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Original poster

To ask dog walkers to keep them on a lead

218 replies

HyacynthBucket · 24/03/2020 08:45

It seems that although dogs cannot catch Covid-19, they can carry it on their fur if they pick it up from someone say sneezing. Therefore dogs need to be kept well clear of other people when out. Please dog owners, put others first, not your pet and do not allow contact between them and people. Only yesterday someone's dog bounded up to me, jumped up, and I heard the usual "He won't hurt you" from the distant owner. This sort of fatuous self-indulgence by dog owners has got to stop now PLEASE, for everyone's sake.

OP posts:
daisypond · 24/03/2020 08:50

You are quite right. It’ll soon come to people not being allowed out to walk a dog, like in Italy, because people are idiots.

Parkandride · 24/03/2020 08:59

I'm in the countryside and my dog will be going down to getting only one walk a day as per the guidelines. He'll be off lead and recalled if I see anyone else (unlikely), as always. I don't see the issue with that

Original poster
HyacynthBucket · 24/03/2020 09:07

ParkandRide The issue with that as with nearly all dogs, is that they are not under proper control by their owners if off lead. It is all very well saying you will call the dog, but would it come? Probably not. The level of dog obedience is woefully low. I have often seen owners bleating at their animals to 'come' or 'stop' and they take no notice whatsoever. That seems to be the norm. Please try and grasp this - this situation is an emergency that we all have to try and solve, this means you too. It is not normal times.

OP posts:
Flaxmeadow · 24/03/2020 09:13

I'm in the countryside and my dog will be going down to getting only one walk a day as per the guidelines. He'll be off lead and recalled if I see anyone else (unlikely), as always. I don't see the issue with that

Unbelievable !!!

RedRed9 · 24/03/2020 09:14

If your dog has poor recall then absolutely they should stay on a lead.

But if their recall is good and they’re not the sort of dog to run up to people then it’s not necessary.

Elieza · 24/03/2020 09:16

If I had a dog you can be damn sure it would be on a flexible lead and reeled in if anyone was around to be near me with both if us the required distance away from others.

I wouldn’t want anyone patting my dog and then later I pat his head too or kiss his head and before you can say shit I’ve got the virus.

And I’m not even convinced yet there is sufficient evidence that dogs cannot get it.

I think more knowledge about this virus is coming out every day and things we think we know perhaps they will tell us new info suggests otherwise.

Panicmode1 · 24/03/2020 09:20

My dog is on lead whenever we go past people - yesterday when walking her through the park to the woods, we stayed well away from people on the way and hardly saw anyone once there. If she's only getting an hour a day (she's used to more and is a big dog) then having her off lead when it is safe to do so, in open spaces where I can see her and have control of her recall is fine.

People who can't control their dogs or who have dogs who always go and jump up when seeing people, should have them on leads always anyway.

Dreamersandwishers · 24/03/2020 09:23

OP you are right. I have 2 lively dogs and it’s going to be tough for a few days until they learn the new routine. But as PPs have said, I do not want random people touching my dogs and totally understand why they would be alarmed if approached.
Even on lead, my dogs will get more exercise than many others, and a lot more than they would get if they were in kennels.
The dogs will cope, they are very adaptable.

Parkandride · 24/03/2020 09:23

Not to sound like I'm oh so special but you've taken quite a condescending tone... he won't be "called" he will be "recalled" which as a well trained, ex working dog he will obey as he does on every walk we do. It's not releasing Fido into the park and hoping he knows his name. I agree this is absolutely not the time for that.
If hoardes of people exercising turn up on my previously empty walks (I think I've seen 3 people in the last year, all who stick in my mind due to the rarity of it!) I will of course change what I'm doing.

Parkandride · 24/03/2020 09:27

Genuinely curious why that's unbelievable @Flaxmeadow? I've followed every bit of government advice regarding covid 19 and will continue to do so

Imstillskanking · 24/03/2020 09:27

Everyone should have their dog on a lead anyway, unless they are on their own private property. There are dogs out there that are so well trained that it's not necessary for them to be on a lead, but those are much rarer than many dog owners would have you believe. Most people who dont have their dog on a lead during a time like this do not live in the real world. Everyone else must suffer for their convenience.

