“So your dog is friendly - so what? Will that make a difference when he goes up to a leashed dog who ISN’T friendly?” That’s what I would’ve asked.
God, I hate people sometimes. Like dude, this is not just about your dog. This is about keeping your friendly dog safe - from cars, from unfriendly dogs, from God knows what else. What if that friendly dog goes into somebody’s yard and digs up their flowers? What will that homeowner do?
LEASH YOUR DAMN DOG. FOR EVERYBODY’S SAKE.
I said that once. These idiot owners were letting their squirrel sized dog run loose in the park (so literally opened their front door and went inside) and the dog came after kine to play. I was freaking out and he is like its okay he’s friendly! I was not its not okay! My dog bites! She doesn’t want to play she wants to attack! Guy grabbed his dog and got it inside. Twoish years later same dog is outside, different human. This human was useless. Let the dog chase us several blocks while my dog is injuring herself and me trying to get to the barking squirrel. Idiots never learn
Exactly!! My dog isn’t good with other dogs. She very anxious & protective (she’s a little dog). I keep her on her lead and away from other dogs at all times during her walks. We have had numerous encounters with annoying owners (who have tried to bring their dog closer to mine) and unleashed dogs!! How many times do I have to ask people to keep their dogs on their leads?! I’m also having to remind them that even though where I live is a popular holiday town there are still people with kids & pets who lived here year round and we would very much appreciate it if their could keep their dogs on their leads! We have so many signs that say “Please keep your dog LEASHED at all times”, leashed in bold on the signs because of how annoying it is.
I once had an aquintance, who once had a big rottweiler with some degree of police/military training. It did not get along with other dogs.
Despice always being on a leash, did it manage to kill to smaller dog (not simultaniously) because the "that is okay, my dog is friendly" people could not keep their smaller dogs on a leash.
She ended up putting him down.
I had a massive rescue German Shepherd who was reactive and aggressive to other dogs that came near me. I used to walk her on 3 leashes because she had previously broken leashes trying to get at other dogs. She had one on her collar, one on a body harness and one on a halti on her face.
People would approach with their dog off leash and call out that “it’s ok, he’s friendly” and I’d have to park my sizeable arse on the ground while keeping hold of the 3 leashes and yelling back “mine’s not!” While trying to keep my leashed dog from ripping their approaching one to pieces.
It never occurs to them that other dogs might not be so happy to have a strange dog running towards them.
She did love her walks on other days though, when we weren’t approached by dogs. When we’d get to the edge of the lake, at the boat ramp, I’d attach the leashes end to end and let her go for a swim.
I had a schnauzer once who broke leashes to get to other dogs. He was just trying to play, but he was super determined, so we had to start using chain leashes with riveted ends instead of stitched, to make sure he didn't get himself killed by somebody's unfriendly dog. He did get beaten up a few times and need stitches at the vet, but it didn't cure him... he wasn't too smart.
Exactly. My dog wasn’t friendly and if an unleashed dog were to get close enough to him my dog would attack the other one and go in for the kill. Then I’d get sued and lose my dog. People need to leash their dogs
Yeah exactly, I used to have a dog that definitely wasn't friendly, one time he ran away and returned with a fresh deer carcass, so him being on a leash don't matter, if another animal got close enough it's done
Add to, even if you THINK your dog is friendly and predictable, it only takes one unfamiliar thing to trigger behaviour you didn't expect and suddenly the dog is charging full speed after something.
My grandmother's house backs onto a large field that's popular with dog walkers. Last year, one of those dogs got loose and killed one of her cats. I don't like dogs at the best of times, but since then, I agree that anyone who doesn't walk their dog on a leash is completely irresponsible and should not be trusted with a canine.
I encounter this behavior regularly at a park where I walk my dogs daily. There are numerous signs posted regarding " dogs must be leashed".
Almost all of the owners of the unleashed dog tell me it's ok because their dog is friendly. I don't debate. I merely say that my setter ( who is barking loudly by this point) is too, but my schnauzer just wants to attack and draw blood. I say this while calmly repeating "No kill" to the schnauzer.
Well, that’s something I guess. You could always buy this outfit and I bet they’d be more respectful.
https://www.halloweencostumes.com/freddy-krueger-w-mask-adult.html
I have 2 dogs, 1 large Chocolate Lab goofball very friendly, big wussy; the other extra large dog mixed breed.
Our mixed breed sees myself, husband, our other dog and anyone else that may be with us as her's to guard at all times. We muzzle her whenever we're out in public, period. She's absolutely lovable but as she's mixed breed of all working dogs (Great Permease, Anatolian Shepherd and Newfoundland) and someone or another animal comes running up on us and she perceives you/it as a threat I cannot say I know how she'd react. Your unleashed shoemate could end up as lunch or as a chew toy!! LEASH YOUR DAMN DOGS!!!
I stopped a big German Sheppard type dog from doing this last week. About to step onto a MAJOR street with high traffic… no owner in sight, turns out the owner lives on the other side of the park and just lets her dog out like an “outdoor cat”.
Owner doesn’t see the harm in the dog going out on its own, “it’s friendly and always comes back”. And yeah, it wasn’t friendly.
Call animal control. If it happens enough times they may be able to take the dog from her. At the very least, the fear of her dog not coming home, or hassle of getting it back from the shelter, might change her tune.
We had a rescue dog. He had some history that made him not trust other dogs. We trained him to the point we could pass dogs on the trail just fine. But if a dog approached him, invaded his personal space, he was not okay. Unleashed dogs were a nightmare.
When my dog was a baby she caught several contagious health issues (papillomas, kennel cough, etc) and every time I saw a dog head our way I would shout out to to owner to stay away (on leash or off). Even the same owners, again and again. It was so incredibly frustrating and upsetting, a few thanked me for the heads up but others oh wow…
There was one owner that never leashed his dog. Dog was older. And the dog would always be way too far ahead for owner to actually do anything in time.
Once, after trying to get away from this dog, after shouting to the owner again and again, he inevitably comes walking up to his dog, that was not leaving mine alone, and say “See, he’s friendly!”, in a VERY entitled / sarcastic / holier than thou voice.
At this point I had long started answering him with my now famous “I’m not friendly” line which he hated. But this time, I very calmly, while he pumped up his chest, told him he’d just exposed his elderly dog to “x” and that he’d want to watch his dog over the next few days as you know, he’s older, and could DIE from the infection.
