Leashes, Dogs and elderly Ladies on the Trails

[rebeccaC]

Shared paths are just that. I don't expect to control what others do....that just gets me frustrated! That’s why I usually don’t ride on paths used by walkers/casual users. I also always ride defensively on any route I’m on. As I walked around her I would have asked how she would feel being held financially liable for the damage and pain and suffering her actions caused a cyclist and left it at that.

[OakLeaf]

I don't get the hate on retractable leads. Sure, there are people who don't use them appropriately, but that goes for bicycles, cars and strollers too. I can reel in a dog faster and more securely on a retractable lead than I could on a 4' fixed lead (AND still have my other hand free for carrying something, holding a child's hand, or walking another dog) - which, 4' of fixed lead is more than long enough to cause problems for cyclists and runners. I surely don't expect people on the MUPs to be walking their dogs on show leads.

[NbyNW]

I think a lot of people use retractable leads because they think that they will tire their dog out by letting the dog run circles around them, instead of just taking a longer walk and teaching the dog how to walk properly without pulling. I was absolutely guilty of this when I was a new dog owner. I have two instances of near-injury with these things:

1. When I was learning how to walk my dog, maybe that first couple of weeks, I tried this because I wanted to walk the dog less (he's really my husband's dog) and have more time for cycling. There was a moment when we were in a park, dog saw a squirrel and took off at breakneck speed, all the while the leash is letting out more line. This is a 50-lb dog running at top speed. Me, 110-lbs and standing still. I had to make a quick decision to either hold onto the lead cartridge or let it go -- because either the dog was going to pull my arm out, or if I let go the cartridge would get caught on something and the dog would get hurt at the neck, or the dog would stop running and the cartridge would retract and hit him in the head. I quickly fixed the lead length as best I could and let go. Thankfully neither of us got hurt.

2. About 6 months later my dog was impeccable on a 6' leash. While out on a walk, we slowed to exchange greetings with a random other dog walker walking two small hyper dogs on retracto-leashes coming the other way. One of the little dogs proceeded to run circles around my dog, resulting in two wraps of very thin line around my dog's neck. Thankfully I was able to untangle him before the line got tightened around his neck. Henceforth, when I see someone with this type of lead, I will go out of my way to stay out of their range. My dog already had enough trauma before we adopted him, he doesn't need any more from people who don't know how to handle their dogs. This is why I hate retractable leashes.

[Norse]

Kajero, I pretty much avoid the multi-use trails around the Twin Cities during the summer months, especially the ones around the lakes, for just this reason. There are far too many self-centered idiots on those trails and it's just not worth it. The roads - especially wide-shouldered or with bike lanes - are safer for a cyclist. I do wander over to those trails in early spring (but not this year!) and late fall as then I can enjoy the scenery without being worried about the hordes of clueless wonders.

[kajero]

Kajero, I pretty much avoid the multi-use trails around the Twin Cities during the summer months, especially the ones around the lakes, for just this reason. There are far too many self-centered idiots on those trails and it's just not worth it. The roads - especially wide-shouldered or with bike lanes - are safer for a cyclist. I do wander over to those trails in early spring (but not this year!) and late fall as then I can enjoy the scenery without being worried about the hordes of clueless wonders.

But the streets around the lakes are busy with people driving who looking at the lakes and not paying any mind to anyone else who might be on the street or even crossing it! I guess nothing is safe.

[GLC1968]

Heh, I thought about this thread on my way into work this morning. There is a short part of my commute where bicycles are not allowed on the road and there is a MUP on both sides of the road for us to use. I'm only on it for maybe a quarter mile before I get to my office parking lot so typically, it's no big deal. Today there was a guy walking two dogs, very slowly, almost shuffling. Both dogs were on long leashes (probably more than 6' which is what we use) and kind if milling about the guys feet. They were all definitely taking up the whole path.

I slowed down to a crawl, yelled 'cyclist passing on your left!' and waited for a response. Nothing. As I got closer, I said it again and again, zero movement from the guy. Luckily, the dogs chose to acknowledge me the second time and moved closer to him so that I could pass. When I did, I could hear music...so clearly he couldn't hear me. So aggravating! Thank heaven for sensible dogs!

There were two other cyclists behind me that I'd passed not to long previous, so hopefully he kind of woke up and paid attention after I passed.

Yet another reason I hate most MUP's.

