RANT: Leashes!!!!

[maillotpois]

What is it with people who walk their dogs off leash??? I have never understood it - from the perspective of the dog's safety (getting hit by a car). But this afternoon, my (on leash, very well trained) dog and I were attacked TWICE by two separate dogs!!!

The first willowy twit walking the gigantic Rhodesian Ridgeback didn't even seem to understand what the problem was. "Oh he's sweet" she said as the dog came running up to my LEASHED sitting lab. As he proceeded to charge and attack Russo, I screamed at him, threw my water bottle at him, fell to the ground, skinned my knee all the while screaming "Get away you piece of sh!t!!! Where's your leash?????" When I finally hit the thing with my water bottle and he trotted away, I again asked her "Where's the leash? He is obviously NOT friendly!" Her response? GET THIS: "He's not my dog." :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: I kid you not. She didn't even try to imitate Inspector Clouseau. :cool:

Sorry bimbo, but your dog or not, if you walk him, you're responsible. Get a freaking leash. I pulled my (still healing) shoulder and it still hurts.

The second dog (seriously - within the space of a half hour!) was a big Chow. He came running down at us - we were on the side of the road that drops off 20 - 30 feet down a steep canyon. Trying to pull my dog away from the Chow I FELL off the road down the CANYON!!! :mad: At least owner number two came running down, pulled his dog away, tied him to a mailbox and then helped me out of the canyon. (I fell about 5 feet down the side of the canyon, on lots of soft redwood detritus, so I was really just shaken up.) He actually gave me his NAME and ADDRESS not that I am going to follow up and do anything because he was clearly just as shaken as I was and quite chagrined.

Ok. Rant off. I need a glass of wine. And a band aid. Maybe a valium.

Oh - also after attack # 2, literally around the corner was the fattest oldest Basset Hound I have ever seen, just wandering in the street doing that big Bassett baying woof thing. His stomach was literally dragging on the ground. By that point, Russo and I were hugging the other side of the street, shaking. If anyone had seen us cowering from Joe Bassett it would have been embarrassing.

[SheFly]

Oh MP - how awful! You deserve more than one glass of wine after that experience. And take care of that still healing shoulder, too.

I don't get people who walk their dogs off leash either. Especially the ones who do so on the bike path. Although I'm not sure which is worse - them or the ones with the retractable leashes whose dogs are running around on the other side of the path :eek:.

Clearly, I am not a dog owner (although I did have a dog growing up), but there are leash laws for a reason. I just wish people would abide by them.

Take care, MP!

SheFly

[Blueberry]

MP-

That sucks. I have no patience for that cr@p either. I was attacked as a child by an unleashed dog, and still have some residual fear (and one small scar). I currently have a very well behaved, but very large golden. He's very friendly, and I've taken him to obedience classes (many classes). I get tired of 1) unleashed dogs charging us 2) on leash but out of control dogs charging us and 3) little kids who are out of control running up. Hope it didn't set you back with your shoulder, and that your knee heals fast. I'd have lost it with the "not my dog" woman - I'd probably have told her that if it isn't her dog, then she shouldn't object if I called animal control.

My own rant - people, please keep your kids under control. I have my very well behaved, leashed dog sit when kids are close. This does not mean that your child should run screaming, arms flailing, up to him. Not a good idea. He's gentle - but your kid isn't necessarily. Ask nicely, and I'll be happy to control him so your kid can pet. Otherwise, stay away:mad::mad:

Yep - I'm grouchy. It's raining, I can't ride, and I'm still employed in the job from h3ll.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok. Rant off. I need a glass of wine. And a band aid. Maybe a valium.


And some pepper spray.

[maillotpois]

I'd have lost it with the "not my dog" woman - I'd probably have told her that if it isn't her dog, then she shouldn't object if I called animal control.


Brilliant! I always think of good stuff like that to say AFTER the moment! :rolleyes: sorry about the H.E.doubletoothpicks job.

[sundial]

Trying to pull my dog away from the Chow I FELL off the road down the CANYON!!!

Oh my gosh!! Bless your heart! I hope you didn't reinjure your shoulder. :(

I don't know what has happened to common sense, but it must have left with Elvis. I mean, come on people! Keep your dogs on a friggin leash. I can't tell you how often I've encountered strays who run up to us out of nowhere and I immediately jump off the bike, get between the stray and my dog, and yell at it. One family said, "It's ok, it's friendly." Well, how would you like a perfect stranger to come running up to you and stick his face in yours?? Huh?? And honestly, just because we live in the county and there's no leash law, that doesn't give you a license to let your dog wander all over timbuktu and crapping on people's driveways and flower beds and contributing to the pet overpopulation. One time I was riding my bike with Kali, my big gsd girl, and 2 dogs spotted us not a quarter of a mile away. They ran after us and caught up to us! I had to fight off a chow and lab mix while my neighbor comes driving by and slows to watch the drama unfold. She didn't even try to help. I got so cotton pickin' mad at her! :mad: :mad:

[shootingstar]

Dogs without leash..are friggin' annoying. This is quite frequent around where we live....and we live downtown with many owners walking their dogs.

