When You See a Leashed Dog In The Park Do You Let Your Unleashed Dog Run Up To It

[Deeds]

For the 2nd morning in a row i have been walking my 1 yr old pup in my local park which is off leash.  The pup is in training and leashed by my side on the footpath walking thru an off leash park. My pup has the Suprelorin implant and is non aggressive but is boisterous.

 

So an off leash entire male cattle dog (known to be aggressive) runs over to my dog for the 2nd consecutive morning.  He is off leash and the owner has earphones on.  On the phone. Not even watching the dog. Not even watching what other dogs are entering the park.  This type of behaviour drives me nuts!

 

When I see a dog on a leash I assume the owner wants the dog to be left alone for whatever reason and I keep my dogs away from dogs I see leashed.   I thought this was a well known etiquette in dog parks.

 

Is this assumption correct?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to call out for the 2nd time to grab the dog. 

[Dogsfevr]

I dont let my dogs go near other dogs full stop & it peeves me off bigtime that so many dog owners think there dog can do what it wants whether onleash or offleash 
My dogs are showdogs,well behaved around dogs & have the etiquette of good behaviour at many events,vet waiting rooms etc .
Im lucky to have a great Lake to wlk around thats onleash only but still have to deal with the odd numpties with extender leads .

Also offleash NEVER means i want your dog to come over .
For me offleash means a place i can take my dog & be offleash for me it never means my dog is entitled to go do what it wants whilst offleash to other dogs .

Luckily i dont frequent offleash places due to so many stupid dog owners .
And my other peeve extender leads where stupid owners let them to the end & think its funny wrapping around your legs or my dogs legs if i didnt step in & take action .
 

Dog parks have no etiquette & most people there dont even bother to read the local council dog act of what "offleash " means & what is reportable .
Most dog owners should be fined more often 

And before the do gooders who will go on about dogs will be dogs umm no thats an excuse for owner failure .
People who just make excuse after excuse for why there dog did something in the moment .
My current old boy loves his walks,doesnt care about other dogs just likes to mind his own business & watch the birds that give him more high value pleasure BUT he does have a medical issue so i am very mindful when idiots allow there dogs to "just " approach without a care in the world that the other dog may be deaf,blind,partially blind.old,medical issue .
Those dogs are entitled to the same wonderful life pleasures as the dog park or offleash dogs minding there own business.

Most of my friends have brought chect cam videos off amazon for walking there dogs incase there is an issue & its reported to the council 

 

Edited January 12, 2023 by Dogsfevr

[Kazm]

Personally I find that unacceptable behaviour, allowing your dog to just run up to anyone they like. Nobody knows how either dog will react. And being on the phone wearing headphones ?? What control does he actually have. I’ve had many insecure/ uncomfortable  instances since Molly was attacked. Some people should just not own dogs. 

[Rebanne]

No I do not allow my dogs off lead full stop. Years ago when I did have dogs with a reliable recall they were always called back when approaching another dog

[Mairead]

I used to take a golf umbrella to the off leash area in case I needed to fend off an ill-mannered dog. My dog knew to come to me for shelter. Usually picked a quiet time anyway and only remember having to use it once. 

[coneye]

I hate macdonalds  food , i really do and every time i go there , stupid people are stuffing there faces with it , sounds silly does'nt it , so does complaining about off leash dogs in an off leash area  ,, start with  i have said before  i live and have lived for 35 years within site of a off leash dog beach ,  all my dogs over the last 35 years have been took there  and let off leash , and guess what they do run up to other dogs  and dogs come up to them i encourage it  , its called SOCIALIZING    off course if you have one that can be aggressive  with other dogs you keep him on leash , but   i did have one aggresive  to other dogs rotty , he was simply never walked there at busy times  him i walked elswhere  and always on leash , but it was irrisponsable to take him there  at busy times when i knew it was off leash and some old ladys  cairn terrier was likely to  come up to him , its not her job to stay away it was mime , I took him there played ball let him swim   when the beach was empty   it got busy and dogs come up to sniff or play , i took him away simple .

