I'm Becoming Afraid To Walk My Dogs

[tdierikx]

Trudy08 - I think we ALL know exactly where YOU stand on the issue... 160-odd postings saying pretty much EXACTLY the same thing, and berating anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint, tends to make YOU look a bit overzealous (to say the least)...

Yes - you have had some traumatic incidents occur - no-one is denying that... but I think you may need to step back a little and look at the issue from other people's side of the "argument". Not every off leash dog is going to turn rampaging killer as soon as they see you and your little dog... and if that IS your experience, you may need to start looking into WHY you and your dog seem to attract much more negative dog attention than the law of averages suggests you should.

Just sayin'...

T.

[Alison03]

Jesus, I didn't say I didn't think it was not serious to break laws - read my posts... If you want to pick my posts to pieces read the whole thing in the context it is meant - don't pick out bits to suit your agenda (whatever it is)..

You know if you read slowly and concisely you will get the gist of most of my posts.

I said, there are loads of people out there that don't care about the law or what you want or need..

Next time I see a perfectly controlled dog off lead, I will congratulate the owner on such a wonderfully trained animal - BECAUSE it doesn't bother me that the well behaved/trained/controlled animal is off lead..

If it bothers you - go dob it in..

You can't make people care about the law - all you can do is dob them in.. If you want to spend your life dobbing every single off lead dog owner into the local council, then go for it.. I for one, have much better things to do with my life than dob every dog owner in that looks like it has a dog walking off lead..

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.

If there were no leash laws no one would leave their houses, imagine us all walking off leash, all those looney dogs that are normally on leashes running free, actually I see your point, we could have no leashes every alternate week, I'd just stay at home while you all battled it out. It would certainly thin out the herd.

I guess there might be some wannabe off leashers out there that might think they'd like to have a crack at practicing their off leash style.

How ridiculous. You have made some reasonable comments somewhere in the middle of your 50 odd post diatribe, but now this is just getting silly. It is not a battleground outside everyones door.

I have made some reasonable comments have I, I've been called crazy and contradictory you must be confusing me with someone else.

Everyone else is being ridiculous I thought I'd join in. A cartoon of a dead horse springs to mind, oh yes that was you, speaking of ridiculous. We've got one bloke on here romanticizing his childhood with wonderful even tempered dogs, a positive utopia. A few other people having no problems with off leash dogs, so I thought that if off leash walking is ok for some, then why not for everyone. Who are we to judge who is proficient at walking off leash and who isn't.

Are you familiar with the term flogging a dead horse? :)

....and for what it's worth I am an on-lead in on-lead areas and off-lead in off-lead areas dog person.

Yes I am and I know what you meant and you could be right. If you are an on lead person etc we'll shake hands and call it a draw. :laugh:

[tdierikx]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

[mita]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

Oh dear. You were not around our place. Peter the Border Collie ruled supreme at our end of the street. And Pat, another Border Collie, ruled the other end of the street.

God help any dog who trotted by on either of their footpaths. None were on leads.... dogs took themselves for walks. Poor dogs never knew what hit them. Peter's style was to fly thro' the hedge & flatten them at high speed.

Our Mad Maltese, Pauline, would start things off. By popping thro' the hedge & shrieking at the passing dog.... like she was being attacked. Just as the dog was wondering where this mad woman had come from.... Peter would come flying thro'.

Today.... we, along with Peter & the Crazy Pauline, would be marched straight to jail. And deservedly so.

That was no world for the gentle, sensitive tibbies & shelties that we own today. :) Tho' one tibbie, named Angel, beat up a fat Corgi who growled at her when she went to have some water at a Blessing of the Pets. That's right, dear readers, she was not on a leash. Proving even angels might do it. :)

[mixeduppup]

OR maybe ut was happening just as much but people started to think they needed to report and take their dogs to the vet for every tiny scuffle. I don't know but whatever has happened is not good, whether it's happened to people or their dogs

Edited September 16, 2013 by mixeduppup

[Alison03]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

[Staffyluv]

Jesus, I didn't say I didn't think it was not serious to break laws - read my posts... If you want to pick my posts to pieces read the whole thing in the context it is meant - don't pick out bits to suit your agenda (whatever it is)..

You know if you read slowly and concisely you will get the gist of most of my posts.

I said, there are loads of people out there that don't care about the law or what you want or need..

Next time I see a perfectly controlled dog off lead, I will congratulate the owner on such a wonderfully trained animal - BECAUSE it doesn't bother me that the well behaved/trained/controlled animal is off lead..

If it bothers you - go dob it in..

You can't make people care about the law - all you can do is dob them in.. If you want to spend your life dobbing every single off lead dog owner into the local council, then go for it.. I for one, have much better things to do with my life than dob every dog owner in that looks like it has a dog walking off lead..

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..

[Alison03]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

Oh dear. You were not around our place. Peter the Border Collie ruled supreme at our end of the street. And Pat, another Border Collie, ruled the other end of the street.

