Dog walking off leash

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Thank you for your cooperation.

It was my understanding that you were not allowed to breed, buy or sell the breeds in question...nor import them from elsewhere.

For anyone interested,here's the list of banned breeds in the UK.

[linkhttp://tproxy.guardster.com/proxy.php/4d8c410e032108005f5470affd0d1550525dcccad6efb7de7a98c3249349474a695323c61371ad05b9521fec654276b8df988b3d5e76a2ab4e0b819fe35fcea21741f1cf6ee9b44eade292a67409b277996119790f9b90360918ac5f]http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/ddogsleaflet.pdf[/link]

I have very strong feelings about off leash dogs.
 
Just last year my dog and I were attacked by a pack of 3, later that same year my dog had to have eye surgery because another off leash dog, " being a dog" decided to run over to say hello and play (according to owners) and proceeded to poke my dog's eye out.
 
I am sorry, I don't care how obedient your dog is, the truth is, we don't know 100 % how the dog is going to act and is better to be safe than sorry.
 
 

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with Olinda. While my dogs and I haven't suffered as much as she and her dog have (I'm really sorry to hear all you've been thru), we have had dogs attack us and it's not fun. All while the owner stands there does nothing and says they just want to play (as their dog is biting mine???) My dogs now do not like other dogs charging them and they shouldn't have to. I no longer take my dogs for walks in my neighborhood outside our fenced in yard for fear of being attacked. Is it fair that we're a prisoner of our own yard because others can't be responsible?

Unfortunately being on a leash still doesn't guarantee the owner has their dogs under control. All I want is for owners to be considerate of others when out with their dogs. That means not letting them charge other people or dogs, not letting them jump up on everyone, and picking up after them. Is that really too much to ask?

Linda

ORIGINAL: herdingdogs

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with Olinda. While my dogs and I haven't suffered as much as she and her dog have (I'm really sorry to hear all you've been thru), we have had dogs attack us and it's not fun. All while the owner stands there does nothing and says they just want to play (as their dog is biting mine???) My dogs now do not like other dogs charging them and they shouldn't have to. I no longer take my dogs for walks in my neighborhood outside our fenced in yard for fear of being attacked. Is it fair that we're a prisoner of our own yard because others can't be responsible?

Unfortunately being on a leash still doesn't guarantee the owner has their dogs under control. All I want is for owners to be considerate of others when out with their dogs. That means not letting them charge other people or dogs, not letting them jump up on everyone, and picking up after them. Is that really too much to ask?

Linda

It has taken months to rehab Romeo, lots of positive encounters both off leash and on leash, I just don't want him to be afraid, I worked so hard to socialize him  when I adopted him, that I was so ticked off when the assaults happened, for a while Romeo wanted to kill any large dog no matter what, but now he is almost back to his old self.

To me out of control leashed dogs equal an untrained owner.  When I walk Romeo, I let him go which ever way he wants, but he heels when someone approaches with or without a dog.  There have been times, that I have gone in opposite direction of  the dog dragging the owner to say hello, because I know my dog.

I just wish people would take the time, to teach at least basic commands to their animals.  [&o]

To me out of control leashed dogs equal an untrained owner.

I agree,and i doubt there are many of those on this board and yet the majority of members dogs are always on leash [sm=asking03.gif]

I no longer take my dogs for walks in my neighborhood outside our fenced in yard for fear of being attacked

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But they still get out for walks elsewhere,right? I dont walk my dogs in my neighborhood either,not because of stray dogs,but because there's nowhere really to go.I dont walk around the block  or around streets,coz it's boring for them and me,too much traffic and they cant get off lead.

Is it fair that we're a prisoner of our own yard because others can't be responsible?