A hate i have is actually  usually older people who take there dog to  a dog beach un leashed area , then  send there dog into panic mode by  grabbing it tight picking it up and not letting other dogs socialize with it ,, for heavens sake why go there , just take it somewhere else ,where dogs are all on lead  , public  off leashed area,s are there to enable dogs to run and socialize  , holding then back just causes problems , so just don't go , , Dog i have now is very gentle also  a bit scared off other dogs   taking him there allowing  other dogs to come and sniff   and play he is  now running around with other dogs  and playing  completly got over  his fear  and a happier dog  but facts are if i don't want dogs coming up to him walk him some where else on lead  where other dogs are also on lead ,  , An off leash beach or park is for socializing and running and playing , don't want your dog to do it STAY AWAY

[coneye]

18 hours ago, Deeds said:

For the 2nd morning in a row i have been walking my 1 yr old pup in my local park which is off leash.  The pup is in training and leashed by my side on the footpath walking thru an off leash park. My pup has the Suprelorin implant and is non aggressive but is boisterous.

 

So an off leash entire male cattle dog (known to be aggressive) runs over to my dog for the 2nd consecutive morning.  He is off leash and the owner has earphones on.  On the phone. Not even watching the dog. Not even watching what other dogs are entering the park.  This type of behaviour drives me nuts!

 

When I see a dog on a leash I assume the owner wants the dog to be left alone for whatever reason and I keep my dogs away from dogs I see leashed.   I thought this was a well known etiquette in dog parks.

 

Is this assumption correct?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to call out for the 2nd time to grab the dog. 

You say your dog is non aggressive but boisterous ,, sorry theres a million old ladies out there with little white fluffy  designer dogs , who consider boisterous  has aggressive ,, but  the thing is  you take yours to an offleash area ,  and let it go so it can run play , and get rid off that pent up  energy hence become less boisterous , so they have the problem if they have  a timid little dog  that does'nt  like to play and gets scared off  other dogs ,, they should'nt take the dog there , , theres parks roads and around the block all  on leash areas , off leash areas are for  dogs to be allowed off leash and they will run up seek each other out have a smell , have a play  its what dogs do, Course if you have a dog aggresive dog   in the proper world you don't take it there and let it off  , you walk it elsewhere on leash  preferably where its on its own , but dogs running up to each other  is what they do , and why its called off leash so they can socialize... Can't understand why you would walk a dog through a  unleashed dog park  then complain dogs are off leash ,,  did this agressive dog attack your dog or just want to sniff  and interact , while you were holding your dog tight and saying shoo shoo , hence causing a reaction ,,, honestly  scratching my head at this , its like saying  i hate noise and music , then going to a disco and asking the dj to turn it down

Edited January 5, 2023 by coneye

[Deeds]

For the record I am not an LOL with a white fluffy.  I have a lge breed pup weighing 40 kgs that will grow to 46-55kgs.  I have had this breed for the last 20 odd years.

 

The cattle dog has bitten my dogs before plus many other dogs in the park.  It is a well known aggressor always off a leash so every one else in the park has to leash their dogs because the cattle dog owner doesn't even though it's the problem.

 

I am an experienced and responsible large dog owner.  The pup is a show dog dog and has been shown many times with no problems with other dogs in the show ring .  He has been trained not to be boisterous.

 

As stated previously the owner was on the phone with headphones on not even watching the cattle dog.  That was the problem.  In off leash parks the dogs still have to be under effective control.

 

And again for the record all the parks around here are off leash.  My pup has and will be allowed to interact with other dogs in the park just not with well known aggressors who attack other dogs.

 

 

[coneye]

3 hours ago, Deeds said:

For the record I am not an LOL with a white fluffy.  I have a lge breed pup weighing 40 kgs that will grow to 46-55kgs.  I have had this breed for the last 20 odd years.

