Leash Laws
- Thread starter crazedACD
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Within reason I try to abide by leash laws, though there aren’t that many around here. It just feels like the places where dogs are welcome are fewer and further between, and all it takes is one grump seeing on too many dogs not following the rules, and next thing you know its no dogs allowed.
But then, I’m super fortunate with where we live and what we have access to off leash.
While I understand the need to keep another dog away from yours, sometimes by whatever means, I don’t get being proud of kicking a dog or finding it funny
I’m surprised it happens that often TBH. I walk our younger two pretty much every day, and every day we encounter loose dogs. Generally, the most I’ve ever have to do to keep a dog away was throw a handful of gravel at the ground in front of them.
But then, I’m super fortunate with where we live and what we have access to off leash.
While I understand the need to keep another dog away from yours, sometimes by whatever means, I don’t get being proud of kicking a dog or finding it funny
I’m surprised it happens that often TBH. I walk our younger two pretty much every day, and every day we encounter loose dogs. Generally, the most I’ve ever have to do to keep a dog away was throw a handful of gravel at the ground in front of them.
i had to chase loose dogs off Bandit while leashed more than once and I am not above any sort of kicking, hitting or striking to get a dog to back off. However, 99.9% of the time all I have to do is say "GO HOME!" in a firm voice and if the dog still doesn't back of take a step towards them to send them running. A lot of dogs seem to be tough towards other dogs, especially one as wimpy as mine, but aren't going to screw with a lady with a stick.
Within reason I try to abide by leash laws, though there aren’t that many around here. It just feels like the places where dogs are welcome are fewer and further between, and all it takes is one grump seeing on too many dogs not following the rules, and next thing you know its no dogs allowed.
But then, I’m super fortunate with where we live and what we have access to off leash.
While I understand the need to keep another dog away from yours, sometimes by whatever means, I don’t get being proud of kicking a dog or finding it funny
I’m surprised it happens that often TBH. I walk our younger two pretty much every day, and every day we encounter loose dogs. Generally, the most I’ve ever have to do to keep a dog away was throw a handful of gravel at the ground in front of them.
But then, I’m super fortunate with where we live and what we have access to off leash.
While I understand the need to keep another dog away from yours, sometimes by whatever means, I don’t get being proud of kicking a dog or finding it funny
I’m surprised it happens that often TBH. I walk our younger two pretty much every day, and every day we encounter loose dogs. Generally, the most I’ve ever have to do to keep a dog away was throw a handful of gravel at the ground in front of them.
I threw a Shih Tzu over a fence back into it's yard years ago when it attacked my dog who was pooping blood out of his bum. Not my finest moment but what was I supposed to do? I had to get my dog home to get to the vet. He was obviously having soem sort of issue and this little snarky dog that was always out came to bite Bandit in the face.
That dog went sailing and the owner was horrified.
That dog went sailing and the owner was horrified.
My dogs are leashed and we do have a leash law around here. I too will do whatever means necessary to protect my dogs if a loose dog comes at us. I have kicked a dog before and really hard too. The dog ran through its wireless fencing barrier and attacked Cricket grabbing her by the throat and trying to shake her. I kicked the dog super hard repeatedly to get it to let go and I was so ready to defend my dog that I don't think I would have been above seriously injuring the other dog or worse in order to protect my dog. The owners were pissed I even kicked their dog. I'm sorry but MY dog was on a leash and yours wasn't. I WILL protect my dog by any means necessary. She is lucky ALL I did was kick her dog. Sorry if that makes me sound like an ass and animal abuser but even the cop and animal control officer said I was well within my right to protect my dog by force. I'm not happy I had to kick a dog, but I do not regret the action I took. That dog could have ended up potentially killing Cricket if I hadn't done something and I'm lucky that she didn't end up fearing other dogs after the experience.
One thing that's gets my blood boiling is when people walking their dogs off leash ans their dogs run up to myself and my dogs while the owner is yelling at their dog to come back and they finally give up and yell "dont worry they are friendly" I now just yell back "doesn't mean my are"
There is a guy that walks both his dogs off leash twice a day around my house, which we have had run ins with. And while both his dogs are friendly they have no recall when they see another dog coming their way.
