Please call your dog

The divide between dog lovers and the anti dog folks seems to become greater all the time.
I've always shared my life with dogs, sometimes we've had three dogs in our family, occasionally only one and currently we have two permanent and a regular visiting dog.
Both my current dogs have been attacked by off lead dogs. Recently, my big on lead dog was attacked by a smaller, younger and very aggressive on lead dog. Unfortunately, I lost my dogs lead as I hadn't expected the assault and she was walking nicely on a loose lead. A fight ensued. I grabbed my dog, yanked her off and she sat quietly at my side. I apologised profusely but the other owner took full responsibility, as her dog was on lead because of previous unprovoked attacks it had launched on other dogs.
My dog is now on guard when other dogs get into her space. My other dog was left with puncture wounds when an off lead Staffordshire bull terrier raced out of woods and attacked him without provocation.
Increasingly, I walk my dogs part on lead and part off lead, depending on the area. My dogs are well trained, their recall is good so if I see other dogs/small children approaching, I call the dogs and leash them. They never run up to people and will walk quietly with me.
Three big problems:
- so called professional dog walkers, running 6 plus dogs off lead. The dogs won't be regularly walked together, they're usually a random group the walker has picked up for a one hour off lead play time. Those dogs become a pack. It's what dogs do. The "professional" in my experience, never has control. I don't think many dog trainers, even excellent and experienced ones would think it wise to walk more than two or three dogs together off lead. They'd have to be confident about recall which is impossible for the 'professionals ' I meet. The other thing is how on earth does anyone pick up after 6 off lead dogs? Impossible.
- Owners who do the "oh he's only wanting to be friendly" when their dog races up to your on lead dog. It's simple good dog manners to leash your dog if you see on lead dogs approaching.-
- groups of friends/specific breed meetings where you get large numbers of dogs who don't know each other meeting for a planned walk in a public area. I found a lost spaniel recently when one such walk took place in our area. Oh how the owner laughed when I eventually tracked them down, 2 miles from where I found their dog, in a car park at the start of the walk.
- 4! people with pockets full of dog treats who believe its jolly to hand out treats to every dog they meet, without asking the owner for permission. My answer if always no. One of mine is highly food motivated and would see every approaching person as a food opportunity.

Apologies for the long post. Put simply, it's manners isn't it. If we simply applied the good manners rule, dogs wouldn't be racing at people. A bit of consideration for others. Some understanding an knowledge about dogs . That's all that's needed.

Totally agree about the problem with so called professional walkers Iam64, I watch them drive up in their vans, unleash 5 or 6 dogs ,and then they meet up with others, often double figures of dogs, when they merge. Signs everywhere saying max number to walk, but no one to enforce it!

I rather like dogs and have in the past owned two myself but nowadays, I am nervous around offlead dogs. After falling and breaking my leg, I'm scared of being knocked over by them.

I don't know when this offlead obessesion became a thing. When we had dogs, the last of whom died about ten years ago, people mainly walked their dogs on a lead, unless you were in a very quiet area of woods or forest. Now, dogs seem to be off the leash all the time, whereas at one time a walk on a lead sufficed.

I was out walking with my two-year-old grandson not long ago when we were approached by five offlead German Shepherd dogs. They were beautiful creatures but if any of them had decided they didn't like my GS's shouts and busy movements as he ran about, then we would have been powerless to prevent a terrible incident occurring.

As I say, I do like dogs so it makes me sad that some owners behave in an irresponsible, entitled way, which then gets the poor dogs a bad name through no fault of their own.

I've taken on board the folded arms/turning your back trick, so thank you for that.

What is the law about having your dog off the lead in the UK, does anyone know, please?

I've been known to cross the road to avoid a dog thats not on a lead,or even a huge dog ON a lead.I too was bitten when I was a child,I was lucky not to lose an eye .It was a small terrier so size isn;t the issue with me just dogs

It is quite simply good manners.

What is so exasperating about some dog owners is that they are unable to grasp that even if their dog is genuinely being friendly (and not just a false interpretation on the part of the owner) there are many people, as this thread has clearly shown, who do not want a dog (any dog, however lovely) being friendly to them! - they do not want the licks, the slobber, the jumping up. Hard to grasp I know - but there it is. And that being the case, all owners should have proper consideration for others.

I can only dream........

The law now puts the emphasis on the dog owner. Dogs are always to be under control. If your dog's behaviour results on someone feeling afraid, you can be prosecuted under the act. I know that sounds extreme but, any responsible dog owner who attends courses that include up to date legislation will know this.

A dog appearing to be friendly doesn't mean it isn't going to bite you. We had a French Bulldog come up to Hattie wagging it's tail and next minute it had gone for her throat.

Tegan - that reminded me of something that happened to our male bc, Tip. We were walking along a lane, him on a lead, past a large house. Huge alsation bounded out and sunk his teeth into Tip's back. I yelled 'Help!' or something and the owner ran out of the house, he had to prise his dog's jaws open. He said 'he's only doing his job' ie guarding the house. I've learned to avoid certain walking routes now.
I get the impression that many dog owners think of their animal as a child, who can be trained to be civilised, but really they're always an animal first.
Having said that, I'm not afraid of all dogs, just the big ones.
Another risk from a dog jumping up is that you can be knocked over.