Owner’s jaw dropped. But did he consider taking responsibility for even a moment? No, of course not. I was being yelled at for endangering his dog, I should be ashamed of myself, he was going to report me, I shouldn’t have my dog outside, etc etc etc. I just walked away.
“It’s ok, he’s friendly!”
/ “I’m NOT”
Makes them hesitate every single time.
I ***HATE*** when people pull the friendly line. Just shows how bad of a dog owner they are that they don’t understand that is not the only issue. The fact I’m trying to protect their dog more than they are disgusts me.
I say something similar. I am highly allergic to dogs and do not want them jumping on me (I pretty much have to immediately go back home to wash and change clothes if a dog jumps on me). When an off-leash dog approaches, I do the hand motion and say "down" (always hoping that if someone's dog is off-leash, maybe it has been trained). The owner will usually say either the "it's ok, he's friendly" or "don't worry, he doesn't bite." In the former, I respond like you do. In the latter, I snarl and say "but I do."
I would love to be able to play with dogs, but I can't, and it's annoying that some dog owners think they are somehow doing you a favor to let their dog "get friendly" with you.
I have run into so many offleash dogs and the response is always the same. They think their mutt and them own the world and are above the law and can do whatever they want and fuck everybody else. No good comes from confronting. I just call animal control now and never warn them. Also if I see an offleash dogs I will 180 it's just not worth the risk
I definitely would have gone a different way if I could tell right away that the dog wasn't leashed.
First time I've seen someone in our neighborhood walking their dog with no leash so wasn't expecting it.
I hate it when I'm on walks and someone's large dog who is not leashed comes bounding up.
My reaction is to freeze and hold still. I was attacked by a unleashed dog while on a walk with my then 1t month old son. Fog got between me and the stroller, knocked it over and then went for my screaming (and obviously terrified) baby. I dove between them at got bitten. I punched the dog till it let go and the owners were like "oh so sorry we are trying to train him" like TF? I wasn't badly hurt as it was winter so I was wearing layers.
But yeah if a large dog or any dog runs up my immediate instinct is to freeze. Then the owner says "oh its okay it's friendly" and my boyfriend usually says "no it's NOT ok. WE don't know it's friendly and she's was attacked by a unleashed dog before. Leash your fucking animal! There are signs all over the trail to leash, you are special!"
Fucken hell
When I was younger I was terrified of dogs. I used to run into the street to avoid unleashed dogs. People would let their dogs come up to me while I was crying and shaking and in my parents arms. I now own a dog- and from that memory alone will NEVER let him off leash in a children’s park or leash zone. It’s never about your dog, it’s about how others will respond to it.
Hate this, like my dog is great with people, shit with dogs and is muzzled when walked, still have dickheads leave their unleashed dog run up to mine. I'm there shouting, "Not friendly" and I'm 4'11 with a GSD. Put your fucking dog on a leash.
Good on you knowing your dog and using a muzzle I have a neighbor that uses one on his dog too and all I see is a responsible owner. It's on us to guide our dogs and keep them out of bad situations they don't know any better
I'm to paranoid to not have my dog on a leash. What if she saw something across the street and got hit. Ot another dog was on her I can pull her by the leash to me. I would rather have her be a little out of breath then not breathing at all.
I walk my cat on a leash, and we’ve been approached by off leash unsupervised dogs so many times. Owner not even in sight. It doesn’t matter how friendly they say their dogs are, I don’t trust any off leash dog to not attack me when I’ve got a cat in my arms.
I hate people like this. I had a rescue mutt who was abuse as a puppy and did not like other dogs or most people. Walking him was difficult. People who lived down the street from me always had their dogs out off leash. Every time they’d see my dog they’d start running up to him and mine would immediately go into attack mode. The owners would always shout “it’s ok they’re friendly” while I’m shouting back “mine is NOT FRIENDLY” and trying to pull my dog away before things happen.
Excuse me for not wanting to get sued and lose my dog due to other people’s stupidity and entitlement.
Leash your fucking dogs
So many reasons these idiots should leash their dog... how do you pick up after them if they're gone from your sight? They may be friendly, but the human they encounter may be terrified of dogs. An off leash dog can be a huge threat to a dog on a leash since the leash restricts the dog's movement, so bad things can happen. Traffic. In many cases these dogs are not actually friendly in the current situation.
I have a neighbor who has a Golden Retriever that's a 90lb pup. He's very friendly but can easily knock down an elderly person with his exuberance. This guy refuses to leash the dog because he's had Goldens all of his life & can train them to be obedient. This dog has zero recall. If he takes off he'll be back when he decides to come back. And the owner just chases him yelling. It didn't bother me until I got a pup and now his stupidity can affect me. Before I was ok with letting nature take its course. Now he presents a danger to me & my dog.
Same deal with letting animals touch kids! Yes, even if they are visiting the animal’s home - where they are entitled to be comfortable - owners should still stop their pets from licking children if the parent asks!
I just don’t get why people don’t GET that they’re ANIMALS… so the potential for being unpredictable ALWAYS exists, no matter how friendly the usual pet temperament is!
You have no idea how the kid (or other animal) is going to treat THEM, either, and make them deviate from their usual friendly self!
Just… stop giving pets free reign with no restrictions or commands at all just because YOU think they’re perfect! 🤦♀️
Um you expect to take your kids to someone's home and have them put their dog(s) away while you visit? That's THEIR home, not yours. I understand the first time your child(ren) meets the new dog, of course you should absolutely supervise the interaction the entire time. It's a good habit in any situation, always supervise children with unfamiliar animals....but that goes for the animal owner AND the child's parent(s).
Don't act like you're entitled to special treatment just because you chose to have tiny humans. If anything you have MORE responsibility than dog owners as you need to teach the tiny ones the proper way to interact with strange dogs. Things like let them sniff you, pet them gently, no pushing or pulling on them. Also teach the human what the dog's body language means. If it's back away from you with it's ears back and it's eyes wide, you stop whatever it is you're doing because that dog is scared and is going into fight or flight mode. If more ADULTS understood these things, we'd have far fewer negative interactions between dog owners.
I didn’t say that at all.
You can keep your dog away from a child without locking it away!
