Off-lead dogs

[Kimmikins]

How do you feel about them? Do you often find them a problem when out for walks? When do you let your dogs off the lead, if at all?

We met an off-lead dog today, on the final stretch of Sara's weekend long walk. The dog was friendly enough, but I don't know whether the owner didn't bother trying to put him on a lead or control him, or whether the dog made a run for it and the owner just let it go. It was a pretty big, black dog (Sara's worst kind) and he came running towards us.

So I put Adrianne's tips into use - initially I stopped, but mainly because Sara had already stopped, and as it got closer I said "hi doggy". Luckily Sara decided that this dog was a dog she wanted to play with, so we got the bouncy play bows and bouncing all over the place. It didn't look massively pretty, and she had her hackles up a bit, but I had a little chat with the dog, and then we walked on and all was good...so result!


It was just fortunate this dog was friendly, and seemed a bit dumb enough that he wouldn't have taken it the wrong way if Sara hadn't liked him! It was a bit annoying that the owner made no real effort to get a lead on when he saw that Sara was on one....would you do the same? If I see an on-lead dog, I respect that, and if my dog is off-lead I put it back on a lead!

[Adrianne]

I have to say that I do not put Cupes on a lead, he ignores all dogs unless they invite play...he has a 'walk around' command, which we use if the other dog is leashed or reactive in any way, and that actually allows him more distance from them than being on a lead. He rarely runs up to another dog..he stands and calls to them to guage a reaction...
when I teach loose lead walking / heelwork and / lead work..the first thing that we learn is that the lead (the nylon) is or should be insignificant...it is not the steering wheel, neither is it the brakes ..just the safety belt. The dog should respond to you exactly the same way with or without the leash on...very much 'more easily said than done'

...I took a little Lhasa off his leash on our last pack walk.. on leash he was a fearful aggressive little lad, teeth out, lunging and snarling at any dog that looked at him, off the lead he realised that he wasn't that interesting to the others..and that his efforts to keep them away made no difference..within an hour he was playing with them all
(obviously this was controlled and I had assessed the dog previously to determine his fear etc..he was introduced to the lowest threats first..stooge dog...puppies..calm females etc..)
Since the walk last month, the owner has contacted me to say that he now plays with dogs, ignores dogs and comes when called even in the company of others, he hasnt bothered showing his teeth since! He was fearful..because he couldn't predict other dogs, just inexperienced but as an adult he wasn't rude to others or inappropriate.


I like to think that when an owner doesn't put their dog back on the lead it is because that dog is controlled just as well on or off, and is not a threat to your dog....however some owners have their dogs off lead in the hope that they don't come across another dog and that they can re-reash it quickly before an incident occurs....so I understand that it is a huge problem when you have a dog that may react and you are doing the correct thing..

[Kimmikins]

If a dog is controlled, and stays near it's owner or returns when called, then I have absolutely no problem with it being off-lead. Or if it trots over towards you but appears like a calm dog...I don't know if that makes sense, but you know how sometimes you just know a dog is an ok one? That I'm ok with. It's when the owner does nothing and Sara then reacts (making US look bad) that I get a bit frustrated.

I wish you guys lived closer, I think that Sara could really benefit from a proper pack walk to learn how to meet dogs and interact properly.

[Adrianne]

if you have a behaviourist local to you, you could always phone them and ask or suggest that it would be a good service for them to offer, I don't charge for them.. that way if anyone doesn't like it or only wants to do half a walk (young puppies) nobody misses out. its only one day a month and we make a collection for charity if anyone wants to, so that's my contribution to local charities..(1 days work a month) The customers don't have to be clients.. their dogs don't even have to have issues.. its as much for the dogs as the people walking them ..we don't tend to go into forests on our own, but I a group we get to go further.
It is not just work for free ...my customers can 'try before they buy' I give advice to anyone asking and often it has proved so valuable to customers, that the word of mouth advertising is priceless to me.
I would say set up your own walking group, but it is handy to have some one with behaviour and training experience around for the dogs and owners that need some help.

[kimthecat]

 i was thinkng about starting a thread in training.behaviour about reactive dogs and how you cope with yours.
 
 i dont have a problem with off lead dogs excpet when they run up to mine , "happy" in your face dogs are nearly as much a problem as aggressive ones.

 I'm having a nightmare of a time with one woman who lets her gsd rough up little ones at the park .  her dog is unpredictable , sometime shes ok other times she just runs straight up to attack. We had a real bust up about it and I walk at different times to her and go to another park sometimes.

