More Off Lead Dogs

[Maxiewolf]

Dogs don't "Need" to be let off leash on their walks, they don't "Need" to go to off lead parks for socialisation. A dog can get all the physical and mental stimuli he needs at home with proper training, and an onlead relaxed walk is fine for the dog to get his "Update" on whats going on in the neighborhood.

Yes, it is nice to be able to let your dog offleash for a run, but in this day and age it seems that while there are too many dogs out of control and on the loose, I personally cant remember the last time I met a well behaved dog that was off leash, the rules are the rules and yes it has been spoilt for those of us with well trained and well behaved dogs.

But Id rather know that I can take my dog for a walk in peace, anywhere and know that neither I or my dogs are going to be rushed by some uncontrolled possibly vicious dog who's owner has no control and will take no responsibility. Sad state of affairs but its the truth.

[LizT]

LizT there are plenty of places to take dogs off leash in suburbia - the problem is the lazy sods who don't want to make the effort to get there

True, but I doubt these kids are allowed to cycle that far, they were all around 10 years and under. ;)

Or that their parents would even see it as necessary. They are the ones who let kids and dogs go out to play after all.

Actually I know that these kids have no control over these dogs and I've had to bring my Rodeo ute and horse float to a complete stop before as the dog was casually meandering across the road in front of me with the poor kids calling and screaming because they thought he might get hit but I saw him on the side of the road and slowed down to a snail pace as he came onto the road and crossed in front of me and the kids, as expectd, ran in front of my Rodeo and pushed the dog off the road, by which time I had come to a complete stop. Hazards!!!

[Maxiewolf]

Cross posted from the News thread in case you don't go there, since this thread is to do with the sunshine coast initially - Here is what your up against here with the problem with roaming/offlead dogs.

Here you go Classic example of what's wrong with the Sunshine coast council - I rang them to report a problem dog, this dog lies in the middle of the street, wanders up and down the road, considers the whole street to be its territory, stalks, growls etc. I rang to explain to the council that I want to see this dog confined in its yard, that its not a stray and I've seen it walked on a leash before.

They wanted the exact address where the dog lived, and would not do any ground work on an approximate address (aka too hard for them to send a ranger to door knock a couple of houses in the area.) They wanted my exact name and address, and would not take it as an anonymous complaint (even though I am concerned the owner will know its me that has reported him, because he knows my car and has seen me fend his dog off my dogs before so I'm sure he has a good idea who will have reported him.) I gave my work address since that's what they had on file from where I fruitlessly complained about a savage dog breaking into my yard from a neighbours...

I said my husband is at home during the day and can call you when he sees the dog out "We don't have the resources to follow up on that" was the answer I got, I was also told if they happen to do a drive by, or call in to see the owner if the dog doesn't happen to be out at the time... Guess what.. they can/will do nothing but say that the dog has been seen out, and "advise" him on what to do.

They say they cant do anything unless they "Catch" the dog out. (She also asked if I could catch it and I said I wouldn't.) - BUT they wont/cant come at the time you report the dog IS OUT NOW???

So there you have it in a nutshell, thats the attitude of the sunshine coast council and their resources... and they want MORE laws they cant enforce? Yep good one.

[Whippetsmum]

I let my dog off leash as much as possible. He loves it, I love it. I went to great lengths to socialise him and train him as a pup and now we reap the benefits in terms of freedom. He won't approach another dog if I tell him not to, but will if I judge it OK (eg. have communicated with the owner or the other dogs behaviour is unmistakenly friendly).

I really think you're punishing the majority because of a few bad apples. I think it's it a great thing that dogs can be off leash and I feel sorry for dogs that are never given that opportunity (usually because their owners haven't put in the work). Australia has the most restrictive laws/attitudes/behaviours to dogs as it is anywhere in the world, and I'm surprised to find this attitude here on this forum - a dog 'loving' place.

Learn how to read and prevent potentially ugly situations, and don't go down the nanny state path of attempting to legislate us all please. There is enough hyped up fear of dogs out there in the general community without inciting more. It bodes ill for all dogs in the end.

I still think it's worth the OP getting something in the local paper, not everyone has the skills that some dedicated dog owners have developed, or has put the same amount effort into their dogs as Donski.

The only way to have a split system is to have a recognised controlled system like a "Green Collar" system for off leash dogs, similar to the Greyhounds that can earn a Green Collar and not have to wear a muzzle. A behavioural test, a few hunderd dollars and you could have your dog off lead- Bingo. Otherwise, it's hard to say to one person, your dog should be on leash but mine can be off leash because I say so and I know what I'm doing. No matter how well trained Donski's dog is, without some system, what's to stop anyone off leading with an untrained dog?

The least an "off leasher" can do is to leash their dog immediately when they see another dog, or if requested by another person.

My dogs aren't on lead because I don't work with them/haven't put in the hours, I don't want my dog injured by running at speed on uneven ground, (that's my personal choice) and I don't ever want to be mourning my dog because my ego told me I was "super dog girl" and my dog doesn't need a leash. I have more chance of blocking an advancing dog with mine on lead; if a dog is startled we can't guarantee their reaction, so a leash helps me stay in control.

Sadly, it's not a matter of how friendly your dog is Donski, I believe you when you say you put a lot of work into your dog, and that you both enjoy yourselves when you are out walking. Unfortunately, it's how many other dogs aren't friendly and have caused damage- not just physically. Your friendly dog appraoching may still arouse anxiety in another dog depending on that dog's history.

Just 2 incidents that my dogs don't seem to have forgotten:

1. a lovely Rotti ( she was stunning, and I do like Rottis) but she was off leash and stalking my 2 walking through a park, hackles up, head down, equally lovely owner who said cheerily, "it's Ok we;ve trained her", and then abused me when I said, "That's great! Call her back please, could you leash her?"- she didn't actually have a lead with her, but finally called the dog back after several attempts, but my dogs were definately on edge and so was I...why should we have been threatened in this way?.

2. Same park, a charming man with 2 dalmations off lead. 2 Dalmations rushed and growled at my 2, and were still lunging and snapping. I asked the man to call his dogs back- he could have called them back, seeing they were so well trained, but he was such an arrogant %#@$% and refused "Why the F%$# should I?" he said. Man then grabbed my dog by the throat and lifted him off the ground. At the time, the younger of mine was 6 months old, and as I said, the other dog was being dangled by his neck. His dogs didn't have to do any more damage because the owner was doing it for them.

Why should I or my dogs been subjected to this? Because "everyone" has their dogs off lead in that park. Sorry Donski, some bad apples are spoiling things for you, but can you understand why some of us don't like dogs approaching us off lead given these kinds of incidents?