Bloomin' dog owners!

[Fallout]

I'm sick of reclusive nervous dog owners subjecting their own pathetic spindly personalities onto their dogs. It's really starting to grate my cheese.

I walk my dog in a 4-6 square mile forest, totally fenced all the way around, so even at the boarders your dog is safe. It's a really good place to walk, except for the massive swathe of lilly livered numpties that walk their dogs there. I'd say as little as 20% walk their dogs off the lead and let them play with other dogs. Another 50% walk their dogs on the lead which causes havoc for them whenever another dog comes up to them, and at least 30% are the terrified moronic lettuce brained types who shepherd their dog into a cocooned embrace whenever another dog is in the vicinity.

There's this one dappy crone with two collies who commands them to lie down whenever another dog approaches, then scowls evilly at me for allowing my dog anywhere near her. I'm convinced she even kicked my dog once because he got too close. Today I met a young lad with some small rat who had to crouch down into a bush and hold his dog close when mine came over, in case my tyrannical vicious 8 month old Labrador disembowelled his beloved wretch.

It's not like my dog is badly behaved. He doesn't jump up. If someone shows no interest he'll run up to them, maybe do a few laps around them and then come back. He's very submissive, so whenever another dog is actually allowed to play, generally he'll be hurling himself onto the floor, legs in the air, begging for mercy. It's just the owners who, incapable of confident interaction with humans subject their own underdeveloped retarded personas onto their dogs.

Perhaps when they were puppies they decided the tail between the legs submission in front of other dogs meant they were scared and nervous, and ever since have tried to protect them from aggressive poodles and limb ripping sausage dogs. After all, dogs are so fragile that if they were to be bowled over during play, they'd smash into a million pieces or maybe even die from sheer terror. Or perhaps it's simply that they want to live in their own bubble and ignore everyone else, and to do that they pull their dog into the same prison and turn it into a nervous wretched mutt.

Whatever the answer is, it fecks me right off as how many there are. The odd owner who actually talks and enjoys watching their dog play is a breath of fresh air. The rest of them make me want to smack them in the face.

Anyway, I'm fed up of having to call my dog back every single encounter and try and put him on the lead so I can walk past them without some sort of brutal fight to the death between the dogs. Today I decided I'm not going to do that any more. I'm gonna let Duke run up to absolutely anyone, and so long as he doesn't jump up or terrorize anyone infirm who's struggling to walk, or with a young kid who might get a tongue in the face, I don't care. If their dog does pirouettes around them, tying them up in their lead, or growls out of owner induced paranoia, then feck them. They can deal with it.

God help them if they say anything to me. :smt072

[Mark_h]

I usually take Thunderace for walks up there and I get funny looks even when he's on the lead. He usually rolls over with his legs in the air when you come close but I think he's been conditioned to do that. He's not been the same since we had him gelded.

[tigersaw]

Another thing is when other peoples dogs approach me I let them have a good sniff and then make a fuss of them - you'd think I was going to infect them with dog death disease the way some owners react.

[timwilky]

I have a jack russell that is never on the lead in the fields, unless there are sheep. He will mix it with any dog. There is just one local collie he doesn't get on with. Otherwise his attitude is if you don't want to play how about a fight.

People there without a dog. He wants to know where their dog is.

[Owenski]

IMO its because they've bought a dog but never made the effort to understand how dogs interact with other dogs and thus see barking or raised hair as instant signs that they're going to fight.
I'm totally in your camp, I've trained my dog to walk under vocal control without the need for a lead. She's one of it not the only dog we've encountered at the new house who walks off the lead. Since moving here I'd say 80% of dog owners never let their dogs off, 15% do but only on the green areas and all 95% praise how well behaved she is. Then there are the other 5% who accuse me of been irresponsible and as you say huddle their poochie-kins when ever any other dog comes near. Its no shock their dogs yap and go nuts, regardless of the tension they've picked up on from their owners the dogs must be desperate to interact with the other who happily play.

I honestly think there should be more controls on who can/cant own a pet. Licences etc where by you must be able to prove knowledgeable of the species, you must also have a job and find the suggestion of "special brew" repulsive. Owning a baseball cap for any other reason than you play golf or possessing any Burberry or Argos jewellery will also prove to be instant failure on licence application.