 

The cattle dog has bitten my dogs before plus many other dogs in the park.  It is a well known aggressor always off a leash so every one else in the park has to leash their dogs because the cattle dog owner doesn't even though it's the problem.

 

I am an experienced and responsible large dog owner.  The pup is a show dog dog and has been shown many times with no problems with other dogs in the show ring .  He has been trained not to be boisterous.

 

As stated previously the owner was on the phone with headphones on not even watching the cattle dog.  That was the problem.  In off leash parks the dogs still have to be under effective control.

 

And again for the record all the parks around here are off leash.  My pup has and will be allowed to interact with other dogs in the park just not with well known aggressors who attack other dogs.

 

 

Seems like someone needs to have a word with him  if its that bad  take note when he's there and let council know   about a agresive dog ,, i agree   i've stated in other topics i have no time or use for aggressive dogs .. Has i stated i did own a large rotty with dog agresion problems ,   so i just never went  when it was busy took him  early in the morning  , kept him on leash unless it was empty then  let him run , i may add though he was ALWAYS behaved and under control  ,  did'nt even use to have to recall him he would'nt leave my side , him running to other dogs was  never a problem  he did'nt like them  and would'nt go near them he was very aloof ,   BUT i was aware   if other dogs came running to him , it could be a problem ,   out elshwere in the street  wherever, i  had a different attitude because there dogs were supposed to be on leash , but at a unleashed beach , i took the attitude   its unleashed so they can run around and i had know right taking my dog there if he was unsociable  with other dogs ,  hence i never ever had a problem ,, On the other hand  had a stumpy tail  heeler , he would run up to other dogs and try to round them up  most on the beach knew him  and laughed alongside me ,, one lady used to come with 4  ridgebacks she loved it    like she said my dog makes sure they get excercise  them running him chasing and he could never catch them  ,, But i still say  unleashed areas are for dogs too run   learn to socialize   and play ,  agree though there is no room for aggresive dogs  and stupid owners who can't control them ,,, but on the other side of the coin , i really really hate it when people   walk there lap dogs and pick it up and scream whenever another dog comes to sniff it ,  they don't want to let there dogs interact , don't take it there , just walk it around there block or on the esplanade where all dogs are supposed to be leashed

 

What breed do you have

Edited January 6, 2023 by coneye

[JulesP]

No. It is rude. I had a discussion about this with a 'lady' maybe 10 years ago, she still hates me for telling her to control her dog. I also don't let my dogs run up to people walking without dogs. Now my girls are old and obviously old I am finding people are being heaps more polite and considerate about keeping their dogs away. 

 

I don't go to fenced offlead parks but do walk through offlead areas. 

 

Whilst I am very sad the girls aren't up for long walks and I have to do those long walks solo, it is also relaxing not having to worry about stupid people and their dogs! 

[Kazm]

In my opinion it doesn’t matter whether it’s a leashed or an off leach area, a dog should be under control at all times. I’m sure others like myself that have had their dogs attacked would appreciate that. I personally get slightly nervous when I see others on the loose or even being walked towards me. Those with unruly dogs just don’t seem to understand. I recently met a nice guy who was walking two very large dogs and before I could cross the road, as I do, he started to cross. I thanked him and his response was, “ I don’t trust my dogs”. A responsible owner. 

[Amazetl]

I’m of two minds about off leash areas. Firstly they should be still under effective control, signs state that too. But off leash dogs are probably going to go up to one another for a sniff and maybe a play.

 

Many of them are very friendly and it can be good. However sometimes there will be someone there who isn’t supervising properly or at all and their dog is rushing at others and showing aggressive behaviour. But unless your dog is absolutely aggressive, I think even the dogs that aren’t super friendly deserve to be able to be there too, under effective control and other dogs should be able to read that dog and be a little less playful with it and leave it alone, as well as their owner who should be with them and supervising correctly and assessing each situation. 