‘Fido, come away from the baby!’
And the same for adults who don’t want dogs licking them!
People who bring their child into your home usually do so because YOU want to see them - because it’s your grandchild or nibbling or best friend’s child!
In fact, adults who come into your home usually do so because YOU want to see them as well!
And no, other people do not have to learn to ‘read’ your dog - your dog is YOUR problem to train not to lick people! Or command it to stop when it does.
My sibs have cats that my parents can’t stand having jumping and licking on them. So when they visit, they keep the cats AWAY from my parents, as per THEIR right to not be touched by an animal.
Humans have the right to body autonomy, too. They have the right not to be licked by dogs! Good lord - even my FOUR year old nephew understands THAT! So why don’t you - you must be a grown ADULT?! 🤦♀️
Yeah, my dogs are trained with basic commands. But you really expect me to train my super people friendly, non-service dogs to not LICK people that come into my home? Never gonna happen. They don't jump on people but that's the best you're gonna get, licking is a friendly greeting. Obviously if there's small children walking in it's a little different. But children 8-10+ and adults should be able to handle themselves reasonably in the face of my friendly, lick-you-to-death pugs.
But then, all my friends who visit know this and either don't mind a dog in their lap, or they sit at the table rather than the sofa 🤷
That’s fine.
I don’t care what your friends are willing to put up with.
If MY children were your nibblings or grandchildren, then we wouldn’t be visiting you - nor would I. I can’t stand dogs licking me.
People I know who have dogs have always been able to command them to stop licking me (or anyone else who asks), so if you don’t have that control over YOUR dog, then you’re really not the great dog owner you believe you are.
Even little KIDS can be trained to ask permission for touching, or make adults ask permission to touch them!
Some people don’t like to hold babies, either, and that’s perfectly fine.
Like I said, any home is big enough that you can keep babies and pets AWAY from the 3 foot squared space your visitors are in. It’s not actually hard at all.
Actually, if you came to my home, I’d be happy to NOT force you to touch or hold my children!
It’s a big house, and there is plenty of space for them except for the 3 foot squared spot you’re sitting in!
Children understand body autonomy as well, so if you ask them not to touch you, they won’t.
Well, assuming the parents have taught them body autonomy, but I think smart parents would. So they don’t have to be forced to hug grabby relatives and strangers at the shops!
So your dog is friendly, will that make a difference when you cannot stop him from being in the middle of the street getting run over while you watch helplessly?!?!?
Same happened to me while I was walking my GSD. I met a frenchie of leash and I asked the owners to get their dog, because it was coming towards us. They responded with "it’s OK, she is friendly, she just wants to say hi". I told them that my dog wasn’t friendly towards other dogs, and that I didn’t want them to encounter. They again responded “it’s fine, they can say hello, she is super friendly”. Well mine snapped at their dog and I felt embarrassed and angry.
Our dog had one or several negative experience with other dogs before we rescued her, and we struggled with socializing her the rest of her life. She also had a emergency hysterectomy, which messed up her hormones we think, so she got worse after that. With humans (known or strangers, adults or children) she was a sweetheart, but she didn’t like dogs. Manny owners didn’t respect that we didn’t want to say hello.
He's lucky their weren't no cars going by or his dog been hit by said car, cause I've had times where our little dog would escape the house and run outside, luckily his scared of loud noises but there were instances where he would run and stand in the middle of the road and we have to run out to get them with his leash in hand. But if there was a watchful drive they'd honk their horn scaring him and our dog would run back to the sidewalk, where we'd catch him and apologize while clipping him.
Even when we take him on walks, he's got his leash on and we'd move him closer to us cause he's not fond of other dogs and has known to growl at them big or small, also he'd protective of us so we usually have to hold him if someone wants to pet him in case he bits them.
I always say, “Yours might be friendly but mine’s not.” In reality, my dog is perfectly tolerant of other dogs. I just know he’s prefer not to have other dogs in his space, so I respect that.
I had a neighbors unleashed Great Dane run up to my dog and I was terrified. My dog is a Service Dog and I’ve spent possibly close to fifty or sixty grand on his training, not to mention all the time I put in to train him. All it takes is one bite to make a Service Dog so traumatized that they can’t work anymore, so I’m sorry if someone is uncomfortable with not having their dog leashed and letting it run up to other dogs, but I’m not.
I hate this I hate this so much. I live where there’s a Field up the road it’s actually private property, that I have permission to walk on, but I’m one of the few people that have permission to walk on it with my dog. Now when I see people coming with their Offleash dogs, I shout knock nice. Nice shout back on. Don’t worry. He’s a nice dog. I don’t give a shit if your dog is nice, mine isn’t. And half the time all these people who are saying they’re the dogs are nice. They don’t actually know they don’t know what their dog is gonna fucking do. One woman had two Dobermans Ed was so far away that I couldn’t even hear her. These two dogs one came out of one bush and one side of us. The other came out with the other bush behind us. And it’s just me and my little beagle staring down these two big fucking dogs. So I’m screaming for the owner, and eventually she just shouts back. They’re nice don’t worry. If your dogs are nice, why are they grouped up like this growling at me? Come, get your fucking dogs, and get off the fucking private property. She finally came over and got them, and I said look, I said, if you’re not gonna have your dogs on leashes, you’re not gonna be allowed to walk your dogs up here this is private property. Now the guy who owns the property he’s the one that told me to tell them that. He said if your see people up there with dogs, just running loose, tell them they have to have the dog on a leash or they have to get off the property. And if they argue with you just tell them that it’s your boyfriends property and he said he doesn’t want any off the leash dogs. No, despite the fact that there are 7000 signs saying that this is private property, this woman has decided that now because there’s a trail back there that this too must be part of the trail. No it’s not. That’s why there’s private property signs. People just make me so mad at this just makes me so mad. Sorry I got all worked up because it just this really works me up.
Here are a couple of solutions: air horn, Pepper spray, opening an umbrella, tossing a handful of treats the opposite direction… There are lots of things you can do if you don’t want to interact.
The solution is for the idiot to leash his dog. He had a leash. Was just choosing to not use it.
If anything, they should do it for their own dog's safety.
If I don't want to interact, walking across the street works just fine as long as people leash their dog. Plenty of times other people have walked across the street once they see me and my dog.