Yesterday, there was tiny little toy dog that suddenly turned around the path/corner. It's possible it was a puppy that it didn't seem alert at all to anything in front of its face.



On the other hand, I was so impressed once on a multipurpose path in morning. After seeing me approach on bike, the owner yelled at her unleased dog, "Bike"......and the dog froze and moved aside. :)

[mupedalpusher]

Bad dog owners are as obnoxious as bad parents! If those dogs and children had better parents they would all be very enjoyable!! Having a dog and having children both take lots of "training" time.:)

[GLC1968]

OMG, I totally agree. I'm glad you survived, MP - you do deserve a glass of wine...and some chocolate!!

I used to have a shephard/doberman mix who was extremely dog agressive. She was as sweet as pie to humans (and cats) but she hated other dogs with the white hot passion of a thousand suns. Because of this, she was never, ever, ever off the leash.

I can't tell you how many small dogs I had to pay vet bills for because their owners had them off leash and they ran at us! Multiple times, my dog picked up theirs, shook them, and then tossed them in the bushes. And yet I was the one responsible for the vet bills because MY dog hurt theirs. Nice.

I really have issue with people who walk dogs off leashes. :mad:

[rij73]

I feel for you! That's a terrible experience. It doesn't happen too much in the city here, but there are a couple of dogs on my block that get walked off leash, and I'll never understand it. My dog is not thrilled to be approached by an off leash dog when he's on leash. I think it makes him feel powerless. People say, oh my dog is friendly, but that's not really the point. It inconveniences me and my dog to have your dog just ramble on up to us like that!

In your case, being attacked like that, I would really blow a gasket at whoever was responsible for the other dog... owner or not! :rolleyes:

[Trek420]

My dog is not thrilled to be approached by an off leash dog when he's on leash. I think it makes him feel powerless.

Exactly! I'm not a dog trainer and I don't play one on TV. I have a shelter pet who has "issues" so I read a lot. The worst situation is leashed dog and unleashed dog. Your dog wants to protect you yet has limited options. Unleashed mutt is free to move at will.

So the situation escalates with even two "best of dogs".

Best situation everybody's leashed or nobody is (secure dog park).

My mutt and I have been attached by: a rottie, loose pits (2), some kind of lab huge thing mutt .... it's scary and makes me mad. It's been fun on both ends of the leash to exorcise her demons but a lot of work. All it takes is one *&^% person too lazy to pick up a leash to undo a lot of good.

Unleashed dogs: get hit by cars, chase or get hit by cyclists, find other unleashed dogs and become a pack, get eaten by predators, "dog-napped". Mae is always leashed.

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but an untrained/unleashed dog is an unloved dog.

[Trekhawk]

Oh no MP what a horrible day.

I too hate it when dogs are not on a leash it is very irresponsible of the owners.
People wonder why you dont see many kids walking their dogs anymore and Im guessing this is one of the reasons. Imagine a kid trying to control a dog situation like that. SCARY.

Don't even start me on the ones that run out at cyclists and then the owners (if they are around ) state oh its ok it wont bite. HELL - bite or not it could still knock me off my bike.:mad:

[maillotpois]

Thanks for the dog psych 101, Trek. (The kid watches "It's me or the dog" all the time. You'd fit right in. :rolleyes:)

My dog is an unneutered male dog. He is also: (1) docile to the point of wimpy (2) impeccably trained (3) a stud dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind. As in: his job is to go make baby guide dogs. For BLIND people. I was told that unneutered males may be seen as targets by male dogs. Today was really the first time I'd witnessed that. And the whole leased vs. unleashed thing just fits right in as well.

He's almost 9. His swimmers aren't swimming so well right now. Issue #3 may be "fixed" as it were, soon. ("Hey! I'm going to the vet to get tutored!!")

If you can't laugh at your dog who can you laugh at?

Thanks for all the good energy you guys. I am feeling better. It was a nasty afternoon. :)

[snapdragen]

You need polenta. And wine.

I'm sorry MP, people are idiots. Chloe never leaves the house undressed, leash and harness always.

[Trek420]

I am feeling better. It was a nasty afternoon. :)

Is it the wine or the chocolate :D

Totally un-expert opinion (but hey, maybe I need my own show on Animal Planet) dogs are pack animals, everything's about position in the pack. S/he who holds the leash can be the pack leader.

Some people think "oh, the doggie just wants to be free to roam around". No, your dog wants a 'benevolent dictator", a pack leader. Leash training makes dogs feel more secure.