[The Idle Biker]

I agree with Fallout, it's bizarre behaviour by the owners who seem to want to project human behaviour on their pets. My dogs regularly walk in a fenced in wooded area too, largely because one of them is a lurcher and will run for fun, especially if she catches a scent and I'll never get her back in an unfenced area if she's after a deer. The rabbits are fair game and she always brings them back to me, which is errr nice.

Many of the other owners seem to want their dogs next to them at all time, won't them play with other dogs and shriek and whistle for them the moment the dogs are out of sight or having fun. They're silly billies honestly.

I don't understand it all. Mind you my lurcher does have a tendency to eat horse and cow manure and the Jack Russell likes to roll in fox poo so maybe they have a point?

[Fallout]

I'm not surprised you guys agree. I suppose to some extent the psychology of getting on a bike is a more relaxed one and that extends to dog ownership.

As for eating poo, it's just part of their depraved psychology which shows how non-human they are. Putting a dog on a lead and denying it it's natural desire to run around exploring is just wrong imo. Let em run, and let em have pooey breath! :)

[husky03]

All very well you knowing your own dog but you don't know how any other dog is going to re-act to yours having a sniff -what would you do if your wee pup playfully went up to someone elses dog who is on the lead and ended up getting mauled ?. Its irresponsible for a dog owner to allow there dog to approach unknown dogs ,wonder if you've came out with the line " its ok mate he only wants to play"-maybe your dog does but unless you know the other dog you can't be sure if he does also.

[NTECUK]

Even a normally well behaved dog can sometimes be bad.
My dads samoyed walks of the lead.
A jack ran up to it and flew at him.
He got hold of it and shock it about like a rag doll apparently.
It got loose and ran off.
Now Max is keept on his lead.

[Spank86]

If the dogs the sort to maul he ought to have a muzzle.

[husky03]

If the dogs the sort to maul he ought to have a muzzle.

rubbish-owner should always be in control of his dog-thats why theres things called leads-you expect every dog to get on with every dog it meets-that goes against their nature.

[Mr Speirs]

I never have my dog on the lead. I could trust her to walk next to me whenever I ask and when I don't she will always stay on the path. She doesn't chase cats or small animals so isn't interested in crossing the road for them.

Haven't come across this attitude from any other dog owners in the park I walk mine in. Everyone seems to be level headed and I can't think of one who constantly keeps the dog on the lead. I live in village in the countryside outskirts of a town though. Maybe that has some bearing on peoples understanding of dogs.

[Bluepete]

I'm just getting into the swing of the different dog owners around here. Our new pup, Poppy is seven months old, is a Black Labrador crossed with a Springer from the Blue Cross. She's very energetic but in the two weeks we've had her, she's gone from being a whirling dervish at the end of the lead to a reasonably well behaved walking companion. She stays on the lead on the roads, cos she's too young and dim to avoid cars, and the way the wazzoks drive around here, I doubt they would avoid her!
When we're in the park, or fields she's generally on a 30 foot rope to a shoulder harness, simply because she's new and she doesn't always come back! It's easier to grab a rope than an over excited pup.
She is allowed to play with any dog we meet, I actually encourage her to, but do keep hold of her rope, just in case, as Husky says, the reception isn't pleasant.

There are lots of different dogs and owners here, from rat on a string to a bloke with two ma-HOOSIVE! Newfoundlands. Poppy loves them and looks like a tiny terrier next to them! They have a whale of a time racing abouth the place. Others are as the OP states. Paranoid, introspective, social regects who probably spend hours choosing their precious little darlings Christmas present.

I do remember camping in the Lake District years ago mind. There was a ditzy woman with a Yorkshire terrier that shart everywhere and yapped all day and night. The husband was a meat-head in a muscle vest who would strut around trying to look hard. One evening, the rt ran off and the bloke was sent to find him. The entire campsite was in hysterics as this guy had to walk around the entire field shouting;

"Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell. Mummy says baaaaad girl"

They left the next day...

