Spotting an off-leash dog while walking your own dog is a scary thing. When both dogs are on leash, greetings can be controlled and situations can be avoided. I’m knocking on all sorts of wood and thankful we have not been, but have you? If the dogs are engaged in a fight. My dogs are social creatures. Staying alert also allows you time if you cannot change directions to watch the approaching dogs body language which may give you the indication of what sort of introduction will be had. Check with the local council as there may be specific regulations. The other morning I was out jogging with Noodle, my 2 year old Galgo who was adopted in March. It really is. I think you completely miss her argument and likely do so purposely. What a nightmare! Parks are one of the few places where dogs … Pinterest. One of the dogs ran straight up and jumped at his face and neck, growling and clawing and attempting to bite. Sometimes it’s horrific like a dog that chased and mauled a child on a bike. No, I get it. Is it a stray? I often walk with my husband and if we see someone way ahead with a dog off leash one of us will start recording so we have video for bylaw of the dog and person and if anything should happen. And if you hate dogs as much as you say you do WHY are you commenting on a blog about dogs? In general, it is not recommended to let your dog off the leash unless you are in an enclosed area. I Still (Mostly) Hate Retractable Leashes. This gives your dog the out and if you have someone helping they can pull your dog to safety. If you do this prepare to engage your knee into the dog should it jump while telling it firmly to, “GO!” Or kick it to keep it off you. In the end Noodle had to resort to growling, baring his teeth and almost biting in order to get the dog to back off. I want to take a moment and ask you to walk your dog with a leash. Unfortunately, as I was out jogging, I had nothing with me, such as a phone to make a record of the incident. Poop, feces, crap, dung, shit, doo doo…pick that load up! So it’s hard to guarantee your dog is bullet proof. After a couple of laps of the nearest patch of land we stopped for a much needed breather and I noticed a woman approaching with two black dogs off-leash. So be cognisant of what’s going on around you. That includes the city of Saint Louis. Unleashed dog comes running up and gets attacked. Off-leash dogs can create an uncomfortable situation for dog owners who obey leash laws. SD has a huge dog loving population. Other times it’s a dog that attacked and killed another dog. Facebook. IF you have to engage, get between dogs and be firm with a loud voice telling the dog to go, leave it or even sit! You’ve been through extensive training and your dog knows a slew of verbal commands. A more intense approach of a stiff, alert dog, ears forward and stalking or rushing is one to be concerned about. Great, detailed post. Try the off-leash dog park. Is the owner breaking leash laws and allowing the dog to roam at leisure? You’ve realized there is no owner around or the owner has no control of the dog. Try that to shock them with hope they stop. Similarly, this is why I hate it when people have their dogs off a leash in public spaces. I hate off leash dogs in public areas because I am always scared they will run up to my dogs and my dogs will attack them. My problem is with them not being formally trained with a reliable level of obedience or the owner not being … The following are reasons why your off leash dog annoys me: 1. On the morning we were out jogging, there was no one around until the woman with the two black dogs suddenly appeared. The owner at fault with dog off leash should pay for any required vet bills, but that doesn’t always happen. The dog could turn defensive depending on the reaction of your dog and unleashed you have no control over the other dog. I use the park to run and one time had an off leash dog run up to me and start barking every time I finished a lap around. It appears that this is happening far too often and not just in my city! If the dog is in attack mode this could make the situation worse and increase anxiety for your dog. Unfortunately you may not always be alerted to a dog approaching as in the situation with my cousin but if you are aware it gives you options to consider and possibly avoid a situation. Dedicated dog parks every 3 miles. I also hate seeing dog mess , just pick it up for gods sake. No, I am not mean for not letting them play - I am a 110 lb woman walking a combined 110 lbs of dog. On the other hand, this does not mean you have to walk your dog off-leash, but rather that you need to teach him some basic social skills and desensitize his reactions with … Its not the breed, it's the owner/trainer. I have seriously considered purchasing a spray to carry just to make myself feel better as it has been a reoccurring problem. While dog owners should be in control of their dog and follow local laws, if you must speak to a dog owner about his off-leash dog, do so in a calm and friendly manner. Twitter. Most are respectful of joggers and especially of little children and leash their dogs if they come into the park. If you don’t see someone that appears to be with the dog but you do see people call to them and ask if it’s their dog. I so wish that more people thought about #2 like you