[NYBulldog]

My bulldog barks off-leash and I need to "control my dogs", these little shit dogs with no leash bark their asses off and all I hear is giggles. The problem with having some dogs off-leash is that some dogs that have a leash may have issues or be aggressive. So out of respect for all dogs, use a leash. Or don't cry if your off-leash dog gets bit by an aggressive dog on a leash

[ShopVac]

When I take pictures of my pups in public, I just photoshop out the leashes. Makes you guys think I'm entitled.

So, all 3 of ours are fully trained, CGC, CGC-U, CGC-A - one is therapy. While I don't walk them off leash in public, I do let them come out with me to the mailbox or to get the garbage cans. A few months ago, a UPS driver had his truck parked behind a tree and was taking a package to the neighbors, which I didn't see. Dog got startled and started running towards him. Gave a drop command, which he did immediately, not leaving our yard. UPS guy may have wet his pants a bit...but my dogs are on full verbal.

And - if someone's unleashed dog comes into my pack, I will allow full carnage if their dog is aggressive. And my pack will not lose the battle. If it's coming in non-aggressive, I'll give mine a down command and scold the owner.

[floridaorange]

How dare you! Would you walk your Mom or brother on a leash? {sarcasm}

Every dog is capable of acting completely out of character and purely on instinct only despite training, period. That can result in biting off someones finger if they choose, small dogs are capable of that. Trusting a dog to be walked without a leash is just another sign of the times, low discernment, low accountability, low consideration for others.

[Humdizzle]

yeah it doesn't matter how well behaved it is... end of the day its still an animal with built in tendencies.

that said we do go for walks with our local stray cat. she'll go about 1/4 mile with us in the evenings and then turn back. but a cat behavior is very different to a dogs.

[JMcLellan]

The mention of dog size bias really resonates with me. We have an 85 lb male Weimaraner who is slim and very tall. He is bigger than 95% of the other dogs he encounters. He is 2 years old and has been bitten or attacked by 5 or 6 different dogs in public places. All times, expect for one, the dog that bit him was much smaller. My dog is really playful and curious, and I'm sure he is intimidating to a smaller dog leading to getting bitten. He likes to run up and sniff everything but he is not aggressive.

Every single time he has gotten bitten by a smaller dog, the dog owner offers no apology or empathy. I think their viewpoint is that my dog is big and scary and their dog was just defending themselves. It's annoying. My dog has never bitten another dog yet has been munched on several times and no one cares. I get it and I'm sure smaller dog owners will chime in saying you never know when a dog can get aggressive and if my big ass dog did start biting there would be lots of damage. Whatever....I'm justifying my annoyance on a sample size of 2 years of ownership and several attacks from other dogs with zero retaliation.

Ok, I'm done

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

The mention of dog size bias really resonates with me. We have an 85 lb male Weimaraner who is slim and very tall. He is bigger than 95% of the other dogs he encounters. He is 2 years old and has been bitten or attacked by 5 or 6 different dogs in public places. All times, expect for one, the dog that bit him was much smaller. My dog is really playful and curious, and I'm sure he is intimidating to a smaller dog leading to getting bitten. He likes to run up and sniff everything but he is not aggressive.

Every single time he has gotten bitten by a smaller dog, the dog owner offers no apology or empathy. I think their viewpoint is that my dog is big and scary and their dog was just defending themselves. It's annoying. My dog has never bitten another dog yet has been munched on several times and no one cares. I get it and I'm sure smaller dog owners will chime in saying you never know when a dog can get aggressive and if my big ass dog did start biting there would be lots of damage. Whatever....I'm justifying my annoyance on a sample size of 2 years of ownership and several attacks from other dogs with zero retaliation.

Ok, I'm done

You would need to elaborate. How is he getting bitten? Is he off leash? Are the little dogs off leash? If everyone's on a leash not sure how anyones getting bitten.

In general my thoughts are every dog should be on a leash. For those super trained dogs who always follow all commands and never run after anything etc then walking on a leash should be extremely easy and comfortable. Takes 2 seconds to clip a leash on so I really don't see any reason not to walk them on a leash.

One of my pet peeves which we had a lot when traveling in the RV and staying at RV parks where we had to walk the dogs multiple times a day (at home we just let them out to the yard). People who want to bring their dogs to meet your dogs even when you are clearly trying to avoid them or tell them your dog is not friendly. Then they are shocked when our dog starts barking at them. Had this happen more than once.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

You would need to elaborate. How is he getting bitten? Is he off leash? Are the little dogs off leash? If everyone's on a leash not sure how anyones getting bitten.

In general my thoughts are every dog should be on a leash. For those super trained dogs who always follow all commands and never run after anything etc then walking on a leash should be extremely easy and comfortable. Takes 2 seconds to clip a leash on so I really don't see any reason not to walk them on a leash.

One of my pet peeves which we had a lot when traveling in the RV and staying at RV parks where we had to walk the dogs multiple times a day (at home we just let them out to the yard). People who want to bring their dogs to meet your dogs even when you are clearly trying to avoid them or tell them your dog is not friendly. Then they are shocked when our dog starts barking at them. Had this happen more than once.

Good call out. 1 incident was at a sandbar at a lake in northern MN with both dogs running around off leash. The other times were at our local off leash dog park. We've had zero issues when walking our dog on a leash.
We haven't had any issues since we got him neutered so that might be a big piece of it with the other dogs smelling his fertility or something??

[MisanoblueZ4]

I’ve had some heated debates with friends of ours who let their rat terriers off leash on local mountain paths.
Despite finding no evidence off leash is allowed, I’ve been told the mountain is considered free land and leash law does not apply.

Meanwhile a few weeks ago on mountain path, their dogs ran up to a random hiker and barked, the hiker threatened to “kill the dogs” if they jumped or bit him.

I sided with hiker as absolutely right since the dogs were not under control and off leash, my friends were not happy with my response.

Not sure if it’s entitled or some weird compassion that their dogs are being “mistreated” if leashed in the woods, they should be free to roam around on and off path.

My dogs are always leashed, I believe it is the responsible way when bringing animals out into public space. For their safety and others.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

yeah it doesn't matter how well behaved it is... end of the day its still an animal with built in tendencies.

that said we do go for walks with our local stray cat. she'll go about 1/4 mile with us in the evenings and then turn back. but a cat behavior is very different to a dogs.

In countries where there are feral dogs they pretty much integrate with society to that same walk level.

In Costa Rica I was in a town called Playa Hermosa where a bunch of the owned dogs legit go out into the wild for the day and screw around on the beach/in the jungle. They understand the traffic law and wait at crosswalks. They will follow and protect children from strangers, its mind blowing. They rove around in packs literally like its their job and then they go home in the evenings when their families are home from work after policing the community.

It blew my mind - i used to have indoor/outdoor cats growing up and they are definitely quicker to revert to that lifestyle but dogs definitely still got it.

Unless your dog is in a roving pack and frequents the beach and the jungle with pals, they should probably be on a leash though.