Pete ;)

PS, here's Poppy.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/20121213_094458.jpg

[missyburd]

At the end of the day all dogs are unpredictable. Even labradors. Though I admit, when I see a lolloping black softie coming towards me I don't tend to run for cover :lol:

Like husky says, it's not so much down to your dog being well behaved so much as other people's. When I used to walk our GSD he was always on the lead no matter where we went, unless I could see for miles and knew he could run off happily. He was pretty dog sociable when we first got him, until some eejit let their mastiff attack him while he was on the lead, scarred him for life and he was never the same since. Besides which you are assuming all dog owners can control their dogs' strength. Yes you may think they are weak willed because they are protective of their animals but sometimes there are good reasons for it. You don't know a dog's history and how it's going to react and for your own dog's safety it's surely a good reason to not let your dog beggar off out of sight.

[NTECUK]

Max is 99% of the time been fine.
He was maybe on an off day.
His been off the lead lots in 7 years.
Just this once he got the ach .

[missyburd]

If the dogs the sort to maul he ought to have a muzzle.

Have you witnessed how much a muzzle subdues a dog once its on? Hardly conducive to an enjoyable walk when its hanging its head and giving you the puppy eyes. At the same time, making it wear a muzzle all the time because it once snapped at a terrier is hardly fair and makes for a nervous owner which will be transmitted down the lead regardless and confuse the animal further. If you've a dog that's the "sort to maul" then surely it is up to you as the responsible owner to act accordingly and not make the dog lose out because of paranoia.

[Fallout]

All very well you knowing your own dog but you don't know how any other dog is going to re-act to yours having a sniff -what would you do if your wee pup playfully went up to someone elses dog who is on the lead and ended up getting mauled ?. Its irresponsible for a dog owner to allow there dog to approach unknown dogs ,wonder if you've came out with the line " its ok mate he only wants to play"-maybe your dog does but unless you know the other dog you can't be sure if he does also.

If the dogs the sort to maul he ought to have a muzzle.

rubbish-owner should always be in control of his dog-thats why theres things called leads-you expect every dog to get on with every dog it meets-that goes against their nature.

My thoughts on this are I agree not all dogs get on. If they have a scuffle and my dog gets nipped, I don't care. That's life. They're dogs. They're not porcelain miniatures. If a dog is known to properly bite and injure other dogs, it should be muzzled.

I really don't care if Duke runs up to another dog and gets aggressively routed. It's good learning for him. If he gets clamped on by a pitbull without a muzzle, then that's the other owners fault. What have they done to make their dog so aggressive? OH I know! Perhaps putting it a lead it's whole life and teaching it that other dogs are foes by constantly making a big deal out of interactions.

Apart from the odd dangerous breed with psychopathic tendencies, aggressive dogs are usually nurtured to be that way purposefully or accidentally by poor ownership. Those people can deal with the problem they've caused themselves. I'm not going to restrict my dogs freedom and make every walk a chore because they stuffed up and brought up a dog badly, or chose not to muzzle an already dangerous dog.

[Fallout]

Have you witnessed how much a muzzle subdues a dog once its on? Hardly conducive to an enjoyable walk when its hanging its head and giving you the puppy eyes. At the same time, making it wear a muzzle all the time because it once snapped at a terrier is hardly fair and makes for a nervous owner which will be transmitted down the lead regardless and confuse the animal further. If you've a dog that's the "sort to maul" then surely it is up to you as the responsible owner to act accordingly and not make the dog lose out because of paranoia.

No need to muzzle a dog that's nipped the odd dog here and there. That's stupid. Dogs bite each other. Some are grumpy. If it does it routinely though, it should be muzzled. It's a very irresponsible owner who doesn't muzzle that sort of dog. People can bang on about how a dog running around is irresponsible etc. but aggressive dogs need to be reined in the most.

[Sir Trev]

I agree with Fallout up to a point. Unfortunately dogs, like humans, are all different as some of the subsequent posts have suggested.

My dog is a rescued black Lab, somewhere around eight or nine years old when we got her. Nobody knows how many previous owners she had or what her home life had been like - she was a stray in a pound (death row) in south Wales. Recall was zero as nobody knew her previous name although she walked quite well on a lead, showing she had at some point been trained to some extent. After a couple of days of simple round the block walks to get her used to us we head into the park. We could not let her off the lead (no recall remember) so used an extending one so she had a bit of freedom, but the first dog she spied showed her nature all too well. She went in teeth first. In the months that followed nothing changed and she went for anything on four legs she could see.

