Dogs

sunseeker next time send for GNetters..nasty man!! we will soon sort him out..nasty person.huh! how dare he speak to one of us like that! and we will repoty him for shouting and being abusive and does he know that it is illegal not! to have dogs on a lead now! (well I think it is)

Never fails to amaze me the number of dog owners who have their dogs off lead near a road.My dogs are pretty obedient but I would never dream of having them off lead near a road,hope you gave as good as you got Sunseeker

How awful for you and what a prat of a man,I love our little dog dearly but would never let him off his lead even in the park anything could just catch his eye and he would be off.I wonder the mentality of some dog owners how on earth can you control 3 dogs all at once with no leads on them.

What an idiot! Maybe gives us a clue to his mentality though. This is someone I would not class as a dog lover, jeopardizing their safety as he did! The same as others have said, I would never take a chance like that no matter how obedient my dog is.

I know how it can really shake you up when you come across morons like this sunseeker but don't let it get to you. He was the one in the wrong.

He was totally out of order sunseeker . As biker said it is illegal to have your dogs off the lead on a public highway.

Thanks for the supportive replies - I was so angry I just had to vent! I would have been really upset if I had hit the dog, like I say I am an animal lover myself.

sunseeker, that sounds like one of those horrible situations, where the person who is clearly 'wrong', takes the moral highground, and then shouts and becomes abusive if challenged. Leaves you feeling rotten, well it does me.
I have two dogs currently, but have often had as many as 3. I would never let them off lead near the car park at the end of our walks, or near any road. I had a very unpleasant disagreement with a man who has set himself up as a dog walker/day minder, and is using our local park to exercise them. He usually has 5, different dogs on each of his outings during the morning, and late afternoon. He parks over the entrance we all use, opens his van door, and all 5 assorted dogs race out. As they aren't his own dogs, and only know each other on occasional walks, they are an out of control pack of dogs. His dogs regularly chase up to other dogs, surrounding them. Luckily, they seem to be generally not an aggressive pack, but all it takes is one dog to take offence as being so surrounded, and no doubt a serious fight would break out.
His dogs have surrounded my two, both of mine on leads, on the car park. I asked him if he'd call them, he shouted, they aren't doing anything. I asked again, said my young dog is fear aggressive on his lead, and may well snap. If he snaps, my big dog will wade in and we'll have trouble. He said aggressively, that he didn't need a lecture, walked off, leaving his dogs harrassing mine. Luckily, my dogs behaved well, and jumped into the car with no problems. He is a menace to responsible dog owners. The local dog warden says as his dogs haven't attacked me, or bitten my dogs, they can do nothing.
It was my understanding that one handler can now only exercise 4 dogs. It used to be 6, according to our local dog trainers at Guide Dogs for the Blind. The dog warden said this is up to individual councils. I find this worrying. There is a growing dislike of dogs amongst some people, and situations like the one Sunseeker talks about, and the fool I've described, can only add to the fear and dislike of dogs. Dogs need to run free, but shouldn't be allowed off leads near roads, children's play grounds etc. Responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs as well. Bad owners don't!

You make a very good point Iam. It only takes a few of this type of irresponsible dog owner to get us all tarred with the same brush. Our District Council tried to bring in some very harsh laws regarding dogs and luckily most of them were reversed due to a public outcry. But I saw where they were coming from.
Responsible dog ownership needs to be encouraged and irresponsible owners need to be held to account. We have ONE dog warden for the whole of our area.

I find my inner Margot Leadbetter coming to the fore, and wish we could Do Something. One thing would be to further regulate dog breeders. There are so many people who describe themselves as hobby breeders, claiming their bitch will only have this one letter, when the poor dog is bred from regularly. Health checks are not done, breeding from dogs with health or behaviour problems, the list is endless.
After having rescue dogs for over 30 years, I now have two doodle dogs. I felt slightly guilty for buying, rather than rescuing, but not guilty enough not to do it. They are fantastic dogs, but like others in their "breed", they are not for the faint hearted. High prey urge, boundless energy, high intelligence means lots of work. They are not hypoallergic, and they love mud and water. Sadly, many people buy them, because they look (usually) so bonny, and they are usually kind and gentle animals. Too many of them end up in rescue centres, or the charity that rescues poodle crosses. I don't think we can stop people sharing their lives with dogs, but I do believe there ought to be more regulation of breeding, and these folks who set themselves up at dog care/walkers, but have no qualifications, or in the case of the man I met, no common sense or courtesy for others either.

