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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Bloody off lead dogs.

172 replies

Sexnotgender · 10/07/2022 11:43

2 days running fucking off lead dogs harassing my 2.

If your dog has zero or unreliable recall then don’t let it off lead.

OP posts:
Yorshiregass32 · 10/07/2022 13:40

They're everywhere aren't they! Our boy is reactive and although he has good recall he also has a high prey drive for squirrels so he's on a short lead unless we're in a field with his long line.

Every single walk we go on he's approached by off lead dogs. It's makes me so fucking angry. We were walking through the woods today and a big poodle type dog, off lead, was following us. Kept sniffing up my dogs backside. My dog kept his cool but I wouldn't have blamed him of he'd gone for him. I kept trying to shoo him away. I then had to stop and I shouted to the owner to walk ahead of us. She looked right down her nose at me, as if I'm the one in the wrong, called her dog to heal and they went ahead. Its as if some people with off lead dogs think they're superior.

I had another terrible incident a few weeks ago. We were by a shallow river, my dog on his long line fetching his ball in and out of the water, completely focused on his game. Along comes a young spaniel with zero recall. I tried for 15 minutes to shoo this dog away. The owners just stood on the opposite river bank shouting it's name. My dog got pissed off and growled/air snapped at it and it still wouldn't leave us alone. In the end I had to literally chase it away. The owners couldn't get down the rivers bank to it.

I feel like a lot of owners with friendly off lead dogs think because our dogs have to be kept on lead, we're the ones with the problem. Why should their dog not be able to roam free just because our dog is unfriendly? Why should their dog miss out just because it's recall isn't 100%. If our dog was friendly it wouldn't be an issue.

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 13:46

I've just ordered pet corrector for this reason and I don't even walk areas where off lead dogs should be .

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 13:47

Surrounded by commons here and woods and I can't use any of them due to all the morons 😡

BlueIvy11 · 10/07/2022 13:47

It's so annoying!!

I'm currently trying to train my dog (he's anxious after a cat attack) so he's not reactive and not everyone is going to attack him. I let him have a sniff around with other dogs and he does great but then the ones off leads, just run up to him and pounce all over me and him or the kids, then we are back to square one. It's a nightmare. I've tried smaller walking areas but it's the same issue. Theres clearly signs to keep dogs on leads but they dont care! I don't want your dogs jumping all over me.

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 13:49

Wouldn't it be great if a law came in saying all dogs had to be on lead then all the idiots can hire the secure fields instead of us with reactive dogs having to just to get some bloody peace

ShirleyPhallus · 10/07/2022 13:58

This is a daily thread atm!

ShirleyPhallus · 10/07/2022 13:58

stillherenow · 10/07/2022 13:46

I've just ordered pet corrector for this reason and I don't even walk areas where off lead dogs should be .

Omg for your dog or for other people’s? Please don’t use this, it’s so cruel

ImJustMum · 10/07/2022 14:04

I have a very nervous small breed dog, shes been made so much worse by 'hes friendly!' Off lead bastard dogs with no recall. I stop, call out to recall your dog and if it doesnt listen (they never bloody do) i stick my foot out PURELY to block contact with my dog, who is running circles crapping her pants by this point. I am NOT kicking their dog in any way but i find it makes them move a little quicker to re claim the hairy asshole

Plantstrees · 10/07/2022 14:24

I agree that the law needs changing. All dogs should be kept on leads in public spaces or on footpaths. They are a real nuisance in parks and in the countryside.

FourChimneys · 10/07/2022 14:30

Plantstrees I completely agree with you. Really fed up with dogs running up to me when I am out walking. I don't care if the owner thinks they are adorable, I don't like them.

Yorshiregass32 · 10/07/2022 15:03

ImJustMum that's what happened to my boy. Very nervous as a puppy. I tried so hard to walk him at quiet times, build his confidence gradually etc. Every time we went out he's be bounded upon by off lead dogs, often barking and snapping at him. We then went through 18 months of difficulty as he became very reactive as a result. Lots if training and he's much better and more confident but we still have an encounter on every walk.

MarvEll · 10/07/2022 15:10

I definitely wouldn't use pet corrector on an unknown dog - the only dogs I've seen it used on have immediately tried to attack it, so I really think you're asking for trouble.

But generally I disagree with you all - why can't dogs be off lead? It's good for them?! I understand that they should absolutely have good recall and shouldn't be allowed to bother other dogs, but come on! They're animals, they should be free to try out the ditches and wander off the paths.

It isn't my fault if you have a reactive dog!

I have a dog and have him off all time time, but he'll come back when called. If I'm worried about the dog coming towards me, I'll put him on, but otherwise be can be off lead.

Maltester71 · 10/07/2022 15:13

Bloody cats in my garden!

Replacethis · 10/07/2022 15:20

If MAY be your fault that some dogs are reactive if you are letting your off lead dog jump all over on lead dogs.

That's why my dog is sometimes reactive on the lead. He has been accosted too many times by off lead dogs and now gets frightened when an offlead large dog runs towards him if he is on a lead. He is fine with other dogs off lead but I do not allow him to approach on lead dogs as it is incredibly rude and inconsiderate to do so.

Stellaris22 · 10/07/2022 15:20

It isn't my fault if you have a reactive dog!