Professional help and training classes helped her calm down a bit but even after two years with us she clearly sees every dog as a threat and cannot be trusted. Something happened to her with a previous owner that cannot be undone - the psychological scars, according to the professionals we tried, are too deep and she is unlikely to ever improve. I'd like to meet the ******* that did such a number on my dog but it won't change her now.

As a consequence she can never go into the park, is always on a lead, and because most other owners cannot comprehend that she is different and will not stop their dog going up to her she is always muzzled. Walks are always on the pavement and at odd times of the day so we have less chance of meeting other dogs. I lost track of how many times I heard "it's all right, he's very frinedly" as a happy normal dog starts wandering over, but the attitude often changed when I asked if they would be OK with the vet bills following the innevitable fight - happy dogs can easily pick up a vibe from an unhappy dog like mine at which point all bets are usually off...

Granted most of the people Si is describing are pathetic but some of us really do have to keep our dogs on a lead, for your benefit and for ours. It would be irresponsible of me not to.

[Spank86]

rubbish-owner should always be in control of his dog-thats why theres things called leads-you expect every dog to get on with every dog it meets-that goes against their nature.
No, but if you cant control your dog enough to restrain it from biting everything it meets then you should muzzle it because there's no way you can guarantee it will never get free from your grip and could then maul anything.

I'm not talking about an odd freak ocurrence I'm talking about a dog you know to be bitey.

Have you witnessed how much a muzzle subdues a dog once its on? Hardly conducive to an enjoyable walk when its hanging its head and giving you the puppy eyes. At the same time, making it wear a muzzle all the time because it once snapped at a terrier is hardly fair and makes for a nervous owner which will be transmitted down the lead regardless and confuse the animal further. If you've a dog that's the "sort to maul" then surely it is up to you as the responsible owner to act accordingly and not make the dog lose out because of paranoia.

Im not talking about a dog that once nipped a terrier, thats different.

I'm specifically talking about dogs that will seriously injure others on a regular basis if they get close enough. THere is no non muzzle way for them to be safe. A lead is not safe.

[Fallout]

Granted most of the people Si is describing are pathetic but some of us really do have to keep our dogs on a lead, for your benefit and for ours. It would be irresponsible of me not to.

That's totally fair Trev. I would see the muzzle and assume the dog had issues and call my dog away. I think you're being very responsible in that circumstance. If your dog wasn't muzzled though, then I'd have issues.

Also the recall thing is an issue I know lots of owners have. Duke doesn't come back straight away all the time. I have to be honest though, I don't think it's fair for 'lead walkers' to expect all other dog owners to keep their dogs on the lead to make their lives easier. Dogs love running free. The people I meet who obviously get annoyed when another dog runs up to their dog are being unreasonable imo.

[missyburd]

No need to muzzle a dog that's nipped the odd dog here and there. That's stupid. Dogs bite each other. Some are grumpy. If it does it routinely though, it should be muzzled. It's a very irresponsible owner who doesn't muzzle that sort of dog. People can bang on about how a dog running around is irresponsible etc. but aggressive dogs need to be reined in the most.
Not arguing that at all, my post wasn't meant to be anti-muzzle. Thing is, one owner's idea of an aggressive hound is someone else's over excited pup. A silly moo who sees one tooth bared and thinks your dog's into cannibalism can be enough to scare someone into thinking they've an evil animal on their hands when, as you rightly point out, that's the dog's way of communication and if neither twit understands how dogs work then they shouldn't be owning one. There are far too many idiotic animal owners out there, a very sad fact.

[NTECUK]

No, but if you cant control your dog enough to restrain it from biting everything it meets then you should muzzle it because there's no way you can guarantee it will never get free from your grip and could then maul anything.

I'm not talking about an odd freak ocurrence I'm talking about a dog you know to be bitey.



Im not talking about a dog that once nipped a terrier, thats different.

I'm specifically talking about dogs that will seriously injure others on a regular basis if they get close enough. THere is no non muzzle way for them to be safe. A lead is not safe.
That's not how it read .
But now you have cleared the point .
If you have an pressie dog . Muzzle it.

[Spank86]

Apologies.

I used the word "maul" very purposefully as oppose to simply bite.