As I've mentioned before, there are going to a be a lot of problems with all the huskies that are being bought as the latest fashionable dog. Lovely dogs but need [like most breeds] to be with the right owners. As for walking a dog off it's lead; I live next to a public footpath which goes straight onto a road, with a very narrow footpath at that point. Not only is my dog always on a lead towards the end of her walk, but I always walk in front of her when I reach the path as, if she's ahead of me any driver will just see a dog appear fron behind a wall looking as if it's going to go straight onto the road and could swerve to avoid it.

A few years ago DH came off his motorbike fracturing his wrist and causing damage to the bike due to a large dog running out in front of him. The dog was unharmed and the owner quickly disappeared.
If you can't be a responsible owner don't have a dog

We do like dogs and have been owners.

A colleague with two dogs pulled up in the car park of a local beauty spot and let both dogs out of the back hatch to run free. A jeep coming down the path hit the first dog, which was instantly killed. She admits she was to blame and that the poor driver, who had his own dog beside him in the jeep, was traumatised by the incident. I see so many dog owners letting their dogs out of cars to run into the park near me, with no sign of them putting a lead on the dogs. Dogs off leads are a risk to themselves and others when cars are near by, no matter how much their owners think they will be ok.

No dogs should be allowed to run without leads when they are near the road and I am sorry you had to put up with the owner's rudeness sunseeker I hope I meet him one day because he would get a mouthfull from me. Even the best trained dog can forget themselves when they see a cat and it can all happen so quickly.

I was owned by two dogs at one time and would love another one now as a playmate for Tinker but OH won't let me . mind you the thought of controlling three dogs makes me go hot and cold; I would need an extra pair of hands.

Tegan, you are so right about the number of husky type dogs, given their increasing popularity. Becoming popular is rarely a good thing for dog breeds. It seems to be moving from labradoodles to husky types, and pugs and those handbag type dogs. The news that labradoodles do shed, are mud magnets and need a lot of exercise and training seems to be getting through. Once husky types are off lead, the seem to run and run, just as their breeding tells them. Our local dog shelters are packed with staffy types, and a growing number of husky types.
When, what a dreadful thing to happen for your colleague. With just that kind of accident in mind, I train my dogs to sit in the car boot until given the command ok, when they leap out. They are always on lead for the first bit of any walk, so we start the walk with me in control. The same process towards the end of any walk, on lead as we approach car parks etc.
I don't want to sound smug, because my current 2 dogs are a more difficult combination than any I've had previously. Full of energy, and high prey urge. In the 5 years I've owned/fostered doodle dogs, they've taught me so much.

have to agree with all the posters on here - my lurcher (lovely dog although now getting on in years) still has a strong chase instinct - particularly cats and other small furries - so I am always alert when walking him that I need to try and keep him under control - which means being vigilant if he is off lead (since he jumped a cattle grid to get after a cat I had not seen a month ago risking injury I am even more wary)
anyway when he is offlead I always have the lead with me and slip it on at the sight or sound of dogs, people (with or without dogs), cattle sheep or anything he might bother.
unfortunately other dog 'owners' often do not reciprocate, many of them seem to have no leads with them, ineffectually attempt to call the dog back exclaiming 'he/she just wants to play'.
|I have been accused of 'cruelty' for keeping my dog on the lead and it is my fault their dogs are bothering him as he is 'on the lead' , my dog is 'untrained' because I have him 'on the lead' - aaaargh.
there is no getting through to these tedious people and I tend to walk early in the morning to avoid them and Ollie is ALWAYS on the lead on the road even though I live near country lanes.

You could be writing that for me Mollie. one time Tinker - a lurcher too - had her paw heavily bandaged by the vet and was on the lead. A young lady had her German Shepherd off the lead. We were walking through built up lanes and she was attached to her mobile 'phone. I asked her to take control of her dog and amongst the mouthful I got she also told me that her dog would be fine.

