Out of control dogs

Galumphing young labradors are the worst for knocking you over.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

The dog owners on here are very responsible people.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!