angry dog owner

Understand where you are coming from but ....

I feel all dogs should be kept on leads. My GD is now terrified of all dogs as when she was young in a park a large dog bounded up to her. Owner said no problem friendly dog. This did not help at all. This has happened many times in public parks and greens and I feel is unfair and unnecessary and spoils her day.

We now can't take her cousins dog on walks when we go out together as she gets hysterical.

Would it be best to avoid that field for now? Go elsewhere to walk your dog and keep it on a lead for a few weeks to let the situation settle down.

I have big dogs and we just avoid other people. See someone and the leads go on. We have found that small dogs are the worst and will attack our dogs straight off, but we get the blame. We have had a complaint made to the police about our dogs scaring a small child but they just came and had a chat and nothing happened.

I'm sorry to hear of your problems busybee . I'm a dog owner myself and have dogs all my life both breeding and showing and as pets. I wanted to say that first because I didn't want you to think I'm anti dog brigade

I'm afraid if my dog was running free and another dog came within 100 yards or so I would have put my dog on the lead. I don't know the nature and temperament of the other dog but I do know my dog. You mentioned that the little dog spooked your dog , so knowing that your dog was susceptible to that when surprised you could have controlled the situation by putting your dog back on the lead and putting him into a sit with his focus on you ( I find a treat helps ).

That would probably have avoided the entire situation.

Having said that the other people were wrong to become verbally abusive for what was clearly an accident for which they were partly if not totally to blame.

I agree with Mumofmadboys - a few weeks avoidance will let the situation calm down. Do work with your dog , he might have been traumatised by the incident too and will need reassurance that not all dog approach him like that. A few meetings with friends he knows already and some reassurance ( and treats) from Mum should sort that right out.

Happy dog walking !!

I agree totally with N&G and keep your dog on a lead, our little dog loves nothing more than a good run after her ball/frisbee but she is kept on a long training lead at all times these are really cheap to buy but still gives your dog the freedom to chase the ball.

I found N&G's comment about putting her dog on lead if another dog came close very reassuring. I've always shared my life with dogs but in recent years I've become wary of the number of dog owners who don't have control of their animals. There are also growing numbers of 'professional' dog walkers, who in our area walk as many as 6 dogs each off lead. I often meet up with two from the same company, who will have a dozen dogs off lead. No one can control that number of dogs, especially as these are day care dogs, not dogs who always live together with the two handlers.
The result of this is that my own dogs spend much more time on lead than they have in the past. It's important none of us forget, these are dogs and so they may well forget their manners and behave like dogs. Pack mentality is deep int their DNA so its up to us to be responsible.

Well said Iam64 we should never forget that love them like we do they are still animals.

Hi busybee, I really just want to reiterate what many of the previous posters have already said; if it was me I would just find somewhere else to walk my dog. I'm sure you really don't need the hassle

I have 2 dogs, one of whom is a rescue dog who is very anxious and as he's got older has become very worried when approached by other dogs and shows this by aggression. Consequently I always have him on the lead if we get near other dogs or in a situation where I can't see if other dogs are around. It's really annoying when, after all this, other dogs are allowed to run up and sniff around him even when I've asked their owner to recall them and told them the problem. 'It'seems alright. He/she's friendly' they say. 'Yes, but mine's not!' is all I can say.

That should of course be 'That's alright. ...'

Oh for an editing function.....

I always feel Badenkate that in those situations the onus is on them. You've done the responsible thing - if they think they know better then shame on them.

Sad for your dog though, he doesn't need the stress I'm sure .

Absolutely Nanaandgrampy, I feel no guilt about the other dog - I do object to ending up in the middle of a dog scrap, though, since I feel I have to keep hold of the lead

Where we live there is a scheme where if you have a dog that doesn't like being approached for whatever reason, by other dogs he/she wears a yellow ribbon in the lead. Is this nation wide or just local I wonder.

I think if they are not good with humans however they should wear a muzzle.

Thinking about it though, if someone is coming towards me with their dog on a lead I always out of courtesy out mine on the lead as well and then the dog's can say hello under control.
Yesterday, a dog came running up to my terrier and my dog had a moan and growl. So he was told to leave and stay, until I got to him and put him on the lead. That is all I do I see no sense in telling him off as I am sure in their doggy world it all make a sense. By being firm I am able to avoid any more aggresiveness which may happen by my dog about once or twice a year and I can never work out why as he is generally extremely laid back and positively enjoys other dogs company.

I wish everyone behaved as you do whitewave, it is as you say curtesy to put your dog on a lead if you see other dogs on lead approaching. I have a young dog who shows anxiety by growling and barking if a bigger dog runs in his face. I'm fed up with people shouting at me as they approach "oh it's ok, he's very friendly". I'm not a fan of more legislation but I do believe anyone who chooses to share their life with a dog should have to attend at least basic training/dog manner and behaviour courses at the same time as getting their dog chipped!

I think it is not only other dogs that a lead should be used for, it is also other people. Having been bitten by a "friendly" dog, I am very nervous of any dog that approaches me, the owner may consider it funny when he jumps up at me, but I don't. Unless on private land dogs should be under control and IMO that means a lead. There are many responsible dog owners, but very many that aren't.

A Lake District sheep farmer I follow on Twitter says he has to ask dog owners to put leads on their dogs three or four times every week. It's especially important in sheep farming country because even if a dog doesn't attack sheep, it can spook them and cause them to miscarry or to abandon their lambs.

He says most of the response he gets is abuse.

Why?

I've never heard of the yellow ribbon whitewave so I think it must be local - but I think it's a great idea

Thatbags, a Farmer friend of ours had notices on his farm that any dog off the lead in his fields where there are sheep are liable to be shot. He got a lot of abuse, again why?. He has to protect the sheep on his property, he gives plenty of warning and has no problem with dogs on leads. As TB says dog worrying can cause death and miscarriage.

Whitewave, perhaps I should wear a yellow ribbon ?

Because some dog owners are odd about their animals I think. Everyone is so much happier and relaxed including the dog if your canine is under control.

A yellow lab trotted past us yesterday with harness leading her owner - the dog looked happy and clearly on duty. Her eyes sort of slid towards my dog - who was on lead and sitting as she went past, she looked as if she was saying important work!!

pompa or even a muzzle and lead!!! Oh err!

The yellow ribbon is widely recognised to mean "keep your distance please" and available free from all vets. Grace was given one after her tail operations in case curious dogs got too near her bandages.. Sometimes think humans should have a similar system.

I think a lead is adequate, unless the dog is known to be problematical.