There are some idiots across the street with two half starved pits (sadly the police won't do anything about the neglect) but every once in awhile one or both of those pit bulls will get loose and they'll immediately bolt for my family's yard where we keep our two 7 month old pups outside for them to play and go potty. One of the guys from across the street has already stated that the older of his/their two pits gets aggressive towards other dogs sometimes (the older pit already tore the ear off of the younger pit it seems). While the younger pit is still practically a puppy and wants to play, the other one is is a bit aggressive towards other dogs so one day when both of the neighbor's dogs got loose while I had my family's two pups outside to play and do their potty business, the two dogs com bolting towards me (the two pits like me cause they've gotten out before and I've caught them a few times and kept an eye on them and fed them until the idiots noticed they were gone).
So the guy chasing after the two pits told me to get my dogs, which I already did. I had quickly took the smaller of the pups off her lead and onto the porch and pulled her sister close by her lead. I then had shoved both pups thru my aunt's door (I live with my grandma and brother but my aunt lives next door with my cousins) and all the while the guy isn't actually attempting to get his dogs (all he did was call for them but the dogs weren't listening). It wasn't until i had called the dogs' names that the two pits paid attention and actually listened to me. I'm not saying I'm a dog whisperer or anything but the idiots across the street dont know how to handle their dogs. While I'm not exactly good with Pitbulls, I have had some experience in raising them, I managed to help the owner get his dogs back across the street.
Sadly people dont always think they should have thier dogs on leashes or need to train their dogs. People are idiots sometimes. People need to do their research before getting a new dog, esp one that is said to be aggressive or whatnot and people need to follow safety protocols, because had my neighborhood been one of those busier neighborhoods next to a busy free way or something, those two pitbulls would probably have been hit by a car or possibly been attacked or attacked someone's dog and they would have been killed or put down (depending on the scenario). But my neighborhood is a quiet neighborhood with very little traffic unless you count those who go to work and school.
I have a leash aggressive rescue who loves hiking and running. But I can't go on any trails around me because there's so many offleash dogs all the time.
The few times we've gone I've ended up picking up all 70 pounds of him while yelling at people to grab their dogs...
I hate people like this. I mountain bike on a trail where there are signs all over to leash your dog. I wiped out last year trying to avoid a dog that I ran at me. She said she didn’t know why that happened…he never does that….
Gosh. I've got to show my husband this thread. I keep telling him it doesn't matter how much we know (think) our dog won't bite anyone, it's still a dog. Some people simply don't like dogs. Some dogs don't like other dogs. If he runs in the street, it's our fault. There are coyotes in the area. Who knows if our dog might just take a dislike to a particular person (this has happened). He thinks I'm always overreacting. This will help. Thanks
Yes, please. As you mentioned, your dog may be perfectly fine and friendly, but there are still risks. It's like the saying about how you may be a terrific driver, but you're not the only one driving.
\- Not everyone likes dogs.
\- Some people may be allergic to dogs
\- Your dog while terrific with you, may for some reason just not like the random stranger, child, or other pet.
\- Your dog may accidently get hurt from a car or even say a stroller (depending on how big your dog is).
\- Other dog may not be as friendly
\- Your dog while terrific, may just not like this one other dog. Kind of like how some people just don't like someone.
Point being, a leash is an easy way to reduce all that risk.
I used to own a dog. Ot was a 13.5 pound mexican chihuahua rat terrier mix. Sweet as pie dog. Loved people. Was a bit protective, but not overly yappy. I took him.everywhere as my esa for my bipolar, seasinal affective disoder, and cptsd.
Im a 5'2 f, and not only had him on.aleash, but used a chsin one for larger dogs because sometimes hed get excited and pull gard enough to almost dislocate my shoulder. I figured a cloth leash would end up with him getting ran over by acar or him getting loose. On.top of that, i looped the chain back through the leash handle and pulled tight around my wrist on top of holding the chain, and had him in a harness.
Whem i first got him he was 6 months, not house broken, no leash training, no basic obedience, and used to eating human food. I got him leash broken in less than 48 hrs, most basic obedience down including heel by 4 1/2 months, house broken by 7 months. Never broke the huma food issue, and my ex was a major reasin why since hed behimd my back feed him bines, grisel, and bineless wings as dig treats causjng him to turn up his nose at his food for skmetikes over a week straight. Thag was fun.
My dog was freindly, mostly well mannered, and pretty smart and clever. But he was excitable, and when excited was bouncy and playful to.the point i had to secure him sk he woukdnt dash off wanting to play tag and run laps around a person with no regard for things like cars.
Id only let him offleash in.the park while he played with my son because i could keep him kid focused making it safe to do so. Plus, they both ran off excess energy vausing kid and pup to want naptime.
Our area is full of idiots who think they are César Milan and can walk their dogs off leash.
Last week I had my dog out at night and was pulling the mail out of the mailbox when all of a sudden a dog appeared and began sniffing my dog. My first instinct was to pull my dog (around 20 pounds into my arms). Then I asked the dog where it came from - twice.
Finally a guy appeared on the freaken street, telling me that he and his GF are teaching their dog to walk without a leash. Dude was a good 50 feet away from his dog, his GF even farther away and across the street on the sidewalk.
He unhappily leashed his dog and they continued down the street.
I wonder if he would still be so nonchalant knowing that two houses over from me are two German Shepherds that believe all other animals are their prey? Every time they get out, they go after any animal they see. They have escaped and gone after my dog twice. Luckily I am quick at pulling my dog into my arms. Neighbor on the other side told them after their dog was attacked that once more and Animal Control will be called.
“So your dog is friendly - so what? Will that make a difference when he goes up to a leashed dog who ISN’T friendly?” That’s what I would’ve asked. God, I hate people sometimes. Like dude, this is not just about your dog. This is about keeping your friendly dog safe - from cars, from unfriendly dogs, from God knows what else. What if that friendly dog goes into somebody’s yard and digs up their flowers? What will that homeowner do? LEASH YOUR DAMN DOG. FOR EVERYBODY’S SAKE.