There is a guy that walks both his dogs off leash twice a day around my house, which we have had run ins with. And while both his dogs are friendly they have no recall when they see another dog coming their way.
I’ve found the exact same thing Paige. And like I said, I deal with loose dogs every day.
We have similar rules in addition to leash laws for state parks. Our rules state the farmer can shoot the dog worrying livestock. And there is no burden of proof either. So basically a farmer can shoot any dog that comes on to the property. Most don’t, but there are a few jerks who would, and wouldn’t bother checking the collar either.
We have similar rules in addition to leash laws for state parks. Our rules state the farmer can shoot the dog worrying livestock. And there is no burden of proof either. So basically a farmer can shoot any dog that comes on to the property. Most don’t, but there are a few jerks who would, and wouldn’t bother checking the collar either.
I agree. I'm the first to admit I will use my body/foot/whatever to keep dogs away from Meg on leash (or dogs displaying any signs of aggression away from Gusto - he handles it find if they are just stupid friendly). My first defense is always throwing food. I rarely take my dogs out without a few treats on my person, and most of the time if you toss a handful of them at the dog's face, they veer off for a second and start scarfing. Gives you a second to plan an escape. Granted, these are friendly "But he just wants to say hi!" dogs; I've luckily never had an aggressive dog charge us.
Uh... you do know what LOL stands for right?
So you’re laughing that you knocked the big bad JRT across the road, but you don’t find it funny? Mkay...
FWIW, I find that a lot of people, while they may have their dogs leashed, still allow their dogs to contribute to a loose dog situation escalating.
If your dog is straining at the leash, staring down the oncoming dog, or worse freaking out at the end of the leash, you’re going to have a much harder time getting the loose dog to disengage than you would if your dog is trained in a solid “watch me†and is calmly ignoring the other dog. I don’t allow my dogs to instigate other dogs.
And yes, I understand that some dogs have issues and its harder to train the response you want. However, I hear a lot of attitude of it being entirely the loose dog’s fault that there was a confrontation without any acknowledgement that the leashed dogs behavior often directly contributes to the loose dog’s behavior.
I was at a show yesterday (not competing) and during the ribbons for Rally novice, one guy’s dog was setting off every other dog in the ring. He was letting his dog pull on the leash and stare down the other dogs, just totally rude behavior. A lab started lunging at him, a sheltie started barking at him and everyone is looking at the lab and sheltie like they’re the bad guys, I’m like, hello! This guy’s dog is being an ass and he’s standing there oblivious, not even bothering to tell his dog to quit staring down the other ones!
So you’re laughing that you knocked the big bad JRT across the road, but you don’t find it funny? Mkay...
FWIW, I find that a lot of people, while they may have their dogs leashed, still allow their dogs to contribute to a loose dog situation escalating.
If your dog is straining at the leash, staring down the oncoming dog, or worse freaking out at the end of the leash, you’re going to have a much harder time getting the loose dog to disengage than you would if your dog is trained in a solid “watch me†and is calmly ignoring the other dog. I don’t allow my dogs to instigate other dogs.
And yes, I understand that some dogs have issues and its harder to train the response you want. However, I hear a lot of attitude of it being entirely the loose dog’s fault that there was a confrontation without any acknowledgement that the leashed dogs behavior often directly contributes to the loose dog’s behavior.
I was at a show yesterday (not competing) and during the ribbons for Rally novice, one guy’s dog was setting off every other dog in the ring. He was letting his dog pull on the leash and stare down the other dogs, just totally rude behavior. A lab started lunging at him, a sheltie started barking at him and everyone is looking at the lab and sheltie like they’re the bad guys, I’m like, hello! This guy’s dog is being an ass and he’s standing there oblivious, not even bothering to tell his dog to quit staring down the other ones!
