dog walking curtesy

[happy_face]

I own a Staff which is a lovely dog and when I walk him he's alright with most other breeds. He really wants to play and gets on well with bitches but not always other dogs. So when I see other dog owners approaching with their dogs I'll put my dog on the lead. But 8 times out of 10 the other owners doesn't do it. Then their dog runs up to mine and often mine will growl and start snapping after the other dog. If anything serious was to happen I don't think I'm to blame as I had my dog restrained and they didn't, although it was my dog doing the biting

When I'm out walking and someone else has their dog on the lead I will always put mine on the lead too. But why are there so many people who don't respect this common curtesy ? Or am I just talking utter crap here, expecting too much of my fellow dog lovers ?

[rinkytink]

 

Where I walk my dog we encounter at least 10 - 15 other dogs during the course of a walk. Unless another dog was a particular problem then I wouldn't expect it's owner to put it on a lead. As my dog is not prone to attacking other dogs I will not put him on a lead either when encountering other dogs.

It is down to the owner of a dog to keep it well behaved and under control so if your dog is likely to be a problem then I would say it is up to you to put it on a lead not the other way round. How is another dog/owner to know that yours may be a problem ?

In order for dogs to accept that there are other dogs in the world and that they shouldn't attack them they must become socialised with other dogs from an early age. One of the main ways in which this is done is by meeting and playing with other dogs during walk time. Another good way is to attend obedience classes where your dog can be trained when there are other dogs around.

If a dog is particularily prone to attacking other dogs then it should be trained not to do so. If this can't be done then it should be walked where there are no other dogs around.

[woofgang]

hold on there. The behaviour that happy-face is describing....dog running up to another, either means that the owner of their loose dog is a complete numpty or has no control over their off lead dog. At various times I have had my various dogs  on a lead for various reasons. minor damage to a tail which had made the tail sore and the dog liable to snap if the tail was touched, muscle injuries which meant the dog was not allowed to run and play as usual and of course being in season (the dog not me)

The other really fun bit is when you arrive in tha car park and some fool has let their dog(s) out of the car while getting their wellies on. Ten to one they will come over to me in my car and circle it barking. My dog in the back goes crazy and I wonder whether to get out of the car and what will happen if I do.

Over comes owner grinning inanely and trying to call the dogs off with no success "They're so exited about their walkies aren't they" or some such tripe.

I also knew one lady who had a rescue dog who was very nervous of other dogs. At the time, he was much happier on the lead and would walk along quite calmly but he was terrified when other dogs ran up to him. On the lead he would grown and snarl, but poor soul, if he was off the lead he would panic and run away

I think that it is a courtesy to have control of your dog when out and to be aware of the fact that there are good reasons for people to exercise their dogs on leads and that being on a lead can make a dog feel less confident and therefore more likely to growl or snap at dogs who come charging up loose.

[woofgang]

Part 2

In addition, it just seems to me to be plain common sense that if you see a dog being walked on a lead, ther is a reason why the owner does not wish the dog to freely associate with other dogs and it is plain common sense to keep your own dog under control and to keep your distance

last point..My first dog was a loveable goon who loved every one and would say hello to any dog. At first we let him go say hello till he got bitten twice by other dogs whose owners both said "oh I am sorry he/she has never done that before" so we got wary. It si not only "down to every owner to keep it well behaved" it is also down to every owner to protect their dogs from other dogs whose behaviour they cannot predict. Sad but true

here endeth the rant.

[happy_face]

Woofgang I praise you. I could not have said it better myself. Sat here nodding at every point you made. Am so glad I'm not the only one with this opinion. To be truthful I was rather ****** off with the first answer as I thought "Why is it my problem that other people let their dogs run up to mine and then mine might bite it. Atleast I take the precaution of putting mine on the lead and if you let yours run wild...... well then it's your problem"

A previous dog we had, my partner was walking on the lead one day when a Doberman came over. As our dog wasn't at all pleased to see it, it started attacking our dog. So in the end my partner had to lift our dog up above his head (it was a labrador) but it ended up with some injuries which luckily we got the other owner to pay for. But surely that can't be right that you have to be able to lift up your dog to save it.

[cassimer]

I do totally agree with you - if someone has a dog on the lead, it is curtesy to do the same. My old dog, recently gone :( , was attacked very badly by two terriors. He never really got over it, and I had a similar situation out walking. Stupid woman insisted on letting her black lab socialise. I told her he was not keen and stood still at the side of the path, she didnt listen, and sure enough growls and biting. Felt terrible as there was blood everywhere - I think mine had bitten it on the nose. But some people will not listen.
Anyway my point is that noone has should be out walking in a public place with a dog that is really nasty, if they are doing nothing about it. We took ours back to training to try to sort it out and kept him on short lead. I felt bad, but she should have controlled her dog, and we were trying to correct the situation.

