to think if you see another dog on a lead you should put yours on the lead too?

[girlsyearapart]

Always thought it was unwritten rule of dog walking that if you see another dog on the lead you should put yours on too?
Other dog could be on lead as is aggressive/on heat/scared of other dogs whatever.
Anyway my dog isn't any of the above but can be a bit of a pita and hang around other dogs for ages so when I'm out running with him and I see other dogs I put him on lead so I can keep running.
Seems like other people don't apply same rules though and I have their dogs coming up and tripping me over trying to get to my dog.
Getting irritated as if my dog was aggressive and snapped at other dog when he was on the lead I feel like it wouldn't really be my fault.
DH says I am BU. Am I?

Quite agree with dogs having to learn natural habits but I was more worried about you not knowing why someone has their dog on the lead.
Anyway I shall continue to put mine on the lead if I see another dog on theirs AND continue to get the hump if other dogs are tripping me up while I run!

About the cow poo/dog poo thing. If it was a field where no one else was very likely to go then I may leave it but I am a general picker upperer unless it;s impossible to reach. Afaik there are nasties in dog poo which there aren't in cow poo which can be dangerous to children.

Would you pick up a fox poo in a cow field? A rat poo? A badger poo? They all have far more nasties in them.

In our rural area I usually use a huge dock leaf to pick up every thing 'left' on a footpath/verge/non-livestock-inhabiting, etc. Then, when I am in a remote spot I put wrapped-up dockleaf into thistles/brambles/stinging nettles/ditch or where ever it can't possibly be trodden in or smelled.

I cannot see that this is in anyway worse than putting it in landfill in a bag. I take bags with me just in case there are no dockleaves or anywhere like the above to deposit, and take it home.

No prob not but then I don't own a fox,rat or badger so am not responsible for their poo...

If a dog is on a lead I will put my two on theirs. That dog may be on a lead for a reason.

If the other dog is off lead then I leave it, although I'm on hand to put them on lead and get them away if the other dog gets funny.

staying sunny - search for a thread in AIBU tat was called something like "to exepct my mil to pick up ALL her dog poo". like every dog thread ever (except possibly this one - but that's because it's only doggie people on it) it got stupid and nasty. opinion was divided. I don't leave poo if it's on the path or where I think it might get trodden on but if it's inaccessible I'll leave it. I like abr1d's idea about transferring it into the nettles. But not sure it would work for me - one of our dog's nick-names is "Two-Bags". I would have to find an aswfully big dock leaf...

YANBU. Common sense dictates that a dog on a lead may be so for a reason, so it is wise to leash yours too. Some dogs are dog-aggressive purely when on a lead and so allowing your dog to hack up to a leashed dog could be a really dumb idea.

I always put my dogs on a lead when I see a leashed dog for this reason. I am lucky enough to have two very dog-friendly dogs but I can't guarantee what somebody else's guy is going to be like.

On another note, Ceres said some posts back about her lovely Staffie, one of a much maligned breed... great to hear someone talking sense about the breed at last Ceres.

Our family dogs were fairly well trained, and in the park never on a lead unless there was another dog that was obviously unfriendly and our dog was over interested in it. I'd much rather they were able to run way when faced with aggression than be stuck and think that they should protect me. But then they were not aggressive dogs, nor were any of them on the whole massively interested in other dogs. They went onto the lead where there were safety or control issues (by roads or in fields with livestock), and otherwise were free. Seems very sad for dogs to be always on the lead rather than exploring the world. We lived in South London, so pretty urban.

Now we are about to get a new dog they will go on a lead until they are reliable. I think it is for the owner to make sure that their dog can be trusted, not for other people to have to behave as if every dog out there is potentially dangerous, because they really shouldn't be (with the possible of some rescue dogs).

Oh, and forgive my total ignorance, as we always had male neutered dogs, but surely if your dog is on heat they shouldn't be around other dogs? I wouldn't assume that was an issue because I've only ever met spayed female dogs.

Haven't read whole thread but in answer to OP
We have 2 dogs and one is dog aggressive. She needs lots of excersise but on a lad so long walks etc...
Its bloody awful when walking if a dog is off lead and runs up to her with no owner to have cntrol as mine will bark, lunge and appear fairly aggressive. I know she is controlable on lead ( she will sit wait and be calm if a dog is near but not too close) but if a dog runs right up to her she can't cope
I have had so many people say " It's ok mine is friendly" but of course by then it's too late to explain mine isn't.

I'm resorted to walking her really late, in the dark so we don't meet off lead dogs

That kind of situation is exactly what I mean magnolia.
nooka- not a clue have always had boy dogs too but don't they go on heat once a month? Too much time to not be walked I suppose.

I thought it was every six months and that it was recommended to spay them as young as possible?

Yep that def shows I have no idea about girl dogs..
Think you have to let them go in season at least once and if you are going to breed from them you can't spay them anyway (obviously)