I love dogs personally even though I've been bitten a couple of times once quite badly.

[timwilky]

Dogs are such sociable animals, round here they have mostly trained their owners to have a chat with each other whilst they in turn check out each other smelly bits. Although if there is one of those cute cavalier king charles types, No nuts don't matter they are having it!!.

One girl called her spaniel a slapper for putting out for Jasper, next day same dog bloke instead. He is raping my dog!


I must talk to at least 70% of fellow dog owners I pass whenever I take Jasper out for an empty.

[NTECUK]

Wizard our keshund would show his teeth if another dog got too pushy .
Never aggressively bit .
But did love to catch poodles pom pom tails .
Which when we took him to dog shows could be an issue .
But fancy putting a style on a dogs tail that looks like a rager .....

[Fallout]

Not arguing that at all, my post wasn't meant to be anti-muzzle. Thing is, one owner's idea of an aggressive hound is someone else's over excited pup. A silly moo who sees one tooth bared and thinks your dog's into cannibalism can be enough to scare someone into thinking they've an evil animal on their hands when, as you rightly point out, that's the dog's way of communication and if neither twit understands how dogs work then they shouldn't be owning one. There are far too many idiotic animal owners out there, a very sad fact.

True! It's like Owenski said, the owners need education, and need to try not to project their personalities onto their dogs. They're independent creatures. They're tougher than we think, unless they're up against a hoover. We can train them and we can confuse them and damage them, but we can't teach them which dogs to like and not to like. Let them get on with it, imo.

It's only really when a dog has had a troubled past like Trev's dog that dogs can end up consistently aggressive. If someone has brought up a dog from a pup and it's always aggressive then they got it very wrong.

[Sir Trev]

Also the recall thing is an issue I know lots of owners have. Duke doesn't come back straight away all the time. I have to be honest though, I don't think it's fair for 'lead walkers' to expect all other dog owners to keep their dogs on the lead to make their lives easier. Dogs love running free. The people I meet who obviously get annoyed when another dog runs up to their dog are being unreasonable imo.

My last dog was a happy, soppy, lovable, freinds-with-everyone/thing Goldie. Her park deafness was irritating at times but she was on the whole pretty good. Following my current experience I will be more understanding to some lead walkers in future but realistically if you are going to be that pathetic about other dogs just stay away from areas where they're likely to be off the lead!

That also goes for people. One of the funniest memories I have of my last dog was seeing her lollop past a good twenty feet away from (and ignoring) two young kids who huddled together as if Godzilla was approaching them. They ran off screaming towards their father with my dog looking back at them with a puzzled look on her face. The father said something about people not controlling their dogs in a loud voice and I said the same back about parents not controlling their pathetic children. The look on his face was priceless.

[Owenski]

+1 Sir Trev,
If you're been responsible with your dog by having him/her on a lead and muzzlied then I'd definitely be aware of the danger and as I said Miya is voice controlled (this was paramount to train her in it after we had the farmer incident about 3years ago, the threads on here). Anyway a quick call and she'd be back to my side without fail, the only test she's never had to execute is if she'd come to me if someone were simultaneously offering her a treat.

I (and hope it didnt come across as such) dont have a problem with people walking their dog on a lead, I'd much rather see the dog running free but its not my prerogative to worry about those dogs. My beef as it seems is Simons is those owners who poochie-woochie-kins their dogs and bark accusations at me when I near with mine.

[Mark_h]

Problem is every dog owner believes their dog to be super friendly and great with kids.

My two (kids not dogs) were both terrified by dogs because of a couple of dogs who jumped up at them and knocked them over when they were little. We've gradually introduced them to dogs again and they are now mostly fine unless a dog jumps up at them when they are not expecting it.

Now when we go for walks they will ask if they can stroke a dog, get the sniffing done and give strokes all very nice and friendly. However we still get the odd dog who jumps up and frightens the life out of them and the owner will just say "it's fine, he's great with kids he's just exited". Actually, it's not fine. You've got a dog who we don't know jumping up uninvited to my kids who are often smaller than the dog. At this point we don't know if it's a friendly dog or a badly trained face ripper.

