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PhinneyLife
offlineMember
Why is it important to leash your dog - even when it is the friendliest dog out there?
Seems like many people think that it is okay to have an unleashed dog on the streets. I am interested in why people think it is okay to have an unleashed dog; and also why others think it is important to leash your dog.
Here is one reason. We have a Golden Retriever...Sweet, Beautiful Golden Retriever...Downside he is dog agressive. If you dog was off leash and ran up to our dog while we were walking there is a good chance you sweet little fido would be on the way to the VET! You cant judge a book by its cover and you cant judge dogs by their looks. Dogs are still animals with animalistic instincts. If they feel threatened or want to protect they will. Please keep your dogs on a leash unless you are at a dog park or area that allows for off leash pets
SPG
offlineMember
I agree that you should leash your dog out on the street, a squirrel can easily cause an otherwise mellow dog to run right out into traffic.
While we're telling each other how to behave, I have to point out that if your lovely Golden Retriever is dog aggressive you are OBLIGATED to walk him/her with a muzzle. The fact that you know that your dog can be aggressive means that you have prior knowledge of your dog's behavior and in the event of an attack I would imagine you and your dog would be liable.
ducksinseattle
offlineMember
Our dogs go absolutely frantic when they see another dog go by our yard without a leash. I'm not sure what goes through their heads, probably just wild jealousy, but while they only whimper a little when a leashed dog goes past our fence, they go totally crazy when people saunter by with their dog freely roaming the sidewalk. So, for the sake of our dogs' sanity, please leash your dogs.
julesage
offlineMember
Well, I leash my dog, basically, because it is the law. I also leash my dog because it seems neighborly to do so as not everyone loves dogs as much as i do. I also leash my dog so I do not get sued if she is off leash and goes bonkers and attacks another dog or person, God forbid. I also leash my dog because she likes routines and putting on her leash is part of our daily and nightly regime that we have together.
I do not leash my dog when we are camping, at the river swimming, climbing together, etc...UNLESS i feel there may be a threat that we are posing. My dog is not aggressive to people, or other dogs whatsoever but I do not want an un-leashed dog to run up to me or my dog as it will place me in a very uncomfortable situation. I hate it when off leash dogs "charge". Personally, a charging off leash dog is going to meet my shoe as soon as it charges us. And why not avoid that sort of confrontation at all costs?
I say, if you care, just leash them when you are in the city and let 'em run free when you are out in the wild!!
Also, dogs react so much differently to other dogs on leash vs. off leash and dog behavior is not something i want to second guess! Woof.....
gurple
offlineMember
I leash because otherwise my dog would run after squirrels and birds, unless I heeled him all the time, which I don't want to do.
If my dog would not run after squirrels and birds, or if I wanted to heel him all the time, I would still leash. Leashing does two things: a) it keeps the dog close to you, and b) it communicates to everyone else how close they can get to you without coming in dog range.
Some people will insist that they can accomplish a) without a leash. I frankly don't believe them, but, fine, maybe, whatever. If they don't use a leash they have still failed at b).
gordy
offlineMember
I leash because it is the law and keeps the dogs safe. If my dogs see a squirrel, cat, smell French fries or see a dog friend they would bolt immediately and not stay. Gurple is right about the leash also alerting others what your dog's boundaries are.
Zephyr
offlineMember
I leash because you're supposed to plain and simple.
A few doors down from me is a cute pup who is often unrestricted in her front yard. She and my dog love eachother. We frequently pass by her house on our walks, it's inevitable. And if she is out, she will come running to us to play. Now, I don't mind the playing. But I think this can lead to a dangerous situation. My dog is leashed. That leash can easily get wrapped around either of them or trip me up. The type of leash that I have has a loop which they can get their heads caught in. On top of that, because she is free, she will follow us. It is impossible for me to continue on my walk. And if I'm heading home, it's scary because my house sits on a busy street. This pup has run across the less busy cross street to play.
The owner is well aware of the situation. More than once I have had to walk the dog home (the 2 pups frolicking and getting tangled the whole way). I've had to ring the bell to get someone's attention since she is rarely being supervised when outdoors.
I would assume that my doggie is not the only one that brings this pup running.
So folks, aside from leashing your dog when out and about, please keep your pet in control when at home. I know we don't all have fenced yards. But you can stake your dog in your yard. Not as fun for your pup, I know. But safer for us all.
Bamber
offlineMember
All of these are good reasons to leash - and of course, because it's the law.
I was jogging about a year ago, and mind you, I have never, EVER been afraid of dogs, EVER. However, I was jogging, and I could see an unleashed dog, without an owner in site ahead of me, and I crossed the street. I could see it was a pit bull (and we don't need to go into the whole pit bull argument, but, I will say, I just don't care for them) and the dog started to run after me. I slowed down, and the dog started barking and really coming after me. I completely panicked, and thankfully, I was next to my neighbor's house and started frantically knocking on their door. They didn't answer, but thank GOD their door was unlocked, because I just let myself in! Again, thankfully I KNOW these people, I had no other choice but to somehow get out of this dog's way! I'm guessing I would have been attacked had I not sought shelter.
NOW, I'm petrified of unleashed dogs. And living near the community center, there are often unleashed dogs running around in the field with their owners. Which is fine, but what really irks me, is when the dogs run up to me and my kids to say hi. I don't want to be afraid of dogs, but after that incident - I am, and REALLY do not appreciate dogs coming up to us unleashed. And it happens ALL the time. And the owners are always, "Oh, don't worry, they are friendly!" They might be, but try to remember that not all people are fond of dogs (although, I am really fond of dogs, but, again, frightened of dogs I don't know...) And we all know dogs can be unpredictable around kids, so, it's really not appropriate when unleashed dogs come running up to my kids - even though they might be the friendliest dog around - you just never, never know.
