I'm Becoming Afraid To Walk My Dogs

[Alison03]

Some people are actually very proud of their offleash dogs.

I have had a number of people tell me that they always walk their dog offleash, even near busy roads, since their dogs are perfectly trained. When I tell them I never do so, my dogs are always on lead (except in offlead areas that aren't near busy roads), they smirk and tell me I need to train my dogs to walk off lead!!!!

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong.

If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training.

Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs.

Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot.

Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road.

Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it.

Ok. That's not the reason I do it.

Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom?

No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make.

What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner.

Ok I understand the relationship someone builds with their dog, I have done the same with my dog, I know she would walk by me too, she's like my shadow. Its a very special bond.

Everything in life is a calculated risk that is very true, but this is where we differ, do you think it is fair to ask the people who share your neighbourhood to also share in the risk you are taking by walking your dog off leash. I am sure you are capable and rational enough to make that risk assessment but where do you have the right to make a risk assessment for other people, whether you realise it or not, when you walk your dog off leash (unless you are in an off leash area of course) in a public area your are asking total strangers to be part of the risk you are taking. You sound like a rational intelligent person, I know you understand what I mean.

What you need to come to terms with is that when there is no lead, there is a chance that control could be lost, for some unforeseen reason that will change your life forever.

[RazorBlade]

I assume the other people I come into contact with are making their own risk assessments. When they see a dog who is quite clearly under control I expect them to continue on about their day and return my 'hello' as we pass.

[RazorBlade]

Some people are actually very proud of their offleash dogs.

I have had a number of people tell me that they always walk their dog offleash, even near busy roads, since their dogs are perfectly trained. When I tell them I never do so, my dogs are always on lead (except in offlead areas that aren't near busy roads), they smirk and tell me I need to train my dogs to walk off lead!!!!

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong.

If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training.

Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs.

Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot.

Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road.

Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it.

Ok. That's not the reason I do it.

Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom?

No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make.

What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner.

What you need to come to terms with is that when there is no lead, there is a chance that control could be lost, for some unforeseen reason that will change your life forever.

I know exactly what you mean. Last weekend, at my local cafe, a leaf blew past the table I was sitting at and Toby sat up quite quickly. I nearly lost control of him and he nearly tipped over my soy caramel decaf latte. Disaster!

[BlackJaq]

Seems you might be one of those.. lol

http://www.atlbanana.com/local-dog-owner-struggling-with-off-leash-addiction/

[RazorBlade]

Seems you might be one of those.. lol

http://www.atlbanana.com/local-dog-owner-struggling-with-off-leash-addiction/

You must have trouble with written comprehension. Why don't you go back over my post slowly and you might be able to figure out why I'm not one of those. It was a good attempt at insulting me.

[Remarkabull]

I think the thing that really p!$$es people off is the sense of entitlement that people have about having their dogs off lead. Like they're somehow different from the rest of us.

I know MY dogs are friendly, and wouldn't hurt anyone and I also know that they have pretty good recall and would never just run away from me but the people out in public don't know that do they? I don't think its fair to the person who is terrified of dogs or the person who has a reactive dog and they are just trying to go for a walk but have to be on edge the whole time and gauge wether or not the off lead dog and its owner approaching them is going to be ok and just walk past quietly or if its going to cause a problem.

Like i said in a previous post, I'm not particularly worried about off lead dogs, most are friendly or at least not seriously aggressive but I think its just common sense and decency to have them on a lead unless in a off lead area, for the safety and comfort of others. Not to mention that non dog people don't need any more to complain about and get more restrictions put in place for those of us with dogs.

[tdierikx]

I'm more of the opinion that the more nicely behaved off lead dogs the average Joe sees/meets, the better...

Seriously though, if you have a highly reactive dog, is it fair on them (or you for that matter) to be taking them to areas that may be crowded with people or other dogs? Wouldn't that be more likely to heighten their tension rather than being an enjoyable stroll for you both?

Also - if YOU are on edge whenever you see an offlead dog - don't you think that your own dog will be picking up on that tension and thusly be transmitting their own? Surely the number of offlead and aggressive dogs out and about isn't the epidemic that some would have us believe?

I've been living in this area since 1999 - and have only been rushed at by unfriendly loose dogs twice when out walking my own. Plenty of smaller territorial dogs making noise from their front yards, but nothing that has been seriously "menacing" or of any concern to me or my dogs. I live in an area where we have a very high number of people living on government assistance, and have all manner of the staffy or mastiff crosses as pets - but the unfriendly ones have definitely been a very small minority from my experience.

T.

