Out of control dogs

There have been dog discussions on here before. Unfortunately there now seems to be a lot of horrible people around, whether dog owners or not. It makes life awful for the rest of us. A decent owner would keep their dog on a lead if they can't control it completely, but they just don't care. It's even worse when you are walking a toddler in the park (aged about two) and have to keep watching out all the time for crazy dogs racing around loose. Absolutely terrifies me to think of them leaping on the little fellow and knocking him over or worse. It makes a walk in the park a dangerous experience.

Of course it’s not easy to rehome a rescue dog because the rehoming charities ensure that the dogs go to appropriate homes, for instance no young children or other pets if the dog might have issues with them, or people whose lifestyle or breed experience isn’t best suited to having a particular dog. And being charities of course they require a donation - feeding and kennelling dogs and veterinary treatment are very costly overheads. Do you think that because a dog has been abandoned or given up for adoption it should be given away to anybody, no questions asked ? Is it worth so little?

Germanshepherdsmum

Of course it’s not easy to rehome a rescue dog because the rehoming charities ensure that the dogs go to appropriate homes, for instance no young children or other pets if the dog might have issues with them, or people whose lifestyle or breed experience isn’t best suited to having a particular dog. And being charities of course they require a donation - feeding and kennelling dogs and veterinary treatment are very costly overheads. Do you think that because a dog has been abandoned or given up for adoption it should be given away to anybody, no questions asked ? Is it worth so little?

I think that basic standards of care should be applied to all dog owners through a dog licence scheme.

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.

Because homing a "rescue"" just encourages puppy farmers to breed more.

Scares me to death, the thought of what those children endured makes my blood boil. Dangerous owners that can’t control their animals. They should be done for manslaughter, those children would be alive if it wasn’t for them.

Spice, why exactly do you think that taking in rescue dogs encourages the breeding of more puppies? People who only have rescue dogs wouldn’t dream of buying puppies and I assure you that there is, unfortunately, no shortage of rescue dogs waiting to be rehomed.

Katie, you can’t control who has a particular dog and how they treat it through a dog licence scheme. It’s totally impossible.

I’m rude and brusque when other dogs bound up to my spaniel, who is slightly nervous, the owner saying it’s ok they are friendly, my answer, well I’m not friendly, get your bloody dog off mine and train it!

Dogs are only allowed off the lead in certain designated areas here. If caught off lead the owners are given substantial fines. Quite right. I wouldn’t have a dog now unless I lived way out in the country, just too hard.

Germanshepherdsmum

*Katie*, you can’t control who has a particular dog and how they treat it through a dog licence scheme. It’s totally impossible.

You have to pay to register with the LA and a vet to keep a pig, or sheep or cow, no reason that dogs or even horses should not have the same welfare and safety safeguards.

It won’t affect responsible dog owners, it will stop the casual owners who just fancy a pet with no thought to looking after it.

And how many people are driving around without driving licences? A good many, either never had a full licence or been banned. It would be exactly the same with dogs. Impossible to police unless something bad happens.

Nannylovesshopping

I’m rude and brusque when other dogs bound up to my spaniel, who is slightly nervous, the owner saying it’s ok they are friendly, my answer, well I’m not friendly, get your bloody dog off mine and train it!

We picked up our dog when another dog bounded up to her on the beach. It’s owners just sniggered at us. What’s more worrying is that it bounded up to my 3 year old grandson, too. When we explain to the owners of other dogs that ours has been attacked in the past their owners sometimes get angry and say their dog is friendly. When another owner said our dog was the problem because she was on a lead we told him that she was on a lead because she was recovering from a major operation. I think there are two kinds of people: those that think only of themselves and those that think of others. You can’t seem to be able to educate the former I’m afraid.

It’s always going to be an on going problem ! We have a huge German Shepard highly trained never off the lead in public places! ( workingDog) we’ve always said the same if you can’t control your dog you shouldn’t own one! It’s really worrying so many dogs attacking other dogs! And don’t get me started on those silly extendable leads saw one yesterday with lovely little dog on the end, owner stopped to talk to someone coming towards her, dog saw cat across the road out he went. Owner trying to rein him in! I’ve been walking home and a man coming towards me dog on extendable lead cut right across me nearly trip over the blooming lead

Galumphing young labradors are the worst for knocking you over.

Great choice of dog Audi!

I have a rather large, extremely friendly Rottweiler. She's very well trained and always on a lead in public places.

Her recall is excellent and she loves other dogs / cats etc, well she loves everyone and everything BUT because of her breed and the perception people have, because some dogs are nervous / unfriendly....she's on a lead.
It's not rocket science and in my opinion, my role is to protect her, not the other way around!

Dee1012

I have a rather large, extremely friendly Rottweiler. She's very well trained and always on a lead in public places.

Her recall is excellent and she loves other dogs / cats etc, well she loves everyone and everything BUT because of her breed and the perception people have, because some dogs are nervous / unfriendly....she's on a lead.
It's not rocket science and in my opinion, my role is to protect her, not the other way around!

Well said. Also, what a lot of dog owners don’t realise is that a dog doesn’t just attack out of aggression but also, as is the case with many reactive dogs, out of fear. Your last sentence is probably the most thought provoking/sensible thing I’ve ever heard said about dog ownership and needs to be the angle from which we start if and when the public are educated better about how to deal with their own dogs and other peoples.

Have recently been surprised by two bouncy dogs on the beach who made me lose my balance and nearly fall over, resulting in a muscle twist. Clothes covered in mud. Owner: "Oh, they're only one year old, still learning...." Also saw a small dog the other day being severely "Rogered" by a loose Dalmatian. Shocking!

My small yorkipoo lost his bottom jaw from a badly treated staff attack. He's okay now, and still loves other dogs, but spent nearly a month with a gastric sond and it cost a fortune. The owner, who was staying with us, did not understand whu we forbade his dog here! She was hit constantly for nothing so I blame the nasty owner, who is now also on the no admittance list...

I try to stay off dog threads as I seem to be in a minority but some people are ridiculous with their dogs.
I was watching This Morning today and there was a woman on who says she can tell you what your pet is thinking . She had a small dog with her which wasn't on a lead. She let it run around the studio. The crew had to rush in to move plants and things. The dog ran around the kitchen area, even managing to eat some of the chicken a chef was due to make a casserole with. What a bloody cheek.

All dogs should be kept on the leash except when in secure fenced premises.

I absolutely agree Espee.

Esspee

All dogs should be kept on the leash except when in secure fenced premises.

Dogs really need to exercise properly and there is a shortage of secured fenced premises
I will be taking my daughters rottie out this afternoon in a large open area of fields he will be let off his lead but returned to it if anyone approaches
I used to have a very reactive Boxer and I found it annoying when others let their dogs run up to him he wasn’t particularly friendly
Although I have walked quite a few dogs in local areas I haven’t really experienced that many who come bounding up

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.

Too many people treat dogs as a fashion accessory these days That's why they buy expensive breeds.
The poor old mongrels at the rescue centres won't make them look so good.

I've had three rescue dogs over the years and they've usually got issues, otherwise they wouldn't have been abandoned. I've got a puppy now and she's hard work too! My friend picked her dog up when it was being attacked and she ended up getting bitten as well. Never advisible.