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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dealing with off lead dogs...

101 replies

StarfishDish · 10/11/2021 06:50

I was walking my 14 month old lab and my baby in her pram in our park. A dog came bounding over from nowhere! I told my dog to sit (he is very excitable and just wants to play!) which he did.

This other dog was bouncing about, near me, near my dog as my dog sat there. As soon as it went near the pram, my dog jumped up but sat down as soon as I tokd him.

The owner is strolling up at this point, shouting this dogs name. The dog ignored her as he continues to jump around us.

Eventually, the woman manages to get her dog and then starts shouting at her for being a bad dog!

What can I do in that situation, should it happen again? I didn't want to let mt dog play as i wasn't sure if the other dog was friendly but I was so annoyed with the owner!

OP posts:
Prattypatel · 10/11/2021 07:02

The best for a happy dog is to let him/her off lead,so it can socialise with other dogs.this is important for a dog.why is your dog on a lead?have you trained a good recall?the other dog wanted to play with your dog.of course the owner should be able to recall their dog at any time.you would not want your child to never play with other children,would you.dogs are much more basic thean humans,but it is surprising how similar their needs are.

Damnyoureyes · 10/11/2021 07:07

Are you allowed dogs off leads in that park? Are there notices anywhere?

Skyla2005 · 10/11/2021 07:08

Why didn't you just let them have a play together they need to be social. Asking him to sit when the other dog wanted to play was unfair

Saucery · 10/11/2021 07:14

Do exactly the same as you did. Dogs don’t have to play with every single other dog that approaches them, in fact, it’s better if they don’t.
I think your dog was a very Good Boy if he followed your instructions despite being hassled by the offlead dog to play. Grin

I’ve had “you should let her play” from owners who can’t be arsed to train their own dogs not to approach on lead ones. I just say “she does, when it’s Play Time”. I dictate when Play Time is. Safe area, safe dogs, owners who are in control.

icedcoffees · 10/11/2021 07:28

I hate the whole "let them play!" thing. Yes, if all dogs are off lead to start with and are showing nice, friendly body language then a little play is fine, but the fact that this unknown dog had no recall and showed no manners around your dog is a bit of a red flag to me.

Not all dogs want to play. Not all owners want their dogs to play. Letting your dog run up to an on lead dog and jump around like an idiot is poor etiquette on the owners part and poor manners/poor socialisation on the dogs part.

FissionMailed · 10/11/2021 07:31

The "you should let them play" comments are stupid.

Firstly... Never ever EVER assume a dog is friendly, ever.
If you let.you dog, as the other posters suggest, and things turn nasty with some strange dog you dont know... What then?
You've now got 2 dogs fighting and a pram. You going to let go of the pram, put yourself in harm's way to stop dogs fighting? That's would be incredibly reckless.

Ultimately, no dog should ever be bounding off from their owner to meet other dogs. It's sign of awful ownership and bad training when that happens. Bad training is a good sign the dog is less than friendly.

I think what you did was about as good as you could. At least of your dog is well trained it's taking one unpredictable variable from an encounter.

Prattypatel · 10/11/2021 07:52

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.

ThreeB · 10/11/2021 07:58

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
Rubbish! Not every dog is happy or confident being off lead. Not every dog wants to play. Not every dog has bomb proof recall. Being a responsible owner means knowing what is best for your dog in any given situation.
FissionMailed · 10/11/2021 08:00

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
It is absolutely responsible to teach safe play...

From OP:
"A dog came bounding over from nowhere!"

"The owner is strolling up at this point, shouting this dogs name. The dog ignored her as he continues to jump around us."

"Eventually, the woman manages to get her dog and then starts shouting at her for being a bad dog!"

If you think that is responsible in any way shape or form, you need a rethink.

As for "all dogs want to play".. bullshit.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 10/11/2021 08:00

You should have 100% recall of your dog for it to be off lead in a public space. If not then it should be on a lead. It is only polite to put your dog on to a lead if there are other dogs around on a lead. It isnt an entitlement for your dog to be off lead in a park.

FrancescaContini · 10/11/2021 08:02

IME - not a dog owner - dog owners NEVER apologise for their dogs bounding up to other people/small children. Never. It happened countless times when my DC were small.

Dog owners who don’t acknowledge that their off-lead dogs are annoying if not downright frightening to others are unbelievably entitled and rude.

icedcoffees · 10/11/2021 08:03

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
Hmm
WowIlikereallyhateyou · 10/11/2021 08:05

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
Rubbish. You know nothing about the dog or its background, idiot advice.
lollipopsandrainbows · 10/11/2021 08:05

I am a dog owner with an unfriendly dog. In this situation, I'd have been trying to get away as quickly as possible as he barks, lunges and tries to bite. He's only a Lhasa but absolutely hates dogs and I'd never ever let him off the lead. Dogs off the lead are a problem and one I try to avoid, but things like this do happen. Personally I think your dog was very well behaved, the other owner was in the wrong and was lucky not to drop on a different dog....Like mine.