So have a bit of sympathy with the other side. No dog should be let off the lead and out of controlling range if it's not trained well enough to not jump up at children (or adults for that matter). I'm all for seeing dogs running and messing with other dogs but if your dog jumps up and scares my kids I'm not impressed. How do I know it's not a kiddy mauler just by looking at it?

I have on occasion grabbed a dog by it's collar and held it down while it's en-route to my kids and on occasion been critisised by the owner as "it's OK, he's great with kids". Well I'm not prepared to take that risk and I'm also not prepared to have the hard work of getting my kids to be calm around dogs put back again.

Happy to be flamed by the dog-lovers but I see the safety of my kids as far more important than the freedoms of your unknown dog.

[dirtydog]

My dog used to walk off the lead but now he's deaf he doesn't hear me calling him back now! Not that he's fussed about going out on walks these days. Shook his lead at him the other and he just looked away and went back to sleep!

[Spank86]

I agree with mark as long as he's prepared to have me do the same with his kids if I think they are looking a little bit feral.

[Mark_h]

@ Spank. You could try but they'll have your watch wallet and phone if you let them get close enough.

[Spank86]

Exactly, you may say they're fine with real humans but how do I know they aren't secretly replicants or even chavs in fancy dress.

Safest thing to do is to tazer them really but I'd be content with holding their collars until you can get a lead back on the little blighters.

[Fallout]

Dogs and kids is a separate matter. No kid should have to endure even a friendly dog running up to them and licking them, pushing them over etc. Mistakes happen though. If someone is chucking a ball for their dog and kids appear afterwards and the dog runs up to them, it's hard to avoid that scenario. If someone walks their dog into a public rec and lets there dog off when there are loads of young kids and people having picnics, then that's the dog owner's fault.

Duke is a lovely dog and has never bitten anyone or shown any aggression (he hardly even barks and has never growled), but I'd never leave him alone with a young child, nor let him run around where young kids are playing. The mrs on the other hand does that all the time, but she's a pleb and can't be told.

[Mark_h]

Exactly, you may say they're fine with real humans but how do I know they aren't secretly replicants or even chavs in fancy dress.

Safest thing to do is to tazer them really but I'd be content with holding their collars until you can get a lead back on the little blighters.

Nah, You're OK, he'll just tickle you with that stanley knife, it's just his way of saying hello.

[Spank86]

The trouble with dogs and kids is when you get to places like your woods that are local dog walking spots.

The dogs are gonna be there, they are gonna jump. The only way round it is if your kids can't handle it to find somewhere else to walk but there's no telling where would be safe if you're out in the country.

[21QUEST]

It's too much effort to read all the posts..on the phone...but people who are unable to keep their dogs under control do get on my tits.

Keep your dog on a leash in a public place, if you can't control it. I really don't about how nice you think it is......it's not that difficult really......

[Spank86]

There's almost 2billion kids in this world and only 500million dogs so realistically it would take 4 kids to be more important than one dog.

Given as mark only has two kids they are as a group only as important as half a dog, not having met them I wouldn't care to speculate on which half.

[widepants]

Problem is every dog owner believes their dog to be super friendly and great with kids.

My two (kids not dogs) were both terrified by dogs because of a couple of dogs who jumped up at them and knocked them over when they were little. We've gradually introduced them to dogs again and they are now mostly fine unless a dog jumps up at them when they are not expecting it.

Now when we go for walks they will ask if they can stroke a dog, get the sniffing done and give strokes all very nice and friendly. However we still get the odd dog who jumps up and frightens the life out of them and the owner will just say "it's fine, he's great with kids he's just exited". Actually, it's not fine. You've got a dog who we don't know jumping up uninvited to my kids who are often smaller than the dog. At this point we don't know if it's a friendly dog or a badly trained face ripper.

So have a bit of sympathy with the other side. No dog should be let off the lead and out of controlling range if it's not trained well enough to not jump up at children (or adults for that matter). I'm all for seeing dogs running and messing with other dogs but if your dog jumps up and scares my kids I'm not impressed. How do I know it's not a kiddy mauler just by looking at it?

I have on occasion grabbed a dog by it's collar and held it down while it's en-route to my kids and on occasion been critisised by the owner as "it's OK, he's great with kids". Well I'm not prepared to take that risk and I'm also not prepared to have the hard work of getting my kids to be calm around dogs put back again.