Dog areas would cost the council more than a few pence. Firstly they need to find/buy/provide the land and make sure it is safe for the dogs. Secondly they have to fence it off in such a way that off lead dogs cannot escape. Then the gate needs to be secure. The bins need to be purchased and someone employed to empty them on a regular basis. Finally someone would have to cut the grass regularly and check that no one has dropped litter, broken glass or let their dog foul and not removed it.

A dog area not only has an upfront cost but also an on going cost in order for it to be safe for the dogs.

A 'very friendly' dog jumped up at me a few years ago. It was on a lead but it was obviously too strong for the lady who had it on the lead. It was a wet day, I just walked past them and it leapt up putting its front paws on my chest. I was wearing a white jacket which was covered in mud from the dog's paws. The lady couldn't make it get down for a few minutes. She didn't apologise. She just said to the dog 'oh you are naughty'. When I got home I discovered the dog's claws had made a hole in my jacket, which I then had to throw away. I was not pleased.

Dogs on beaches; dog noses in my crotch; having your leg humped by a randy dog..............no thanks!

On a recent visit to a seaside town, the amount of dogs was unbelievable. There were notices on some of the restaurant/cafe windows 'dogs welcome here' When did that start?

I can't get over the dog prams. People spend good money to push their dogs around in a pram.....what is all that about??????

I saw a notice today outside a local hotel which said 'dogs welcome', KatyK. I'm sure that's new, I haven't seen it before. Though I suppose dogs don't get drunk or swear or be rude to staff.

This is a rural area and tbf, most dog owners are responsible. I find it more of a problem down south, where there are more people and dogs crowded into smaller spaces.

About special dog areas in parks, maybe the dog licence needs to be reintroduced and the money used for that.

I think it cost more to implement than they got back from it. As a substitute isn't it illegal now not to have you dog microchipped?

So, VQ what do you suggest, especially in urban areas? Should all prospective owners be inspected to see if their accommodation is suitable for the dog they want? Should they pass a test? Dogs are valuable companions, not just nuisances and deserve to have a little freedom don’t you think? A young dog needs to run occasionally. That’s why I think the Canadian/Danish idea of dog areas where they can run free is a good idea as it then gives the opportunity to enforce the dogs on leads rule in built up areas especially. We pay for expensive playgrounds, football pitches and skateboard parks why not a fenced field? No need to cut the grass, just a poo bin to empty.

And we only stayed at Sandy Balls because of the name. But it was great!

Actually, I do think owners should be thoroughly vetted before taking on a dog. That includes their accommodation too. I know lots of dogs which spend most of their lives shut away in their owners kitchen.

I remember visiting France years ago and being horrified that people brought their dogs into restauraunt. It would never have been allowed here. Seems times have changed.

Dog friendly cafe's and pubs are usually found in more rural or sea side areas. Lots of dog owners take their dogs on holiday with them rather than put them in to kennels. The sign also means that those who don't like dogs, can go somewhere else- most of the rest of the world!

I'm nervous of dogs, having been bitten some years ago. Earlier this year I stayed at a hotel that welcomed "well behaved dogs". I hadn't appreciated that dogs would actually be allowed into the dining room at breakfast time though. As we walked into the dining room, one of the dogs rushed at us, barking loudly, it was very intimidating. The owners made little attempt to restrain it, even when a family with young children entered the room. The children looked terrified and had to be picked up and carried by their parents to get past the dog. Not the dogs fault; just dreadfully irresponsible owners.

I know I must be in the minority - maybe even the only person - I’ve bred, shown and been around dogs all my life and I’ve never been bitten , jumped on ( unless by one of my own dogs) chased, rushed at or otherwise assaulted by strange dogs .

Maybe dogs sense I won’t be taking any prisoners, maybe I’m just lucky , I don’t know.

Same here NanaandGrampy - I haven't shown dogs but I've always lived with dogs and often have had three living with me. I walk my dogs for an hour every morning and half an hour at tea time. If we holiday in the UK the dogs go with us. My working life meant I was regularly visiting homes with dogs, many of whom weren't well trained.
I've never been bitten, or had a dog leap up onto its hind legs and jump on me in an aggressive manner.
None of my children, no-one in my extended family or friendship group have been bitten up jumped on by dogs when out walking either.
As I said earlier, my recent difficulties have been with poorly trained or supervised and over excited dogs creating mayhem in open countryside when off lead.

I’ve never been bitten either. Or attacked. Perhaps I’ve been lucky. One thing I have noticed is that strange dogs are always a lot friendlier when I’ve recently had a dog in the house. When our last dog died I noticed that dogs tended to ignore me. When my DC got their dogs and they came to stay, dogs became friendlier and greeted me. This would last for several weeks after the dogs had left. I don’t think I smell that much. I do bath!

Dogs are lovely creatures but need to be trained. I'm not worried about police dogs or guide dogs because I know they won't come near me. A neighbour has a beautiful Labrador which is trained and never interacts with humans unless given permission by the owner. My neighbour is just a normal person not a dog trainer but if he can have that much control over his animal than other dog owners can. He took the dog to training sessions when she was a puppy and they both learned how to behave.