate when someone's 7kg fluffy pooch (or any size) approaches me because I don't know its intentions.
I don't want to kick it by accident or be knocked off my feet (I have good balance, most would have hit the ground from that stocky thing ploughing into my knees)
I don't want to be jumped on (and have been scratched on a few occasions as well as many more of having mud smeared on me)
I don't want slobber or dog hair on me (and once dog#1 approaches it becomes a magnet to other dogs approaching)
I don't appreciate having to constantly scruitinise the behaviour of dogs and their owners and constantly adjust my course and speed to avoid them.

I have cute children. No one would appreciate them randomly walking up, wiping mucky hands on them or getting in their way.

"Friendly dog" is code for "I'm feckless owner who CBA to train my nuisence animal"

I like dogs. Well trained ones, under control and minding their own business.

There isn't any expanse of dog-free space either. When I head off into quiet rural spaces it's often worse as the owners let their guard down. Busy parks are 100% guarenteed an uninvited approach by a poorly supervised dog.
And it's stupid of the owners risking that their dog will come to harm, most likely by encountering another dog, or running somewhere unsafe.

It's not unusual to see dogs wandering in the road nearby while their dipshit human still ambles around the woods thinking their dog is still in there disturbing the ground nesting birds and other wildlife

Cats decimate local environments, and having just read about the group of teenagers who have recentlymurdered an 80 year old dog walker i wondered if somebody so clearly proficient at fantasy law-making as you had any bright ideas to get those beauties under control.

You can save your eye rolling for somebody likely to be affected by it.