 

It’s not an area to just go to, let your dog off leash and not even be watching them. It’s up to owners from the get go to be managing their dog off leash so that they learn to be able to read other dog language and not run up to people who don’t want them to etc. Dogs should take that lead from their owner who has taken them there regularly and trained them how to behave. 

 

Just to add, I’m not referring to dog parks, I’m not a fan of those, but of just off leash areas. 

 

 

[tdierikx]

Fenced off-leash dog areas tend to foster a false sense of "security" for some people. They think it's perfectly fine to just let their dog off the lead and let it do as it pleases because it can't get out of the fenced area... and thus tends to lead to less active supervision of their dogs. I've seen people (including "dog walkers") pull up to a dog park gate and simply let dogs off into the park, while they stood outside or sat in their van/car faffing about on their mobile phone - presumably on social media. In what universe is that having a dog under effective control? At the very least, they should be watching for the dogs doing poops everywhere (and picking it up), let alone rushing other dogs or people in the area.

 

Unfenced off leash areas tend to have more people paying a bit more attention to where their dogs are at least... even if they don't always have full recall of them.

 

T.

[Princess Fru Fru]

@coneye there is so much wrong with your post and your own sense of entitlement that I just don’t know where to start.

 

I’m sorry, but you don’t get to dictate how others use a public space.

 

If I want to bring my dog to an off leash park for the purpose of it being able to run around and play on its own, or heaven forbid do a bit of off leash training, then I have the right to do so without being bombarded by uncontrolled dogs owned by entitled numpties.

 

NSW law states that if a dog is off lead, it still must be in effective control by its owner — this means you can call it off with ease.

 

You sound like the kind of person who’d allow your off leash dog to run up to someone with their dog who happens to be alone in the far back corner of the park well away from everyone else. If you can’t see that this means the person wants to be left alone, then you’re the problem, not the person in the far back corner.

 

A lot of people are living with dogs in highly built up areas and therefore might not have a backyard suitable for free running and the zoomies. Are you saying that because you simply don’t care, that they have to be forced to “socialise” their dogs, purely because they have no where else to exercise their dogs? Sorry, but that’s not how it works.

 

I swear dog ownership was better before “socialisation” became a thing because society has taken it too far. Socialisation does not mean all dogs have to be friends with all other dogs. Socialisation is a means to train your dog to be okay/cope with as many different scenarios, objects, people, animals in a neutral way. The term

needs to be abolished and trainers should call it “dog neutralisation” because that’s effectively what’s being taught; to be neutral to the environment and it’s occupants.

 

TL;DR — dog parks are public spaces therefore everyone is free to use them how they want and this also means being left alone.

[coneye]

17 hours ago, Princess Fru Fru said:

@coneye there is so much wrong with your post and your own sense of entitlement that I just don’t know where to start.

 

I’m sorry, but you don’t get to dictate how others use a public space.

 

If I want to bring my dog to an off leash park for the purpose of it being able to run around and play on its own, or heaven forbid do a bit of off leash training, then I have the right to do so without being bombarded by uncontrolled dogs owned by entitled numpties.

 

NSW law states that if a dog is off lead, it still must be in effective control by its owner — this means you can call it off with ease.

 

You sound like the kind of person who’d allow your off leash dog to run up to someone with their dog who happens to be alone in the far back corner of the park well away from everyone else. If you can’t see that this means the person wants to be left alone, then you’re the problem, not the person in the far back corner.

 

A lot of people are living with dogs in highly built up areas and therefore might not have a backyard suitable for free running and the zoomies. Are you saying that because you simply don’t care, that they have to be forced to “socialise” their dogs, purely because they have no where else to exercise their dogs? Sorry, but that’s not how it works.

