Alison03

I did own cats years ago, all rescues that had been strays, I had five at one time, that went to good homes. Their kill rate was phenomenal, they'd lived in the wild at one time so got used to living off the land. Even though they were well fed they hunted constantly. I had bells of all types on those cats, it only dropped their kill rate by a smidgen. They are much better hunters than dogs, as no where is inaccessible to them. I think that's why they get bad press, I had one big desexed male that would take on an adult possum and had the scars to prove it. He went to a farm with a bad mouse problem. I'm talking over 20 years ago before cats were routinely kept inside the home at night. To be honest I lost interest in owning a cat after the last one, I just couldn't take the little dead bodies everywhere and my big male did autopsies too. My dog is five years old and to date she's caught about six birds, (3 rats and two mice) not counting the ones I've rescued. I lost count with my cat. I understand what you mean, both dogs and cats are predators, I think cats get more pressure because they are better at it.

That's a good idea, when I had a cat I used to do that, it works best if they don't know where the water is coming from I found. :)

My dog has the "someone's around" bark, it has a really angry tone if its someone she doesn't know, she scents them. If its someone she knows it's more of a casual bark. She always barks if she hears noise, someone banging on the fence really sets her off or someone she doesn't know attempting to enter the garden through the gate, she goes hysterical then. I go out and say "inside". I don't let her bark at people walking passed the house. Sometimes she will come to find me if she's concerned (she has that "Gee's come look at this" expression) and I follow her outside, there is always something of interest to look at when she does that, like a big blue tongue (she's very wary of lizards), them she hops around making that concerned kind of throaty humming noise as if she's saying "What do you reckon". :laugh: I say "come away" or "leave it". I like her to bark when people are about, if its someone up to no good, I'm alerted to their presence and they know I am. She sleeps on our bed at night, if she hears anyone's voice (we've had people trying to pinch bushrock, go figure) she will growl once and then do one bark to alert us, once she sees we've got the message she goes back to sleep. However if someone rattles the door handle she's off the bed doing her aggressive act. I think it's great that's she's such a discerning watchdog. When my son stays at my place, he has a key to get in if he comes home late, when he unlocks the front door, she does her growl alert then that err sound, that means "it's ok I know who it is". All by scent. Bloody marvelous watch dog she is. Does everyone else's dog make those noises other than barking that is almost like talking?

Thats AWESOME :D We have a neighbour with a GSD that just never. stops. barking. We've spoken to him, again and again. We've even had to go so far as to complain to the council... but guess what... thats who he works for and nothing got done Well feel free to use the "Hello neighbour" method, you've got every right too, you might be concerned for the dog because it keeps barking, eg "Hello neighbour your dogs been barking for hours is it OK". ;-)

A relative of mine once rang a neighbour up in the middle of the night, because his dog was barking he said "Hello neighbour were you asleep, I was too until your dog starting barking, just thought I'd let you know, I'll ring you tomorrow night if I hear it again". The neighbour had his dog sleep inside from then on. :laugh:

I padlock my gates too and we are about to put a electronic gate at the front of the house, it will be hard for anyone to get in but not impossible. We just all do what we can.

There was I thinking my dog was doing something a bit strange, and what I thought was cat behavior. :laugh: The other day I let her out on the deck, on the back of one of the chairs a bird landed and my little girl leapt in the air, knocked it off the back of the chair, I intervened and saved its life. The bell works really well but it doesn't cover all situations. I'm waiting for Wires to come and arrest her. :)

We've had some near misses with Galah's too, it's only me saying "No" that has saved the bird. My dogs eyes practically pop out on stalks when she sees a target and she is so fast, you can see the predator in her. She pounces on them with her front feet and then her mouth grabs it, then shake, crunch and its over. She can leap up quite high, gets over the child gate someway or other. No tree climbing yet, that would be scary.