[*kirty*]

But I dont want to meet offlead dogs in places where they should be onlead! My dogs dont like other dogs getting in their faces and I end up in a tangle of leads, trying to get away from the 'dog who just wants to say hi'. I dont care if its friendly, I dont want it near me!

I dont go to crowded places, I walk the streets and sometimes visit the local ON LEAD parks. My dogs weigh 5-6kg. They have skin like tissue paper. They stand no chance against an attacking dog.

Edited September 13, 2013 by *kirty*

[frufru]

I don't want to meet off leash dog when I am out walking - I don't go to off leash parks because I don't want to meet unknown off leash dogs. Doesn't seem hard to understand does it To those who want to demonstrate their unbelievable bond with their dog by walking around off leash - buy some fenced acreage so you are not annoying or at the worst terrifying others.

[Salukifan]

I'm more of theopinion that the more nicely behaved off lead dogs the average Joe sees/meets,the better...

I am of the opinion that Jo Average dog owner needs to obey leash laws, regardless of how well trained or nicely behaved his dog is. Honestly, why do some people regard any law that inconveniences them as something that doesn't apply? Is it arrogance or selfishness or both?

And they wonderwhy we see parks go from "onlead only" or "dogs under effective control" to "no dogs allowed" From the point of view of someone who routinely walks 3 or 4 dogs onlead, one "friendly" dog can create leash macrame for me. Just keep your dogs on lead, under control and away from me and mine outside of the dog parks and off leash areas please. The fact that my dogs are onlead should be TELLING people something."

Don't even start me on those folk who think their dog's sh*t is so special that it can be left wherever it falls.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[dee lee]

Whatever the relationship with your dog, having your dog deliberately offlead while walking the streets is ILLEGAL. Simple as that.

In my substantial experience, for every impeccably behaved dog that sticks like glue to their owner, there are a dozen wannabes who have less than ideal control. With that kind of ratio, I will always assume the worst & act accordingly.

Edited September 13, 2013 by dee lee

[Salukifan]

No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make.

What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner.

Applying this logic , if i am a superb driver and have a high performance car, I should be able to drive it at any speed I deem appropriate provided I accept the consequences of my driving.

And bugger what other people want eh? Bugger the fact that I may cause concern to others who don't know me or my car or my driving.

What about the consequences of your risk assessment FOR OTHERS? Did they get any consideration?

I hope at least that you carry a leash with you and use it if requested to by oncoming dog owners.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[raineth]

But you can still have a connection with your dog when its walked on lead?

I walk my dog on lead and I still have an enjoyable time with them, and feel very much like we are sharing time together.

Just because you have a physical connection with your dog (a leash) doesn't mean that you stop having any other sort of connection with them

I have one dog who has little interest in greeting other dogs and people and he has very good recall.

We often spend time together in our front yard (which is unfenced) and I always have his bright orange long line on, even though he probably doesn't need it as such. But I do it because it is a back up, if something frightens him or he does one day does feel like saying hello to someone and if he does happen to ignore me, then I have a physical back up. It also reassures anyone walking by because they can see clearly he is not just loose in our front yard.

[Remarkabull]

No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make.

What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner.

Applying this logic , if i am a superb driver and have a high performance car, I should be able to drive it at any speed I deem appropriate provided I accept the consequences of my driving.

And bugger what other people want eh? Bugger the fact that I may cause concern to others who don't know me or my car or my driving.

What about the consequences of your risk assessment FOR OTHERS?

I hope at least that you carry a leash with you and use it if requested to by oncoming dog owners.

This exactly.

It doesn't matter that the bond you may have with your dog is so special or that he may be the most perfectly behaved dog in the whole bloody world, other people don't know that and it has an effect on them. When you are doing something, that is illegal, and is possibly causing distress to others and you continue to justify it to yourself and others then that's just selfish.

[Salukifan]

I swear some dog owners must live in a bubble of self righteousness, telling themselves that they and their dogs are perfect, that laws are for lesser owners and what's right for them is right.

And the rest of us have to go into avoidance or management mode to cope.

Not quite the same as having a dog you know is a handful and just letting it do what it wants, but the consequences for the rest of us are the same.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[raineth]

You also can't always predict what your dog will do. Just because your dog has obeyed a command every time you've given it, doesn't actually mean he/she will obey it next time.

Management is such an important part of owning a dog, it is just as important as training and socialisation.