 

I swear dog ownership was better before “socialisation” became a thing because society has taken it too far. Socialisation does not mean all dogs have to be friends with all other dogs. Socialisation is a means to train your dog to be okay/cope with as many different scenarios, objects, people, animals in a neutral way. The term

needs to be abolished and trainers should call it “dog neutralisation” because that’s effectively what’s being taught; to be neutral to the environment and it’s occupants.

 

TL;DR — dog parks are public spaces therefore everyone is free to use them how they want and this also means being left alone.

Already told you , I have visited the same dog beach for 45 years lived  opposite it for 35 , i go EVERY SINGLE DAY  , and  when i had a dog agresive dog its was simple , has i said , i just did'nt take him there , unless it was early morning and he would be the only dog there , YET he NEVER run up to dogs has i said he just did'nt leave my side , BUT  i was aware other dogs would run up to him ,  , wheres the sence of entitlement in that i done the right thing i would   stop it before it starts , the sence of entitlement is from ridiculous owners who take there dog to a unleashed dog beach , and then pick it up and scream  when another dog comes near it ,   the sence of entitlement is to take your dog to an unleashed dog beach  and  demand that no one comes near you because your dog has not been socialized and scared of other dogs .. Current dog i have now when i got him was very timid  he's a maltese cross not excatly big and scary heh , but taking him down there   slowly introducing him to other dogs  , he now behaves like a dog , he  goes on the beach runs around plays with other dogs and has a ball , ayET EVERYDAY INCLUDING THIS MORNING , HE WILL FIND DOGS TO PLAY WITH THEN SOME ENTITLED PERSON  WILL WALK THERE DOG  ON A LEASH  RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OFF 3-4 DOGS AND GET SCARED , PANIC , AND SHOUT GET YOUR DOG . WHN the other dogs want to sniff and play , thats entitlement  , to think   every body should re leash there freindly dogs , because they want to be left alone ,,  Like i said , take your dog for a walk in a park round the block where there is  a leash at all time  .

 

Course don't be silly i'm not refering to the idiot with the snarling bully on a chain you see them has well but thankfully far and few between , no one wants them if they come regular , such has the heeler refered too  report them,   EVERY SINGLE day i  see  dogs playing ,  probably once maybee twice a year i see  aggresive dogs  who should be on leash or not took there ,  , but every other day i see   people  with there dog ON LEASH   pulling there dog and not allowing it to interact , whilst calling the other owner stupid , or shouting control your dog  , when the other dog just wants to play . 

 

Like i said if you don't want your dog interacting with other dogs , don't take it too a unleashed area , do has i used to do  , put it on a leash walk it elswhere ,  and then all other dogs should be on a leash has well   , i would do that with my unfreindly rotty    i would'nt be  so arrogant  and concieted to walk him through a bunch of dogs playing and then demand them owners put there dog on a leash .

 

QUOTE .... If I want to bring my dog to an off leash park for the purpose of it being able to run around and play on its own, or heaven forbid do a bit of off leash training, then I have the right to do so without being bombarded by uncontrolled dogs owned by entitled numpties. UNQUOTE .

 

THAT THERE IS A SENCE OF ENTILEMENT , to take your dog to an unleashed beach where there are dozens of dogs , and then  expect or demand its left alone so it can run on its own , is beyond stupidity and beyond words , that is entilement  ,   go buy 20 acres  let it run on its own , or do has i did go early in the morning when it will be on its own , but to just walk on and demand everyone leashes there dog because you think yours wants some alone time is ridiculous , arrogant and stupid ,   . Lets not get confused with aggressive viscous dogs and bad owners who let them run around snarling at other dogs , such has deeds  explained ,, these owners should be reported , and perhaps banned i know if you report them and the times to my council they will have someone down to watch for it ,  .