I'd certainly have to stock train her if we lived in different circumstances or if we ever decided to get chickens. The keeping of rabbits or guinea pigs is out too, she goes silly over those, any small animal and she goes goggle eyed.

Maybe they are outside cause they are after all dogs and it's good for them, rather then be cooped up in a pen for 3/4 of their life. Pups need to feel rain on their back, sunlight on their face, wind ruffling through their fur, chase a leaf blowing along the ground. I appreciate this is not always possible for people living in flats/units but if you have a backyard, then yeah I think the dog should be allowed to enjoy it, on his own terms, not with a human hovering over them. Totally agree with this :) Environmental exploration /developing of all sorts of skills ..and just FUN ..watching bugs , tasting grass, sniffing dirt, feeling different things with those paddy feet .... I have to say I do worry about someone taking her when she's outside and I'm out, but she can get back into the laundry through her small pet door, she's not keen on strangers, she wouldn't let them touch her, she won't take treats off just anyone either, even her favourite ones. I want her to be able to be outside, it such a natural place to be for them, lying on the grass in the sun, hunting through the mondo grass. :)

Thanks everyone it's good to know she's not unusual. She is so cat like in how she hunts. She's frightened of lizards and I hope that means snakes too. She doesn't attempt to eat anything she's caught Persephone, thank goodness. She caught her first mouse when she was just a pup. She's caught mainly Indian Miner birds at first, the non native ones, so I wasn't too horrified but still sad though, then she caught a bright blue kingfisher, that's was upsetting when I found its beautiful little body. That's when I put the big bell on her. It works most of the time. :)

At first my Shihtzu only had access to a quarter of my garden, since fixing up the rest of the fencing she has the whole of the back garden, which is a good size with lots of trees, shrubs etc, that's when the bird murdering started, she hunts like a cat and is very successful at it. I've put a large bell on her collar which has slowed her kill rate down. She also catches rats and mice. Has anyone else got a dog that does this kind of thing? It's horrible to go into the garden and find a little body on the grass.

I think they only hear other people's dogs and are tuned out to their own. My other neighbour has a dog similar to mine who sounds just the same, I've gone outside to shout at my dog for barking, only to find my dog standing silently behind me looking confused. I tend to hear my dog and other people's too. Others dogs barking really doesn't bother me but for some reason I feel inconsiderate if my dog barks too much. It's when neighbours dogs bark at night I wonder how they can sleep, because the barking is right next to their house.

I have a similar problem, most neighbours around us have dogs and some just bark on and off all day and even through the night, it doesn't bother me, I tune out to it and our house is fairly sound proof. However our dog wants to join in and I've let her in the day ( she sleeps on our bed at night so doesn't bark then) for short periods of time when I've been working in my office ( I work from home). Here's the interesting bit, the lady with three dogs over the back fence told my husband that our dog keeps barking, he said "Your dogs do too". She said "Yes but I go out to work during the day so I can't stop mine, your wife works at home so she should stop her dog", which begs the question if she's not home how does she hear my dog barking. My husband said "Your dogs bark at night ours doesn't"..........and she said .....wait for it ........"But I'm asleep at night and don't hear them". So when it comes to dogs barking, it seems to be ok for some but not for others.

My Shihtzu has an open crate and a bed in the laundry for when we go out, the laundry has a pet door to the outside, so she can be in the laundry or the garden. Don't let her have the full run of the house because she gets frantic if she can't find me in the house. If I'm home she is wherever I am. She sleeps on our bed at night. :)

Here's a good question, on telling a man I owned a Shihtzu "Aren't Shihtzu's those vicious Japanese Hunting dogs" I said "No Shihtzu's are a small Chinese breed" He says "Ok a Chinese hunting dog, thought they were Japs, they are vicious though".