Sorry, but that's ridiculous. If someone's leashed dog is attacked by an unleashed dog, I'm not going to go "well if your dog had been better behaved on leash, it wouldn't have been that bad." No, it is 100% the fault of the unleashed dog, because if it had been leashed, the situation never would have happened in the first place.
And I am LOLing at the absurdity of the suggestion that if I hit someone's dog to defend myself, that I should feel bad and go cry a little bit. That's definitely not going to happen. I guess I just must be a little more brutal than others when it comes to other peoples dogs. I have a very low bullshit tolerance.
And I am LOLing at the absurdity of the suggestion that if I hit someone's dog to defend myself, that I should feel bad and go cry a little bit. That's definitely not going to happen. I guess I just must be a little more brutal than others when it comes to other peoples dogs. I have a very low bullshit tolerance.
As far as I'm concerned if your dog is loose where it should not be, any resulting issue is always the "fault" (really the loose dog's owners fault of course) of the loose dog.
I have one super friendly "ZOMG! I just want to say HI!!!" dog, and a reactive dog, so I do see both sides of the issue. However, if I allowed Jack (who has a good recall), to run loose where he shouldn't, I would consider it 100% my bad if he got clobbered by either a dog or person. Sally is reactive and we have invested a lot in training her. She does have a solid watch me, and if a dog is far away, fine. However, if a dog gets close enough that I think it's going to engage I have to take action. I *really* don't like to do it because anymore she usually doesn't react unless I do, but if the dogs gets close enough I would rather drive it away and do minor damage control getting Sally calmed down then deal with the fallout of an altercation.
I have one super friendly "ZOMG! I just want to say HI!!!" dog, and a reactive dog, so I do see both sides of the issue. However, if I allowed Jack (who has a good recall), to run loose where he shouldn't, I would consider it 100% my bad if he got clobbered by either a dog or person. Sally is reactive and we have invested a lot in training her. She does have a solid watch me, and if a dog is far away, fine. However, if a dog gets close enough that I think it's going to engage I have to take action. I *really* don't like to do it because anymore she usually doesn't react unless I do, but if the dogs gets close enough I would rather drive it away and do minor damage control getting Sally calmed down then deal with the fallout of an altercation.
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There is a leash law here, but it is seldom followed. I hate it. I despise having to carry pepper spray to just take Argon for a walk, knowing that we're likely to be approached by "Oh, he's just friendly" overenthusiastic dogs. Argon is not friendly, and I don't appreciate you ruining all the work I'm trying to do with him.
There are leash laws here and I do follow them. Not that many follow it in this neighborhood. Most loose dogs that come running up to other dogs that are on a leash are not the best trained dogs to being with otherwise the owner could and SHOULD have called their dog off the leashed dog. I have noticed that most well trained, and well mannered dogs tend to not come running up to greet other dogs. They walk up.
I don’t disagree with any of this at all.
My point is that so many people walk around with a dog straining at the leash eyeballing every other dog within 100 yards which can lead to the loose dogs coming in closer whereas had the leashed dog been acting like a normal dog, the other dogs probably wouldn’t even have given him a second look.
Controlled dogs rarely invite altercations.
My point is that so many people walk around with a dog straining at the leash eyeballing every other dog within 100 yards which can lead to the loose dogs coming in closer whereas had the leashed dog been acting like a normal dog, the other dogs probably wouldn’t even have given him a second look.
Controlled dogs rarely invite altercations.
K
Okay okay wait folks, just waaiiit a minute and hear me out...
< We're passing around a nice sangria punch and bloody marys or Jack n coke for whoever wants some...>
Now then, if we may calmly clarify the point of leash laws. To serve and protect the canine population. We all live in different areas with different situations. Where I am you have to drive a half hour to find secluded woods. Some people here have to drive a half hour to find the nearest neighbor.
Leash laws are important in heavily populated areas with mega traffic. And of course it's a courtesy for people who have DA canines who don't want unleashed dogs approaching. Of course one doesn't have to go beating any unleashed dog they see either. When I see unleashed dogs I tend to give them the benefit of a doubt...a big smiled " Hiiiiiiiiii" and many dogs will just look at you curiously or break into full wag.