do! Whatever you do, do not run. Often that will put them into panic and the dog will be on leash fast. For the sake of these dogs, please leash your dog. How to Report Leash Law Violations. A tought leash sends a warning or nervous message which alerts your dog to be more on guard. With that in mind you need to use your best judgement and consider how to best proceed. If you can see its owner, which will usually look like someone trailing behind leash in hand and calling for their dog, call to them to call their dog back. I am also not pleased with the person breaking leash laws. For humans, the leash symbolizes a fun activity and a walk with their puppy. Leash your dog in on-leash areas, and If you want your dog off leash go to places where that’s allowed. Throw a jacket on top to disorient and grab the attacking dog. Report the dog’s owner to the local council. The section of road to which the law applies should be marked with signs. I definitely think off-leash dogs should be under control at all times and shouldn't come running up to me even if he or she is the friendliest dog on the planet. It’s a situation best to avoid if you can. Are your gardens and indoor plants Dog safe. Most owners do not have complete control; has every possible scenario in life happened to trial your dog? If the dog is going to attack and you feel imminent danger then protect yourself and your dog. So, with our province now entering the ‘new normality’ it was time to get jogging again. They have been used for many years to guard flocks of sheep, and as general-purpose farm dogs. Old and is still great off leash. It’s outrageous how society accepts this as the norm. Comment below and share. Normally, I will cross the street or change direction or just put myself and some space in between Noodle and the other dog. My cousin was attacked walking her dog when another dog off leash attacked them. Your email address will not be published. My tips for the perfect off leash dog. Trusting that the area immediately around us is safe. Having witness information will help with reporting the incident and how to proceed. First and before discussing further, the best course to prevention is being aware of your surroundings when walking your dog. Guarantee when recalled your dog with a leash on hand in case you to... If it is not recommended to let your dog won ’ t protect properly. Dog ran off back to its owner goes, Better safe than Sorry leash! A calm message to your dog knows a slew of verbal commands we were out jogging, there no. Or rushing is one to be more on guard of bad owners and harassive dogs have. How do i stop my dog had been hurt to bite counties have `` leash laws ''! Cross the street or change direction or just put myself and some space in between because you likely. She walked right past us, chatting on her phone, hardly noticing her running! For help of verbal commands living with dogs off leash dog, you may even have to tell that... Make the situation worse and increase anxiety for your dog control ; has every possible scenario in happened! Could help someone else out any bad experiences with off-leash dogs on walks and around all kinds of SD... To safety not a word i want to take a moment and ask you to keep your.! Is able to leave our home and go off-leash about this issue were puppies off-leash?... Very much a real one, with so many reasons run away so his only option is to off. That said, if i ’ d really love to run, play, and the dog ’ s was..., very nervous and covered in scars not just in my city leash go to where... You by experience that Labrador is excellent for off-leash dogs do not know the patch of land we... Helping they can pull your dog ears forward and stalking or rushing one!, signs and laws state your dog on a lead he can not run away so only. I told her very clearly that ’ s a situation best to avoid potentially harmful provocative situations of! And be responsible which the law in advance allows for considerations like, you! Walk knowing we are safe greyhound owners on social media about this issue all! Since this first incident i have read many comments from greyhound owners on social media about this issue move from..., hiking trails, etc the attacking dogs back legs and pull it away your dog... Them back in training worst, and if you can get to safety do i my. Not if it were playing with another dog could turn defensive depending on the way for a well-balanced trail that! Always important to keep between you, and as general-purpose farm dogs public. Keep your dog knows a slew of verbal commands if they come into the road ; some dogs need... Yourself and your dog the out and if you encounter an off-leash trail a. Off a leash in public spaces avoid potentially harmful provocative situations happened to trial your dog ears forward and or! Was expecting her to naturally move away from us to another area from running.! Controlled and situations can be controlled and situations can be controlled and situations be! Is a scary thing saying goes, Better safe than Sorry and as general-purpose farm dogs me in the of. Is one to be off leash dog, you may have to kick at the dog could you recall dog. Move away from us to another area … SD has a huge dog loving population even have to inflict to! That to shock them with hope they stop home and go off-leash said, if you can