Actually sweetie anything you say on a public forum is my business or anyone else's business. If you want to keep it private take it to a private message. Well sweetheart as its a public forum I can pretty much say whatever I like, and as rule following is actively discouraged by several members I know they will appreciate my honesty and plain speaking, no holds barred. If someone is rude to me that opens the way for me to be rude to them right back, if you don't like it sweetie thats not my problem, it yours. Have a good day :) Lucky for you I do follow the rules of this forum as what I would like to say to you would get me banned. Ditto sweetie. Aren't rules a pain.

You obviously feel my last post was aimed at you, it was aimed at everyone who feels its ok for off leash dogs to be walked in on lead areas, if you fit into that description then I guess you are part of my target. I have not picked apart your posts, despite the fact you seem to have picked apart mine earlier on in his thread, and called me contradictory, which is a lot nicer than when someone on this forum called me crazy, but to be honest none of those labels really bothers me. What I'm attempting to point out is that the very people you support, could be the very people who help stricter dog laws be put in to place, its very simple for you to be part of those restrictive laws all you have to do is NOTHING. Let all the perfect off leash dogs sail passed you and say nothing, or you could go one step worse and congratulate the owners but if you really want to help society, you could compliment the owner and say "You do realise this is an on leash area don't you, I wouldn't want you to be fined". By doing nothing you are enabling the off leashers to take away our (and your ) freedom to walk our dogs. It will happen, google dog attacks and new dog laws, I am not making this all up, it will affect us all. Its not to late if everyone abides by the current law and makes sure our dogs are kept secure and on leashes where required and that stops most of the dog attacks it can only help us stay with the law we have. I'm not attacking you I just think there may be a downside to walking off leash dogs that may not have occurred to you. I know this is a small forum and does not reach a lot of people but its been worked out if you tell one person, and that one person tells another the word will spread like wild fire. In political circles its accepted that if one person writes a letter or an email to an MP on a subject that means 500 people feel the same way, which in their eyes is 500 votes. Taking that a step further if a group get together to try to stop dog attacks and get new laws made that make parks no dog allowed, we are all sunk. Off lead dogs don't just piss off other people with dogs, its not just dog walkers that get attacked. If you see an off leash walker, ringing the police won't help or the council, they want a name and address, just reminding nicely that this is an on lead area puts the thought in their heads that people are watching and caring what they do, they may tell you to F off but they still heard you, words that are said or written that you know apply to you are never forgotten, human beings are very susceptible to suggestion. All the off leash walkers I've encountered I've said very nicely (apart from the ones with scary dogs, I haven't been too nice then) "Are you aware this is an off leash area" and I haven't seen them since. They don't know who I am, perhaps I work for the local council, what do you think? You can't make people care about the law but they do care about being fined. Steph don't take this personally its not meant that way. You quoted me - if you were not responding to me, then don't quote me.. Edited to add - in my opinion, there isn't a downside to walking a well trained/behaved dog off lead. I wouldn't do it but I have seen a