TrudyRuby · 10/11/2021 08:09

Let them be dogs if the situation allows. I've always had puppies off lead the first time they are allowed out.

I choose places I can walk with my two Labradors (they're elderly now) off lead. Being on/off lead is no fun for them or for me.

Local authority rules regarding dogs on leads are generally advisory signs and not compulsory. My local council explicitly say that dogs can be exercised off lead in any public area. It's only if there is a warrant for enforcing the dog be on a lead, that they can make you.

HaplessHetty · 10/11/2021 08:30

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
Not all dogs want to play. There can be a number of reasons for this.

My dog was attacked on a walk by an off lead dog. My dog was off lead and having a sniff about. This dog came from nowhere and started having a go. My dog was terrified after that and had to have lots of sessions with a behaviourist. She is much better but would rather keep away from strange dogs.

Saucery · 10/11/2021 09:01

@Prattypatel

People,who dont let their dog off lead in safe areas,are people who either cant be bothered to train their dog,dont know how to train their dog,or in general(probably also with their kids) very anxious people.All dogs want to play( of course some areas are unsafe),like all children want to play.it is an important part of development.it is your responsibility to teach safe,responsible play.If you cant do this: DONT HAVE A DOG.
But I might have just let my dog off in another safe area for a play. I might now be training to ignore offlead dogs. I won’t be dictated to by incompetent owners who, as far as I can tell, have their poorly trained dog off the lead because they can’t be arsed to train it properly.
Prattypatel · 10/11/2021 09:41

@TrudyRuby

Let them be dogs if the situation allows. I've always had puppies off lead the first time they are allowed out.

I choose places I can walk with my two Labradors (they're elderly now) off lead. Being on/off lead is no fun for them or for me.

Local authority rules regarding dogs on leads are generally advisory signs and not compulsory. My local council explicitly say that dogs can be exercised off lead in any public area. It's only if there is a warrant for enforcing the dog be on a lead, that they can make you.

Totally agree with you.Unfortunately there are always anxious,uptight dogowners and non dogowners.it is always a pleasure to meet relaxed parents. their children enjoy my dogs.the kids throw the ball and my dogs fetch the ball back for them.our parks here are open for everybody to enjoy. It is interesting,that uptight people usually have bad experiences and relaxed,friendly people have fun with dogs and children.I am glad, I live in a world where people are positive and friendly towards each other and so are their dogs and children for that matter.the saying,you reap what you sow couldnt be more appropriate here.
pastypirate · 10/11/2021 09:48

Yanbu. My dog goes on the lead as soon as I spit another dog because he's a bit aggy and I can't always predict whether he will like the other dog. For some reason he takes against small dogs abs puppies.

Branleuse · 10/11/2021 09:50

All dogs definitely do NOT want to play. Certainly not with dogs they dont know from adam.

MissyB1 · 10/11/2021 10:13

The OP stated that her dog wanted to play didn’t she? What would be the problem with letting him off lead for a 5 minute romp? Young dogs need to be allowed to develop some social skills with other dogs.

Saucery · 10/11/2021 10:19

I've reread the OP and nowhere does it say she NEVER EVER lets her dog socialise. It's a shame some posters seem to infer she doesn't. I suppose if you're the type of owner who prefers their dog to be Free Range because it's easier than training them you are going to take against those of us who prefer to train and socialise properly.

Colin56 · 10/11/2021 10:23

@Prattypatel

The best for a happy dog is to let him/her off lead,so it can socialise with other dogs.this is important for a dog.why is your dog on a lead?have you trained a good recall?the other dog wanted to play with your dog.of course the owner should be able to recall their dog at any time.you would not want your child to never play with other children,would you.dogs are much more basic thean humans,but it is surprising how similar their needs are.
Good to see @prattypatel getting a talking to here on this thread. On another thread yesterday with the same advice.....very simplistic read of the situation. All dogs should be on leads in my book unless they have excellent recall and can ignore other dogs 100%. If a dog bounds up to my dog I assume the owner is an arse and the dog is a risk.
Colin56 · 10/11/2021 10:26

@MissyB1

The OP stated that her dog wanted to play didn’t she? What would be the problem with letting him off lead for a 5 minute romp? Young dogs need to be allowed to develop some social skills with other dogs.
@MissyB1 You would never do play in such a situation - dogs run amook, open space so hard to catch, chance of things getting heated, dont know the other dog, have a baby in pram so cant leave, most people can't break up a dog fight etc. Shall I go on?

Play is organised with a dog that you know that is secure and can play with limits. If a dog is loose and running about like described its unlikely that this is going to be the ideal playmate.
Its like dog parks - the worst possible place to bring a dog but people still do.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 10/11/2021 10:55

In an ideal world it would be nice to let them play, but it does not always work and dog owners ought to respect that, but just let their dogs off and hope that everyone is happy for them to have a play.