Out of control dogs

Our whippet has no recall so she stays on lead when there are other dogs around. But we are always having dogs run up to her. Because of previous attacks it stresses us out.

Only a general comment - it’s not advisable to pick your dog up as it exposes the underbelly to attack. It’s an awful situation to find oneself in, but probably better to release your dog and hope the situation resolves itself. Not easy to do, I know.

On my walk this morning a dog was hurtling towards me. The owner was calling but dog took no notice. When she reached me the owner said "she won't hurt you" but how could I know the dog was friendly. I have been knocked off my feet by friendly dogs and not good at my age.

How ever much I loved my dogs I never expected total strangers to. If we were around people they were on leads.

my gentle dog was on a lead and slashed with a huge gaping wound to her underbelly, by a loose great dane. The owner grabbed the dane and scarpered. I have never had another dog since, too worrisome with all the loose dogs about on walks

My boy is always on a lead when out with me. Others are not, which can be very risky. He is very friendly and loves other dogs but I am wary about other dogs.

Georgesgran

Only a general comment - it’s not advisable to pick your dog up as it exposes the underbelly to attack. It’s an awful situation to find oneself in, but probably better to release your dog and hope the situation resolves itself. Not easy to do, I know.

We always pick our dog up. If the attacking dog goes for her underbelly it will get it’s teeth kicked in!

And how many of these loose dogs ‘are only being friendly’.

Too many badly trained dogs with dozy owners!

And how many times have you been in a situation where a Staffie tries to kill your dog ( it had almost killed another dog the week before). Or a dog that comes up to your dog wagging it’s tail suddenly spins round and goes for your dogs throat. Oh, says the owner as he walks away, he’s never done that before’

I have never let a dog off lead outside my garden. However good a dog’s recall may seem to be they can all become deaf when there’s something around that excites them. They may not mean harm but it’s so easily caused.

I know that it's not the right thing to do, but did think that I had much choice in thus instance, that's why I kept my back to them. Luckily my old girl is small so her tum was not exposed although they reach her hind quarters. It's good to know that a lot of people keep their dogs on a lead. My dogs has excellent recall through clicker training, she'll do a lot for a treat.

When a dog attacked my daughters Miniature Schnauzer she did what you’re supposed to do which is grab the attacking dog by it’s back legs. No idea how she managed to do it and not something I’d attempt myself. By the time you’ve worked out if a dog is being friendly they can do a hell of a lot of damage. And prising an attacking dog off your dog is well nigh impossible. If a dog is on a lead any other dog owner should not allow their dog to run up to it. For a start it could be reactive.

I don’t find walking my dog a pleasure any more. She has been trampled on by other bigger dogs so many times now. She and I are nervous and avoid all other dogs if at all possible.
A couple of weeks ago, Dh and I were walking with little pooch along the beach close to the sea. A family were coming towards us with a largish, bouncy young dog. I knew it would race up to us. Jumped up at Dh and knocked him into the sea. He didn’t fall but tottered In with both feet. They had absolutely no control , and I told them to keep him on a lead until he was properly trained. They were apologetic but that is not good enough!

It doesn’t help that my knees are so dodgy and having a dog running into my legs causes me real problems.

I totally agree with all your comments about dogs being kept on their leads. I have a rescue border collie, he is almost 11, he only likes certain dogs. The countless dogs that have run up to him and been told off with silly owners telling me oh it's OK they are friendly. I tell them, well mine isn't, he is always on a lead, then l am told well you shouldn't bring him out .
Finn has never bitten another dog but he doesn't like being jumped on as he has arthritis.
We get lots of dog on dog attacks where we are as the council don't seem take it seriously. I carry a walking stick and Finn carries his large rubber kong stick. I would use both to protect him from another dog.

We are lucky though as we have a dog park where can walk the dogs off lead. My friend and l walk there every morning at 6.30am. Its bliss, no one else around.

Dog owners as a whole are the most irresponsible of all the population, there should be a dog licence reintroduced and compulsory training course for the owner. Yes it will cost but with dogs costing £2000 and more plus vet fees costing an arm and a leg, a hundred or two on a licence is well justified.

The dog owners on here are very responsible people.

Btw why pay thousands for a dog when there are so many rescues in need of a home? It just encourages breeders to keep producing more and more dogs.

I disagree Katie59. You get irresponsible people in all walks of life, not just dog owners. We have only had rescue dogs, usually ones no one else wanted due to problems caused by previous owners.
As GSM has said there are so many rescues that need homes, please look at these poor dogs first. Yes you have to put in the time and effort but you get so much in return.

Fortunately, I live in a country where it is illegal to let your dog off the lead unless you are in a park or wood where there are signs up specifically permitting dogs to run loose.

And even in those areas dog owners who have no control over their dogs can be fined, and as dog owners must be insured against any damage their dogs do, you can claim damages if you or your own dog or anyone or anything else is hurt.

This is a common complaint on Gransnet - why do you not all seek to have the law in the UK changed on this point?

Germanshepherdsmum

Btw why pay thousands for a dog when there are so many rescues in need of a home? It just encourages breeders to keep producing more and more dogs.

A friend of mine tried to home a rescue dog, it’s just as difficult as trying to adopt a child, and a donation is expected as well.

The number of rescue dogs that are suitable for rehoming is limited, thats why prices are so high, demand exceeds supply.

Maya1

I disagree Katie59. You get irresponsible people in all walks of life, not just dog owners. We have only had rescue dogs, usually ones no one else wanted due to problems caused by previous owners.
As GSM has said there are so many rescues that need homes, please look at these poor dogs first. Yes you have to put in the time and effort but you get so much in return.

If you looked at the lives of individual dogs way over half would be cared for inadequately.