Why do ppl let their dogs run up to yrs!!

[MarcoPoloCX]

I was walking my friend's dog this morning who is reactive. So I take care to avoid triggers that would set him off. He's not aggressive but barks like a lunatic if a dog gets too close. We were walking on lead in a field and we saw an elderly lady with her dog. I turned and started walking in another direction. Her dog was off lead and was approaching us. I yelled 'can you recall your dog' She went ' oh it's fine, he doesn't bite, he's friendly' I responded 'well mine isn't fine with other dogs' she tried to recall but the dog wasn't responding and it started my friend's dog barking. I met up with my friend who was ahead of me and he tells me she's always like that, she never recalls her dog. Just makes me angry that a lot of people do not have walk etiquette and that you should not let your dog approach others without asking. I volunteer at a rescue. Dogs could be reactive, fearful, injured, recovering from op, old and young puppies need space. I'm sure most ppl know that. Are they simply letting them roam free and not recall because they think oh it's friendly and they wouldn't get into trouble. The other week a friendly dog frightened the living daylight of this little pup. The owner asked how old the pup was and then suggested the pup goes to a socialisation class while it's still young. Yeah, that would be good if you had asked first and not scare the poor thing to death. Rant over.

I walk dogs for various people too. I find when I am walking a large dog, even if he's walking nicely, the people who don't usually avoid me start walking in the other direction. So what's the difference to when I'm walking a Pug say? People think oh my dog will be alright, he won't get hurt so they don't bother with recall. When it's a large breed it's a different story. People generally are not thinking if your dog is reactive or needing space, they think if your dog looks calm and non aggressive then they just them to roam.

The thing is, firstly dogs that run up to another dog despite the very clear don't come any closer signals reactive dogs give off aren't behaving normally, that actually isn't appropriate dog behaviour, so no it shouldn't just be expected for that reason alone.

I'd love to walk somewhere where I won't meet offlead dogs, it doesn't exist.

My best bet is in the middle of the night, in the rain, in winter...but this time of year is horrible because you meet all the people who don't walk in the dark or in bad weather who suddenly do because it's light later and warm...and their dogs are the worst for being rude and overfriendly.

But why do people feel their dog has to be off lead at all costs? Unless it is to avoid the pooper scooping, which seems to be the reason in my neighbourhood! I've owned big dogs before, and they have stayed healthy, fit dogs by using a harness one of those leads that extend a decent distance so they still get to roam - if I spotted a tasty looking squirrel or even someone who may not appreciate my dog's 'enthusiasm', I knew whatever happened I could rope them back in. They were incredibly happy dogs and it does them no harm whatsoever

Sorry, have to disagree with you there, Maizie. Dogs absolutely should have the freedom to be off lead, where possible. They need to run and sniff and explore - not be roped to a person every time they go over the doorstep.

Maizie - it's surely not just about roaming. It's about running. Plodding along at human walking pace is no substitute for zooming around a field. My dog looks so happy when he is racing around at top speed, playing chase with my friend's dog. And I'm sure some dogs can be a pain in the house if they haven't had a proper run.

Can I ask some advice? I've been working really hard on DDogs recall and it's now fine if there is no other dog around. If I see a dog in the distance I put her on the lead as I don't trust her to come back. However, how do I move on to the next step? I do try with a dog she knows in the garden, but sooner or later I'm going to have to try out and about with unknown dogs, which raises the risk of her running up to dogs that don't want her to and me not being able to get her back. I do take her out on a long line, but pull her right in on it when there are other dogs around as am afraid they might get accidentally caught up and injured. How do people manage this transition / training step?

I've got a 8month old border terrier, we're still training him with recall and have him on a long line when out in the park.

I always take hold of the lead and keep him close to me and then let the other dog approach him and then take it from there. If there is another dog on a lead, i keep Max close to me stop and let them pass. I just think this is common sense. When he comes back to me when called he gets lots of praise and a treat. We've taken him to doggy training classes and are training (trying) him to stop jumping up at people it's a slow process but we're getting there!

SirBobbly - the longline should just be trailing on the ground, with you ready to stand on it if she ignores the recall, because it's on the ground it's not really a huge hazard for getting tangled in.

