Discussion forum thread

I just found a website dedicated to dogs, dog training, dog breeding, etc. One of their discussion forums has a thread that is clearly pro-leashed in public. It sounds like a very familiar scenario. If I post the URL the NYC offleash folks will begin to post obnoxious replies. Instead here is the content of one public discussion:

Laika
Senior Dog Expert Member **

Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Posts: 92

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:01 pm    Post subject: Out of control, off leash dogs

I like to walk my dogs in the park, both are well behaved and in a heel. What can I do about people who don't control their dogs? My dog has been attacked my off-leash black labs three times throughout the years. Now I am facing the consequences. I can see that blac (only black ones trigger this behavior) lab are starting to trigger aggression. I keep this in check and so it is under control quickly. What to do about dogs that run up and are all over my dog, being hyper and annoying with the owner way off in the distance. Being on-leash my dog can not get away. I am not comfortable with getting strange dogs by the collar and I am not the type to yell at people. My park has the rule that dogs "under control" can be off leash. Most of them aren't. Is there a way to tell my these people nicely that their dogs should be leashed?

- - - - -

bradfran
Senior Dog Expert Awared Member ***

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 977

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:34 pm    Post subject:

Is it a city park? State? private? Contact the authorities and file a complaint. Try to get them to enforce the "Under Control - Off Leash" policy.

- - - - -

Laika
Senior Dog Expert Member **

Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Posts: 92

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:45 pm    Post subject:

It is a city park. They usually enforce it on the bike paths, as it would be difficult for bikers if dogs were every where. I am going to try to get something done though as I want to enjoy myself at the park.

- - - - -

HMZ
Senior Dog Expert Awared Member ***

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 575

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:49 pm    Post subject:

Laika, I have the SAME PROBLEM!  I walk my dogs on leash and I can't tell you how many times random dogs run up to them.  Every one of them has been attacked while on the leash!  And usually this happens after the owner shouts out from a quarter mile away, "Oh, my dog's okay" or "oh, my dog's friendly!"  In our park we do have a leash law but no one seems to pay attention to it but me!  Once, when I was trying to walk away from an off leash dog that was charging us, the owner ran up to me and said I was an person for not letting my dogs roam freely.  Very annoying.

- - - - -

Laika
Senior Dog Expert Member **

Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Posts: 92

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:41 pm    Post subject:

Yes unfortunately some people don't have much sense. I always tell people "Sorry, but my dog is not very friendly" (She does not like to play with other dogs-she tolerates them, but playing is something else...) My other dog loves to play. So if I am just walking him it does not matter as much to me, because if someone starts a fight he just submits.

I gave up going in some areas of the park and have stuck to the bike path, as dogs are required to wear a six foot leash. (They do not want dogs causing problems with bikers). As the "Dog off-leash" people seem to be a bit "radical" and I don't want to get mixed up in it all. (There is a bit of a argument over the whole thing right now, dog owners vs. non dog owners.)

- - - - -

HMZ
Senior Dog Expert Awared Member ***

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 575

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Out of control, off leash dogs

Laika wrote:
Yes unfortunately some people don't have much sense. I always tell people "Sorry, but my dog is not very friendly" (She does not like to play with other dogs-she tolerates them, but playing is something else...) My other dog loves to play. So if I am just walking him it does not matter as much to me, because if someone starts a fight he just submits.

I gave up going in some areas of the park and have stuck to the bike path, as dogs are required to wear a six foot leash. (They do not want dogs causing problems with bikers). As the "Dog off-leash" people seem to be a bit "radical" and I don't want to get mixed up in it all. (There is a bit of a argument over the whole thing right now, dog owners vs. non dog owners.)


Yes, you know, you just can't win. Sometimes I have to say that my dog isn't friendly (even though he is to almost every dog) and only then do the owners try to do anything to control their dogs. Of course, they also give me a dirty look as if to say that I don't have any right to be in the park unless I am willing to have my dog roam freely and run up to every adult, child, dog, etc.

- - - - -

bearlasmommy
Senior Dog Expert Member **

Joined: 25 Sep 2006
Posts: 235

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:14 am    Post subject: Re: Out of control, off leash dogs

Laika wrote:
I like to walk my dogs in the park, both are well behaved and in a heel. What can I do about people who don't control their dogs? My dog has been attacked my off-leash black labs three times throughout the years. Now I am facing the consequences. I can see that blac (only black ones trigger this behavior) lab are starting to trigger aggression. I keep this in check and so it is under control quickly. What to do about dogs that run up and are all over my dog, being hyper and annoying with the owner way off in the distance. Being on-leash my dog can not get away. I am not comfortable with getting strange dogs by the collar and I am not the type to yell at people. My park has the rule that dogs "under control" can be off leash. Most of them aren't. Is there a way to tell my these people nicely that their dogs should be leashed?

Laika, i am sorry to hear about this.  From the sound of it, you do not live in an area where ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED.  You can try re-socializing your dog with black labs since these are the ones that are triggering the agression.  You said you are facing the consequences?  Is someone trying to have you punished so to speak because their 'off leash' dog came to yours and was bitten.  I see this type of thing too much, but where i am, ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED, if they arent, the animal control can seize the dog and the owner can and will be charged and fined.  Pit bulls in my area, are not forced to also be muzzled even when going for a walk, no matter how gentle they are.  Dogs are not allowed "off leash, unless they are in an enclosed and gated dog run or gated and fenced dog park.

One thing that you can do, is speak to animal enforcment officials in your area and speak to your local politicians and push for these type of parks.  that way you can walk your dog on a leash and it will not be threatened, and they can let their dogs run free.

- - - - -

Laika
Senior Dog Expert Member **

Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Posts: 92

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:51 am    Post subject: Re: Out of control, off leash dogs

Consequences as it, I can no longer walk by a lab or black chow without her getting defensive. As if they are automatically going to go after her.
About four months ago I was walking in the park and a chow ran up (off lead) teeth bared, it was snapping and I ended up having to pick my dog up as she was much smaller, leashed and I did not know what else to do. The owner sent her young child to retrieve the dog. She took it's collar and dragged it back.
On the way back I took a detour so I would not bump into the chow. Two black labs ran up and were bouncing all over the place. My dog growled and they growled back and they started to fight. (My mom was walking Laika, So I tried to call the dogs back) The owner came up a few minutes later and took her dogs.
I have been working with Laika and she is getting better, but it is still difficult as I don't know what to do when it is actually happening.

- - - - -

davebritt11
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Out of control, off leash dogs

Laika wrote:
I like to walk my dogs in the park, both are well behaved and in a heel. What can I do about people who don't control their dogs? My dog has been attacked my off-leash black labs three times throughout the years. Now I am facing the consequences. I can see that blac (only black ones trigger this behavior) lab are starting to trigger aggression. I keep this in check and so it is under control quickly. What to do about dogs that run up and are all over my dog, being hyper and annoying with the owner way off in the distance. Being on-leash my dog can not get away. I am not comfortable with getting strange dogs by the collar and I am not the type to yell at people. My park has the rule that dogs "under control" can be off leash. Most of them aren't. Is there a way to tell my these people nicely that their dogs should be leashed?

I have the same when going to the park some people just dont care when i say something to them they shout out i dont care