And Mall', your doggies job, nice work if you can get it :cool:

[maillotpois]

You need polenta.


How did you know???? It wasn't nearly as good....

[aka_kim]

Wow. I check on the forum and first see MM_QFC has been hit by a car (:eek:) and you and your dog have been attacked and you've fallen into a canyon (:eek:). I'm not sure I want to continue reading today's new posts.

Take care, relax, eat, drink ...

[OakLeaf]

+1 to what everyone else has said.

MP, hope you and your dog are both feeling better, and that you didn't reinjure your shoulder, or get bitten too badly breaking up the fights.

[bmccasland]

Maillotpois - hope you're feeling better this morning. How's the shoulder? When you and your fine pup head back out there for a walk, keep your confidence, head up, shoulders back, you own the raod.

Although the thought of cowering from Joe Bassett is rather amusing.

And my personal pet peeve - the stinking expandy leashes. The human does NOT have control of the dog at the other end. Have had far too many near misses with those. Why can't people use right and proper standard leashes?

[OakLeaf]

And my personal pet peeve - the stinking expandy leashes. The human does NOT have control of the dog at the other end. Have had far too many near misses with those. Why can't people use right and proper standard leashes?

The human does have control of a retractable. It's not the leash's fault if they choose not to exercise it. There's a thumb lock, you keep the dog on a short lead when the situation demands it, you reel the dog in if something approaches while the dog's way out. No harder than reeling them in from a 6 or 10 foot lead.

[redrhodie]

It happens here ALL the time, too! My boss and I walk her dogs every day before I leave, and one day last week we had one loose dog coming at us from the front, another from the rear (separate owners, BTW). Somehow we managed to get out of it with everyone in one piece. The stupid owners of the free dogs never seem to think there's an issue.

Wish I had some advice, but all I can say is, I feel your pain!

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, most people would never believe THEIR dog would do something like be a dog.

At our youth baseball park last week, a family brought their 10 month old pit bull on a leash. Sweet dog, happy and tail-waggy. Someone else brought their small poodle--but without a leash--and of course it had to go see the pit bull. There was growling and snapping but no one got hurt. Most people who heard the story immediately assumed it was the pit bull's fault, until I let them know that it was the POODLE OWNER'S fault for not having the durn thing on a leash.

Now I'm faced with an outright ban of dogs at the park (difficult, since it's in the middle of a city park), and/or enforcing the leash law that is already on the books. Had to enforce it last night--a guy carrying a clearly nervous Schnauzer. It was so nervous I didn't even ask if I could pet it, and I love petting dogs!

My last resort is going to be to call Animal Control and have them start writing tickets. Even for the little 5 year old with her new puppy. sheesh.

Karen

[Andrea]

I hope you had some good wine & chocolate.

On a lighter note, I have a funny unleashed/uncontained dog story:
I was warming up before my last road race when I heard/saw a huge, droopy basset hound running across his front yard towards me @ full speed. As he approached the road, he jumped the small ditch between the yard/road... only to land with both front feet on his ears. At the speed he was traveling, this resulted in a massive face-plant into the landing side of the ditch. He made a loud THUMP... I have no idea if he kept chasing, because at that point I was laughing so hard that I almost fell over.

That is the only time I've ever felt sorry for a chasing dog. Poor thing didn't know what hit him!

[jesvetmed]

n the other hand, I was so impressed once on a multipurpose path in morning. After seeing me approach on bike, the owner yelled at her unleased dog, "Bike"......and the dog froze and moved aside.

Wow... now that IS impressive. My dog would never be that good!
Mall.. I'm so glad you are okay. That can be very scarey. I live in a town where NO one, and I mean NO ONE believes in fencing in their dogs, chaining (which I hate, but the alternative is worse), or keeping them safe in the house. I used to jog around town b/c I thought it was safer than alone on a trail, but SO many dogs would come running at me from yards...finally gave up and decided the maniacs in the woods would be safer.

I've had loose dogs follow me for miles -- and cars honking and yelling at me to leash "my" dog! Ha! I've brought a large number of dogs home -- lock them in my outdoor kennel and call the humane society to come get them. They are safer that way -- and MAYBE, WHS can influence owners to neuter them when they come to pick them up. And I also hope that the fee they have to pay to bust them out makes them think the next time that they open the door and let them run!

I have found that most dogs respond to a very loud yell "NO... GO HOME". If you really mean it as if in charge and point your finger at them... it still at least makes them think about following -- especially works on a bike. I yell when I see them heading my way. Seems to work pretty well. Haven't had any be aggressive after that.

We walk our dog on our local trail (running / walking / horse trail). I do let her off leash once I'm to a safe area (away from the roads), and yet I am very aware of anyone coming from in front or behind... I always make her heal and releash her when we are passing anyone. And if a biker or horse rider comes by, I always take her off to the side and make her sit and wait as they go by.