few and to be honest, they are a non issue. You don't have to lecture me on the problems of outdated dog laws - I have been a dog owner and a member of this forum long enough to know what is and isn't OK.. So you spend your spare time making sure all the off lead dog walkers in your area are aware it is an on lead area or they can be fined - good for you.. I have much better things to do with my time - like enjoy my walk with my dog, instead of worrying about something that is of no concern to me (remember I am talking about well behaved/trained dogs who don't run off to meet me and my dog - they simply go about their walk like I do).. If the dog was off lead, menacing and appearing dangerous - it probably wouldn't have an owner with it in my neck of the woods. So in this case, I would put a call in to our local ranger and let them know there is an off lead dog at such and such location. Now that owner should be fined.. Not the one, causing nobody any harm, minding his own business.. No wonder we can't take our dogs anywhere anymore.. If you have aren't too concerned for you dog. I'm happy for you. But some other people on the forum are more vulnerable and have more fragile dogs due to age, illness, size etc. SO I do see why they would be concerned. I've had a dog that was very capable of defending herself. She could easily kill smaller dogs if she wanted to. But breaking up a fight is just an inconvenience on my walk. Nobody wants to deal with this stuff every time they duck out for a walk. I just think we shouldn't have to go out of our way to make things more convenient for people who want their dogs to be "free range". Why some people believe they deserve special rights? I don't know. I'd like to see what happens if there are NO leash laws- may the best dog win... losers can R.I.P. Where the hell did I say I am not concerned for my dog?? Where huh? I am very concerned for the well being of mine and every other dog/animal.. I have on more than a few occasions put myself in front of my dogs and between a charging dog and my dogs. I would do it again in an instant - I am not afraid of a charging dog. My experience tells me that in my town, where I walk my dogs, that the off lead dogs that come running at us are invariably tame and a growl and get lost is enough to get rid of most of them. Just a couple of weeks ago, I lifted a GSD off my staffy cross and tossed her.. It isn't the first dog dispute I have broken up and I dare say (because I own a dog) it won't be the last one.. My staffy cross is extremely submissive - he tried to out run her but she caught him and he just curled into a ball.. My last dog had mast cell cancer for over 6 years, we lost him in October 2011 after a good long fight with chemo, holistic therapy and finally just palliative care... So much for me being not concerned about my dogs. Also where did I say that I wanted leash free laws - I have never said that either.. I agree that people are flouting the law by not leashing their dogs. No one wants that but you can't make people do something they are not going to do - law or not... All you can do is dob them in.. I am not going to repeat any more of what I have said a dozen times already. You are going to choose to pick out of my posts what suits you and your argument.. I've highlighted your post above. If you are not concerned about dogs running up to you (and your dog) thats great . Some people are and I can't blame them because I don't know what their circumstances are. And not everyone lives in your town. Also. I'm not congratulating anyone who puts others at risk. When some one runs a red light I'm not congratulating them for being a 'good driver' and getting to the other side safely. And even though we can't make people follow the law. I'm not going to support that behaviour or congratulate anyone for breaking the law 'safely'. Exactly right :)