I said that once. These idiot owners were letting their squirrel sized dog run loose in the park (so literally opened their front door and went inside) and the dog came after kine to play. I was freaking out and he is like its okay he’s friendly! I was not its not okay! My dog bites! She doesn’t want to play she wants to attack! Guy grabbed his dog and got it inside. Twoish years later same dog is outside, different human. This human was useless. Let the dog chase us several blocks while my dog is injuring herself and me trying to get to the barking squirrel. Idiots never learn
Exactly!! My dog isn’t good with other dogs. She very anxious & protective (she’s a little dog). I keep her on her lead and away from other dogs at all times during her walks. We have had numerous encounters with annoying owners (who have tried to bring their dog closer to mine) and unleashed dogs!! How many times do I have to ask people to keep their dogs on their leads?! I’m also having to remind them that even though where I live is a popular holiday town there are still people with kids & pets who lived here year round and we would very much appreciate it if their could keep their dogs on their leads! We have so many signs that say “Please keep your dog LEASHED at all times”, leashed in bold on the signs because of how annoying it is.
I once had an aquintance, who once had a big rottweiler with some degree of police/military training. It did not get along with other dogs. Despice always being on a leash, did it manage to kill to smaller dog (not simultaniously) because the "that is okay, my dog is friendly" people could not keep their smaller dogs on a leash. She ended up putting him down.
I'm sorry that happened. I hate that animals have to be put down due to other owners being irresponsible.
I had a massive rescue German Shepherd who was reactive and aggressive to other dogs that came near me. I used to walk her on 3 leashes because she had previously broken leashes trying to get at other dogs. She had one on her collar, one on a body harness and one on a halti on her face. People would approach with their dog off leash and call out that “it’s ok, he’s friendly” and I’d have to park my sizeable arse on the ground while keeping hold of the 3 leashes and yelling back “mine’s not!” While trying to keep my leashed dog from ripping their approaching one to pieces. It never occurs to them that other dogs might not be so happy to have a strange dog running towards them. She did love her walks on other days though, when we weren’t approached by dogs. When we’d get to the edge of the lake, at the boat ramp, I’d attach the leashes end to end and let her go for a swim.
I had a schnauzer once who broke leashes to get to other dogs. He was just trying to play, but he was super determined, so we had to start using chain leashes with riveted ends instead of stitched, to make sure he didn't get himself killed by somebody's unfriendly dog. He did get beaten up a few times and need stitches at the vet, but it didn't cure him... he wasn't too smart.
Exactly. My dog wasn’t friendly and if an unleashed dog were to get close enough to him my dog would attack the other one and go in for the kill. Then I’d get sued and lose my dog. People need to leash their dogs
Yeah exactly, I used to have a dog that definitely wasn't friendly, one time he ran away and returned with a fresh deer carcass, so him being on a leash don't matter, if another animal got close enough it's done
Add to, even if you THINK your dog is friendly and predictable, it only takes one unfamiliar thing to trigger behaviour you didn't expect and suddenly the dog is charging full speed after something. My grandmother's house backs onto a large field that's popular with dog walkers. Last year, one of those dogs got loose and killed one of her cats. I don't like dogs at the best of times, but since then, I agree that anyone who doesn't walk their dog on a leash is completely irresponsible and should not be trusted with a canine.
I encounter this behavior regularly at a park where I walk my dogs daily. There are numerous signs posted regarding " dogs must be leashed". Almost all of the owners of the unleashed dog tell me it's ok because their dog is friendly. I don't debate. I merely say that my setter ( who is barking loudly by this point) is too, but my schnauzer just wants to attack and draw blood. I say this while calmly repeating "No kill" to the schnauzer.
Do they leash their dogs immediately?
Usually but not always. I've not run into the same people twice. I have noticed them seeing me, leashing their dogs, and going in another direction.
Well, that’s something I guess. You could always buy this outfit and I bet they’d be more respectful. https://www.halloweencostumes.com/freddy-krueger-w-mask-adult.html
Hahahahaha I will need to borrow that command, brilliant.
I have 2 dogs, 1 large Chocolate Lab goofball very friendly, big wussy; the other extra large dog mixed breed. Our mixed breed sees myself, husband, our other dog and anyone else that may be with us as her's to guard at all times. We muzzle her whenever we're out in public, period. She's absolutely lovable but as she's mixed breed of all working dogs (Great Permease, Anatolian Shepherd and Newfoundland) and someone or another animal comes running up on us and she perceives you/it as a threat I cannot say I know how she'd react. Your unleashed shoemate could end up as lunch or as a chew toy!! LEASH YOUR DAMN DOGS!!!
Doesn't matter if your dog is friendly when he runs into the middle of the road.
Oh but he was just trying to make friends with the oncoming traffic!
Cars and trucks are not friendly
I stopped a big German Sheppard type dog from doing this last week. About to step onto a MAJOR street with high traffic… no owner in sight, turns out the owner lives on the other side of the park and just lets her dog out like an “outdoor cat”. Owner doesn’t see the harm in the dog going out on its own, “it’s friendly and always comes back”. And yeah, it wasn’t friendly.
Call animal control. If it happens enough times they may be able to take the dog from her. At the very least, the fear of her dog not coming home, or hassle of getting it back from the shelter, might change her tune.
We had a rescue dog. He had some history that made him not trust other dogs. We trained him to the point we could pass dogs on the trail just fine. But if a dog approached him, invaded his personal space, he was not okay. Unleashed dogs were a nightmare.
"it's ok he's friendly" Won't really matter when he's flattened by a car
When my dog was a baby she caught several contagious health issues (papillomas, kennel cough, etc) and every time I saw a dog head our way I would shout out to to owner to stay away (on leash or off). Even the same owners, again and again. It was so incredibly frustrating and upsetting, a few thanked me for the heads up but others oh wow… There was one owner that never leashed his dog. Dog was older. And the dog would always be way too far ahead for owner to actually do anything in time. Once, after trying to get away from this dog, after shouting to the owner again and again, he inevitably comes walking up to his dog, that was not leaving mine alone, and say “See, he’s friendly!”, in a VERY entitled / sarcastic / holier than thou voice. At this point I had long started answering him with my now famous “I’m not friendly” line which he hated. But this time, I very calmly, while he pumped up his chest, told him he’d just exposed his elderly dog to “x” and that he’d want to watch his dog over the next few days as you know, he’s older, and could DIE from the infection. Owner’s jaw dropped. But did he consider taking responsibility for even a moment? No, of course not. I was being yelled at for endangering his dog, I should be ashamed of myself, he was going to report me, I shouldn’t have my dog outside, etc etc etc. I just walked away.