Before anyone attacks me - I adore dogs and have owned many over the years. This is about your selfish behaviour as an owner, not the dog's behaviour. The dog is just doing it's dog thing. It is your job to control that and take responsibility.

NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite · 24/03/2020 09:29

There may not be proven evidence yet but

Https:www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-pet-dog-can-you-catch-it-transmission-a9376926.html

:

Stellaris22 · 24/03/2020 09:29

I am normally 100% for dogs being allowed off lead to run, exercise and play.

These are extraordinary times, your dog is not special and will be fine. Keep them on lead. Please think of others.

iVampire · 24/03/2020 09:30

Irrespective of the pandemic, dogs need to be under control at all times.

If their recall is not reliable, then that means on a lead

BarkandCheese · 24/03/2020 09:30

Uncontrolled off lead dogs are the bane of my life in normal times, my dog is very small and scared of other dogs touching her. A dog who “just wanted to play” jumped on her last week to her absolute terror, it took two days for her to fully calm down and not bark at shadows. In these strange new times I don’t want to touch another dog and I don’t want strangers touching mine, although I’ve taken the decision as of today I’m stopping walks in favour of play time in the garden.

cologne4711 · 24/03/2020 09:32

I would say please keep dogs on short leads just because they don't understand about social distancing and will run all over the place, which makes it more difficult to steer a course clear of other people. I am talking from a running perspective but people don't necessarily react quickly when they are walking and don't want to fall over a dog and into the personal space of a human.

Also if you keep your dog on a short lead, it can't trip up anyone, so people don't have to seek medical help for injuries.

Note short lead. Not one of those extendable ones, which are really dangerous at the best of times.

weareallunique · 24/03/2020 09:33

I'm keeping mine on their leads for my safety as well as other people's. They can have a good run around in the garden and then one lead walk.

Flaxmeadow · 24/03/2020 09:41

Genuinely curious why that's unbelievable @Flaxmeadow? I've followed every bit of government advice regarding covid 19 and will continue to do so

You're supposed to keep your dog on a lead at all times. It doesn't matter if it's in the countryside or an urban area. This was true before the crisis.

There is some evidence that dogs can transmit this disease. Either by droplets on their fur or possibly even the actual virus directly. In faeces, saliva etc

Why is it so hard to keep your hound on a lead?

doglover7 · 24/03/2020 09:47

My dog doesn't go near humans (scared) so will continue off lead. Surely by your logic there's no issue there?

Let people be. If you're scared of a dogs fur, do NOT ever go to the super market during this crisis, that's a hot bed.

doglover7 · 24/03/2020 09:48

@flaxmeadow that's not true. Dogs are allowed off lead in certain areas / types of property.

RedRed9 · 24/03/2020 09:52

You're supposed to keep your dog on a lead at all times. It doesn't matter if it's in the countryside or an urban area. This was true before the crisis.
That’s not true though?

LittleRen · 24/03/2020 09:55

I agree - twice last week I was walking on our local hill with my three boys and dogs jumped on my 2 year old, all over him, licking him. Dog owners generally think it's ok - as a family we aren't dog people, and covid makes me more anxious about it. By the time owners call them back it's generally too late.

LastTrainEast · 24/03/2020 09:55

I suppose there must be dogs that come when called. I've just never encountered one. I only get "here fluffy.. here fluffy,, stop STOP!! COME BACK! ... it's ok he's just friendly."

But it's ok cos now if that happens I can say "I know he's only COUGH! being COUGH! friendly" as I let it lick my hands Grin

Flaxmeadow · 24/03/2020 09:56

that's not true. Dogs are allowed off lead in certain areas / types of property.

I despair. I can't stand this anymore.

Keep you're damn dogs on leads.

Not directed at anyone in particular but If any dog comes within 2 metres or looks like it will be about to, of my young relatives. I will go to any lengths I can to defend my young relatives . Take from that what you will dog lovers

donquixotedelamancha · 24/03/2020 09:58

I’m not even convinced yet there is sufficient evidence that dogs cannot get it.

Not one dog has reported symptoms yet.

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