[hugnie21]

I have to agree too, and wonder if rinkytink is one of the dog owners that lives near me!! I have only had a dog for 6 months and it amazes me how inconsiderate some people are.

 I keep my dog on the lead even when on the field where most local dogs are let off their lead. People should have the common sense to wonder why I've kept him on a lead and think twice about letting their dog come bounding over.

At first it was because we had only just got him as a rescue dog and weren't sure if he'd come back if let off. But one day he got attacked by another dog (not on a lead). He wasn't hurt but now if I see one not on a lead I pick him up off the floor.

[FP]

If my dogs are off the lead on a footpath within ia park etc. and I see other dogs approaching, I always put them back on the lead.  I do this to when young children approach or when people pushing prams or pushchairs pass.  I think it is common curtesy.  My dogs socialise well, but don't take well to other dogs coming up and sniffing them, etc. when we are out walking and they are on leads.   One of my dogs is liable to snap at another dog who rushes up to her when she is walking on a lead.  I don't think it is my fault or my dog's fault.    If a dog rushes up to mine then they are not in their owner's control.

Likewise, I do not think dogs should be off the lead on public pavements, etc.  and hate the fact that some people think it's OK  to walk through towns with their dogs off the lead  because their dogs are well behaved. 

I love to see dogs socialising and playing together, but if a dog is on a lead another dog should be discouraged from approaching it.

In short, I agree 100% with happy-face

[denisegordon]

Happy_face, there's always someone ready to be all superior when you explain a doggy problem.  I have a female staffy cross who is quite dominant but usually gets on with boys better than girls.  When a dog approaches that is on the lead we have to put her on the lead too, as she knows other dogs are vulnerable when they are on the lead and she isn't.  We know this is a problem so tackle it by putting her on the lead and using it as a training exercise, telling her to leave the other dog.  If they are all off the lead she is usually fine.  We are far from perfect but so many dog owners just think their dog is the best thing since sliced bread and wouldn't do anything wrong.

[mydogsandme]

happy face I'm with you on this one- I really appreciate it when other dog-owners put their dogs on leads when they approach us as I will mine. Some people get really sniffy if my dog isn't happy to play with theirs, or they say "oh, it's okay, he's friendly" well, how do they know mine is?! One of my dogs is a dachy and he's very intimidated by bigger dogs so I don't always know how he'll react. Sometimes the other dogs owner is trailing far behind- what happens if the dogs fight? I've also got a cocker spaniel- how will I protect my dog while holding on to another and fending one off? My cocker is friendly to most dogs but I usually try to take the lead from other owners on whether to let her approach them- if they're keeping their dog close to heel and keeping their distance chances are there's a good reason. It would be my fault if I let her go up to them then. One occasion I let two loose dogs approach my dachie they went for him and cut his eye. It is common curtesy as you say.

[Ouisch]

Shouldn't dogs always be leashed when being walked?  I'd be afraid of something startling my pooch and causing him to run out into traffic or something.  Or what if he unintentionally knocks over a child or elderly person in his enthusiasm?  I just can't fathom taking a dog outside (other than in a fenced-in area) without a leash.

[woofgang]

Ouisch, I live in the New Forest. I always carry a lead but only use it if I need to. In the streets or situations where there is less space, I agree and would always keep my dog leashed

[netibiza]

I think all dogs when out in public should wear muzzles.

[FP]

and some humans Netty!  :o) 

I am a dog lover and have never been bitten in 58 years of having them as pets and working in an animal shelter. I have had quite a few cat bites though!!  (I still love cats though - I have three, as well as my two dogs)

Dogs are as good as their owners.    Dogs usually only bite if frightened or taunted.  If a dog has a tendency to bite, then yes, a muzzle should be worn. 

[Jeanie]

Whilst I will agree with the majority that it is just common courtesy and always put my dogs on the lead if I see someone else with their dogs on the lead - there is another point worth considering. 

I was once told by a dog trainer, that dogs are often more aggressive when they are on the lead, due to their understanding that they are protecting/guarding/warning their owner if another dog approaches.  Must admit one of my dogs always barks or growls at other dogs when she is on the lead, but when she is running free in the field I take her to, she is very friendly with other dogs - which would bear out the belief that being on the lead can make them more wary. 

[FP]

Yes that is true Jeanie.  Good point.  It makes it more important then obviously for dogs to be put on a lead if someone approaches with their dog on a lead.  My little bitch is quite uptight when other dogs approach her when she is on the lead but is really lovely with other dogs when they are playing on the beach, in a field, etc.