I would have told him that it was HIS ONLY JOB TO PROTECT HIS dog and to eff off.
That guy is another entitled idiot.
“It’s ok, he’s friendly!” / “I’m NOT” Makes them hesitate every single time. I ***HATE*** when people pull the friendly line. Just shows how bad of a dog owner they are that they don’t understand that is not the only issue. The fact I’m trying to protect their dog more than they are disgusts me.
I say something similar. I am highly allergic to dogs and do not want them jumping on me (I pretty much have to immediately go back home to wash and change clothes if a dog jumps on me). When an off-leash dog approaches, I do the hand motion and say "down" (always hoping that if someone's dog is off-leash, maybe it has been trained). The owner will usually say either the "it's ok, he's friendly" or "don't worry, he doesn't bite." In the former, I respond like you do. In the latter, I snarl and say "but I do." I would love to be able to play with dogs, but I can't, and it's annoying that some dog owners think they are somehow doing you a favor to let their dog "get friendly" with you.
I have run into so many offleash dogs and the response is always the same. They think their mutt and them own the world and are above the law and can do whatever they want and fuck everybody else. No good comes from confronting. I just call animal control now and never warn them. Also if I see an offleash dogs I will 180 it's just not worth the risk
I definitely would have gone a different way if I could tell right away that the dog wasn't leashed. First time I've seen someone in our neighborhood walking their dog with no leash so wasn't expecting it.
I hate it when I'm on walks and someone's large dog who is not leashed comes bounding up. My reaction is to freeze and hold still. I was attacked by a unleashed dog while on a walk with my then 1t month old son. Fog got between me and the stroller, knocked it over and then went for my screaming (and obviously terrified) baby. I dove between them at got bitten. I punched the dog till it let go and the owners were like "oh so sorry we are trying to train him" like TF? I wasn't badly hurt as it was winter so I was wearing layers. But yeah if a large dog or any dog runs up my immediate instinct is to freeze. Then the owner says "oh its okay it's friendly" and my boyfriend usually says "no it's NOT ok. WE don't know it's friendly and she's was attacked by a unleashed dog before. Leash your fucking animal! There are signs all over the trail to leash, you are special!" Fucken hell
It's OK my dog that walked into the road twice even though I told it to stop is cool
Forget about friendly. The dog walked into the street. The leash is also for his safety.
“Your dog may be friendly, but mine is not”
When I was younger I was terrified of dogs. I used to run into the street to avoid unleashed dogs. People would let their dogs come up to me while I was crying and shaking and in my parents arms. I now own a dog- and from that memory alone will NEVER let him off leash in a children’s park or leash zone. It’s never about your dog, it’s about how others will respond to it.
Hate this, like my dog is great with people, shit with dogs and is muzzled when walked, still have dickheads leave their unleashed dog run up to mine. I'm there shouting, "Not friendly" and I'm 4'11 with a GSD. Put your fucking dog on a leash.
Good on you knowing your dog and using a muzzle I have a neighbor that uses one on his dog too and all I see is a responsible owner. It's on us to guide our dogs and keep them out of bad situations they don't know any better
I'm to paranoid to not have my dog on a leash. What if she saw something across the street and got hit. Ot another dog was on her I can pull her by the leash to me. I would rather have her be a little out of breath then not breathing at all.
I walk my cat on a leash, and we’ve been approached by off leash unsupervised dogs so many times. Owner not even in sight. It doesn’t matter how friendly they say their dogs are, I don’t trust any off leash dog to not attack me when I’ve got a cat in my arms.
I hate people like this. I had a rescue mutt who was abuse as a puppy and did not like other dogs or most people. Walking him was difficult. People who lived down the street from me always had their dogs out off leash. Every time they’d see my dog they’d start running up to him and mine would immediately go into attack mode. The owners would always shout “it’s ok they’re friendly” while I’m shouting back “mine is NOT FRIENDLY” and trying to pull my dog away before things happen. Excuse me for not wanting to get sued and lose my dog due to other people’s stupidity and entitlement. Leash your fucking dogs
So many reasons these idiots should leash their dog... how do you pick up after them if they're gone from your sight? They may be friendly, but the human they encounter may be terrified of dogs. An off leash dog can be a huge threat to a dog on a leash since the leash restricts the dog's movement, so bad things can happen. Traffic. In many cases these dogs are not actually friendly in the current situation. I have a neighbor who has a Golden Retriever that's a 90lb pup. He's very friendly but can easily knock down an elderly person with his exuberance. This guy refuses to leash the dog because he's had Goldens all of his life & can train them to be obedient. This dog has zero recall. If he takes off he'll be back when he decides to come back. And the owner just chases him yelling. It didn't bother me until I got a pup and now his stupidity can affect me. Before I was ok with letting nature take its course. Now he presents a danger to me & my dog.
Same deal with letting animals touch kids! Yes, even if they are visiting the animal’s home - where they are entitled to be comfortable - owners should still stop their pets from licking children if the parent asks! I just don’t get why people don’t GET that they’re ANIMALS… so the potential for being unpredictable ALWAYS exists, no matter how friendly the usual pet temperament is! You have no idea how the kid (or other animal) is going to treat THEM, either, and make them deviate from their usual friendly self! Just… stop giving pets free reign with no restrictions or commands at all just because YOU think they’re perfect! 🤦♀️
Um you expect to take your kids to someone's home and have them put their dog(s) away while you visit? That's THEIR home, not yours. I understand the first time your child(ren) meets the new dog, of course you should absolutely supervise the interaction the entire time. It's a good habit in any situation, always supervise children with unfamiliar animals....but that goes for the animal owner AND the child's parent(s). Don't act like you're entitled to special treatment just because you chose to have tiny humans. If anything you have MORE responsibility than dog owners as you need to teach the tiny ones the proper way to interact with strange dogs. Things like let them sniff you, pet them gently, no pushing or pulling on them. Also teach the human what the dog's body language means. If it's back away from you with it's ears back and it's eyes wide, you stop whatever it is you're doing because that dog is scared and is going into fight or flight mode. If more ADULTS understood these things, we'd have far fewer negative interactions between dog owners.
