Dog walking etiquette thread.

[GrittersWifeAndProud]

That's just it really, thought we should have one.

What are the Do's and Don'ts of dog walking?

If you are walking somewhere predominantly off lead ( most of our walks are in the country) and see a dog approaching and they are on a lead, put your own dog on a lead until you have passed. There is probably a reason why the dog owner is avoiding other dog contact

Well, if I see another dog on a lead I call my dogs to me or put them on a lead also, because I assume the owner doesn't want their dog approached. If they say it's OK, only then will I let mine go.

Always have them on a lead near livestock.

x post, hmc - great minds!

Don't feed other people's dogs randomly! For some reason, other dog walkers keep feeding my dog, so now if she sees anyone putting their hand in their pocket she runs up to them- not always what they want, and so I now have to put her on the lead. Plus for all they know she is on a special diet. drives me crackers, although I know they mean well.

And please don't give me well-meant advice regarding my dog. After 12 years I do know her pretty well and, as a vet, I'm not completely clueless about dogs. I appreciate you want to give me the benefit of your years of "dog knowledge" but please don't!

And always pick up! the thing I hate more than picking up dog poo is standing in someone else's dog's poo while trying to pick up mine!

I think that one bugs me the most. My greyhound is muzzled and on a lead yet people still continue to allow their off lead, extra bouncy spaniels and labs to bound upto him, jumping up at him when it's blatently obvious he's uncomfortable with it! It's a black lab owners fault he has to wear a muzzle now!

A black lab tried humping him a few weeks ago and he was snapping and snarling at this other dog, the owner ran up and grabbed their dog and said something about me owning a dangerous dog with a baby (had 8mo DD with me at the time). I was too shocked to respond. But my dog now hates all black labs and growls as soon as he spots one :(

Put your dog on the lead. Do not allow your dog to run to mine saying "he is ok soft as Owt!" lovely yes, mine isn't and will likely half kill yours given any provocation at all. Pick your dogs shit up then I don't have to stand in it. Don't stand and talk to me when you can see my dog is a scared snarling quivering mess. And certainly do not try to touch him or me. He will bite you. It's not a warning. When I say " he has nervous aggression" believe me font try and test my theory!

Dear owner of randy shitzu : when your dog is humping my 4 month old puppy, please call him off instead of saying 'Aah, he's only playing ...'

Hallelujah to all of those thoughts. Can someone please try to educate the local numpty who insists it's OK not to put his uncontrolled slippers on to a lead at all times. If you can't recall them keep them on a bloody lead!

Pay attention to other owners. If another owner has their dog on lead, or is training etc, then keep your dog away. Ask other owners if their dog is off lead, if it's ok for your dog to play with them. Do not let your dog jump up at anyone. If they tend to chase, don't walk them off lead in the park on a saturday where there will be games of football, toddlers and people on bikes. Always pick up the poo. If your dog disgraces you by jumping up, bothering another dog etc apologise profusely, do not try and make it the other person's fault. Do not feed other people's dogs. Do not try and pick up other people's dogs. Accept that some people are fearful of, or just don't like, dogs. The correct response is to make sure that your dog is not a nuisance, it i not to go 'Aw, he's friendly and only playing!' as your bouncy, friendly dog knocks over a toddler/backs up a terrified old lady against a wall.

Above all else, the dog is your responsibility. If it does something wrong, it is your fault. Know your dog and be considerate.

Actual tears at 'uncontrolled slippers'

Oh blimey, uncontrolled slippers, watch out! :o :o

Retractable string is useful for many things. Dog walking is not one of those things. Please refrain from walking your dog on a retractable string, or at the very least, learn how to use it so that it does not wrap around my ankles giving me rope burn and tripping me up or so that your dog cannot run to the end of it's retractable string and wind my obviously in training dogs up.

FYI string-dog man one of my dogs is fear aggressive, the others back him up when he's scared. Should that string break, your over-grown, ill trained, unsocialised rat stands no chance. You will only have yourself to blame. Use the string as a washing line. Put your rat a on lead and stop laughing when it tries to savage bigger dogs, it's not funny . Numpty.

Is it really bad dog manners for my dog to run up to your (off lead) dog and want to play? Never sure about this one...

Also weeping at uncontrolled slippers
Hahahahahah
Bloody slippers and their entitled owners.

OK

So my general rule of thumb is my dog is not allowed to interact with anybody or any other dogs without my consent.
With all dogs both on and off-lead I will ask their owner if she can say hello, obviously with off-lead dogs I will have recalled her first and have her walking to close heel or back on the lead. There have been lots and lots of incidences where the other owner says "no", usually with "thank you" added and this is all well and good. Potential doggy aggro avoided.