Admittedly I had not been all sweetness and light when asking her to control her dog. Since having my hip replacement my fear is falling so I really didn't want to be on the end of a lead with two big dogs fighting. Needless to say her dog came over, sniffed Tynx's btm and Tynx wagged her tail then snapped out as I knew she would. Why do people think their dog is the only one involved. Still she soon moved off.

Tinker is the easiest dog ever but she can be unreliable when it comes to other dogs - loves humans to pieces and would go off with anyone at the drop of a hat. I used to use a yellow ribbon as a warning but no one understood the meaning but I think I might try it again.

LizG, I was about to comment about the use of a yellow ribbon as my young dog behaves like your Tinker. He is fine off lead, but on lead, he can snap, lunge if approached by an off lead dog, especially a german shepherd. GSD's are usually lovely dogs, but their whole demeanour is intimidating, that, together with their intelligence is why they're used by police and military. My young dog had a run in with a large, uncontrolled GSD when he was about 15 months, and it definitely effected him. I'm working hard, with some success, to have him walk calmly, and 'watch me', when other dogs are approaching.
I wish dog owners would all attend some proper training classes. They, and their dogs would benefit hugely, as would the rest of the population.
Is the yellow ribbon idea is that you put one on your dog (collar I expect) and this is to indicate to others that your dog shouldn't be approached. It sounds a bit like the old pony club rule, that if your pony was a kicker it had a red ribbon tied to its tail to warn everyone to keep a distance.

That's right Iams. The yellow ribbon is just that. You can get yellow neckerchiefs and printed waistcoats online too but basically a yellow ribbon is all you need.

Tinker is usually fine off-lead too but I still have to be aware because she doesn't like spaniels (sorry about spelling that just doesn't look right) so I am always ready with the lead when other dogs approach and am very aware that not everyone is a dog lover and they should be allowed to walk in peace as well. I do wish other dog owners would not offer my dog treats though, now if someone happens to put hands in their pockets they are likely to find Tinker's nose in there too. It makes training more difficult.

your dogs certainly seem to have fallen on their paws and are very lucky to have such a caring, sensible owner.

So sorry I have just noticed I called you Iams bit of a mental block there and truly unintentional.

We have a retired racing greyhound, she has been with us since June. There is no way I would dream of letting her run free on walks. My previous greyhound was as obedient as greyhounds can be off the leader, but still managed to get the odd injury or two when getting that prey urge and then diving into hedges and barbed wire.

I learnt with her that really the beach was about the only safe place to let her run. Current dog loves everyone and all dogs, fortunately she can let off steam racing around our garden - maybe take her for a test run at the beach in the future.

I have 3 German Shepherds,all kept on leads whilst people or dogs are about.Only 2 walked at any given time even though they are fine with other dogs and people.My youngest Zeta age 4 was happily chasing her ball in the park,no one in sight,when suddenly 5 assorted dogs came charging into the park and made a bee line for her.These dogs surrounded her and the "professional "dog walker sauntered along a few minutes later.I was raging and also fearful for Zeta,who to her credit came back to me when called.I wasn't too polite to the dog walker and sent him away with a flea in his ear.I know which dog would have got the blame if a fight had broken out.

moomin; next time I'm oop north how about bringing her to Bamburgh and we'll give her a run on the beach there! [best beach in the world for dogs]

I don't think I'd be too pleased if I learned that a professional dog walker was doing this with my dog in tow. Obviously, not that professional. Having had a beautiful, well-behaved long haired GSD who lived with two spaniels in succession, I know which one would be the most obedient and responsive to my commands. They are great big dogs who make fabulous companions, and our GSD grew up with four children who adored him. He, in turn, adored them and would happily accompany them at bath time, sit with his head on their bed at story time, and lie on the rug with my daughter propped against him as she read her book.

As I have said before you don't get bad dogs just bad owners! It is not the GSD I blamed but the owner's lack of control or interest and with the spaniels I blame me for having a lurcher who has a thing against them.