Absolutely not!But if AC and the owners cant/wont do anything about it then you have to look further afield to walk your dogs.Dont let your dogs suffer because of a few irresponsible idiots,dont let them win [:@]

For me, the most shocking thing about Paris was the number of offleash dogs running around with their owners - typically on bicycles! - riding through the insanely crowded streets. Like, running down the middle of the street by the median! I don't care how well-trained your dogs are... that just can't be safe. []

Absolutely not!But if AC and the owners cant/wont do anything about it then you have to look further afield to walk your dogs.Dont let your dogs suffer because of a few irresponsible idiots,dont let them win

I agree with what you are saying (I personally would not let myself be confined to my own property), but for some people, driving to a field where off-leash play is allowed could be an hour drive, each way.  I personally don't know anyone that doesn't walk their dog on a daily basis here in the city.  I've finally found a public beach where it appears that dogs are allowed and it's an hour away...and I don't even live in that big of a city.

ORIGINAL: Liesje

Absolutely not!But if AC and the owners cant/wont do anything about it then you have to look further afield to walk your dogs.Dont let your dogs suffer because of a few irresponsible idiots,dont let them win

I agree with what you are saying (I personally would not let myself be confined to my own property), but for some people, driving to a field where off-leash play is allowed could be an hour drive, each way.  I personally don't know anyone that doesn't walk their dog on a daily basis here in the city.  I've finally found a public beach where it appears that dogs are allowed and it's an hour away...and I don't even live in that big of a city.

 
I so totally agree.  Between my dad and I Romeo gets walked 3-4 times a day about an hour each time, and although I hate to work weekends,  I do ( 6:00 pm to 2:30 am ) because I rather be off during weekdays so I can take Romeo to the parks and the beach when there are not that many people and dogs around.  I set up play dates for him and yes I drive an hour to an hour and a half sometimes to go to a park that he likes, because there are  ponds and places to hide and play hide and seek.  Am I crazy? maybe, but I like it and we are both very happy. 
 
I think it has been harder on me then on him to be normal again around large dogs, I really don't fear for me, but for him.  However I always remember to breath and not let my nervousness trickle down the leash.  I also always have small heart attacks when I see him laying rough with a dobbie or rottie or when he tries to be the alpha of all alphas and gets put on his place, but I smile up at him, correct him if necessary and never let him see me sweat.[8D] 
 

I live in a big city (Toronto) and I personally feel that dog parks here are a disaster.  There are always tons of under-exercised and under-stimulated dogs, especially on the weekend.  Dog walkers show up with 8 dogs at a time.  Who on earth can truly keep an eye on eight dogs in an off-leash park?  Besides, the parks are pretty small and fenced-in.  Not much fun, IMO.
 
Chase gets walked twice a day.  He is ALWAYS on leash while walking around the neighbourhood.  The only place that I walk him off-leash is in the hydrofield.  We're lucky that we have a huge belt of electrical towers that cuts through the city.  While these are not officially off-leash, no one goes there except dog owners.  It's not a place where kids play or people picnic.  It's just a big, wasted space...that we dog owners are more than happy to use.  It is almost fully fenced (lengthwise) near my house and it goes on forever.
 
Chase is very well-behaved, but I will admit that his recall isn't perfect if another dog is too close, so I never let him off-leash when there is anyone around unless we've already talked and both parties are comfortable with the dogs interacting.  If I see another person or another dog (very easy to do in the hydrofield, which is flat and straight), I call him long before we get too close, leash him and then wait to see if it is safe for the dogs to interact.  Chase has lots of buddies that he plays with in the hydrofield. 
 
Someone else posted about people taking care of each others' dogs in the park...I don't think that that is limited to the UK.  Here in Canada, every dog park (both official and unofficial) that I've been to has its regulars who quickly become friends and who love and protect each others' dogs.  I think that that's pretty normal.

We moved from Victoria BC, which is the dog-friendliest city in the world, I think.  There are tons of off-leash nature trails, ocean-side parks, lakes...and leash laws everywhere else.  Leash laws are strictly enforced (fines for walking off-leash or without licences) which I think is more than fair, because there are LOTS of places to walk your dog.  You aren't limited to small fenced-in squared of grass and dirt.  Instead, you have paths and hills and fields and lakes and beaches.  I lived in the middle of the city and there were 2 huge off-leash parks within walking distance of my house.   I obeyed leash laws without fail.  I miss Victoria so much.
 