[lgibster]

We have at lot of MUPs here and I have the same problem with the leashes, however it all boils down to the person on the other end of the leash. I walk my dog on a retracto leash and love it, but I am also very careful to pull him in when a cyclist or jogger approach. As a walker there is nothing that makes me madder that a cyclist that is going 20 MPH on a MUP except maybe a line of them from the local club, slow down and save it for the streets. As a cyclist on our MUPs there is nothing more frustrating to me than people who aren't responsible with their kids or pets. Can we use leashes on children? If your kid is walking or riding please explain that running out in front of a cyclist to see if they can "beat them across" can get everyone killed. I am not a cyclist that whizzes past you at 20 MPH, but there is no need to have your 3 kids covering the entire path leaving no room for other walkers/joggers or cyclist. I agree there are rude cyclist on the trail that even other cyclist like myself hate because they give the rest of us a bad public image. Mutual respect is what is needed where everyone can enjoy the MUPs. But I do wish we could fix stupid.

[luvmyguys]

I don't get the hate on retractable leads. Sure, there are people who don't use them appropriately, but that goes for bicycles, cars and strollers too. I can reel in a dog faster and more securely on a retractable lead than I could on a 4' fixed lead (AND still have my other hand free for carrying something, holding a child's hand, or walking another dog) - which, 4' of fixed lead is more than long enough to cause problems for cyclists and runners. I surely don't expect people on the MUPs to be walking their dogs on show leads.

I feel like I can train the dogs better with the retractable lead. I can keep it shorter and keep the dog closer to me without cutting the circulation off to my fingertips by . But it does require looking ahead of time to reel the dog in when the situation might warrant (which, in our case, is any other animal, a street, or a person working in the yard - to name only few).

Blame the owner, not the equipment. (Just like inconsiderate cyclists - it's not cycling, it's the rider.)

[tealtreak]

It is not just multi-use trails that are abused by ignorant ______..... Our fav IMBA built trails are in a park that boasts multi-use trails and BIKE ONLY (freeride features); both clearly marked by signs and on the trail maps. Twice I have screamed around a berm to find hikers sauntering near the bottom of a jump! Additionally, last week -there was an older couple walking up and down a seesaw... it would be funny except as I explained to them...the young adult males who fly past here are going WAY faster than I....and when they cream you whose fault is it? The signs say "biking only!"

[Irulan]

I feel like I can train the dogs better with the retractable lead. I can keep it shorter and keep the dog closer to me without cutting the circulation off to my fingertips by . But it does require looking ahead of time to reel the dog in when the situation might warrant (which, in our case, is any other animal, a street, or a person working in the yard - to name only few).

Blame the owner, not the equipment. (Just like inconsiderate cyclists - it's not cycling, it's the rider.)

Why the hate on retracto leashes? Here's why:

If a dog is trained properly to heel on a slack leash, there should never ever be problems with circulation getting cut off in the hands. These days, I see that very very few dogs trained to walk at heel on a slack leash. They are either pulling on a 6' leash, pulling and running all over on a retracto leash, or they are wearing a haltie type muzzle that prevents them from pulling. Whatever happened to just training the dog how to walk on a leash? Don't tell me it's difficult - I took a Malamute to ribbons in obedience many years ago, and that is a kind of dog that is born to pull.
You shouldn't have to "reel him in when the situation warrants". A well trained dog focuses on his owner, not all the other stuff happening around them. Or, they know it's happening but they focus on the trainer, not the squirrel.

/rant off.

[luvmyguys]

Why the hate on retracto leashes? Here's why:

If a dog is trained properly to heel on a slack leash, there should never ever be problems with circulation getting cut off in the hands. These days, I see that very very few dogs trained to walk at heel on a slack leash. They are either pulling on a 6' leash, pulling and running all over on a retracto leash, or they are wearing a haltie type muzzle that prevents them from pulling. Whatever happened to just training the dog how to walk on a leash? Don't tell me it's difficult - I took a Malamute to ribbons in obedience many years ago, and that is a kind of dog that is born to pull.
You shouldn't have to "reel him in when the situation warrants". A well trained dog focuses on his owner, not all the other stuff happening around them. Or, they know it's happening but they focus on the trainer, not the squirrel.

/rant off.

All I'm saying is that it's a different sort of training. I don't see why one way is better than the other.

Sorry you're having a bad day.

[Trek-chick]

When I took my terrier puppy to puppy kindergarten we were not allowed to bring retractable leashes. I think for good reason. I do not even use them until my dogs are about 1 year or walk nicely on a regular lead BUT, I like them and will continue to use them. They do lock in place and can be set at certain lengths.

I like to use them on walks to give the dogs a little more freedom to explore. I would never let either of my dogs off leash and the retractable ones give them a bit more freedom. I think if used responsibly, there is nothing wrong with them.

There is a time and place for them and the MUP on a busy summer day is NOT it.. People just need to use their brains LOL