Having read far too many anti-dog threads on mn I now assume that every person we might meet out on a dog walk has a terrible allergy to dogs. She is either recalled or put in a down-stay and is not allowed to say hello to anyone unless I say it's OK. Usually people will make eye contact with me and the relevant noises that they would like to say hello which is fine.

Put on lead near livestock and on footpaths through growing crops.

She has to walk under close control (ie not gallivanting off into the woods), so keeping within a few metres of me on certain walks (usually there will be signs up) and particularly at this time of year (up until June or July I think) while ground birds are nesting.

If your dog is not recall, trained, do not let it off the lead in the small, centre of town children's park I'm looking at you Mr Man with two great dames

If you live in a small flat and have three preschoolers and two dogs, for fuck's sake take them to the park instead of letting them run riot in the communal areas. The park is less than one minute's walk away.

Or, if you live in a small flat with no grass or garden, get a house rabbit!

Thanks slubberdeguilion

I think I have more training to do.

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but do you mind my asking at what age you had that level of control over your dog?

CakeMe I always ask for off-lead dogs for my dog's safety.

It's good for training anyway, both recall and impulse control. Being allowed to greet another dog is a very strong positive reinforcer for a success at recall or wait.

CakeMe, Elsie is now 2. As with all things training is a work in progress so while her recall has always been pretty good (v motivated my tennis balls) walking at heel off lead has been somewhat more of a challenge. Control around other dogs is always going to be really really hard as the dog has competing motivators (bum sniffing/larking about/ running around like an arse vs food treats/fuss/tennis ball action).

I think it,s one of the ones that you have to work and work and work at though as being to recall your dog away from an owner who says "No, my dog needs space, please can you call your dog" is pretty vital.

Don't get cross with me if your dogs run up and I shout at them to bugger off go away.

If you see me walking (short lady with mad spaniel and brown snappy collie) please don't throw my dog's ball unless you want him to come home with you

Thanks muchly

slightly sniggering at the man with his two great dames! Now picturing man walking along with 2 pantomime dames

this is the best thread ever for typos. at out of control off lead pantomime dames.

Blimey, out of control slippers and dames, I'm slightly worried by the people on this thread :o

Sorry there's a bloody good reason I have cats and bunnies and I get ranty when other people blatantly ignore those reasons at the expense of the dog

Yes, I love the thought of the free range slippers careering around the park, squeaking with delight as they frolic on the grass. And the dames....

OK, dog manners. Firstly, pick up, bag it and don't leave it hanging on a bloody tree. Put it in the bin or take it home with you.

Be aware of livestock, wildlife, ground nesting birds etc. and ensure dog is under close control while around other animals. Be mindful when choosing where and when to walk. Do not leave gates open (Countryside code stuff, really). Obey seasonal beach restrictions on dogs.

Do not feed other people's dogs. If you have treats, always ask the owner first.

NEVER allow your dog to bounce uncontrollably all over other people, children or other dogs at the park. No, it is not our job to socialise your puppy. And just because an adult is able to walk slowly along, please do not assume they are well enough to cope with being bounced on by your mutt. It is not fair and potentially frightening to children too. Keep dogs off/out of childrens fenced play areas, war memorials and graveyards.

Respect joggers and cyclists - do not allow your dog to hassle them. Though cyclists should also return the favour and USE the Sodding BELL.

Most important of all, if our dogs are walking nicely on the lead and are muzzled, do not assume that your off lead, out of control dog is welcome to come charging over, cannon into us and then simper weakly and say "It's OK, he only wants to play". One of our dogs is ancient, arthritic, half blind and gets understandably very defensive when strange dogs invade "her" space on walks. And why are bloody Labs always the worst culprits for this?

If a dog is on lead it is usually for a reason, so please respect that.

Aaagh I feel like the worst dog owner ever. I have been working really really hard on Dog2's recall, honest I have, and he will now run to me past my lunatic neighbour leaping about with a stick or piece of chicken trying to tempt him the other way, which is amazing. But, but, still the other day he ran into someone else's garden, down the side of the house and into the back in order to say hello to a dog that I know hates all other dogs. Who, after all, should be safe in his own garden. Luckily the other dog's owner was there and shouted a lot and Dog2 came back terrified and only missing a few bits of fur. I nearly died of a combination of fear (of what the other dog would do) and embarrassment.

So please can I add another rule. Be kind to other dog owners when they are profusely apologizing for the terrible thing their dog just did. I always used to hate those people who shout 'it's okay he's friendly' but now I understand how it happens.

Don't worry I am back at the recall training again. And I am really sorry.

Okay, as you were ...