Just a bit of a warning with the long lines! I use one and before my dog had to embark on a load of surgery this year, used to take him out and do regular recall and other training on the walk. They are v useful, and I will still use it but they can get you, other dogs and owners in a right tangle. Dog doing training. Other dog rushes out of trees and charges towards mine. Mine loves to play so charges after. Dog runs back to its owner. My dog circles owner a few times. I desperately try to take control of long line before it wraps round dogs owners ankles and upends her. No point trying recall with my dog as he's in the play zone, and nothing will get through. Or, you grab long line, and person is suddenly between you and dog. One quick change of direction could result in near garrotting of said person. So, if dog starts to play with another dog, remove long line. While using long line, keep eagle eye out for anyone else and approaching dogs!

Dogs will naturally approach other dogs if they are off lead. I think it's just ridiculous to think they won't. I have a reactive rescue dog, all 60kg of him. He's fine with females but not with other dominant males. Most dogs get the picture when he growls. I do call to the other owner to please get their dog if I need to but mostly I just hurry him along. It's never going to be perfect with kids and dogs. They will always be inconveniencing someone. But we all do have to find a way to run along.

Hi - I do leave it trailing but Ddog is so fast and furious I do worry about her tangling up other dogs, particularly smaller ones.

Thought I'd better come back to this thread and offer, I suppose, an apology. My position in this thread is that if you've got a dog that attacks other dogs it's your responsibility to stop your dog attacking my bouncy pup.

Sally Bradbury, this morning, linked via Facebook to this very helpful article: www.suzanneclothier.com/the-articles/he-just-wants-say-hi

I take from this that everyone has a responsibility here. I have a responsibility to call my pup back when she's bounding over to an unfamiliar dog (even though her first instinct is to roll on her back in submission). For the next 2 weeks we'll be confined to the garden, so will have plenty of time to perfect recall.

When she's older, I'll have the responsibility to watch her carefully, and offer her the reassurance she needs if she thinks another dog is going to cause her problems.

Collaborate I've read that article before, I think it's really helpful. Thank you, and than you for coming back. If all dog owners are responsible then everyone would have much more pleasant walks. Sorry to hear you're confined to the garden and hope your pup is OK?

She's in season. It's the Texas Chainsaw Massacre here.

Ahhh you have my sympathy, never a pretty time!

reading this with interest and no doubt will get some negatives about my comment. But that is OK. I have an Afghan windhound. Not a dog you can let of the lead because of its very pronounced hunting nature. Other people however let their dog of the lead which immediately puts the dog that is on the lead, at a disadvantage and creates a situation where automatically the dog on the lead finds itself in a subordinate position. A dog with a strong personality will not take kindly to that. Not a good thing. Apart from that, I walk her on a bridle path, horses, walikers, cyclists come by. It is very unfair to those people to have a dog bouncing about of the lead, not to mention it can be dangerous. My other gripe is, people approach your dog, start patting it on the top of the head and are surprised it starts growling. Coming in over the top of the head is an agressive move as far as the dog is concerned. People need to remember dogs have teeth and are not afraid to use them. Please use some common sense. I always stop (dog on lead) when cyclists wizz by and I happen to notice. They almost never use their bell. My dog startles because you can not hear them approach and then I am told I have to control my dog? Hello!

T1Inker I agree with all of your post. I've got Caucasian Ovcharkas and they are on the lead at all times in public. In the country we live in an dogs have to be on leads in public anyway. My dogs hate being touched by anyone other than DH, DS and I. They will tolerate it if told to, and are very good about putting up with children unexpectedly touching them, but I always tell people not to.

StarsInTheNightSky, firstly thank you for your post. I wish more people would think like you. Problem is, in England the law is to have your dog under control. It does not state one has to have a dog on a lead. A bit of a cop out really. Nobody can tell me they have their dog 100% under control when they are not on the lead and even then it can be scary depending on the situation or circumstances at the given moment. A dog is a dog, animal instincts kicks in, the animal will react according to what it perceives. The majority of dog owners do not research nor understand the breed they purchase. I see eldery people and children dragged on by their very strong, oh so sweet natured labrador, having no control whatsoever. Many just see the cute puppy and are in for a surprise when puppy grows up. I just hope we can raise more awareness by discussions like this. Many disastrous confrontations hopefully could be avoided.

The rule that I stick to, as a dog walker, is if your dog is on the lead mine have to be too. If your dog is off lead you can't expect other dogs not to greet it - if your dog has issues put him on a lead when other dogs are around & if I see you I'll do the same. Speaking from experience with 'normal' dogs and reactive dogs this system tends to work 99% of the time