My hubby had a situation when the dog was only a few months old -- she was on leash. A guy with his big intact rottie, off leash (he was carrying the chain), walked by. The rottie attacked Mac, and when he had her on the ground belly up and the owner did nothing, my hubby tried to pull the dog away -- it growled at him and went back to our dog -- so DH kicked him enough to interfere. Then the owner got involved, yelling at DH!!! :eek: Whatever. Got quite an earful after DH separated the dogs and picked ours up to carry her away. Luckily she was unhurt. What a jerk!

I see so many dog bite injuries at work. I work in ER and the amount of damage even one bite can do to any size of another dog is extensive. Too many need extensive surgery. It's scarey out there.

OK.. done ranting! Sorry this is so long! Everyone keep your critters safe out there!

[imdeanna]

On Sunday I was riding down a 5' wide bike path, another cyclist was coming the other direction....with 2 unleashed dogs jogging beside him....all 3 taking up the entire lane......I slowed way down...and kept on the far right THINKING he would call his dogs over...or you know..do something decent to help me out...but nope....I almost collided with one of the dogs that was trotting straight toward my tire....there was no where for me to go.

I let out a "whoooooah' as I wobbled through between the 2 dogs .... never did hear a oooh sorry....or come pooch from the guy (aka jerk)

I really shouldn't refer to him as a 'cyclist' as he also had no helmet so really...he was just some guy, on a bike, with loose dogs. :cool:

[roadie gal]

I have to disagree here. I think dogs SHOULD ALWAYS BE UNDER CONTROL, but that doesn't necessarily mean leashed. I live in a very rural area. My dogs are unleashed about 90% of the time. BUT they are ALWAYS under voice control. They are never just let to run free without me. I have worked VERY hard to get them to this point. If I'm on the street or on a trail that's used frequently by bikes, horses, kids, etc. then they are leashed. I never let them run up to people or other dogs. If I see someone with or without a dog coming toward me I call ahead to see if they want me to grab my dogs. If they say yes, then I do without any complaints or hard feelings.

Some of the trails that we go on would be dangerous for the dogs and myself if I had to keep them leashed.

Because of a few (or even many) bad owners I don't think the rest of us should have to leash our dogs at all times.

[Tuckervill]

The problem, RG, is with the people who THINK their dog is under voice control, and then they end up saying, "I didn't think she would do THAT!"

It's the "not MY dog" syndrome.

There's a leash law in my town. Period. Leash the darn dog at the youth baseball park for crying out loud.

Karen

[imdeanna]

I've noticed on my rides...when I see an unleashed dog....it's un-nerving to me because I don't know if they are under voice control or not, the simple act of the responsible owner putting their hand on the dogs collar as a 'just in case' is very reassuring for me....and that's all I need.... same for when they are leashed...for the owner to just lead the dog in.

(most) Dogs just do not like helmets.....even the most controlled dog can get nervous and act in a very unexpected manner for all involved.

For the safety of everyone involved (and the dogs own security) I would wish that everyone show that the dog is under control by a leash or a temporary grip of the collar when passing others.

[Crankin]

I hope you are feeling better, MP. Your story echoes what I feel exactly. Whoever said bad dogs are like bad children, exactly my words! I am very upfront about not being an animal lover (I have a cat, but she's sort of just "there." She's really my son's). I never bring this up, because I feel that most pet owners and people who love animals would be all over me for saying I don't like animals. But, since I moved to the house I'm in now, I have come across so many people walking their dogs unleashed. People who don't live in my neighborhood walk up the hill for exercise and to walk their dogs. When I wasn't working last fall and winter, I saw hordes of them, always women, walking 2-4 abreast with the dogs always running ahead. The leashes are in their hands, not attached to the dogs. It doesn't matter if I'm on my bike, walking, or driving; they don't move out of the way and they make a half hearted attempt to grab their dog. I admit to getting really angry one time as I was grinding up the hill on my bike and yelling,"Get your f*n dog out of the way. Cyclists and unleashed dogs don't mix!" I was scared to death I was going to get attacked and injured like Emily was. The owners just looked at me like I was the one who had no right to be on the road....

[HoosierGiant]

Our county does have a leash law. Unfortunately, we live in a very rural area, and most folks assume it's their right to let their dogs roam the countryside. They're the same people who will stand on the porch and yell, "It's okay, Satan doesn't bite!" as their mutt chases you down the road. They don't understand that it's not the teeth issue I'm worried about; it's the canine tangling with my front wheel that scares me. (It's an inverse proportion thing too -- the smaller the dog, the more likely it is to skitter across the road directly in front of me. The larger the dog the more likely it is that it just wants something to follow for exercise.) A firm, "No!" or two will generally stop the advance, but for those dogs who are more persistent I will resort to Halt pepper spray as soon as they cross the property line onto the road.