Happy to be flamed by the dog-lovers but I see the safety of my kids as far more important than the freedoms of your unknown dog.
+ 10,000 on this one.To put it bluntly , if a dog came bounding up to my kids without a lead on it , Id kick it in the face .
My lad is Autistic and it would drive him crazy and could put him back for months

[rb8989]

+ 10,000 on this one.To put it bluntly , if a dog came bounding up to my kids without a lead on it , Id kick it in the face .
My lad is Autistic and it would drive him crazy and could put him back for months

If someones kid came bounding up to my dog I'd kick them in the face!

Only joking:), I understand what you're saying.

My dog doesn't care for other people on walks, but he loves to play with other dogs. Being a whippet/saluki he's also good for 35mph +, and it seems to scare dog owners.

[NTECUK]

It wasn't so long ago that a child was mualed by the grand parents dog .
It makes sense not to trust a strange dog
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9693200/Harry-Harper-family-devastated-at-baby-boys-pet-dog-attack-death.html

[a_monkey_hint]

I live about a 15minute walk away from a decent sized nature reserve. I can leave Shadow (my 2 year old black lab) off the lead for as long as I want without so much as a glare off anyone else. He's well behaved, doesn't bound up to random people's kids and is quite happy playing with other dogs.

Unfortunately it's a completely different story when I don't have time for the hour+ walk. I take him for a circular route thorough a number of estates to a decent sized field. Again he's off the lead once we leave the road, but if he's not being nearly mauled by the bigger dogs, he's being snapped at by the little ones!

Some people just don't know how to train or control their dogs, which is a great shame because Shadow is a great natured dog.

You can usually see the 'type' of dog by the way the owner looks or acts. Usually if the dog is on a lead, call shadow to stay away. The little old over protective ladies with the really snappy dogs really tickle me. Shadow just ignores them, yet they stand infront of their dog trying to protect them.

It wasn't so long ago that a child was mualed by the grand parents dog .
It makes sense not to trust a strange dog
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9693200/Harry-Harper-family-devastated-at-baby-boys-pet-dog-attack-death.html

These stories are what really anger me. Never, ever leave a dog near your newborn child unsupervised! I could trust Shadow with my daughter, but would I leave him unsupervised with her - hell no! I'm actually more cautious now she's 18 months old, as he's started getting grumpy when she starts climbing over him.

[Littlepeahead]

Our cat used to maul passing kids. She'd lure them in being all friendly then go for the kill. She would also attack small dogs, you'd see little dogs on leads dragging their owners across the road to avoid her.

[Joe Marcon]

Im hoping i can get a puppy english bull terrior :)


Sent from my iPhone

[missyburd]

I live about a 15minute walk away from a decent sized nature reserve. I can leave Shadow (my 2 year old black lab) off the lead for as long as I want without so much as a glare off anyone else. He's well behaved, doesn't bound up to random people's kids and is quite happy playing with other dogs.


What kind of nature reserve is it? I'm surprised your dog is allowed off the lead, thought they were usually quite strict about that?

[a_monkey_hint]

What kind of nature reserve is it? I'm surprised your dog is allowed off the lead, thought they were usually quite strict about that?

Its a country park, there are sections that you should put them on a lead, but most of it is fine without. From their website:

Dogs on the Park

Dogs and responsible owners are welcome on the Park. It was voted one of the top twenty dog walking places in 2009. There a certain rules that we ask you to follow when brining your dogs to the Park.

* Dogs must be kept under control at all times, though they do not necessarily need to be on a lead.

* Owners must clean up after their dogs, whether they mess on the path, the grass or in the woodlands.

* Be aware that not everyone who uses the park is a dog lover and they may be afraid of dogs, especially children.

Please enjoy your time on the park with your well behaved and loveable dog, but do not allow it to be a nuisance to other park users and animals who also have a right to enjoy the beauty and peace of the Cuerden Valley.

[missyburd]

Fair dos, sounds a lovely place to walk the dog :)

[yorkie_chris]

Owning a baseball cap for any other reason than you play golf or possessing any Burberry or Argos jewellery will also prove to be instant failure on licence application.

Never mind for owning a dog, they should sterlise these types at the elizabeth duke counter.