[butter1]

I agree with happy_face too and don't know what rinkytink is talking about.  I have a rescue dog and I have had her for 5 years.  She's don't very good with other dogs - she will ignore all dogs and won't go over to them but if they approach her she will growl and snap.  I too put my dog on the lead when see another dog or I will purposely avoid other dogs and guaranteed I always have a dog running up to mine and won't leave us alone.  4 out of 7 days I encounter this and it is most annoying.... my dog is obviously showing it is distressed whilst on her lead and the other dog owner will not call their dog back.  I've had a dog constantly follow us for about 10 mins not leaving us alone with me resulting in having to have a word with the owner.  I think it is comman sense, if you see a dog on the lead, then it's on the lead for a reason.  Grrrr I'm getting annoyed just thinking about it.

[rinkytink]

I cannot disagree more with the majority of answers here. If you have a dog that can be a problem with other dogs by merely putting the dog on lead every time you encounter another dog you will always have a problem dog. It is up to you to train you dog not to be a problem - both on the lead and off.

Happy_Face - If your dog is biting other dogs - on or off the lead - then your dog has a problem that should be addressed.

Woolfgang -  if my dogs approaches another dog and the owner is clearly not happy with this then I will call him to return to me. Just because a dog is off the lead does not mean he is out of control.

Cassimer - you are talking about encounters with problems dogs. I agree that in this situation it is the fault of the other owner. Their dogs were clearly not well trained.

hugnie21 - by not allowing your dog to socialise your are merely creating problems for yourself. I would also add that if you constantly keep your dog on the lead how can you expect it to learn how to return to you when it is let off ? Chances are he will bolt at the first chance of' freedom' that he gets.

FP - you say "my dogs socialise well but don't take well to other dogs coming up and sniffing them" (when on the lead) - I'm sorry but that is how dogs socialise. If your dogs cannot handle this then they are not well socialised.

All - if you feel the need to put your dog on the lead as another dog approaches - who has a problem with controlling their dog ?

[rinkytink]

Continued.....

I know that I can allow my dog to approach any other dog (or child for that matter), safe in the knowledge that he will not bite/growl/jump up at it. If the owner of the other dog is not happy with my dog sniffing or attempting to play (things which should be perfectly natural to a dog) then I will call him back to me.

My dog is just over four months old and has been allowed off the lead from his first walk and has been allowed to socialise with any dog or human that is happy to allow it. He is only allowed off the lead once we have entered the park and is always back on the lead when we leave.

Rinkytink now prepares for a barrage of abuse !!

[butter1]

Rinkytink, everyone is intitled to their opinion.  In some cases you are write but with my dog - she is a rescue dog and I got her when she was 5 months old.  She has been badly abused and I have taken her to training classes which helped slightly, but she still doesn't socialise well with other dogs.  She was also attacked by another dog whilst she was in the kennels.  As you have had your dog from such a young age it has been in a loving environment and been able to socialise well with other dogs.  This is not the case with some other dogs owners.  I have a friend who has a Jack Russell, they have had it from when it was 6 weeks old, taken it to classes but they cannot let it off the lead as it just goes for other dogs.  It is difficult to comment when you haven't had a dog who just instantly doesn't get on with other dogs or who have been attacked by other dogs when being a puppy and leading to them being frightened of other dogs.  Your dog is well trained to come back when called but I was referring to in my other posts owners who don't call their dog back.  Leaving me to try and coax the other dog away.

[Jeanie]

rinkytink - I actually agree with much of what you say - and I think most animal behaviourists would also agree that in essence a dog that has been well socialised, well trained and well looked after will never be a problem when off the lead. 

The problem is that not all dogs are well socialised - either due to being rehomed/rescued or having owners who have a different idea about dog training to you and I - or are simply difficult dogs. 

When my dogs are running free in the field I know I can trust them absolutely to come back when they are called, and to be friendly and lovely to all other dogs, children, adults, cats etc they encounter.  The trouble is I cannot trust other dogs and their owners - so it's more for peace of mind that I put my dogs on the lead if I see another dog on the lead.  However, I usually then go and talk to the owners and assure them that my dogs are trustworthy if they want to take their dogs off - and more often than not they will and all the dogs play together - or do the cursory sniff thing and then ignore eachother!  Obviously there are the occasions where the owners will not let their dogs off because they cannot be trusted not to be aggressive, and in those situations I am pleased that the owners are responsible enough to keep them on the lead. 

However, I do agree that often if a dog is always kept on the lead when around others that it never learns how to be sociable and that's really sad as it is missing out a crucial part of dog interaction behaviour.