Are you scared to walk your dog in case your dog gets attacked by other dogs?

[Kahid87445]

Are you ever worried when walking your dog that a stray dog or a dog off the leash may come and attack your dog?

I'm sure everyone has heard of the story of someone saying 'my dog is alright' and then the next moment it is attacking another dog. I think it's really irresponsible for someone to allow his/her dog off the leash all of the time without any consideration for people who have dogs who may have problems or just generally do not like being approached by other dogs.

It's even worse when someone has an aggressive dog and he/she still allows the dog off the leash.

There seems to be a massive misconception that socialisation means your dog has to be friendly towards every dog he/she meets and that you must allow your dog to greet every other dog in sight.

Although my dogs are properly socialised and are very friendly towards people, dogs and other animals, I prefer to go out very early in the morning and later in the evening to places where there are not a lot of other dogs (I have always avoided 'dog parks') and my dogs prefer to do their own things and play with each other. My dogs don't bother with other dogs.

Does anyone else do the same?

I think in this day and age it's good to be more aware of your surroundings and more cautious if a strange dog approaches you or your dog.

No I don't worry at all ?

@ginsparkles

I have the opposite worry. I have a anxious reactive dog, that I walk on a lead with a jacket asking for space. I worry about the "friendly" off lead dogs that come too close, too fast and then I have to try to ensure mine doesn't react. Lockdown walks have been quite stressful.

Isn't it just Hell on Earth atm? Have you noticed kids as well? Just lately I've had loads of children fussing them without asking. Normally kids do ask to stroke them because they're soft cuddly Labs and luckily mine do both adore children but ffs what if he didn't?

He has a jacket on warning people that he isn't friendly to other dogs, you'd think parents wouldn't let their kids just rush up to him? I always say yes if they ask but come on its not a big jump to assume that a dog wearing that jacket might be nervous and you should ask before touching.

It really is! We stick to quiet places where we can give others a really wide birth,

Like yours she's good with people. And to be honest we have more people avoid us than people with dogs! I find myself constantly explaining it's ok to stroke her, she just doesn't like other dogs.

Dog owners look at me as if I'm a snob or something, but she may look cute and lovely, but she's a grumpy sod and when she goes, she goes.

Must be something covid in the air lately. Mine is ok with females, it's other intact males. If it gets within 50 feet and he doesn't go, it's a girl.

I'm so lucky my other dog is so good because I'm constantly having to wrestle him and the other owner just stands there gormlessly going He won't hurt you love...

Yeah, its not him I'm worried about!

I tend to walk my dog off lead most of the time. We go to a dog park quite often and she plays with other dogs I know. However I find that lots of dog owners who walk their dogs on lead will linger around and try to socialise their on lead dog with mine. It’s frustrating because I am trying to teach my dog not to approach dogs on leads and these people are trying to instigate a meet. I tend to walk away and call over I don’t want me dog to approach on lead dogs and the owners quite often look offended!