Don't get me wrong -- I have nothing against dogs. We own two and have gone to a good deal of expense to fence a large portion of our property so they are contained. It infuriates me when irresponsible owners in the area allow their dogs (which have never been to the vet and which do not have rabies shots) to run free, spreading who knows what manner of disease and parasites. Keep 'em off my property, and keep 'em from chasing me, and we'll all be happy.

A bit of drift, plus a bit of rant... :)

[tulip]

...As he approached the road, he jumped the small ditch between the yard/road... only to land with both front feet on his ears. At the speed he was traveling, this resulted in a massive face-plant into the landing side of the ditch. He made a loud THUMP... I have no idea if he kept chasing, because at that point I was laughing so hard that I almost fell over.

If I'd been drinking my tea, I would have spewed all over my computer!

As for chasing-dogs, I find that squirting them in the eyes with a well-aimed shot of gatorade usually does the trick long enough for me to get away.

[Eden]

Many people *think* they have their dog under control and they DON'T. I commute to work and a lot of people walk their dogs off leash on a section of multi-use trail that I travel. It's just stupid and dangerous to let the dogs run where there are cyclists. Your dog doesn't have to be nasty, viscious or bite to knock me down - and don't compound your stupidness by throwing a ball for the dog around a blind corner on the wrong side of the trail puleeeeezee... I complained to the local Animal Control and they actually went down and ticketed one day! On that same morning (they called me to follow up that they had been to the area - good customer service!) I had a dog charge me out of the bushes (there are trails on the hill about the path too) - owner wailing its name - guess they thought they had voice control NOT!

[mimitabby]

I have been alerted by people screaming at their out of control dogs.... "GET BACK HERE! HEY!!" and then i hear the dog running towards me......

If you don't have a electric collar on your dog, no matter how well trained he is, it's naive to think you are always in control. Your dog, after all, has its own brain.

[Brandi]

I lost the best cat ever from dogs not being on their leashes! I love dogs too but.....I lost a good friend because of it!

[rij73]

When you don't have your dogs on leash, it's like a big "screw you" to the people you come across who might be afraid of dogs. You might know your dog is an angel and perfectly trained, but some people are truly afraid of dogs with or without reason, and I think it's only fair to take them into consideration. I walk my dog on a 4-foot leash in the city, and even then he has scared the daylights out of people on occasion. He is a sweetie pie, but he likes to make eye contact with people and walk up to strangers out of curiosity. I've trained him to stay practically surgically attached to my knee now, but when I first got him, there were people who really flinched as he went towards them.

[emily_in_nc]

I can't tell you how many small dogs I had to pay vet bills for because their owners had them off leash and they ran at us! Multiple times, my dog picked up theirs, shook them, and then tossed them in the bushes. And yet I was the one responsible for the vet bills because MY dog hurt theirs. Nice.

This happened to me, but we were the small-dog owners. Our neighbor's golden retriever picked up our Boston Terrier Pepper (the BT we had before our current pup Paisley) and shook her. I know that Pepper instigated the "attack" because she didn't like other dogs at all, unfortunately. BUT...there were mitigating circumstances: this happened on OUR property (neighbors dogs ran onto it when they saw our dog), and our dog was on leash, our neighbor's dog was not. So, I didn't feel guilty taking the payment he offered for our vet bill. Pepper was pretty seriously hurt...scary.

We never, ever let any dog of ours off leash off our property. Since I fractured my pelvis in my road-cycling accident three years ago due to loose dogs running out at me, I'm absolutely adamant about this.

Emily

[Brandi]

When you don't have your dogs on leash, it's like a big "screw you" to the people you come across who might be afraid of dogs. You might know your dog is an angel and perfectly trained, but some people are truly afraid of dogs with or without reason, and I think it's only fair to take them into consideration. I walk my dog on a 4-foot leash in the city, and even then he has scared the daylights out of people on occasion. He is a sweetie pie, but he likes to make eye contact with people and walk up to strangers out of curiosity. I've trained him to stay practically surgically attached to my knee now, but when I first got him, there were people who really flinched as he went towards them.
And he looks like a sweet boy too!

[Trek420]

I have been alerted by people screaming at their out of control dogs.... "GET BACK HERE! HEY!!" and then i hear the dog running towards me......

"GET BACK HERE! HEY!!" is not a verbal command. :mad: Most dogs (unless their Mall's mutts super smart seeing eye pups) do not understand sentences. My mutt has a pretty reasonable "Mae come" response once I discovered it's not the words but a particular tone.

I could yell "beige HUM" or "cage YUM" with the same inflection and tone, she'd come. :)

But how well do you know your dog? If she saw a squirrel or another dog or a delicious bit of ewwwww to roll in would she run to you? I'm not sure so that's another reason Mae stays on leash.

[tulip]

My mutt has a pretty reasonable "Mae come" response once I discovered it's not the words but a particular tone.