There are a couple of dogs around here who are frequently off lead and I would most of the time they've been fine. One lives very close to us and we've passed her nearly every day for the last 3 years and she ignores us. Yet three times, for reasons I can't be sure of, she hasn't ignored us. Once she ran at us and crossed the road in doing so, and another time she sprang out at us from behind a tree and gave my Dane such a shock. Once with my other dog she got into a crouch and froze and it was a very scary moment she was completely silent, but very much looked like she was about to attack, she was very serious and I had never seen her like that before, ever. Her owner called her back just in time and I couldn't budge my boy who was frozen in fright. As I said that is three times in about 3 years and she is out every day for a couple of hours. This means that she is unreliable approximately 0.27% of the time (or reliable 99.73% of the time - which would generally be considered pretty good) yet those times she has been unreliable could have ended very badly and were certainly very stressful for me and my dogs.

[Are You Serious Jo]

It's illegal and irresponsible and DOLers should know better Keep your dogs on lead in on lead areas, you aren't special.

[Loving my Oldies]

This means that she is unreliable approximately 0.27% of the time (or reliable 99.73% of the time - which would generally be considered pretty good) yet those times she has been unreliable could have ended very badly and were certainly very stressful for me and my dogs.

Stats are pretty meaningless, raineth :). It takes only a few seconds for lives to be ruined.

[Alison03]

Some people are actually very proud of their offleash dogs.

I have had a number of people tell me that they always walk their dog offleash, even near busy roads, since their dogs are perfectly trained. When I tell them I never do so, my dogs are always on lead (except in offlead areas that aren't near busy roads), they smirk and tell me I need to train my dogs to walk off lead!!!!

It seems it is a bit of an idiotic status symbol like not tethering your dog in the back of a ute. Unfortunately it is always the dog that pays when things go wrong.

If a dog walks perfectly off lead beside you then what is the harm in putting a lead on it. I suspect a lot of off leash dogs don't walk quite so nicely when they on lead and some people would rather (think they) look cool over than bothering with loose leash training.

Loose dogs even if they are friendly pose a risk to motorists. I don't think some seem to get the fact that people get killed or suffer permanent, debilitating injuries from collisions caused by wandering dogs.

Especially if you live in a suburban/highly populated area and unless you are in a designated off leash area just put your dog on a freaking leash. It is not that hard. And no you don't look cool walking beside a highway with your off leash dog you look like an idiot.

Edited to add that I haven't had many dogs rush me or my dogs over the years but I have had far too many experiences of close calls on the road and witnessed dogs been hit and killed. I have been badly bitten trying to save a dog from being hit and have picked far too many dead dogs off the road.

Someone tell me thats not the only reason they do it.

Ok. That's not the reason I do it.

Well what is the reason then, you must have one, I'm interested to know what it is. Is it the feeling of freedom?

No, it's the relationship you build with your dog. Toby walks beside me not because I have him tied to me. He walks there because I ask him to and because he wants to. Like everything in life it's required a risk assessment. I am capable, responsible and rational enough to make that assessment and I accept the consequences of the decisions I make.

What you need to come to terms with is that just because there is no lead doesn't mean there isn't control. A dog that gets out of its yard roaming the neighbourhood is not the same as a dog going for a stroll with its owner.

What you need to come to terms with is that when there is no lead, there is a chance that control could be lost, for some unforeseen reason that will change your life forever.

I know exactly what you mean. Last weekend, at my local cafe, a leaf blew past the table I was sitting at and Toby sat up quite quickly. I nearly lost control of him and he nearly tipped over my soy caramel decaf latte. Disaster!

You mean to tell me the owner of your local cafe allows you to have your dog off leash on his premises, he obviously hasn't done any risk assessments, if your dog created an incident at his cafe where someone was hurt, his insurance would be voided for allowing an off leash dog there. Trust me if Toby does wig out one day, the cafe owner and all the people who say "Hello" to you while your breeze passed with your dog, will be lining up to get into court to tell how often you have been seen breaking the law.

You are not only asking complete strangers to take part in your risky behaviour, you are also trusting them not to drop you in it, should something go pear shaped. You are going to be sadly disappointed by human nature when that day comes. If you are going to tell me that everyone you come in to contact with on your travels is very supportive of your off leash triumph, I'd like to point out that they may be a little wary of a man with a large off leash dog. You are in denial about how you are viewed by others.

[raineth]

This means that she is unreliable approximately 0.27% of the time (or reliable 99.73% of the time - which would generally be considered pretty good) yet those times she has been unreliable could have ended very badly and were certainly very stressful for me and my dogs.

Stats are pretty meaningless, raineth :). It takes only a few seconds for lives to be ruined.

well yes that was the point I was making :)