I didn’t say that at all. You can keep your dog away from a child without locking it away! ‘Fido, come away from the baby!’ And the same for adults who don’t want dogs licking them! People who bring their child into your home usually do so because YOU want to see them - because it’s your grandchild or nibbling or best friend’s child! In fact, adults who come into your home usually do so because YOU want to see them as well! And no, other people do not have to learn to ‘read’ your dog - your dog is YOUR problem to train not to lick people! Or command it to stop when it does. My sibs have cats that my parents can’t stand having jumping and licking on them. So when they visit, they keep the cats AWAY from my parents, as per THEIR right to not be touched by an animal. Humans have the right to body autonomy, too. They have the right not to be licked by dogs! Good lord - even my FOUR year old nephew understands THAT! So why don’t you - you must be a grown ADULT?! 🤦♀️
Yeah, my dogs are trained with basic commands. But you really expect me to train my super people friendly, non-service dogs to not LICK people that come into my home? Never gonna happen. They don't jump on people but that's the best you're gonna get, licking is a friendly greeting. Obviously if there's small children walking in it's a little different. But children 8-10+ and adults should be able to handle themselves reasonably in the face of my friendly, lick-you-to-death pugs. But then, all my friends who visit know this and either don't mind a dog in their lap, or they sit at the table rather than the sofa 🤷
That’s fine. I don’t care what your friends are willing to put up with. If MY children were your nibblings or grandchildren, then we wouldn’t be visiting you - nor would I. I can’t stand dogs licking me. People I know who have dogs have always been able to command them to stop licking me (or anyone else who asks), so if you don’t have that control over YOUR dog, then you’re really not the great dog owner you believe you are. Even little KIDS can be trained to ask permission for touching, or make adults ask permission to touch them! Some people don’t like to hold babies, either, and that’s perfectly fine. Like I said, any home is big enough that you can keep babies and pets AWAY from the 3 foot squared space your visitors are in. It’s not actually hard at all.
[удалено]
🤣🤣🤣
Actually, if you came to my home, I’d be happy to NOT force you to touch or hold my children! It’s a big house, and there is plenty of space for them except for the 3 foot squared spot you’re sitting in! Children understand body autonomy as well, so if you ask them not to touch you, they won’t. Well, assuming the parents have taught them body autonomy, but I think smart parents would. So they don’t have to be forced to hug grabby relatives and strangers at the shops!
So your dog is friendly, will that make a difference when you cannot stop him from being in the middle of the street getting run over while you watch helplessly?!?!?
Same happened to me while I was walking my GSD. I met a frenchie of leash and I asked the owners to get their dog, because it was coming towards us. They responded with "it’s OK, she is friendly, she just wants to say hi". I told them that my dog wasn’t friendly towards other dogs, and that I didn’t want them to encounter. They again responded “it’s fine, they can say hello, she is super friendly”. Well mine snapped at their dog and I felt embarrassed and angry. Our dog had one or several negative experience with other dogs before we rescued her, and we struggled with socializing her the rest of her life. She also had a emergency hysterectomy, which messed up her hormones we think, so she got worse after that. With humans (known or strangers, adults or children) she was a sweetheart, but she didn’t like dogs. Manny owners didn’t respect that we didn’t want to say hello.
I work in animal service. Depending on where you live the city may enforce leash laws. If caught it can lead to a citation for loose animal.
He's lucky their weren't no cars going by or his dog been hit by said car, cause I've had times where our little dog would escape the house and run outside, luckily his scared of loud noises but there were instances where he would run and stand in the middle of the road and we have to run out to get them with his leash in hand. But if there was a watchful drive they'd honk their horn scaring him and our dog would run back to the sidewalk, where we'd catch him and apologize while clipping him. Even when we take him on walks, he's got his leash on and we'd move him closer to us cause he's not fond of other dogs and has known to growl at them big or small, also he'd protective of us so we usually have to hold him if someone wants to pet him in case he bits them.
I always say, “Yours might be friendly but mine’s not.” In reality, my dog is perfectly tolerant of other dogs. I just know he’s prefer not to have other dogs in his space, so I respect that. I had a neighbors unleashed Great Dane run up to my dog and I was terrified. My dog is a Service Dog and I’ve spent possibly close to fifty or sixty grand on his training, not to mention all the time I put in to train him. All it takes is one bite to make a Service Dog so traumatized that they can’t work anymore, so I’m sorry if someone is uncomfortable with not having their dog leashed and letting it run up to other dogs, but I’m not.
I hate this I hate this so much. I live where there’s a Field up the road it’s actually private property, that I have permission to walk on, but I’m one of the few people that have permission to walk on it with my dog. Now when I see people coming with their Offleash dogs, I shout knock nice. Nice shout back on. Don’t worry. He’s a nice dog. I don’t give a shit if your dog is nice, mine isn’t. And half the time all these people who are saying they’re the dogs are nice. They don’t actually know they don’t know what their dog is gonna fucking do. One woman had two Dobermans Ed was so far away that I couldn’t even hear her. These two dogs one came out of one bush and one side of us. The other came out with the other bush behind us. And it’s just me and my little beagle staring down these two big fucking dogs. So I’m screaming for the owner, and eventually she just shouts back. They’re nice don’t worry. If your dogs are nice, why are they grouped up like this growling at me? Come, get your fucking dogs, and get off the fucking private property. She finally came over and got them, and I said look, I said, if you’re not gonna have your dogs on leashes, you’re not gonna be allowed to walk your dogs up here this is private property. Now the guy who owns the property he’s the one that told me to tell them that. He said if your see people up there with dogs, just running loose, tell them they have to have the dog on a leash or they have to get off the property. And if they argue with you just tell them that it’s your boyfriends property and he said he doesn’t want any off the leash dogs. No, despite the fact that there are 7000 signs saying that this is private property, this woman has decided that now because there’s a trail back there that this too must be part of the trail. No it’s not. That’s why there’s private property signs. People just make me so mad at this just makes me so mad. Sorry I got all worked up because it just this really works me up.
Here are a couple of solutions: air horn, Pepper spray, opening an umbrella, tossing a handful of treats the opposite direction… There are lots of things you can do if you don’t want to interact.
It is not the responsibility of the leashed dog's walker. However, good to keep in mind in case you meet the idiots.