Actually sweetie anything you say on a public forum is my business or anyone else's business. If you want to keep it private take it to a private message. Well sweetheart as its a public forum I can pretty much say whatever I like, and as rule following is actively discouraged by several members I know they will appreciate my honesty and plain speaking, no holds barred. If someone is rude to me that opens the way for me to be rude to them right back, if you don't like it sweetie thats not my problem, it yours. Have a good day :)

And not once have you stated why you think your above the law even tho it has been repeated asked Listen, I've repeatedly answered what my motivations are and the way I go about doing the things I do in an effort to show that there is another side to the coin. Not everything is black and white. To the sanctimonious, holier that thou attitude, OMG it's a by-law brigade. Unless you have never in your life broken/ignore a rule, give up on the lecturing. Okay I change my view point now. I believe in stronger enforcement or leash laws, registration, dog containment on all dog owners (except for Razorblade). Case closed. If only it worked liked that, sadly for Razor it doesn't, whatever country you live in, you are subject to the laws of that land. You can call them whatever you like the laws won't go away. Ignoring the leash laws isn't like ignoring a rule such as dropping litter, its about protecting public safety, which is taken quite seriously, as it should be.

Ok I'll make a deal with you I won't repeat myself as you all know where I stand. Lets not forget I've been called crazy and it's even been alluded too that I've made everything up. I had a very traumatic event and because I live in a semi rural community there seems to be quite a few loose dogs. I'm not sure why we attract rushers, my dog is very well behaved on leash, perhaps that makes her weak and a target, can't really do much about that can I? Off leash she mixes very well with friends dogs and at the kennels, where she's described as easy going but doesn't submit readily to other dogs but is not aggressive. I readily admit I die a thousand deaths when I see an off leash dog and imagine all kinds of horrors that never happen. Being made to feel vulnerable makes me cranky, you may have noticed that bit. For the third time, It was me who made the crazy comment and it was in regard to feeling like you needed a weapon to walk your dogs safely, it was widely directed, not solely at you and I said THE ACTION of carrying this out stank of craziness. It seems to suit you to adopt the tag like a pouting child though, so carry on. I don't think anyone alluded you might have invented anything either. For goodness sake I don't care who called me crazy and who didn't. It was Razor who alluded to me having "contributory factors" and that all the dog incidences I report may be because of those factors. That's not a direct quote either, I can't be bothered looking for it. Now lets not get caught up in semantics of who said what to whom. I carry citronella spray only, which is harmless to dogs, not harmless because I say so, harmless because that is whats written on the can. I used to carry an umbrella but I got sick of having my hands full. I'm not looking to hurt anyone's dog despite the fact me and my dog were attacked. For the 100th time ( that may not be the true figure but I'm confident the post counters will be able to tell me what number it is ) I just want a relaxing walk with my dog without being harassed by off leash dogs of any type. Stop taking what I say personally it isn't aimed at you. Like it or not your actions and your reactions directly contribute to your experiences and the actions/reactions of your dog. My dog despite her owner, is bomb proof, she does not react badly, strangely enough she trusts me to protect her when she's on leash, perhaps because I saved her life once by risking my own, I must be doing something right. When she's off leash on an off leash beach, she stays close to me unless I tell her "free" and she has excellent recall, not by me screaming her name but by me whistling, she even responds to different whistle tones, I have one for stop. She has never been aggressive to another dog or a human. She lies under the table at my local cafe with her head on her paws, (I do not allow her to put her head on my foot as in dog behavior that implies ownership, she knows I own her and not the other way around)while I drink my latte, she has never reacted to any dogs going off their nut at the next table, she knows that's not allowed. I still wouldn't walk her off leash in an on leash area because I have consideration for others and I abide by the leash laws. I have only owned and trained one dog in my life, she is my first. I have friends whose dogs are highly reactive, who can't be walked passed another dog. I've taken them for half an hour and got them to walk with me, on leash of course without reacting to other dogs. I don't hurt them, I just let them know I'm in charge. I may be comparatively new to the dog world but I'm not unskilled in dog handling. So please don't try to teach your G'ma how to suck eggs. You are an embryo compared to me. Wow what a rude post! You have no idea of Razorblade's dog handling skills. Well I would imagine that if he walks around with his dog off leash in public areas, that his dog handling skills are excellent and probably unusually so, as many dog owners on leash and off leash seem to struggle with their dogs constantly, something I see nearly daily, Razor must have put time and effort (as I have with my dog) into training Toby and good on him. I am not being sarcastic either I really mean that. However he inferred that my dog handling skills were wanting in some way because of my fear of off leash dogs, that I must be in turn infecting my dog's behaviour, I took exception to that as I have previously told him my dog is bomb proof, so I can't be affecting her at all. I go to lengths to avoid off lead dogs so she won't feel my fear. I resented his inference that any incidents that occur with dogs rushing us is somehow brought on by myself and not actually by the dog that rushes me. As to being rude to Razor. the gloves were taken off in the rudeness sector by Razor himself, in several very rude posts to me, I don't care if you think his rudeness was warranted towards me or not. Any argument between me and Razor is actually none of your business, he has proved time and again he can give it out and also take it back.

There is only one thread on this forum that isn't available to the public.. Everything else can be read by anyone, at any time. What gave you the impression that this was a secret forum? I knew it wasn't as I found it on google originally, I was wondering if everyone else knew it wasn't private and that the thread "I'm becoming afraid to walk my dogs" actually comes up on google and not just Aussie Pure Bred Forums. Someone I don't remember who and it doesn't matter who it was, told me that whatever we said on here only reaches the small amount of forum members, I was just pointing out thats not actually true.