I could yell "beige HUM" or "cage YUM" with the same inflection and tone, she'd come. :)

My mom had a dog named Honey Lamb. She had to give her away, and the lady who took her just couldn't stand the way-too-sweet name, so changed it to Cunningham. The dog never knew the difference.

[rij73]

And he looks like a sweet boy too!

Yes, he is the sweetest. Wouldn't hurt a fly. He's just always looking to make new friends! :D

[GLC1968]

This happened to me, but we were the small-dog owners. Our neighbor's golden retriever picked up our Boston Terrier Pepper (the BT we had before our current pup Paisley) and shook her. I know that Pepper instigated the "attack" because she didn't like other dogs at all, unfortunately. BUT...there were mitigating circumstances: this happened on OUR property (neighbors dogs ran onto it when they saw our dog), and our dog was on leash, our neighbor's dog was not. So, I didn't feel guilty taking the payment he offered for our vet bill. Pepper was pretty seriously hurt...scary.

We never, ever let any dog of ours off leash off our property. Since I fractured my pelvis in my road-cycling accident three years ago due to loose dogs running out at me, I'm absolutely adamant about this.

Emily

Emily - In that case, yes, they should pay the bill! My parents had to do that once because their big golden yanked the leash out of their hands and chased a dog into a bush where they couldn't reach her. Luckily, the small dog didn't fight back after the initial 'attack' so injuries were light.

In my case, my dog WAS on a leash...theirs wasn't. I only had to pay because I had the bigger dog who did the most damage. It's so NOT fair since I was the responsible one. But what can you do when it's your neighbors? Luckily, the bills were financially manageable.

[jobob]

Back when we lived in Richmond our dear departed Bozo Kitty was sitting on our front steps, and probably thumbed his kitty nose at a passing pit bull being walked on the sidewalk in front of our house. Wise, he was not. :rolleyes:

Said pit bull broke free of his leash and proceeded to make mincemeat of Bozo. The pit bull got a few good scratches for his effort though, Bozo was quite the fighter himself.

After Lee tried to pull them apart :eek: with no success (meanwhile the piece-of-sh!t owner screaming at Lee not to hurt her dog!! :mad:), Lee ran into the house to grab a lead pipe with the full intent to bash the pit bull's brains in, but by the time he got back out the piece-of-sh!t owner and her vermin had run down the street and jumped into a car & sped off.

Needless to say, Lee was devastated, he and Boze were good buds. As was I, but I didn't have to live through the experience of watching our beloved pet being mauled on our front steps, and then have to load him up and speed him to the vet. Bozo's injuries were way too severe to keep him alive and suffering, so he had to be put to sleep. Even the vet was choked up - Bozo was a very beloved kitty.

So, I have zero tollerance for dog owners who can't, or are too lazy, to control their dogs.

And I used to loathe pit bulls on sight, until I met a friend's, which is one of the sweetest dogs imaginable.

[snapdragen]

And I used to loathe pit bulls on sight, until I met a friend's, which is one of the sweetest dogs imaginable.

Would that be mr simon? :)

[jobob]

Indeed it would. :cool:

[BadgerGirl]

I enjoy allowing my dog to run without a leash, but not to anyone's expense. I have even gone as far as getting a waistband leash for running. I agree, most people don't have the slightest training for their "wonderful" dog. My dog has been to ALOT of training classes and I still don't trust him completely. When he is off-leash, in an unpopulated area, he has an e-collar on.

I also have been attacked by dogs who are off leash. I get in front of my 75lb German Shepherd and actually kick at the other dogs and say "no" really loud. I know he can eat most dogs, but it is my job to be the pack leader and engage in fights.

I hope you are feeling better MP and enjoy the wine.

[coyote]

I enjoy allowing my dog to run without a leash, but not to anyone's expense. I have even gone as far as getting a waistband leash for running. I agree, most people don't have the slightest training for their "wonderful" dog. My dog has been to ALOT of training classes and I still don't trust him completely. When he is off-leash, in an unpopulated area, he has an e-collar on.



All too true! Its good to hear. My dogs have been to a lot of training also. One of them is a service dog. I do not have them off leash ever. I used to not be that way until the service dog almost got hit by a car when he suddenly chased a cat. His loss would have been devastating to my SO. So, for my safety and my dogs I always keep them on a leash. You just never know, they do have a mind of their own and it can happen so fast.

[TxDoc]

I have to disagree here. I think dogs SHOULD ALWAYS BE UNDER CONTROL, but that doesn't necessarily mean leashed.

Yes, totally agree. Some people (I'm one of them) own working dogs that have been trained off-leash on purpose. Whenever we are in a town where it's allowed I walk the dog off-lead, and he never caused any problems anywhere.


Because of a few (or even many) bad owners I don't think the rest of us should have to leash our dogs at all times.

