We hired a field today!!

[Aprilwasverywet]

And saw our Husky running free for the first time!!
Took all 4 of our ddogs and saw a whole new bond. After the initial zoomies they set off round the edge. 2 slightly more ahead... Newest ddog in the middle hanging back waiting for the slacker!! All 4 enjoyed it so much. Only £8 an hour. Can't recommend it enough.
Stress free ddoggy walking was so great!!

Of course they do, because of lack of proper socialisation (which walking on lead doesn't provide)

I love this whole 'get a breed that can be trained to walk off lead' stuff like rescues don't exist. We adopted our boy at 9 years old this year. He's a former street dog who has never been walked and has zero concept of recall. He's also incredibly scent driven and honestly doesn't seem to hear me at all when on a scent. We are working on recall in the garden but Its incredibly hit and miss and I don't think I'll ever be confident enough to let him off and trust he'd come back. Hes also nearly 10 and you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks.

He's happy as Larry on his longline. Enjoys lots of lovely sniffs with other dogs on walks and spends time with my parents dogs off lead in our gardens. He's hardly neglected. I'm just keeping him and others safe.

@BFrazzled

Of course they do, because of lack of proper socialisation (which walking on lead doesn't provide)

You can socialise a dog fine on a lead...

@BFrazzled

Of course they do, because of lack of proper socialisation (which walking on lead doesn't provide)

Nonsense.

Plenty of dogs become reactive precisely BECAUSE they are attacked by out-of-control, off-lead dogs whose owners have no control over them. An owner who keeps their dog on-lead (due to reactivity, prey drive, lack of recall or for any other sensible reason) is doing the right thing.

There are plenty of reasons why a dog shouldn't be off the lead - that doesn't mean they're going to "become insane" whatever that means

With all due respect @cupsofcoffee, you making a straw man argument.

You are saying that it is also possible to socialise a dog badly off lead, and of course it is true.

What I am saying is that it is impossible to socialise a dog well while keeping it on lead. And this is patently obvious to anyone who understands anything about dogs, sorry.

An owner who keeps their dog on-lead (due to reactivity, prey drive, lack of recall or for any other sensible reason) is doing the right thing.

Well, gosh, of course yes - if at the same time said owner is trying to solve these issues so that the dog will eventually be able to walk off lead , even if in some controlled environments.

Well, gosh, of course yes - if at the same time said owner is trying to solve these issues so that the dog will eventually be able to walk off lead , even if in some controlled environments.

But there are some issues that will never be solved, for whatever reason. So it's not fair to judge other owners as you never know their reasons for keeping their dog on a lead.

I also disagree with you re. socialisation, but there we go. I walk several dogs who are always on-leads and their socialisation is excellent. In some countries, dogs must always be kept on-lead unless at a dog park - they seem to manage just fine.

What I am saying is that it is impossible to socialise a dog well while keeping it on lead..”

That’s just not true though.

And owners relying on random dogs they meet on walks for socialisation are half arsing it tbh.

@itsallaboutschmoo It sounds like you are doing the best for the dog. Of course there are many situations where a dog has to walk on lead. And also older dogs are generally able to cope better with that. Do you really suspect I judge you with a 9 yo rescue?

My comments are directed towards owners who see walking off lead as low priority and as a result don't invest into training their puppies or take on a breed that they know they won't be able to walk off lead where they live. Let's imagine a young bouncy Viszla who is only ever walked on on lead, socialized with other dogs on long line and exercised on a scooter. Or perhaps a GSD who is never let off in the local field because he is dog aggressive. Does it sound to you like this dog has a good life, or would the owners be better off acquiring say, a Maltese, who would happily potter along with them and present no danger to lifestock? This is my point.

I also disagree with you re. socialisation, but there we go. I walk several dogs who are always on-leads and their socialisation is excellent. In some countries, dogs must always be kept on-lead unless at a dog park - they seem to manage just fine.
Of course they manage fine - they are off lead in a dog park. UK has no dog parks because off lead walking is generally permitted. The important part is that the dog has regular time off lead.
It's ok to disagree - but no responsible breeder would sell their active breed puppies to you without asking how you would provide exercise (and no, running after a scooter doesn't count). I personally think that a big garden doesn't quite cut it either.

“Does it sound to you like this dog has a good life, or would the owners be better off acquiring say, a Maltese, who would happily potter along with them and present no danger to lifestock? This is my point.”

It’s a moot point though.

On or off lead is a complete red herring, it depends on so many other things.

A dog reactive GSD doing scentwork and obedience work alongside decent on lead walks will be having a much much more fulfilled life than one taken to the nearest field and running round aimlessly for half an hour a day.

The OP’s husky presumably plays with the other dogs it lives with for starters...

Do people get dogs not suited to the lifestyle they can provide, sure, does that mean all dogs walked on a lead are miserable? Of course not.

Our Husky was jumped on by a rather aggressive jrt a few years ago. She was on lead and it had ran off from it's owner.. Our ddog didn't retaliate at all just turned her face away. We stopped so the owner could come retrieve his little beast. He did and walked off no apology.. He put it down in the sand and it ran back over. Ddog growled this time and the man again came back. Sadly this time he punched it in the face. A few choice words left my mouth and I make no excuses for that.
Poor little thing.

Mostly I am happy my ddogs don't socialise with others. We use the places nobody really goes usually.
Less stressful!