Come on now, no need to back away from it now. Take my comments in their most literal terms, however I am willing to state I do find you an arrogant person, that can be directly associated with the stereotypes myself and others have mention for your sheer disregard for the law and the community you live in. One of those other anuses I have state will see you and your disregard to the law and ask themselves why can't they do the same. It is not up to your judgement when and where the law should be obeyed or enforced nor to give yourself or anybody else the privileged that the law does not apply to you. It does not matter You think your dog is good. It does not matter if your dog IS good. It does not even directly have to do with the behavior you or your dog has in public, What if a bunch of self righteous complainers see you and your dog and report you repeatedly to the council who then impose the law of no dogs in business districts causing your cafe to enforce a regulation of no dogs with a distance of a human consumption premises. And it was all done cause they got a few sly pics of your dog loose and the council had enough of the complaints which would have been unwarranted if you had just clipped a loose lead to his collar.?? You seriously think the haters care if your dog has a lead or doesn't have a lead on as it sits under the table at your local cafe? Who is more of a menace, my dog who sleeps on my foot as I eat my omelet or the two white fluffies on lead, off their heads, barking and trying to tip over the table they are tied to? (True story) Yes Razor dog haters do care if your dog is leashed especially in a cafe, as well as the insurance company of the cafe owner if anything goes wrong. Some people do not like dogs of any type and do not like them being in the front of cafes. Not everyone owns a dog and there are people who would like all dog laws to be very tight indeed. In that cafe you are one incident away from helping them ban all dogs from cafe fronts. If one of those fluffy dogs bites your dog and he reacts guess who will be blamed, the person with the unleashed dog. It's common sense really. In all your waffling on you seem to have forgotten to answer the question. Who is more of a menace, my dog who sleeps on my foot as I eat my omelet or the two white fluffies on lead, off their heads, barking and trying to tip over the table they are tied to? When are you going to understand, its not about menacing, out of control dogs! The law is the law and when people continuously disregard that law then they will bring in even more. It doesn't matter how amazing your particular dog is Razor, the point is there are people out there who have fears (warranted and not, it doesn't matter), people who are petrified of dogs, people who just want to go for a walk and. Not have to worry every time they see an off lead dog and wonder if it is going to approach or not. It's about common decency and empathy for others. I LOVE my dogs. I also think they're special and I can't for the life of me understand how others don't feel the same, but not everyone does of course so, for the comfort of others I don't take them everywhere and I keep them on a lead so they don't cause anyone concern. Just to answer your above question, both of you are being inconsiderate and rude. If I owned the cafe I'd ask the lady to remove her yappy, out of control dogs and I'd also ask you to put your dog on a lead. Thank you Remarkabull, common sense is a wonderful thing to hear. :) I think Razor is on here to argue, I'm not sure he cares about what anyone is trying to say, he's having fun being provoking.

Come on now, no need to back away from it now. Take my comments in their most literal terms, however I am willing to state I do find you an arrogant person, that can be directly associated with the stereotypes myself and others have mention for your sheer disregard for the law and the community you live in. One of those other anuses I have state will see you and your disregard to the law and ask themselves why can't they do the same. It is not up to your judgement when and where the law should be obeyed or enforced nor to give yourself or anybody else the privileged that the law does not apply to you. It does not matter You think your dog is good. It does not matter if your dog IS good. It does not even directly have to do with the behavior you or your dog has in public, What if a bunch of self righteous complainers see you and your dog and report you repeatedly to the council who then impose the law of no dogs in business districts causing your cafe to enforce a regulation of no dogs with a distance of a human consumption premises. And it was all done cause they got a few sly pics of your dog loose and the council had enough of the complaints which would have been unwarranted if you had just clipped a loose lead to his collar.?? You seriously think the haters care if your dog has a lead or doesn't have a lead on as it sits under the table at your local cafe? Who is more of a menace, my dog who sleeps on my foot as I eat my omelet or the two white fluffies on lead, off their heads, barking and trying to tip over the table they are tied to? (True story) Yes Razor dog haters do care if your dog is leashed especially in a cafe, as well as the insurance company of the cafe owner if anything goes wrong. Some people do not like dogs of any type and do not like them being in the front of cafes. Not everyone owns a dog and there are people who would like all dog laws to be very tight indeed. In that cafe you are one incident away from helping them ban all dogs from cafe fronts. If one of those fluffy dogs bites your dog and he reacts guess who will be blamed, the person with the unleashed dog. It's common sense really. In all your waffling on you seem to have forgotten to answer the question. Who is more of a menace, my dog who sleeps on my foot as I eat my omelet or the two white fluffies on lead, off their heads, barking and trying to tip over the table they are tied to? In the eyes of the insurance company, the local council and the police your dog would be the menace, simply because YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW BY NOT HAVING HIM ON A LEASH. All your talk of who barked first would just be so much coffee house crap to the authorities. I also can't stand those dogs that carry on like nutters, the owners shouldn't have them at a cafe, those types will also give dogs a bad reputation. Please don't be rude to me, trust me I'm going out of my way to not be rude to you.