Of course in most cities the law assumes that dogs are not well-trained (and that is unfortunately true of many), and so we all have to walk our dogs on a lead. But the real issue is not the leash: some dogs on a leash are more dangerous than a well-trained dog walking free. The key is control and proper training. The leash is one of the tools available to control a dog, like voice, electric collar, etc... the main problem is that many owners have no idea how to control their dogs, with a leash or without.

Hope you and your dog are feeling better maillotpois, enjoy your wine and relax!

[Trek420]

Jobob, Leebob and late Bozo kitty,

That is so sad. On behalf of all pits and pit-mixes Mae sends a tail wag. She likes cats if she considers them "her cat" that is knows them. If I could only get her to behave with dogs as she does with cats. :o

Unfortunately with most pits it's the *&^ owner not the dog.

And yes, that Simon is the best'est smile'y wiggle-butt dog ever :)

[bmccasland]

Yesterday evening I was walking my dog, almost home when a neighbor's dog streaked from it's front yard and attacked my dog. I saw the attack coming, and managed to yank Nala's leash to pull her away from the other dog just as it was trying to bite her neck. I twisted around, and came an inch from planting a swift kick on the dog. Meanwhile the owner has opened her door and called it back. Fortunately for all, the free dog trotted off, and returned home.

So I continue home, but stop at a neighbor's house, who had seen the whole thing. Her son checks Nala over, but other than a bit of saliva, no harm done. Her wooly coat around her neck has saved it again - Nala is an Aussie shepherd / border collie mix and has a rather thick ruff (and since it hasn't turned permanently hot yet, she hasn't been shaved for the summer). Anyway as we humans were talking, man drives up, turns out he's the owner of the dog. He appologizes, and says his dog is "always in the back yard, and always on a teather". Yeah, right. What really got me was he said his dog didn't mean any harm. Right, I just imagined the attempt to bite my dog on her neck. There was no butt sniffing, the dog was in attack mode.

I'm just thankful that the dog went home when called. So at least part of it's brain was listening.

[Tuckervill]

Of course in most cities the law assumes that dogs are not well-trained (and that is unfortunately true of many), and so we all have to walk our dogs on a lead. But the real issue is not the leash: some dogs on a leash are more dangerous than a well-trained dog walking free. The key is control and proper training. The leash is one of the tools available to control a dog, like voice, electric collar, etc... the main problem is that many owners have no idea how to control their dogs, with a leash or without.

It is an impossibly high standard to expect every owner to be able to control their dog as you do and provide homes for the millions of dogs in our country who are lucky enough to have one.

Do you think only competent, highly skilled people should have dogs? Well no. So that's what the leash law is for.

Karen

[roadie gal]

It is an impossibly high standard to expect every owner to be able to control their dog as you do and provide homes for the millions of dogs in our country who are lucky enough to have one.

Do you think only competent, highly skilled people should have dogs? Well no. So that's what the leash law is for.

Karen

So leash laws are an excuse for people to not train their dogs? I agree, it's much easier to just drag your dog around on a leash than to spend the large amount of time and effort training it. And I agree that most people don't want to spend that time. I just think that those of us who do put in the effort shouldn't suffer for those who don't.

Just giving a bit more thought here... There are certain breeds that can't be trusted off leash like sighthounds, but most can if you put in the time and effort.

[Tuckervill]

Think about the elderly, the infirm, children with a new puppy. There are all kinds of variations on dog+owner. Not everyone has the time, inclination or ability to train their dog as you would. A leash protects us all.

I'm not saying that every dog should never be off leash ever. I just think most people who think they have ultimate control over their dog off-leash have just not been in the right circumstances to be proven wrong, yet.

THANK YOU for being a responsible dog owner. There are varying degrees of what that means. There's room for everyone, and there are plenty of places where it's legal for your dog to be off-leash. If it's illegal, put the leash on.

Karen

[Eden]

I'd like to say a big thanks to Rij73 - she is my definition of a responsible dog owner. Sometimes its not just about how well behaved the dog is - its about the other people who are potentially around you. While it may be perfectly safe to walk your perfectly trained, unleashed dog down the path I ride to work - *I don't know that*. I don't know the person or their unleashed dog, I don't know if the dog is prone to chase or bite, I don't know if the dog is prone to jump and beyond any of that, the dog could easliy just accidentally walk out in front of me or appear suddenly around a corner. It's disrespectful to others to not leash your dogs in areas that it is required - and dare I say, even areas that are highly public, even if it is not required. So give us all peace of mind and please leash your dogs, even the perfect ones.