Here in Toronto, I honestly don't have the luxury of always obeying leash laws.  If I did, my dog would never get off-leash.  Instead, dog walkers have found a safe, unused lace for dogs to romp and play. 

I occasionally take my dogs for off leash walks, but only on private property away from any roads, or at places where off leash activity is specifically permitted - I'm fortunate to have a couple of acres of my own, and live near friends who have land that fits the bill, too.  But, my dogs have excellent, and instant, recalls, or I would not do it at all.  Everywhere else, they are on lead (sometimes, it's a pretty long lead) and always under my control and protection.  I do not take kindly to off leash dogs accosting us, and I don't tolerate my dogs doing so to others.  It's just plain rude, and can get your dog (and you) in a world of doo.

I just think I need to add this again.

It is being said, in this thread, that often the dogs ON LEASH are the untrained ones.

My dog walks great on lead until we encounter another dog. I'm working on that, but we may or may not get Ella's dog aggression/dog reactivity under control since it's INBORN.


And what the crap does it matter if the dog on leash is trained or not? Their owners are following the laws by keeping their dogs on a leash, under control, unable to get to your off leash dog.
My dog may try with all her might to get to another dog if she's on leash, but she WILL NOT. I have control of her on leash.

I feel that there are a few implications in this thread that if a dog is dog aggressive with an INBORN tendency to be so, that these dogs should not exist or are untrained or are less of a dog than other dogs that CAN be off leash.

And that simply is NOT so. And even if I owned a typical dog friendly dog breed, I wouldn't allow it off leash in public places for its own safety.

I absolutely hear you!
 
My dogs can be either on or off lead.  They have excellent and instant recall and are not reactive (other than Sheba) in any circumstances.  But, they are not going to be off lead in public for their own safety and if that makes me a bad owner, oh well.  That and the crates.......

It all boils down to "responsible dog guardianship".  I don't like to use owner anything, I don't feel I own Romeo, how can you own another life?  but that could be another thread.

I edited some of  the post because it related more to the cost of owning a dog. 
 
My dog may try with all her might to get to another dog if she's on leash, but she WILL NOT. I have control of her on leash. 
 
I commend you for knowing your dog and being responsible for her and others by keeping her on a leash.  Your baby is beautiful.  I like the first picture on your signature, where you can see how powerful she is.  My respects to her and to you.
 
I think we all deserve a big round of applause for loving and taking care of our pets.  All dogs are wonderful (some can be annoying is true, but they are still beautiful.
 
So here goes a big round of applause to all of you....[sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif][sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
 
 

Lol what a range in this discussion. [] Kinda makes me want to live in the UK now with all the more responsible people that don't need laws to regulate behavior. []

But despite that I have to weigh in on the side of "leash your dogs" if they are not under incredible levels of control while unleashed. Just yesterday Maggie and I were chased (for the second time) by two aggressive chihuahuas - their owners laughed as the dogs bolted across the street after my at heel and leashed dog. [>:]

Maggie used to be reactive and still can be an I can count on one hand the number of off lead dogs that have not approached us. It really is no fun feeling like the "bad" person when you're following the law and trying to keep other dogs bite-free.

Maggie by the way, an 8 yo Border CollieX, is never walked off lead - we have no fenced leash free areas near here to speak of (there's one 20 mins away but it costs money I believe and would likely be closed by the time I could get down there after work) and her prey drive is way too high to trust her in an unfenced area. We walk about 3 to 4 miles a day in the neighborhood across the street w/ her on a flexi-lead. She conks out when we get home since it's so hot and hasn't had any behavioral problems due to lack of stimulation or exercise either. For all intents and purposes she is a "happy" dog. I'd love to have a place close by to walk off leash, but it just isn't happening right now, so leash walks it is.