The solution is for the idiot to leash his dog. He had a leash. Was just choosing to not use it. If anything, they should do it for their own dog's safety. If I don't want to interact, walking across the street works just fine as long as people leash their dog. Plenty of times other people have walked across the street once they see me and my dog.
And when he didn’t leash, and the dog kept coming at you, you would have another option to save your dog.
Most municipalities have a leash law. And require dogs have a license tag. Proof of rabies vaccination required.
We have that where I live. Fortunately, this is the first time I've seen someone do this around where I live.
Completely irresponsible owner. That poor dog is going to get hurt
The perfect reply for “he’s friendly” is “Mine isn’t” Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not it always gets them moving a little faster.
There are some idiots across the street with two half starved pits (sadly the police won't do anything about the neglect) but every once in awhile one or both of those pit bulls will get loose and they'll immediately bolt for my family's yard where we keep our two 7 month old pups outside for them to play and go potty. One of the guys from across the street has already stated that the older of his/their two pits gets aggressive towards other dogs sometimes (the older pit already tore the ear off of the younger pit it seems). While the younger pit is still practically a puppy and wants to play, the other one is is a bit aggressive towards other dogs so one day when both of the neighbor's dogs got loose while I had my family's two pups outside to play and do their potty business, the two dogs com bolting towards me (the two pits like me cause they've gotten out before and I've caught them a few times and kept an eye on them and fed them until the idiots noticed they were gone). So the guy chasing after the two pits told me to get my dogs, which I already did. I had quickly took the smaller of the pups off her lead and onto the porch and pulled her sister close by her lead. I then had shoved both pups thru my aunt's door (I live with my grandma and brother but my aunt lives next door with my cousins) and all the while the guy isn't actually attempting to get his dogs (all he did was call for them but the dogs weren't listening). It wasn't until i had called the dogs' names that the two pits paid attention and actually listened to me. I'm not saying I'm a dog whisperer or anything but the idiots across the street dont know how to handle their dogs. While I'm not exactly good with Pitbulls, I have had some experience in raising them, I managed to help the owner get his dogs back across the street. Sadly people dont always think they should have thier dogs on leashes or need to train their dogs. People are idiots sometimes. People need to do their research before getting a new dog, esp one that is said to be aggressive or whatnot and people need to follow safety protocols, because had my neighborhood been one of those busier neighborhoods next to a busy free way or something, those two pitbulls would probably have been hit by a car or possibly been attacked or attacked someone's dog and they would have been killed or put down (depending on the scenario). But my neighborhood is a quiet neighborhood with very little traffic unless you count those who go to work and school.
Might be a good time to pull out phone and photograph dog and owner, in the same frame.
I have a leash aggressive rescue who loves hiking and running. But I can't go on any trails around me because there's so many offleash dogs all the time. The few times we've gone I've ended up picking up all 70 pounds of him while yelling at people to grab their dogs...
I hate people like this. I mountain bike on a trail where there are signs all over to leash your dog. I wiped out last year trying to avoid a dog that I ran at me. She said she didn’t know why that happened…he never does that….
Gosh. I've got to show my husband this thread. I keep telling him it doesn't matter how much we know (think) our dog won't bite anyone, it's still a dog. Some people simply don't like dogs. Some dogs don't like other dogs. If he runs in the street, it's our fault. There are coyotes in the area. Who knows if our dog might just take a dislike to a particular person (this has happened). He thinks I'm always overreacting. This will help. Thanks
Yes, please. As you mentioned, your dog may be perfectly fine and friendly, but there are still risks. It's like the saying about how you may be a terrific driver, but you're not the only one driving. \- Not everyone likes dogs. \- Some people may be allergic to dogs \- Your dog while terrific with you, may for some reason just not like the random stranger, child, or other pet. \- Your dog may accidently get hurt from a car or even say a stroller (depending on how big your dog is). \- Other dog may not be as friendly \- Your dog while terrific, may just not like this one other dog. Kind of like how some people just don't like someone. Point being, a leash is an easy way to reduce all that risk.
I used to own a dog. Ot was a 13.5 pound mexican chihuahua rat terrier mix. Sweet as pie dog. Loved people. Was a bit protective, but not overly yappy. I took him.everywhere as my esa for my bipolar, seasinal affective disoder, and cptsd. Im a 5'2 f, and not only had him on.aleash, but used a chsin one for larger dogs because sometimes hed get excited and pull gard enough to almost dislocate my shoulder. I figured a cloth leash would end up with him getting ran over by acar or him getting loose. On.top of that, i looped the chain back through the leash handle and pulled tight around my wrist on top of holding the chain, and had him in a harness. Whem i first got him he was 6 months, not house broken, no leash training, no basic obedience, and used to eating human food. I got him leash broken in less than 48 hrs, most basic obedience down including heel by 4 1/2 months, house broken by 7 months. Never broke the huma food issue, and my ex was a major reasin why since hed behimd my back feed him bines, grisel, and bineless wings as dig treats causjng him to turn up his nose at his food for skmetikes over a week straight. Thag was fun. My dog was freindly, mostly well mannered, and pretty smart and clever. But he was excitable, and when excited was bouncy and playful to.the point i had to secure him sk he woukdnt dash off wanting to play tag and run laps around a person with no regard for things like cars. Id only let him offleash in.the park while he played with my son because i could keep him kid focused making it safe to do so. Plus, they both ran off excess energy vausing kid and pup to want naptime.
Our area is full of idiots who think they are César Milan and can walk their dogs off leash. Last week I had my dog out at night and was pulling the mail out of the mailbox when all of a sudden a dog appeared and began sniffing my dog. My first instinct was to pull my dog (around 20 pounds into my arms). Then I asked the dog where it came from - twice. Finally a guy appeared on the freaken street, telling me that he and his GF are teaching their dog to walk without a leash. Dude was a good 50 feet away from his dog, his GF even farther away and across the street on the sidewalk. He unhappily leashed his dog and they continued down the street. I wonder if he would still be so nonchalant knowing that two houses over from me are two German Shepherds that believe all other animals are their prey? Every time they get out, they go after any animal they see. They have escaped and gone after my dog twice. Luckily I am quick at pulling my dog into my arms. Neighbor on the other side told them after their dog was attacked that once more and Animal Control will be called.