 I'm talking about the freindly springer  , the freindly  poodle , who love to run and play  and interact with other dogs ,  they should be allowed too without some moroin coming along and demanding all other dogs be put on leash because they think there dog needs or wants alone time , or they choose to do unleash training when its busy , go in the early morning and don't be an arrogant self entitled  idiot

 

 

[JulesP]

@coneye that is your opinion. However there are actually laws that govern this. I don't know what state you are in but were I live dogs are required to be close to their owners and under effective voice control when in an off lead area. So yes the person with their dog on lead or even off lead can ask you to keep your dog away. 

 

 

[Princess Fru Fru]

@coneye I can’t quote sections of your post because you appear to struggle forming complete and coherent sentences, which probably explains why you still fail to grasp the legalities and responsibilities of having a dog off-leash.

 

I personally don’t care if you’ve used the same park for centuries, if your dog comes charging over to me, prepare for it to be swiftly kicked or blasted with an air horn or both.

 

You fail to understand the simple definition of “public space”. It’s a shared space meaning EVERYONE can use it however they want — and yes, this also includes being left alone.

 

A further example, if I want to set up a picnic in the middle of an off-leash beach, I’m well within my rights to do so. Now this might come a huge surprise to you and your attitude, however, the onus is NOT on the person having the picnic. Under current legislation, YOU are 100% responsible to keep your dog away or face the penalties.

 

Sure, is having a picnic in an off-leash area ill-advisable? Yes. Lacking in common sense? Definitely. Allowed? Absolutely 100% and you don’t have a leg to stand on.

 

I’m honestly unsure if you’re a troll or not, because let’s face it, you’re an opinionated piece of work and have been since you joined the forum. You are disgustingly “my opinion is correct and the only one that matters” and you also ooze FIGJAM vibes.

 

From the length of time you’ve admitted you’ve owned dogs (45+ years if we’re to even believe you), you’re obviously a stereotypical boomer (one that gives all boomers a bad name), who thinks that by yelling incomprehensible drivel and the fact you’re approaching your geriatric years somehow makes you right.

 

So how about you do your neighbourhood a favour and go set up 20 acres in the middle of the Simpson Desert and you can then argue who’s right with the sand until your dog decides to come home (aka recall). 

[sandgrubber]

Depends on the park.  We walk a normally deserted river bank with lots of bushland.  It's designated off leash exercise area.  It's one day in 20 that we meet others dogs.  The general understanding is that dogs will work it out.  So far the worst that has happened is that my relatively timid girl ran off.  I searched for awhile, then went back to the car.  She was there and the car was well scratched from her efforts to get in.

A crowded city park would be a different game.

[~Anne~]

Dogs will be dogs. Yes, I know. I know. They should always be under effective control. It’s the law right? Tell that to a dog. 
 

The issue, for me, is not that the dog is off leash and approaches other dogs - that is normal canine behaviour and dog owners can behaviour manage it out of their dogs all they like but nature will always be stronger. It doesn’t make anyone  any better to have a dog that curbs its natural canine behaviour. It just helps you abide by a human law. Not a canine law. 
 

I’m sorry, but if you don’t want an unleashed dog coming up to your dog - I’d recommend you don’t go to an off leash area. The only reaction you can control is your own and, if you’ve got your dog leashed to your side controlling it, then temporarily it is also under control. You can not control others or their dogs however. 
 

The other owner sounds like an idiot. You can’t control them. You can only control you. So take control and don’t go to off leash areas if this kind of thing bothers you. 
 

We often talk about sensibility being lost. This is one occasion. 
 

On a side note - some of the rude responses in this thread are appalling and completely unnecessary. You’re not superior because you have a better grasp on the written word so pull your heads in. Play the ball, not the player, and be kind. 

[~Anne~]

20 hours ago, coneye said:

THAT THERE IS A SENCE OF ENTILEMENT , to take your dog to an unleashed beach where there are dozens of dogs , and then  expect or demand its left alone so it can run on its own….

This I totally agree with. 
 

We’re talking dogs here people. They’re not robots. They’re living, breathing, creatures who do not know what a human rule or law is.