dog attacks up by 33 per cent in 2022

I think you are preaching to the converted on here infoman

I've trained our rescue dog to immediately go onto the grass and stand still and leave the path free for anyone walking on the path towards us. Even dog lovers don't want a unruly dog jumping all over them. It is very easy for someone to get hurt and if some poor unfortunate person is writhing on the floor it could being out the ""prey" instinct in even a gentle seeming dog. Even though she always stands to one side I slip the lead on her of I don't know the person approaching as it is just common courtesy.

You are the best sort of owner Redrobin51.

I think a lot of people with little or no experience of dog ownership got pets during lockdown and WFH. Many of these poor animals are now home alone during the day and they’re not well trained.

I see a dog attack as something much more malign than an over-enthusiastic dog which in its misplaced exuberance knocks somebody over. Isn’t a dog attack when the dog deliberately hurts somebody by biting them?
You’re right Blossoming training is key. I also think people don’t understand how strong, and clever dogs are, and they breed dogs which are not suitable to be pets, and then don’t treat them kindly or give them rules. It’s very sad.

I am afraid that I see many people who have dogs who really shouldn't be allowed to keep them. I see regular posts on Social Media warning dog owners to avoid certain areas because vicious dogs with uncaring owners are attacking other dogs. It is a very short step from that sort of attitude which lends itself to humans being attacked, especially small ones.
There is also an increase of dog walkers who walk too many dogs and can't control them. Many of them are unlicensed and don't have insurance.
A friend of ours was recently attacked by their own dog who was still a puppy. It was a medium sized dog who was only 8 months old and the friend needed 31 stitches to her neck and face. She is lucky to be alive as the dog nearly caught her jugular. I knew the dog and he was a happy go lucky little thing until he wasn't. They were first time dog owners so maybe they didn't read the signals but our friend said there was no indication he would attack. He went from playing to attack mode in a split second. It was horrific for her.

I swear there were people who bought dogs during lockdown just because they were fed up and could get an extra walk out of it. I've never had problems before, but since then I have had people's dogs jumping all over me while the owners stand there saying, 'they won't hurt you.' Even if it's true, I don't want dogs jumping all over me. I fail to understand how they think this is acceptable. There's also regularly dogs left unattended in gardens, constantly jumping up and barking all day, dog poo on streets, and we often see someone walking five dogs at once, clearly struggling to control them. I assume the people who were working from home now all need dog walkers.

Afraid I have to add people on mobility scooters with dogs on long long long leads wandering back and forwards I nearly got tripped up by one the other week with woman quite oblivious of where her dog was wandering Theres also according to fb a man here on a mobility scooter with a dog free that attacks other dogs, then owners get aggressive mouthfuls from him

I ve already said a lot on past threads we ve had
Adding again I’m not a dog hater just very very aware of the problems with too many not properly trained or accounted for

I often meet dog owners on my cycle routes, many are very thoughtful. Last time I was out, one small dog ran in front of my bike and I had to stop, owner laughed and said `oh he is not good on roads`

Other times, dogs on long leads, those owners can be a menace. Talking in blissful ignorance of other road users coming by. I have to ring my bell and then I get a glare

This is obviously due to the popularity of Staffies and bully breeds, all descended from dogs bred for fighting.
Some may be harmless but only fools would buy them as family pets. No dog, of any breed, should ever be left alone with small children.

Not again …

I've owned quite a complex breed via rescue for the past 30 years ( and my Mother before that - she had the same rescue breed when we were children) and none of our dogs have bitten anyone or jumped up, ran up or anything else, so I'd appreciate it if people acknowledged those of US you don't know (ie the vast majority of us) We exist and live among you, you just never notice us

Germanshepherdsmum

Not again …

Thread police?

I like going to boot sales,the downside is I don't like dogs with their owners wandering around looking at the stuff on sale.
It confuses the dogs as all they can see is legs. Then you see dog owners allowing other dogs owners to go nose to nose,and then you see a punch up between the dogs. Then you get the usual(the dog) is not normally like that. Well here is the tip,don't take your dog to boot sales. Although we cannot control our dogs if they decide to relieve themselves,I recall when one dog decided to pee all over a load of boot sales items.Saying sorry won't solve the issue.

