Should dogs be kept on a lead?

[Meltinthemiddle]

After the recent story I've heard lots of people saying dogs should be on leads. Whilst the seal story is upsetting, hearing the dog should be put down because it was acting on its own animal instinct is wrong. My puppy is 9mths old and is happiest when off the lead and nose to the ground in the woods. Generally her recall is good, however she likes chasing birds so I do worry what she would do if she caught one. She is the most loving dog though.

@tilder

The more dogs there are, the bigger this problem will become.

I know dogs do not have 100% recall. That means 10, 20, 30% of the time they don't come when called. You walk twice a day, every day. That is quite a times when the dog would be classed as out of control.

If things continue as they are, I wouldn't be surprised if there were legislation.

Which would be really sad for the dogs. But probably a relief for a lot on non dog owners.

I can safely say for the entire time I've had my dog off lead he has not once failed to come back to me when called

I always keep my 2 Lhasa Apso's on a lead when I take them out for a walk. Sometimes they go on long lead but always on a lead. It is as much for their protection as passers by and wildlife. I worry a large and fierce dog might attack them. A lady who lives in our cul de sac has a dog of a similar size who was off her lead and she got attacked by 2 large dogs off their leads and needed urgent visit to vet. My dogs can run around to their hearts content safely in our large garden.

I see very few posts which could qualify as hating. Most are frustrated and cheesed off.

I was being vaguely tongue in cheek.

But I read a lot of threads where people don't want to dogs to be dogs - they should never be allowed to run off lead, they should never be allowed to eat human food or swim or be anywhere where children are, even if they're on short leads and perfectly under control.

I feel very lucky that I live in a rural area where people are, mostly, very tolerant of dogs and have no objection to them running, barking and playing. Of course jumping up at people and stealing their picnics is unacceptable but to be honest it's not behaviour I've ever seen - maybe that kind of thing is more common in urban areas where there's less space?

As a dog walker I'm out everyday with my dog and others and only once this year can I remember being approached by an out-of-control dog - and it was a dog who was originally on a lead - but the owner lost her grip of the handle and the dog ran over. The owner was mortified and very apologetic.

I just can't envisage a society where people are never allowed to let their dogs off the lead. You'd end up with a lot miserable dogs with behavioural problems, I think - lots of breeds need to run.

They should never have a chance to approach another person
How sad! Most people are either dog lovers, or tolerate them.

What uswribg with a dog approaching someone? As long as they don't do do by running in full speed, don't jump, don't bark, respond to the person not interested by turning around or by recall from their owner?

I live dogs but haven't been able to have one until recently. It's been lovely to have dogs come to me.

I agree that mners are disproportionally uncomfortable with dogs around. Thankfully it's not representative of real life. In my case, my experience is exactly the opposite with strangers regularly encouraging my ddog to come to them because he happens to be very cute and non threatening at all.

A lead and a muzzle, please;
That way, the weaker and smaller and frailer (people or pets) are not only factually safe from the "friendly" attentions of other people's "adorable, loving, harmless" dogs: They also, importantly, feel safe, know they are safe, believe they are safe, have no clear and visible reason to suspect they are not safe.
To weaklings, a park-full of dogs is equivalent to a park-full of guns. Those in control of the guns are certain they will never be fired. Others dare not go to the park

@alwayslucky

A lead and a muzzle, please; That way, the weaker and smaller and frailer (people or pets) are not only factually safe from the "friendly" attentions of other people's "adorable, loving, harmless" dogs: They also, importantly, feel safe, know they are safe, believe they are safe, have no clear and visible reason to suspect they are not safe. To weaklings, a park-full of dogs is equivalent to a park-full of guns. Those in control of the guns are certain they will never be fired. Others dare not go to the park

You want ALL dogs kept on a lead all the time and also muzzled? Really? Wow. Never going to happen

A lead and a muzzle, please

There's always one

No, I don't want your barking shit machine approaching me, keep the fucker under control. I used to like dogs but too many are now feral ( bit like children...) Hate to burst your furbaby bubble but many people dislike dogs.

@murbblurb

No, I don't want your barking shit machine approaching me, keep the fucker under control. I used to like dogs but too many are now feral ( bit like children...) Hate to burst your furbaby bubble but many people dislike dogs.

My dog is always under control. They don't have to be on a lead to be under control.

No, I don't want your barking shit machine approaching me, keep the fucker under control. I used to like dogs but too many are now feral
I dont feel it is right to limit dogs to leash only as I think it would be very detrimental behaviourally speaking but I can relate to this viewpoint.

I have a dog (who rarely barks and doesn’t approach people) and I used to really love dogs.

I am actively wary of any dog I don’t know now due to the sheer number of dogs who have lunged at me/barked at me/growled at me/gone for my dog.

A lot of them are indeed ‘feral’.

A lead wouldn’t actually stop much though.
I was pushed into a fence the other day when a (leashed) dog on the pavement walking towards me suddenly lunged at me.
In fact, most of the negative interactions I have had with dogs have been on leads.

@sunflowersandbuttercups you might have been 'vaguely tongue in cheek'. Still rude and dismissive of any view not wholly supportive of what you want to do with your dog.

It's very common on these threads for anybody not 100% supportive of dogs doing whatever they want to be called a dog hater. It's rude, and most of the time untrue.

Just because you don't see badly controlled dogs, doesn't mean those who post about it are making it up.

I too live rurally. I walk a friends dog regularly (my work is not dog friendly). Out of control dogs, dog poo fairy believers, picnic stealing, jumping up etc. All common.

Do not mistake apparent tolerance for resigned annoyance.

@tilder I think you've massively mis-interpreted what I've said here.

But still, you've already decided I'm "rude and dismissive" so I'm out.

All dog owners need to understand how other people feel about their dogs and be empathic to their feelings.

Very few people wake up one morning and decide dogs should all be on a lead it is usually because they have had numerous negative interactions or felt unsafe.

Responsible owners need to acknowledge that.

Re dogs on lead being more trouble well at least people have a choice to walk away from the length of the lead and be sure they will not be approached by the dog.

A couple of my dogs are as reliable as a animal can be never not recalled in any situation the have been in yet BUT as a sign of respect and a sign to other people they will always be on lead in a busy area.

No issue to me or my dogs as they are trained to walk well on lead.

My dd loves dogs. I have taught her she never approaches a dog without the owners permission. It’s about being respectful of the dog and about keeping safe.

I don’t see why dog owners don’t understand why people don’t want the same reciprocation.

That way, the weaker and smaller and frailer (people or pets) are not only factually safe from the "friendly" attentions of other people's "adorable, loving, harmless" dogs
Over the week-end, my friend's 6 .months old puppy was taken to the emergency vet for a broken leg. A 5 year old was running towards it whilst in the lead to pet it, before she knew it, she had picked it up and dropped it as it wingled out, injuring it. It was so upsetting.

Still my friend is not starting a petition to banned kids from parks. It's too bad that kid wasn't taught not to pick up a puppy but it doesn't mean all the kids are irresponsible.

Puppy is doing ok by the way, thankfully, leg isn' t broken, just sore.