God help any dog who trotted by on either of their footpaths. None were on leads.... dogs took themselves for walks. Poor dogs never knew what hit them. Peter's style was to fly thro' the hedge & flatten them at high speed.

Our Mad Maltese, Pauline, would start things off. By popping thro' the hedge & shrieking at the passing dog.... like she was being attacked. Just as the dog was wondering where this mad woman had come from.... Peter would come flying thro'.

Today.... we, along with Peter & the Crazy Pauline, would be marched straight to jail. And deservedly so.

That was no world for the gentle, sensitive tibbies & shelties that we own today. :) Tho' one tibbie, named Angel, beat up a fat Corgi who growled at her when she went to have some water at a Blessing of the Pets. That's right, dear readers, she was not on a leash. Proving even angels might do it. :)

I was brought up in a city, so not many dogs around there. The ones that were seemed very docile, no one said "Don't pat my dog" either. My cousin lived in a rural place, totally different there, we were told that working dogs weren't pets so to leave them alone. More big properties with watch dogs too.

[tdierikx]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

[Alison03]

Trudy08 - I think we ALL know exactly where YOU stand on the issue... 160-odd postings saying pretty much EXACTLY the same thing, and berating anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint, tends to make YOU look a bit overzealous (to say the least)...

Yes - you have had some traumatic incidents occur - no-one is denying that... but I think you may need to step back a little and look at the issue from other people's side of the "argument". Not every off leash dog is going to turn rampaging killer as soon as they see you and your little dog... and if that IS your experience, you may need to start looking into WHY you and your dog seem to attract much more negative dog attention than the law of averages suggests you should.

Just sayin'...

T.

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.

[tdierikx]

Trudy08 - I think we ALL know exactly where YOU stand on the issue... 160-odd postings saying pretty much EXACTLY the same thing, and berating anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint, tends to make YOU look a bit overzealous (to say the least)...

Yes - you have had some traumatic incidents occur - no-one is denying that... but I think you may need to step back a little and look at the issue from other people's side of the "argument". Not every off leash dog is going to turn rampaging killer as soon as they see you and your little dog... and if that IS your experience, you may need to start looking into WHY you and your dog seem to attract much more negative dog attention than the law of averages suggests you should.

Just sayin'...

T.

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.

I have never lost control in a forum thread before - and you have made me do it in this one... congrats...

As a large dog owner, I get cranky when people insinuate that my chosen types/breeds of companions are all killers waiting to eat their little Pookie... and that's exactly how your posts come across from my side of the equation.

Unfortunately you are not a silent minority - and MY enjoyment and time spent with MY dogs is being legislated against to the point where I don't feel safe taking them out in public in case they sniff the wrong fluffy butt, or look sideways at the wrong person walking their yapping littlie. How the hell is that fair to them or me?

T.

[mixeduppup]

I think this thread has lost its purpose and has become a bit insane personally. T, don't bother responding to obvious hysteria.

[Alison03]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I was going to try an off leash park a few years ago but my vet said don't go, apparently according to her a lot of people take their dogs there, without walking them first, so they are like a fresh horse out of a field. She told me she was forever patching up dogs from the off leash park. Does that match your experience?

I asked if there was a small dog off leash park and she said don't bother it's the same problem with them. The small dog beach I've used you have to walk a fair way to get too before you can unleash your dog, I think that makes all the difference. I've never had a problem there.

Hey I don't have a problem with on lead dogs, if I meet an owner of one who asks if my dog wants to have a sniff, I'll do it because I don't think they'd ask if they weren't sure it was ok. I've never had a bad experience with that. I've got the safety I've pulling my dog away if it went bad. I don't have breedism, my dogs first friend was a dog that looked like a big beagle called Oliver. Well behaved on lead dogs are fine it's off leads large dogs that scare me.

[Remarkabull]

I just wanted to make it clear that I am not at all frightened when I see off lead dogs, although I certainly keep a close eye on them I don't descend into panic.

My dogs are friendly and well socialised but I still don't want random dogs just running up to us out of the blue.

I used to have a DA dog and my main concern was for the off lead dogs that approached us. I was once walking said dog, with another of my dogs and as I was walking past a house 2 little dogs came running at us flat out. The owner had them loose in her front yard and when she yelled for them to stop one did but the other kept coming. This little dog meant business and was not coming to say hello. I lifted my dog by the collar (all 30kgs of her) to keep her face away from the little dog but the stupid bloody thing leapt at her face and bit her. As expected she grabbed it and shook the sh!t out of it while it was screaming bloody murder. I managed to make her let it go and quickly took her home and then I returned to the house to check on the little dog who was fine, not even a puncture wound. I was abused and blamed for the entire incident and given the usual crap of 'what if it had been a child' etc.

So, for me, fear has nothing to do with it. It's just about respect for other people and doing the right thing by everyone else. It's really not a big deal and I think it says a lot about a person when they continuously do something that they know may cause distress to others, especially when its against the law in the first place.

[RazorBlade]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I don't have breedism...........it's off lead large dogs that scare me.

