Having dogs off lead isn't always best.
Discussion
Well I am always saying how much I love having the dogs off lead being dogs but today I made a mistake.
Took the dogs out along a route we don't normally take and had them off lead enjoying the sun and puddles, Ella was having the time of her life smashing the ice on the stream alongside the path, Unfortunately I didn't notice the couple walking towards us with two Staffies ON LEADS.
By the time I did Ella was already running over happily to introduce herself, Sadly one of the dogs wasn't dog friendly ( hence it was on a lead) and went for Ella.
Luckily I wasn't too far behind so managed to get in between them and get Ella away before either dog got hurt, But it reminded me to be alot more observant when they are off lead.
I am not blaming the Staffie owner as he had his dog on lead and it was Ella who approached his dog, But I will still leave mine off lead in future just remember to put them on lead whenever approaching other dogs on lead.
And I have the marks to remind me.
Took the dogs out along a route we don't normally take and had them off lead enjoying the sun and puddles, Ella was having the time of her life smashing the ice on the stream alongside the path, Unfortunately I didn't notice the couple walking towards us with two Staffies ON LEADS.
By the time I did Ella was already running over happily to introduce herself, Sadly one of the dogs wasn't dog friendly ( hence it was on a lead) and went for Ella.
Luckily I wasn't too far behind so managed to get in between them and get Ella away before either dog got hurt, But it reminded me to be alot more observant when they are off lead.
I am not blaming the Staffie owner as he had his dog on lead and it was Ella who approached his dog, But I will still leave mine off lead in future just remember to put them on lead whenever approaching other dogs on lead.
And I have the marks to remind me.
Jasandjules said:
Realistically, your dog was out of control.... Sorry, but that is the way it is.
I have LGDs so don't let them off lead in public however no dog IMHO has a 100% recall.
I admit It was my fault for not recalling Ella.I have LGDs so don't let them off lead in public however no dog IMHO has a 100% recall.
It wont stop me letting her off in future though, Had I seen the other dogs on leads I would have recalled her and put her on lead.
It's me that was to blame not her.
HarryW said:
Slightly controversial but if a dog is on a lead as it bites then perhaps a muzzle in order too, sometimes you can't make a lead short enough.....
Nope. What happens when people have their aggressive dogs off lead? Your dog gets attacked and can't defend itself.If you have a dog off lead then it is up to you to ensure that any dog it does go to see is friendly, that means asking the owners. The law is very clear on this and quite rightly too.
OP, fair play to you, I must confess I would have expected the other owners to shout that their dog is not friendly so you could try to recall faster.
- if you don't think people let aggressive dogs offlead, come to Suffolk for a week!
Jasandjules said:
Nope. What happens when people have their aggressive dogs off lead? Your dog gets attacked and can't defend itself.
If you have a dog off lead then it is up to you to ensure that any dog it does go to see is friendly, that means asking the owners. The law is very clear on this and quite rightly too.
OP, fair play to you, I must confess I would have expected the other owners to shout that their dog is not friendly so you could try to recall faster.
Ella is not aggresive at all. she approached the other dog playfully, but she protected herself ( her fault though as she WAS OFFLEAD )If you have a dog off lead then it is up to you to ensure that any dog it does go to see is friendly, that means asking the owners. The law is very clear on this and quite rightly too.
OP, fair play to you, I must confess I would have expected the other owners to shout that their dog is not friendly so you could try to recall faster.
- if you don't think people let aggressive dogs offlead, come to Suffolk for a week!
I am in no ways blaming anyone but myself, just saying I need to be more vigilant when I let mine off lead.
Jasandjules said:
HarryW said:
Slightly controversial but if a dog is on a lead as it bites then perhaps a muzzle in order too, sometimes you can't make a lead short enough.....
Nope. What happens when people have their aggressive dogs off lead? Your dog gets attacked and can't defend itself.If you have a dog off lead then it is up to you to ensure that any dog it does go to see is friendly, that means asking the owners. The law is very clear on this and quite rightly to.
Also dogs are on leads for several reasons, not just because they are aggressive or reactive. I spent 18 months getting my dog fit. So many times out of control dogs set his recovery back by interfering with him. Sure, I could just walk him on roads, but the softer ground was lower impact on his muscles.
pinchmeimdreamin said:
I am in no ways blaming anyone but myself, just saying I need to be more vigilant when I let mine off lead.