[OakLeaf]

I'd like to say a big thanks to Rij73 - she is my definition of a responsible dog owner. Sometimes its not just about how well behaved the dog is - its about the other people who are potentially around you. While it may be perfectly safe to walk your perfectly trained, unleashed dog down the path I ride to work - *I don't know that*. I don't know the person or their unleashed dog, I don't know if the dog is prone to chase or bite, I don't know if the dog is prone to jump and beyond any of that, the dog could easliy just accidentally walk out in front of me or appear suddenly around a corner. It's disrespectful to others to not leash your dogs in areas that it is required - and dare I say, even areas that are highly public, even if it is not required. So give us all peace of mind and please leash your dogs, even the perfect ones.

+1

I feel the same way about "invisible fences." When I ride by and the dog charges the property line, I don't know the fence is there, or if I do, I don't know the dog's pain threshold or how badly s/he wants to chase me.

Never mind the other very valid criticisms of "invisible fences" of course.

[bikerz]

Well, Simon has been walking around all smug and full of himself recently, and now, after reading this thread and the compliments from his TE friends, I can see why! :rolleyes:

Simon's very well behaved on a leash, heels well, and sits instantly when commanded, but if a dog were to come charging up off leash, or on a long leash, and he's decided that dog is a threat, the consequences could be serious for everyone involved. I'm pretty sure I could break it up before anyone gets hurt, but I don't want that kind of risk or upset. So he gets his long walks very late at night when no one else is around.

I'd love to take him for walks in the many trails around here that allow dogs on leashes, but every time I've been on one of them (without him), I see several people with their dogs off leash, or not under adequate control.

I think it is a very small percentage of owners who truly have total control (voice and otherwise) over their own dogs, in any situation. And even if those owners have total control over their dog, they certainly won't have it over anyone else's dog, on or off leash. This, to me, is the justification for a leash law. In urban/sub-urban areas, I think all of us should should have our dogs on leash, because it is a prudent and courteous way to protect our pets, other people, and their pets.

[bmccasland]

One other small thought. Nala has gotten up there in years, is pretty deaf, and going blind. She still walks pretty spry, and well, our neighborhood is flat, so on a brisk walk, she really doesn't show her age. I digress. I'm having problems with the communication part, calling her when she's off leash (like in the yard). I've been working with hand signals, but she has to be LOOKING at me. Doesn't do much good to do a hand signal to her behind. :o So I try to stay viligant that she's on her leash, and I'm attached to the other end when we're out of the yard.

[maillotpois]

Wow - Beth - sorry about the attack on Nala! :(

I have to say there may be circumstances, for example if you are on back trails in bear country, where I suspect roadie gal is, where maybe it is safer to have your dog off leash. I don't know. I try to stay away from bears. :cool: Every situation is different. But I have to say if you're around other people and dogs at all, it has to be safer for everyone - not the least of which being the dog to use a leash.

I spent a lot of time and money training my rottweiler, because I knew she'd end up stronger than me, even on a leash. That was money and time well spent. Russo came to us fully trained, so we were lucky there. But kudos to all of you who have spent the time and money to train your dogs.

[nancielle]

Maillotpois, I hope you're feeling better. What a scary experience to have to go through.

I never let Chloe (Chow Chow/GSD mix/and, I'm convinced, a touch of 'fraidy cat) off her leash. She can be reactive toward dogs who bark/lunge at her. She is unpredictable around cyclists, skateboarders & scooters (which my neighborhood seems to have boatloads of). If we see someone on one of these while on our walks, I pull her aside, as far as possible, until they pass. Sometimes she's uninterested other times a bit too interested. She's getting better with voice commands but not enough that I trust her off leash, especially with other distractions around (squirrels, cats, etc. Her best bud is a cat who lives in our building so she thinks every cat wants to play with her like Jethro does.) The street we live on is very busy traffic-wise and I don't want her darting out in front of a car. She doesn't have a history of biting but I don't want someone or some animal to become the first.

I'm not sure how much training, if any, Chloe got with her original owner. I do know that she had regular training for the short time she was at the rescue but we're still working on behaviors that need improvement. She's better than she was 10 months ago when I adopted her but I need to be mindful that not everyone views her as I do, a lovable slug, and what they see is a Chow (a dog with a dangerous rep to begin with) who may or may not harm them.

[PinkBike]

While it may be perfectly safe to walk your perfectly trained, unleashed dog down the path I ride to work - *I don't know that*. I don't know the person or their unleashed dog, I don't know if the dog is prone to chase or bite, I don't know if the dog is prone to jump and beyond any of that, the dog could easliy just accidentally walk out in front of me or appear suddenly around a corner.

+1 to Eden!

i know some people have great control of their dogs, but as i'm approaching on my bicycle i dont know you, i dont know your dog, i dont know what its going to do.

so unless i see cesar millan with 'daddy' and a camera crew i am going to be afraid of your dog.

so while i have issues about dogs, i'm sure, i think dog owners have responsibilities to control their beasts, uh i mean pooches, and courtesy to keep them leashed so i can be assured they're controlled.