In some cases, dogs seem to have become accessories rather than pets. "Oh, the children wanted a puppy", "we thought it would be nice to have a pet" and so on and so on. A pet is not a toy and you can't switch it off. It takes time and patience to establish a connection, understanding and trust with a dog, It can all certainly happen to a quite astonishing degree, as dogs are very intelligent animals and willing to learn, but their owners also need to be very intelligent animals and willing to teach. You – the adult – also needs to be the "alpha" and your pet dog must be "pack" even if she/he is the only one.

I’m thoroughly confused as I’ve never had anyone’s dog ‘jumping all over me’. All the dogs I meet on walks either ignore me or just greet me with a waggly tail and all four feet on the ground.

So many dogs out of control off lead. My little pooch is terrified of other dogs as she’s had so many leap on top of her, pinning her to the ground.
My Dh has been knocked into the sea by an over exuberant large dog and I’ve had so many heated exchanges with dog owners. My Df who is small and fragile has been knocked over and another lady I know had her leg broken in three places by a dog knocking her flying.
We avoid busy places and change our route if we see other dogs running loose.

Quokka

I’m thoroughly confused as I’ve never had anyone’s dog ‘jumping all over me’. All the dogs I meet on walks either ignore me or just greet me with a waggly tail and all four feet on the ground.

You're probably in the great majority Quokka.
I am an experienced and responsible dog owner, but this time I have a very very sociable boy who runs up to people and likes to stand against their legs for strokes. I am trying everything to curb the urge when off the lead, but it is nigh on impossible.
The worst in people is when they exaggeratedly raise their arms and wave them about which incites an animal to play.

sodapop

I think you are preaching to the converted on here infoman

I think so, too.

Having read previous posts about dogs I'd say the majority on GN are responsible owners and GN is probably the last place that these issues need to be addressed.

sodapop

I think you are preaching to the converted on here infoman

I do hope you this is true.

I have a phobia of dogs, brought on by being attacked or bitten on several occasions
Dog owners saying their dog won’t hurt me DOES NOT HELP!
I’ve moved countless minuscule spiders for shrieking people, I’ve never said “ it won’t hurt you”. A fear is a fear!
Yesterday I was told my only danger was being licked to death by the dog barking furiously at me, at least that’s better than being forced into oncoming traffic by a woman screaming at me I deserved to be bitten because I was frightened!
Dog owners please understand not everyone loves dogs. Not everyone wants to climb over your extending lead when you are on the other side of the pavement than your dogs.
I know not all owners think I deserve to be raped because I’m frightened but please consider others Ben walking your delved pet.

When walking you beloved pet

I see a lot of posts on line where people have a new baby and they post a picture of their dogs face right by the babies face saying how sweet it is and the dog loves the baby! It horrifies me, some people are irresponsible with their dogs and have unsuitable breeds. Dogs are powerful pack animals, if one reacts others will join in, you have to be aware of this and not treat them like humans.

infoman - I too enjoy boot sales and thankfully none of the ones near me allow dogs for obvious reasons - people put a lot of their goods on the ground. Apparently one in 3 households now have a dog (or more than one). They are everywhere. Our local Wildlife Trust was explaining how dogs' excrement can cause changes in the soil which inhibits wildflowers. Also how blindness can be caused from this filth too.

I think you need to spread your message in other places as well maybe your M.P.
There was a very nasty accident averted outside our house last week by a careful driver. Two dogs passing on opposite sides of the road took a dislike to each other and started to bark, bare their teeth and pull their owners down the grass bank towards the road. One was on a short leash and pulling its owner the other on an extending leash and the woman in charge did not get it switched off until it had pulled her into the road on her stomach, an oncoming vehicle saw what was happening and stopped. They went to help and the dog yet again bared its teeth and tried to attack them.
Both dogs were far too big and heavy for the owners to control. If it had been a child either dog could have caused a very nasty injury.

Spot on Shropshirelass.
It`s the "it wont ever happen to me syndrome",but it does and has,as we have read in the press.