[Alison03]

Trudy08 - I think we ALL know exactly where YOU stand on the issue... 160-odd postings saying pretty much EXACTLY the same thing, and berating anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint, tends to make YOU look a bit overzealous (to say the least)...

Yes - you have had some traumatic incidents occur - no-one is denying that... but I think you may need to step back a little and look at the issue from other people's side of the "argument". Not every off leash dog is going to turn rampaging killer as soon as they see you and your little dog... and if that IS your experience, you may need to start looking into WHY you and your dog seem to attract much more negative dog attention than the law of averages suggests you should.

Just sayin'...

T.

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.

I have never lost control in a forum thread before - and you have made me do it in this one... congrats...

As a large dog owner, I get cranky when people insinuate that my chosen types/breeds of companions are all killers waiting to eat their little Pookie... and that's exactly how your posts come across from my side of the equation.

Unfortunately you are not a silent minority - and MY enjoyment and time spent with MY dogs is being legislated against to the point where I don't feel safe taking them out in public in case they sniff the wrong fluffy butt, or look sideways at the wrong person walking their yapping littlie. How the hell is that fair to them or me?

T.

Are you subject to that BSL stuff that going on in Victoria, surprisingly my view on that is banning a breed will not make any difference to dog attacks, I think they are an easy target. The only interaction I've had with an Am staff type has been positive and he was off leash, I was terrified and he was a perfect gentleman. Also a friend of mine has one and it's very gentle with Bonny and her Maltese.

Oh and I apologize for being a pain in the bum, it all comes from fear and anger on my part.

[Alison03]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I don't have breedism...........it's off lead large dogs that scare me.

Well it's true Razor I don't care what the breed is, just that it's on the large size and it's off leash.

[RazorBlade]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I don't have breedism...........it's off lead large dogs that scare me.

Well it's true Razor I don't care what the breed is, just that it's on the large size and it's off leash.

Yeah breeds would be much to specific. You like a much broader sweeping generalisation. That way you can point the finger at even more evil, degenerate, law breakers out for a walk with their dogs. Small dogs are ok are they?

[Angeluca]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I don't have breedism...........it's off lead large dogs that scare me.

Well it's true Razor I don't care what the breed is, just that it's on the large size and it's off leash.

Yeah breeds would be much to specific. You like a much broader sweeping generalisation. That way you can point the finger at even more evil, degenerate, law breakers out for a walk with their dogs. Small dogs are ok are they?

Breaking the law is not ok period. It's this idiotic behavior (ignoring the law) which has caused the stupid restrictions and stupid breed laws. Because some Anus thinks that the law does not apply to them. They can't police every Idiot so make a broad spectrum law. So thank you for being the type of person who has made owning a dog more difficult in this country.

You openly disobey the law and can be put is the same basket as every other bast*rd that does. Which law is irrelevant.

[Alison03]

I don't remember the dog attacks we have now happening when I was a kid either, especially not the really serious ones. Where have we gone wrong?

We've gone bloody wrong when the vocal minority scream blue murder to have EVERYONE and their darned dogs legislated against to the point that it's freaking impossible to take them out to socialise properly... FFS, can't anyone SEE that?

No - let's just stamp our feet up and down and legislate to the lowest common denominator and royally fark it up for EVRYONE... that'll fix it, right?

T.

I haven't been to an off leash park (only a beach for small dogs and not many of them) can't dogs socialize there, or is that not what you mean?

Just go and look into a designated off-leash park Trudy08... and tell me if you'd like to let your dog run there with all of the others to "socialise" with...

The problem with most off-leash parks is that they are few and far between, and likely to be highly populated with dogs who aren't ever allowed out anywhere else... and thusly generally running amok like loons...

Yeah - I'd love to take my pup there for some socialisation... NOT!

That said - there are a few off-leash parks where there is a reasonably high proportion of genuinely decent owners with well socialised and friendly dogs... but it's a hike to find one like that at a time that fits in around working for a living.

Quite frankly, I just keep my dogs at home - more because they are large dogs, 2 of which are bull breed crosses - and hysterical people like yourself make taking my dogs out for a walk a very unpleasant experience... even though they are on lead and very social dogs.

T.

I don't have breedism...........it's off lead large dogs that scare me.

Well it's true Razor I don't care what the breed is, just that it's on the large size and it's off leash.

Yeah breeds would be much to specific. You like a much broader sweeping generalisation. That way you can point the finger at even more evil, degenerate, law breakers out for a walk with their dogs. Small dogs are ok are they?

Well seeing as you asked some small dogs aren't very friendly with the sniff sniff thing, I learnt that a long time ago but they are easier to deflect if they are off leash, mainly because of their lack of size. A Maltese is the only dog that has ever bitten me but weirdly enough I'm not scared of them at all. Now the evil degenerate law breakers, no I'm fairly certain I have never used that phrase at all. I have said I object to large dogs being off leash in on leash areas, which isn't anything like what you said. How can having a dog off leash be degenerate anyway? It's just breaking the law no more no less.