This. I know it’s no fun having a reactive dog and I’ll recall/put my dog on lead around on lead dogs. But the attitude that unreactive dogs are bad is highly unfair. Of course they can be off lead to exercise and play, it’s not their fault and should be allowed to run around.

The attitude that friendly/sociable dogs are bad is getting old.

Salvagehunter · 10/07/2022 15:21

I think it's perfectly fine for dogs to be off lead, they need to socialise with other dogs. They probably feel more vulnerable on a lead.

Clymene · 10/07/2022 15:24

No one is saying your dogs can't run around. But they shouldn't be bothering dogs on leads and they shouldn't be off lead at all unless they have reliable recall.

MarmaRell78 · 10/07/2022 15:25

I am only speaking from my experience with my dog, but my dog is far less reactive off lead with bouncy dogs that come over. Obviously not in all cases, but if more dogs were off lead, they could interact as they would historically have done, with their own social nuance.
I do put my dog on if the other dog looks nervous, and would never let him bother another dog - he doesn't like being bothered either.
But I don't think the answer is all dogs should be kept on leads always.
I think there should be much stricter breeding rules and people should be much more careful in where they get their dog from, and making sure they have the time and skills to socialize them properly - so that there are far fewer reactive dogs in the first place
And obviously, everyone should be respectful and learn better how to read theirs and others dogs

Fritilleries · 10/07/2022 15:25

MarvEll · 10/07/2022 15:10

I definitely wouldn't use pet corrector on an unknown dog - the only dogs I've seen it used on have immediately tried to attack it, so I really think you're asking for trouble.

But generally I disagree with you all - why can't dogs be off lead? It's good for them?! I understand that they should absolutely have good recall and shouldn't be allowed to bother other dogs, but come on! They're animals, they should be free to try out the ditches and wander off the paths.

It isn't my fault if you have a reactive dog!

I have a dog and have him off all time time, but he'll come back when called. If I'm worried about the dog coming towards me, I'll put him on, but otherwise be can be off lead.

People who don't like dogs deserve to be able to walk without them bouncing up and generally being "friendly."

coffeecupsandfairylights · 10/07/2022 15:26

Stellaris22 · 10/07/2022 15:20

It isn't my fault if you have a reactive dog!

This. I know it’s no fun having a reactive dog and I’ll recall/put my dog on lead around on lead dogs. But the attitude that unreactive dogs are bad is highly unfair. Of course they can be off lead to exercise and play, it’s not their fault and should be allowed to run around.

The attitude that friendly/sociable dogs are bad is getting old.

They can run around, but not if they're going to run up to on lead dogs or people.

In fact, a well trained friendly dog should know to avoid other dogs unless given permission by the owner anyway.

SheSaysShush · 10/07/2022 15:29

MarvEll · 10/07/2022 15:10

I definitely wouldn't use pet corrector on an unknown dog - the only dogs I've seen it used on have immediately tried to attack it, so I really think you're asking for trouble.

But generally I disagree with you all - why can't dogs be off lead? It's good for them?! I understand that they should absolutely have good recall and shouldn't be allowed to bother other dogs, but come on! They're animals, they should be free to try out the ditches and wander off the paths.

It isn't my fault if you have a reactive dog!

I have a dog and have him off all time time, but he'll come back when called. If I'm worried about the dog coming towards me, I'll put him on, but otherwise be can be off lead.

Imagine owning a dog and it never being off the lead its whole life. What is the point?

To the PP who suggested owners with off lead dogs rent out secure fields why don't people with reactive dogs do it instead?

FWIW I have a reactive dog so I choose my walks to suit her and me. What's the point in stressing yourself out by going to places where you know they'll be dogs off lead? Solve the problem yourself.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/07/2022 15:30

Don’t worry he’s just playing
he’s really friendly
he’s never bitten anyone before….

MarvEll · 10/07/2022 15:30

If I see people without a dog, I actually have to put him on a lead because he thinks you're suspicious and will bark and chase you - which is obviously completely unacceptable. So I do always always put him on then. Yes people should be able to walk without being bothered. But that doesn't mean they have to be on a lead

coffeecupsandfairylights · 10/07/2022 15:35

Imagine owning a dog and it never being off the lead its whole life. What is the point?

What a bizarre comment.

Yes, it would be nice if all dogs could run free but the reality is many cannot be offlead and remain safe.

Some are reactive, some have no recall, some have ridiculous prey drives, some are nervous and will bolt and run, some are aggressive, some are just young and int training.

It's far better for a dog to stay on lead all its life then for it to be let off and get itself hurt or worse.

Please don't judge owners who choose to keep their dogs on lead. There's often a very good reason for it.

BiteyShark · 10/07/2022 15:38

I see reactive dogs out in the middle of forest trails (think of animal/foot trails). They are on-lead and probably get lovely walks and can sniff all the different smells.

My off lead spaniel is not interested in other dogs but he gets put on the lead if I see an on lead dog as it's the sensible polite thing to do but it seems that not everyone agrees.

I just wish there was an agreed dog walking guide so that reactive on lead dogs and off lead dogs can coexist without bothering each other but the problem is that some owners don't want to curtail their unruly off lead dogs for just a few minutes to give the reactive ones space.

No