I walk a reactive dog. They’ve been bitten and hurt several times now, hence the reaction to some - not all -dogs.

The dog fields have given us both a joyful walk - free from fear, anxiety, watchfulness and rammies.

Worth every penny for me. For us both.

Another dog occasionally joins us and fun is had because they know and seem to like eachother.

I know the ‘it is only saying hello’ well enough. I’d rather they didn’t. 🤷‍♀️

A shrieking bleeding dog has been the result.

And now the dog doesn’t care for ‘hellos’ either.

I have another breed that can't be trusted off lead - an Akita and I have recently discovered some of these fields near me and will be getting him booked in. You're absolutely right to not let him off and it's reassuring to hear. Imagine the what ifs!

And owners relying on random dogs they meet on walks for socialisation are half arsing it tbh.
Well the very point of socialisation is to behave nicely and be used to the situations the dog is likely to encounter, so for example with random dogs on walks. So naturally this is one of things to do, socialise with dogs on walks...

Also, dogs are fine not going off lead. I have a 30ft lead and in the right area, my dog is happy sniffing and running around. A dog does not need to be further away from you than that. Owners of dogs like this know what they are doing.

A dog needs to be safe and under control. I am fed up of off lead dogs coming up to my dog with zero recall or manners. Some of the responses here are quite concerning to be honest.

@Watapalava

but surely that's what recall is for - how will dogs be socialised if not off lead with others?

How very naive of you to assume Every breed of dog has reliable recall. I know for sure,as an owner of a spitz breed dog for over 20 yrs that their prey drive and recall are reknown for being distinctly lacking. This is inbred and genetic to specifc breeds, and very difficult to train into them.

“So naturally this is one of things to do, socialise with dogs on walks...”

You’re confusing socialising with interacting with.

Dogs do not need to interact with dogs on walks, they just need to be ok that they exist.

*The OP’s husky presumably plays with the other dogs it lives with for starters...

Do people get dogs not suited to the lifestyle they can provide, sure, does that mean all dogs walked on a lead are miserable? Of course not.*

This is a good point about OP's dog. And your other examples also make sense.

90 percent of dogs walked on lead where I live are solitary dogs in the family who are not let off due to lack of recall (A greyhound, a GSD, a Viszla are all real life examples).

It is not my point that all dogs should be let off lead tomorrow with no further warning, or that all dogs on leads are miserable.

@AyyMacarena

Also, dogs are fine not going off lead. I have a 30ft lead and in the right area, my dog is happy sniffing and running around. A dog does not need to be further away from you than that. Owners of dogs like this know what they are doing.

A dog needs to be safe and under control. I am fed up of off lead dogs coming up to my dog with zero recall or manners. Some of the responses here are quite concerning to be honest.

Do you actually believe that because your dog is dog agressive all other owners should have their dogs on leads?

Your dog has at least to be able to interact with a non-agressive dog who approaches it, because dogs off leads are part of your surroundings, just like children for example...

“Do you actually believe that because your dog is dog agressive all other owners should have their dogs on leads?”

Most commonly the dogs that approach dog aggressive dogs have terrible social skills from becoming magnetised to other dogs by being allowed to play with every dog they meet.

Dogs that are aggressive to other dogs are usually pretty good at communicating that they don’t want to interact, so that’s all being completely ignored if a dog is still approaching.

So yes, dogs with poor social skills and poor recall should be on a lead, they shouldn’t just be part of the environment tbh.

All dogs should be on leads at the moment anyway - it’s ground nesting bird season and it’s illegal to have your dog either off-lead or on a lead long than 2m on public access land. (Private fields and in towns/parks obviously ok!)

I understand what you are saying bfrazzled

And if it were only non aggressive dogs that approached, we’d probably both be okay with it.

But it isn’t.

For me - when I had my dog, it was fine for her to approach other off lead dogs.

If I saw a dog on a lead where other dogs were running free, she’d be called to my side until we were away from it. I rightly or wrongly assumed there would be a reason for it and chose not to engage.

I don’t care if there are dogs running free when I walk this one on the lead. I mind if they get too close because I know this dog will be scared and anxious.

It is my job to make the dog feel safe and secure after being attacked. It is a work in progress.

But I could do without other dogs while we work on it.

*Most commonly the dogs that approach dog aggressive dogs have terrible social skills from becoming magnetised to other dogs by being allowed to play with every dog they meet.

Dogs that are aggressive to other dogs are usually pretty good at communicating that they don’t want to interact, so that’s all being completely ignored if a dog is still approaching.

So yes, dogs with poor social skills and poor recall should be on a lead, they shouldn’t just be part of the environment tbh.*

First of all, dogs learn about communication with other dogs precisely by communicating with other dogs, and not by being "allowed" or not "allowed" to do something by their owner. Owners usually understand much less about dog communication than their dogs themselves, not surprisingly, since they are humans.The idea of teaching your dog about how other dogs communicate aggression is a ridiculous one, sorry.

Second, well you are making some unfair assumptions here. Perhaps it is actually the dog on lead who is poor at communicating? Because, being kept on lead, he was never able to learn how to communicate properly? Or do you think that you as a human can tell exactly the intricacies of the communication between two dogs by observing it from the side? I mean it is something that behaviour researchers are still working on

Sorry - without other dogs coming too close while we work on it.