Indeed and you show an admirable attitude. Much like the lady who had a Jack Russel attack my dog.Sadly not all dogs are friendly. Two of mine are too friendly and scare other dogs, so we can't let them off to play - even when people say their dog likes "rough play" they soon cry!
ETA - BTW the other dogs' owner should have shouted out that one of their dogs was not friendly... I do this with my rescue so people know to recall their dogs immediately.
This is why mine isnt off his lead more, he is too playful with other dogs and I cant ask if they're ok to play before he goes charging over. If I have a good view of the distance ahead then it's ok but once we're a reasonable distance away he'll be gone and ignore me. (He's still young and learning)
I wish more owners had your attitude OP.
One of the reasons our Staffy doesn't get off her lead as much as I'd like is I know most other dog owners would blame a Staffy even if their dog was the problem.
As it happens, I do much the same as you say you're going to do. I put her on the lead before passing other dogs just in case. Especially if the other dog is on it's lead, as there might well be a reason for it.
One of the reasons our Staffy doesn't get off her lead as much as I'd like is I know most other dog owners would blame a Staffy even if their dog was the problem.
As it happens, I do much the same as you say you're going to do. I put her on the lead before passing other dogs just in case. Especially if the other dog is on it's lead, as there might well be a reason for it.
Never have ours off the lead anymore - mine are too reactive as they have had to learn to defend themselves in our village where every dog is aggressive even when ours were very young.
As someone else on here said, we don't muzzle them as they have to be able to react sadly.
There is one clown in the village who has had to learn the hard way from everybody else to put his dog on a lead........
As someone else on here said, we don't muzzle them as they have to be able to react sadly.
There is one clown in the village who has had to learn the hard way from everybody else to put his dog on a lead........
medieval said:
Never have ours off the lead anymore - mine are too reactive as they have had to learn to defend themselves in our village where every dog is aggressive even when ours were very young.
As someone else on here said, we don't muzzle them as they have to be able to react sadly.
There is one clown in the village who has had to learn the hard way from everybody else to put his dog on a lead........
Good grief! I must be bloody lucky where I live then. Should see the park in the morning it's like a doggie day care centre. Lots of owners meeting up dogs all running round having fun. Can you lot with "horrible" dogs stay away from South derbyshire please As someone else on here said, we don't muzzle them as they have to be able to react sadly.
There is one clown in the village who has had to learn the hard way from everybody else to put his dog on a lead........
Petrol Only said:
Good grief! I must be bloody lucky where I live then. Should see the park in the morning it's like a doggie day care centre. Lots of owners meeting up dogs all running round having fun. Can you lot with "horrible" dogs stay away from South derbyshire please
We actually keep putting articles in the local magazine asking owners with aggressive dogs to actually do something about it. They will walk along right near our dogs with theirs on fully extended leads snarling and growling.
Three collies attacked mine when he was young when we walked past their house - they were loose in the garden with free access to the road and just mobbed ours
Had to step in and kick the leader of the three in the jaw hard enough to send it spinning and that stopped that but in doggie terms, we do live in a rough area.
It's a vicious circle really as ours have learnt over the years to fend themselves and now have a reputation but I have to now walk on the other side of the road if any other dog is being walked nearby or turn and go the other way.
Not just us either and it's comical watching the dog walkers trying too find a safe route around.
Where we lived before was the complete opposite and the dogs would all play quite contentedly whilst the owners just chat.
On reflection, I am beginning to come to realise it is our village. If it wasn't for our house w e would have left years ago........
Had to step in and kick the leader of the three in the jaw hard enough to send it spinning and that stopped that but in doggie terms, we do live in a rough area.
It's a vicious circle really as ours have learnt over the years to fend themselves and now have a reputation but I have to now walk on the other side of the road if any other dog is being walked nearby or turn and go the other way.
Not just us either and it's comical watching the dog walkers trying too find a safe route around.
Where we lived before was the complete opposite and the dogs would all play quite contentedly whilst the owners just chat.
On reflection, I am beginning to come to realise it is our village. If it wasn't for our house w e would have left years ago........
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