Please call your dog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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........

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

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

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.

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!

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.

QuEEEniE, what an unpleasant post, you cannot possibly tar all dog owners with the same brush, and as for how anyone talks to the dogs what on earth has that got to do with you!

....I can't believe there's a place called Sandy Balls ....

I'm not afraid of dogs, I'm not allergic to them, and I have had dogs of my own in the past. That doesn't mean that I want other people's dogs jumping up at me! I have lost count of the number of times recently when some over-friendly, uncontrolled dog has jumped up at me while I have been out walking, leaving me with muddy or slobber-covered clothing. It's simply not acceptable!
It was pretty disgusting when we were on a beach and a dog ran over and peed on our belongings, too.

A couple of years ago we went on a family holiday camping at Sandy Balls in Hampshire. (Four dogs in all.). Dogs welcome - but kept on leads at ALL times. But there was an acre paddock set aside for dogs. Poo bin by the gate. Nine or ten dogs could often be seen playing and interacting together. Doggy heaven. Then they’d be back on the lead and laying outside their tents and caravans tired and happy. And ignoring everyone coming and going.

Providing an area where dogs can be let off needed cost councils a penny. They don’t need expensive play equipment, just a poo bin by the exit. If dog play areas are provided as they are in other countries fewer dogs would be loose in woods and parks. Loose dogs could even be outlawed.

For many people their dog is the sole companion. Often living in flats or small properties with only a patio garden. The dog deserves to be able to run occasionally.

I agree Vampire letting a dog lick your hands or face or anywhere else revolting. Our dogs never have. They can be taught.

I don't see why in these cash strapped times you can expect councils to pay for designated areas. Dogs simply need to be trained and controlled. You never see a police dog or a guide dog causing problems so it shows that dogs are trainable.

By all means have dogs. They're beautiful creatures but keep them away from me.

To the poster who asked about allergies. I'm allergic to the dander. I get rashes and hives when I come into contact with it. If it gets in my eyes they swell and weep until I can hardly see. If I breath it in my nasal passages react first and then, if it's really bad, my chest gets involved. I'm also allergic to the saliva so licking/nipping causes skin problems. If the saliva gets onto my fingers it can be transferred to my eyes.

A dog doesn't have to shed fur to be an allergy hazard.

And why do I have to justify not wanting a dog to touch me. An owner may love their dog, they may see them as a member of the family and even treat them like a child but it's still an animal. Dogs hygiene habits leave a lot to be desired. Just think where they lick.......why should I want it then to lick my hand or, God forbid, my face?

The problem here is that no council seems to think it is necessary to provide designated dog walking areas. Therefore dog walkers can only walk their pets in shared spaces. In America there are dog runs - fenced areas where dogs and their owners can meet and play. Drinking water is provided along with dog poo bins etc. Considering the amount of skate parks and other facilities councils provide, I don't think it is unreasonable to provide exercise areas for dog walkers - they pay council tax too. I own a large dog. He is extremely people orientated and loves to go for a fuss. However, I don't walk him at busy times and usually go out really early in the morning when I can take him on the beach. When he is in populated areas, he's on his lead and if anybody is scared we stay away. He is only being friendly but if you were scared of spiders I wouldn't keep wafting one in your face and telling you it would be ok, so the same goes for my dog.

Once the dog has calmed down, explain yourself to the dog owner. I know some people can be horrible but not all.

So many tales of woe - so many appalling dog owners. It is shocking.

During my career I had to do many home visits. I have had a dog sit on my lap and growl in my face ("Oh, she really likes you!"); a poodle piss in my handbag; four alsatians rush at me on a garden path; and endless other traumas.

It was utterly crazy that folk who wanted you to visit to help them could not see that having a vicious or badly-behaved dog to greet you was not productive. I used to tell people whom I was set to visit that I would be grateful if they could keep their dogs under control and in another room.

I have always been afraid of dogs and last year I had hypnosis to try and get over it. It has definitely taken the edge of it, but even so if a large dog jumped up at me it would still freak me out. People need to stop being selfish and control there dogs

The dog that bit me was a border collie.

A lot of dog owners are completely unaware that dogs need to be socialised and have proper training classes ...this is as much for the dog as the owner. It teaches both pet and owner the rudiments of owning, caring for, and general acceptable behaviour. Some people have"nt got a clue how to look after and teach their dogs or behave in certain situations. If you are going to have a dog as at pet,invest in the training as you will then know how to deal with any situations as they arise. It's a pity Victoria Stillwell's dog training programmes are no longer on TV a lot could be learned from those.

tegan little buggers! I would have been extremely mad I must say.

The point is that means a tetanus injection and care. You would have been perfectly entitled to go omthe police. What did the owner say?

I would have been beside myself with fury

Actually, I should have said negative things about dog owners, really.