Ok I'll make a deal with you I won't repeat myself as you all know where I stand. Lets not forget I've been called crazy and it's even been alluded too that I've made everything up. I had a very traumatic event and because I live in a semi rural community there seems to be quite a few loose dogs. I'm not sure why we attract rushers, my dog is very well behaved on leash, perhaps that makes her weak and a target, can't really do much about that can I? Off leash she mixes very well with friends dogs and at the kennels, where she's described as easy going but doesn't submit readily to other dogs but is not aggressive. I readily admit I die a thousand deaths when I see an off leash dog and imagine all kinds of horrors that never happen. Being made to feel vulnerable makes me cranky, you may have noticed that bit. For the third time, It was me who made the crazy comment and it was in regard to feeling like you needed a weapon to walk your dogs safely, it was widely directed, not solely at you and I said THE ACTION of carrying this out stank of craziness. It seems to suit you to adopt the tag like a pouting child though, so carry on. I don't think anyone alluded you might have invented anything either. For goodness sake I don't care who called me crazy and who didn't. It was Razor who alluded to me having "contributory factors" and that all the dog incidences I report may be because of those factors. That's not a direct quote either, I can't be bothered looking for it. Now lets not get caught up in semantics of who said what to whom. I carry citronella spray only, which is harmless to dogs, not harmless because I say so, harmless because that is whats written on the can. I used to carry an umbrella but I got sick of having my hands full. I'm not looking to hurt anyone's dog despite the fact me and my dog were attacked. For the 100th time ( that may not be the true figure but I'm confident the post counters will be able to tell me what number it is ) I just want a relaxing walk with my dog without being harassed by off leash dogs of any type. Stop taking what I say personally it isn't aimed at you. Like it or not your actions and your reactions directly contribute to your experiences and the actions/reactions of your dog. My dog despite her owner, is bomb proof, she does not react badly, strangely enough she trusts me to protect her when she's on leash, perhaps because I saved her life once by risking my own, I must be doing something right. When she's off leash on an off leash beach, she stays close to me unless I tell her "free" and she has excellent recall, not by me screaming her name but by me whistling, she even responds to different whistle tones, I have one for stop. She has never been aggressive to another dog or a human. She lies under the table at my local cafe with her head on her paws, (I do not allow her to put her head on my foot as in dog behavior that implies ownership, she knows I own her and not the other way around)while I drink my latte, she has never reacted to any dogs going off their nut at the next table, she knows that's not allowed. I still wouldn't walk her off leash in an on leash area because I have consideration for others and I abide by the leash laws. I have only owned and trained one dog in my life, she is my first. I have friends whose dogs are highly reactive, who can't be walked passed another dog. I've taken them for half an hour and got them to walk with me, on leash of course without reacting to other dogs. I don't hurt them, I just let them know I'm in charge. I may be comparatively new to the dog world but I'm not unskilled in dog handling. So please don't try to teach your G'ma how to suck eggs. You are an embryo compared to me.