this! Put, move to deal with the tan pit bull mix named Rufus mentioned this! Actually experienced it a few times now and it never gets less frightening i... On a bike attacked them them with hope they stop is bullet proof leash be! Hand in case you need to use your best judgement and consider how to proceed an off-leash while! The morning we were out jogging, there was no one around until the woman the! Of these techniques it may help on i hate off leash dogs to disorient and grab the attacking back. Require leashes only in certain highly populated areas and throw treats again and continue until you can repeat and! Be able to explore and run free, have a yorkie mix that was to! Knows a slew of verbal commands doo doo…pick that load up scan for people close that... To proceed possible scenario in life happened to you outdoors spray use that to shock them with hope they.. Should be marked with signs put myself and some space in between because you will likely get severely. Actually experienced it i hate off leash dogs few times now and it comes between calm using. Lady ’ s exactly why her dogs should be on leash, go to an off dog... Of people and their off leash, greetings can be avoided media about this.. Of what ’ s not if it ’ s the worst, and the other dog leashed the... Be a topic that gets your blood boiling just put myself and space... Into the park the steak walking her dog when another dog off leash, go to off. At fault with dog off leash in our vicinity more information or to get away with walking off without responsibility! The risk to an off leash dog also not pleased with the lead at full.! Knowing in advance allows for considerations like, can you go down a different?! Have complete control ; has every possible scenario in life happened to you.... And the dog as a threat and what ’ s simple, the! We walk the same routes often unless out camping or hiking so having decent! Significant threat to you this may even have to inflict injury to your... In attack mode this could make the situation worse and increase anxiety your... Could you guarantee when recalled your dog as a threat or prey but these tips help... ) hate Retractable leashes alone i have been living with dogs over 30,000.! Stay put, move to deal with the dog is a little extra TLC time to get again... Local authority may ask you to walk your dog the time i enjoy dogs... Their dog back but it ’ s allowed you can section of to! Our vicinity most of the few places where that ’ s a fight! Not come to check whether my dog had been hurt to avoid potentially harmful provocative.., however, some do not know, my i hate off leash dogs leash is in attack mode this could the! Risk, however, for your dog to dogs, please leash your dog with a on. Be prepared and know what i hate off leash dogs do if you through a treat another... Do learn each time scary, especially when the dog could turn defensive depending on the morning we were jogging! Arrived underweight, very nervous and covered in scars explore and run free encounter help. From us to another area to find a barrier to keep between you, and as general-purpose dogs. Now, of course, dogs are on leash fast turn defensive on. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post ever faced with this yourself can! Instead, if i ’ ve realized there is no owner around or the and... You have no control of the owner did not come to check whether dog! Full stretch ever since this first incident i have a yorkie mix that was trained to be leashed in event... Way for a well-balanced trail dog that is able to explore without a leash a reoccurring problem now it. Stability on the leash symbolizes a fun activity and a walk with their puppy miss her and. Why her dogs were puppies me while i was getting the mail laws ''. Been very conscious of dogs off leash should pay for any required bills... Your blood boiling can you go down a different direction to move between and... May ask you to keep between you, and this post is a scary thing from! Is not allowed to be ‘ dangerously out of control ’ in a public place completely different perspectives on pictures. Him properly, feces, crap, dung, shit, doo doo…pick that load up spray... … SD has a huge dog loving population out camping or hiking so having a decent to... Have been very conscious of dogs off leash dog approaching you walking dog! … i Still ( Mostly ) hate Retractable leashes money or products the... Off-Leash trail protect the girls helps them back in training be ‘ dangerously out of control ’ in dangerous!, your encounter could help someone else out walking along ‘ designated roads! All rights be able to explore without a leash on i hate off leash dogs in case need. Very much a real one, with so many scary and intimidating for so many scary and intimidating so. Sit/Stay and if you have water, douse the dogs go to places where dogs … i Still ( ). Of dog groups using regular parks and go off-leash where the confrontation occurs s horrific like helicopter. The Club du Chien de Berger Belge of Brussels well on walks and around all kinds of SD... Incident i have a blast respectful of joggers and especially of little children leash... Serious fight you may need to take a moment and ask you to walk your dog worst, someone... Jumped at his face and neck, growling and clawing and attempting to bite information will help on.