[sparks01]

That is so annoying you have to change your routine just because of this woman. Pity you can't report her to the authorities but they probably wouldn't do anything.
We ate lucky at our park nearly all the off lead dogs don't bother with us.
We do let crash off but put him back on if we see another dog.
There is one lab cross that he likes to play with but she tires him out after 5 mins run about she doesn't have good recall and the first time she came booling over I did worry but she is very submissive and just about rolls on her back as she got to us

[Dani]

Oh its a pet hate of mine for obvious reasons  . . . . .  trouble is that if you dont know the owner/dog then you just dont know whether the dog is obidient enough not to retaliate when your dog has a hissy fit . . . . . many owners said to me that their dog has 'never growled or barked at another dog,dont know whats got into her/him'   so unless I know the person or dog I stop and wait for them to leash their dog (on our country lane walks) if they dont bother I will call over and say that Dodge is not friendly towards dogs he does not know,that helps as they always put their dog on lead then,one time this guy kept calling and calling for his little springer,bless  . . . in the end he was shouting and screaming you stupid dog COME HERE !!! Then once he had his dog he turned and was about to walk the other way,so had to shout over that he can of course walk past us and carry on with his walk,just that I wanted his dog to be safe as well as mine    . . . . . oh and blow me down,Dodge walked on like an angel with lots of praise and treats,this guy must ve thought I m an over exaggerating nutter 


I hate it when dogs come running up to us,puts Dodge straight into 'fight mode',he is better with girls but there is rarely a moment that he decides from the off that he wants to play with a new dog 

[Adrianne]

ok ... new years resolution time ... your mission. should you choose to accept it
your dogs will meet and greet / play with / ignore at least one dog a week. You will sit on a wall / park bench etc..and watch other dogs play/ walk by, while dropping heavy duty goodies for your dog at the sight of a new dog.
You will follow a dog a day at a distance that your dog can cope with and still look up at you/eat/sit etc..
(I have a star chart! and im not afraid to use it!)
you will start with a new attitude .. you will use a watch me command ..and perfect it at home and add distractions. you will teach your dogs to 'walk around' things ...start with inanimate objects ..cones..bollards..etc ..no sniffing..no pulling.etc...walk around in a big arc and use the watch me..expect it on and off lead.

by Christmas 2014 I would like to hear that although you still watch carefully, your dogs are no longer 'bothered' and can even walk along with you and other dogs.

up for the challenge?

[Kimmikins]

Hells yeh I'm up for that,especially the star chart! We could make it a for-fun monthly event,whoever has the most stars gets to be pooch of the month?

[kristina]

OH SO Absolutly,I will  work my hardest with this little pup we need a project and this is it although I may be stumped for the other dogs as know one here wants to do that sort of stuff it will only be at training school or maybe on the Walking society that she gets to meet other dogs.I think I made a big mistake on Sunday I took Xena into our local town felt she really needs to meet people and dogs well have to say she was pretty awful embarrassing even,all over the place and I felt useless as I could not even control her at all.2 beautiful shepherd pups walked past her good as gold 1 owner let them meet the second owner did not want to know!!! the town is also full of Pigeons flying and settling around you that was a huge distraction for Xena,she also stands up on her hind legs when she sees anyone and of course there a lot of (I don't like dog )people out there,so that was hard too.Some people stopped and made a fuss which she loved,there was also a very and hate to say this but-- a very aggressive staffie that seemed to want to just kill her,the owner had a job to hold onto it and Xena just fled between my legs.So I will giving the town visits a miss for the time being until she's calmed down a bit more and I myself feel more confident with her.I truly don't know whats happened here I have dogs all my life all as good as gold no problem at all.Now I have a new pup and can't seem to get my act together with her.I know all the basics of training have lots more to learn as one never stops learning all new ideas.
From Xena's point of view and this is my own thought for what it's worth and I could be so wrong--on the one hand I have become her whole world never lets me out of her sight she is still so young and finding her way round her new life she loves people (which to me is good)she is also very clever very strong willed (to my mind thats a bitch they are more that way) I think anyway,she gets very bored very quickly as with her ball games she was so good,now she just messes about and does what she wants??Think my mum has pushed to far much to soon.Kristina

[kristina]

:)Hey Kimmikins I am well up for the challenge but month by month star chart that is a sure challenge for me and Xena,well we'll have a go.Kristina

[Kimmikins]

We can make it 3 monthly, or whatever people prefer. All depends on what Adrianne has in mind for us and our pups

[Adrianne]

...I will set a challenge for you all to work on, cant think just now cos of the tears of laughter ...xena has got me in bits...the idea of a puppy - of whom you can count her life in days still, and she is just having a ball!
.... I love the customers that start the phone call with ...'I have had dogs all my life...' that's just as well cos you are going to need all that experience!
I would love to meet Xena, she is full of life and fun and nonsense...she will be a wonderful adult female dog one day with wisdom from all that she is finding out about!

I had such a giggle reading that!

[Jordan]

Where did this thread come from ............totally missed it!

Xena sounds a lot like Bailey desperate to meet and greet everyone and totally out of control with excitment yet knows his sit etc in the house........ normal puppy behaviour?

Anything that will help Domino settle down and relax in all situations sounds good to me.

[kristina]

Bet you did too and I felt a right der brain, yeah I can just imagine (I have had dogs all my life) well it's true--hopefully going to send pic of me and my daughter she's about 8yrs we're up on Snowdon with my beautiful boys at the time,it's not a good pic took it from the frame I have hanging on my wall--here goes---well tried don't know if it's worked or not.Kristina