I've been frightened by leashed and unleahed dogs too and it's awful. There's a GSD down the street the size of a pony. He pounces out at anyone on that block...we avoid that block. There are people who walk leashed muzzled dogs, once again...you just change your walking route to make a big safe distance.
Knowing when to leash and unleash your dog is about safety, commonsense and courtesy, it doesn't have to be a federal case...
< We're passing around a nice sangria punch and bloody marys or Jack n coke for whoever wants some...>
Now then, if we may calmly clarify the point of leash laws. To serve and protect the canine population. We all live in different areas with different situations. Where I am you have to drive a half hour to find secluded woods. Some people here have to drive a half hour to find the nearest neighbor.
Leash laws are important in heavily populated areas with mega traffic. And of course it's a courtesy for people who have DA canines who don't want unleashed dogs approaching. Of course one doesn't have to go beating any unleashed dog they see either. When I see unleashed dogs I tend to give them the benefit of a doubt...a big smiled " Hiiiiiiiiii" and many dogs will just look at you curiously or break into full wag.
I've been frightened by leashed and unleahed dogs too and it's awful. There's a GSD down the street the size of a pony. He pounces out at anyone on that block...we avoid that block. There are people who walk leashed muzzled dogs, once again...you just change your walking route to make a big safe distance.
Knowing when to leash and unleash your dog is about safety, commonsense and courtesy, it doesn't have to be a federal case...
I have a dog who is leash reactive. He is 100% friendly but you'd never guess by the way he stares another dog down and he will lunge and growl if the other dog is uptight too and I do nothing to prevent it. I'm working hard on it and loose dogs charging us really do not help his reactivity.
I really don't mind if people ask if the dogs can say hi. My response is usually yes. I don't like people assuming.
I really don't mind if people ask if the dogs can say hi. My response is usually yes. I don't like people assuming.
I kind of wish this program was available everywhere: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5562&Itemid=411
It's a Voice and Sight control program Boulder uses to allow *trained* dogs more off leash privileges!
I, in general, follow leash laws in most places, but I do allow my dogs off leash in remote areas when they show me that they can behave. Crowded sites? no. Near traffic? no. On the trail that I see one or two people on every third time I go? Yes.
I've had a reactive dog, so I understand the concern. I make sure my dogs have a recall, that they don't go up to people/dogs unless given permission, and as soon as I see someone, they are called back and either held or leashed until the person passes and is out of sight. By the time someone realizes my dog was off leash, they are back *on* leash.
I do realize my dogs are not robots and if they break command and go visit then I take full responsibility for anything that happens to them because of that - the other dog going after mine, the person kicking or macing my dog, etc.
And on the other side, if my dogs are leashed and an off leash dog comes up to them I'll be just as incensed as anyone, so I don't begrudge anyone a reaction to mine! I know it has to go both ways, but it's a risk I take to allow my dogs to enjoy some of our favorite places.
It's a Voice and Sight control program Boulder uses to allow *trained* dogs more off leash privileges!
I, in general, follow leash laws in most places, but I do allow my dogs off leash in remote areas when they show me that they can behave. Crowded sites? no. Near traffic? no. On the trail that I see one or two people on every third time I go? Yes.
I've had a reactive dog, so I understand the concern. I make sure my dogs have a recall, that they don't go up to people/dogs unless given permission, and as soon as I see someone, they are called back and either held or leashed until the person passes and is out of sight. By the time someone realizes my dog was off leash, they are back *on* leash.
I do realize my dogs are not robots and if they break command and go visit then I take full responsibility for anything that happens to them because of that - the other dog going after mine, the person kicking or macing my dog, etc.
And on the other side, if my dogs are leashed and an off leash dog comes up to them I'll be just as incensed as anyone, so I don't begrudge anyone a reaction to mine! I know it has to go both ways, but it's a risk I take to allow my dogs to enjoy some of our favorite places.