PhinneyLife
offlineMember
I was hoping to hear from the other side as well... Can anyone add their comments on why they prefer to keep their dog unleashed?
Funny how these forums work - we also did not hear from anyone that leaves their dog shit in the other forum thread...
It would be great to hear the other side of the story. I'm sure unleashed owners have distinct reasons - lets here them please!
LY
offlineMember
Perhaps people feel that this topic was done-to-death with the more than 170 comments just a few months ago?
PhinneyLife
offlineMember
Sorry LY - i shall speak no more.
LY
offlineMember
I wasn't saying, by any means, to not speak. I was just offering a possible answer to your question. You did ask, right?
tigerente
offlineMember
While there are a billion reasons to leash dogs, I have one not to. My dog is less aggressive and more attentive to me when she is off leash. She has lease aggression so as soon as that leash is clipped on, she is super protective of me and will lunge at passerbys, especially joggers. I walk her at times when we are less likely to have lots of people out on the streets. But off leash while hiking or at the dog park, she is an angel! That being said, I have never had her off leash on city streets, too dangerous!
OingoBoingo
offlineMember
Well, really...you don't have to leash your dog if you're in a park like Golden Gardens or other grassy play areas when you don't think there is a cop around despite the 'Law'. Forget about the kids playing, just wait and see if their parents object. As for the 'off leash' parks, forget about it too 'cuz there's no grass and it's dirty. I applaud responsible dog owners but do they address off leash dog owners of the 'Law'? Just wondering.
cdpenne
offlineMember
Unleashed dogs eat people. And of course there are way too many of those varmints running around.
Watchful not Paranoid
offlineMember
I am sorry to say this. I do not mean to offend. But you are not special your dog is not special we are all trying to share an area and be peaceful and kind: LEASH YOUR DOG IT IS THE LAW. People who do not leash their dogs probably still throw glass in the garbage, don't clear their own tables at coffee shops, don't tie down their loads when on the road, don't stop for pedestrians and pick other people's flowers. Not leasing their dog is just the tip of the iceberg.
Watchful not Paranoid
offlineMember
Ok, not the nicest post. But I really wonder how deep such an inconsideration runs. Especially after reading Bamber's post. I am so happy the neighbor's door was unlocked!
SPG
offlineMember
I would like to point out that in Bamber's case, as scary as it is, that the dog was not unleashed as much as it was loose. Dogs can get creative when they want out of a yard, and can dig their way under a fence, climb a six foot fence, or be let out by someone who doesn't know they're there.
That being said, all dogs are different and all situations are different. Sometimes a dog is absolutely no threat and can be very easily controlled off leash, and some should never be allowed outside without a muzzle. I don't have a problem with people who walk their dogs off leash around the neighborhood (even though I think they are taking some needless risk) as long as they can fully control their dog. The street kids and vagrants who get wasted in their car and let their dog roam around are another story. I'll call animal control on them in a heartbeat.
RB
offlineMember
All dogs are at least partially unpredictable no matter how well trained, so having a dog off-leash in the city carries some risk to the dog, other dogs, and other people. Just as important, leashing the dog lets others know how far they need to keep away to avoid close contact with the dog, as was mentioned above.
SPG
offlineMember
RB, you're right and that's why I don't let my dog off leash anywhere near the street. I was just saying that I'm not too bothered by the people who have dogs that are more predictable/trained/mellow/etc and do walk their dog off leash. That's their choice, albeit illegal and risky.
OingoBoingo
offlineMember
to cdpenne
Don't be silly...of course dogs don't eat people unless they are in a war zone or something akin.
They do damage here with bites and maulings...ever see a dog mauled child's face?
Found this ironic because the tenor of the thread was differnet than the one of the past couple of days!
old_lady
offlineMember
My sister's dog died when it ran into a truck going by that had a barking dog in it. She was standing right next to him when he dashed off. It was completely unexpected because he "always" obeyed her. She was inconsolate and felt terrible guilty.
biker_girl
offlineMember
I will speak on the "do not leash my dog" side.
I don't leash my dog because she is very well trained, knows to heel, stop, and come when called. I keep her well within my vincinity and under control at all times, and I am very vigillant when she is off-leash. She is only mildly interested in other animals and other people. She is also small in size, and so is not a threat to people or other animals.
The main risks of having my dog off-leash are to her own well being, not to others. I accept those risk, mainly because I believe they are well mitigated by her training and her innate temperament. When I allow my dog off-leash, her ears immediately perk up, she gets a little spring in her step, and I believe she feels joy. I feel that this outweighs the risks of having her off-leash, which I fully accept.
motorrad
offlineMember
Many dogs behave much more aggressive on leash than off. Many are more fearful when on a leash because they are restricted in their defensive choices. When walking my dog on a leash, if we are approached by a loose dog, I immediately let my dog loose to give her the opportunity to figure it out as dogs do. Much less stressful for her as she has freedom to react accordingly.
For people that have dogs that exhibit leash aggression, you should put a muzzle on them. No excuses. I have many more bad experiences with leashed aggressive dogs than loose ones.
thatgirl
offlineMember
biker_girl: our dogs should have a playdate. What you described is my dog too.
biker_girl
offlineMember
I'd be happy to do a playdate!
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