Free er "vitamin" injection with every fake sovereign or dangly set of earrings :)

[Spank86]

I have a watch from argos, does that count?

[yorkie_chris]

Well normally no, but seeing as it's you...

[Mark_h]

Spank, Luckily you are repellent to women so not a real issue it is?

[Fallout]

Spank, Luckily you are repellent to women so not a real issue it is?

That's not actually true, he's just never developed his closing game. Spank has spent more time with women than thrush.

[missyburd]

Spank has spent more time with women than thrush.
And probably just as irritating and likely to flare up at any time? ;)

[yorkie_chris]

He might be an irritating c*nt but you lot are just getting bitchy now...

[missyburd]

He might be an irritating c*nt but you lot are just getting bitchy now...
Nah, I just couldn't resist a pun haha. Sure Spank can take it. Anyway you started it!

Back to them bloody dogs ;)

[AndyBrad]

Hmm.

One of my mate's has a boxer that's mental but friendly the other has a rottie that's tapped in the head. Tbh it's a killer and needs putting down but that's another story.

Having your nice dog pop over for a sniff with either of them is going to have a very negative outcome on both accounts. With the boxer it's going to get over excited and out of control. If his missus is walking it it will upset her. This is your fault for not being a responsible dog owner and having it on a lead. Second scenario and your dog is probably off to the vets. Again your fault.

I personally believe you have to be responsible to own any dog in the same way as having a kid. Hence why at the moment I don't have one ;-)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[widepants]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=560590343969904

[AndyBrad]

No worky

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[chris8886]

it did for me n it is quit amusing!

[AndyBrad]

Got it working. Looks like a happy pup ;-)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Fallout]

Changed my walking time today and encountered three sets of people. Two dogs off the lead with owners happy to let them play, plus one woman with her dog on the lead who didn't mind Duke saying hello. As Duke left her dog cried it's ass off, obviously wanting to play. Poor dog. Overall successful. May try that time again tomorrow.

[Spank86]

Nah, I just couldn't resist a pun haha. Sure Spank can take it. Anyway you started it!

Back to them bloody dogs ;)

I'm fine. I know you'd change your opinion if you ever met me... Irritating doesnt even begin to cover it.

That's not actually true, he's just never developed his closing game. Spank has spent more time with women than thrush.
I havent had a chance, not met that many women worth closing with.

[Fallout]

I haven't had a chance, not met that many women worth closing with.

Don't live in that big old African river. You have to ride a few rubbish bikes to be able to handle the super sports! :mrgreen:

[punyXpress]

I'm just getting into the swing of the different dog owners around here. Our new pup, Poppy is seven months old, is a Black Labrador crossed with a Springer from the Blue Cross. She's very energetic but in the two weeks we've had her, she's gone from being a whirling dervish at the end of the lead to a reasonably well behaved walking companion. She stays on the lead on the roads, cos she's too young and dim to avoid cars, and the way the wazzoks drive around here, I doubt they would avoid her!
When we're in the park, or fields she's generally on a 30 foot rope to a shoulder harness, simply because she's new and she doesn't always come back! It's easier to grab a rope than an over excited pup.
She is allowed to play with any dog we meet, I actually encourage her to, but do keep hold of her rope, just in case, as Husky says, the reception isn't pleasant.

There are lots of different dogs and owners here, from rat on a string to a bloke with two ma-HOOSIVE! Newfoundlands. Poppy loves them and looks like a tiny terrier next to them! They have a whale of a time racing abouth the place. Others are as the OP states. Paranoid, introspective, social regects who probably spend hours choosing their precious little darlings Christmas present.

I do remember camping in the Lake District years ago mind. There was a ditzy woman with a Yorkshire terrier that shart everywhere and yapped all day and night. The husband was a meat-head in a muscle vest who would strut around trying to look hard. One evening, the rt ran off and the bloke was sent to find him. The entire campsite was in hysterics as this guy had to walk around the entire field shouting;

"Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell. Mummy says baaaaad girl"

They left the next day...

Pete ;)

PS, here's Poppy.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk24/conker51/20121213_094458.jpg
Looking good, Pete
This is our daughter's rescue dog Kia - same ingredients but slightly different mix I reckon:

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss267/punyXpress/001_zps74e39e7c.jpg