Should we keep our Staffs on a lead?!

by Richardspencer Mon Dec 17 2012, 12:26

Just thought I start this debate/discussion.
I have seen from reading quite a few posts that there are alot of people who let their sbt of off the lead. (I dont strictly have anything against this, I am meerly starting the debate) Personally I do not let lola off the lead as her reacall, which I am working on, is not brilliant when other dogs, birds, squirrels or anything she fancies chasing. However, the club from where she and my other staff were rescued from had a policy/request that dogs rehomed from them were to be kept on a lead regardless of how good that dog was, trained or otherwise. This was, I assume, to protect the breeds name from further damage in the unlikely event that a dog did decide to bite another dog, chase a horse, defend itself (which would unfortunately still be portrayed as the sbt's fault.)
I do let lola run on her 8m lead when we are over the fields.
Point 8 in the responsible ownership list on this website says 'always have your dog on a leash in public' do we all do this? Should we do this, and as SBT lovers put the breed above our own dog?? Where do we draw the line. If Lolas recall was brilliant then I would love to let her off for a run so I do not get out of breath running with her.

by **Gazagem** Mon Dec 17 2012, 12:34

Hi Rich
I do let my two off lead when there is no one else about and have stopped going to the local park as many there have off lead uncontroled dogs which is a shame as its a lovely park
So over the fields is fine but their recal is good anywhere else they are on a lead and don't seem to mind

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 12:51

i use either long line lead or excersize off lead in fenced in area rest of the time walking is on lead as others have said there so many people walking off lead dogs its not worth the risk of not being able to take my boy out of a situation quickly

by **Mark** Mon Dec 17 2012, 12:59

At the moment we don't let miley off lead as we are training her recall but we have done Sad

by **Jellytot** Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:00

Ralph's recall is ok. 90% of the time he comes back, and we are always working on this and treating him when he comes back.

He does however, get distracted easilly, he won't return to us when there is another dog, or something that looks fun, like someone jogging or on a bike.

We let him off when there's no one else about, but sometimes people come round the corner and it's too late.

Staff's have loads of energy, so I think it's a must to let them have a good run about so long as they are under control. A tired staffy is a happy one.

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:01

I only let lexi off in the forest or the beach or fields, she has good recall when she wants but she is dog aggressive (my own fault for not socialising her enough)

I agree dogs (of all breeds) should be on a leash in public like on the street etc (nothing annoys me more than a dog wandering on and offf the road as its scummy owner stands smoking on a corner) but if your dog has good recall and good social skills then getting a run about in the park is beneficial. Its other peoples dogs you have to worry about!

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:03

Jellytot wrote: A tired staffy is a happy one.

by Passey83 Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:25

I let Leo off lead when we are away from roads/paths IF there are no other people/dogs around unless he knows them/they know him. He does generally have good recall.

I will always make sure he is on lead if there are people/dogs around that we have not socialised with before as a lot of the dogs in our village are little yappy things that all seem to be dog aggressive and always try to go for him. They run around off lead all the time and try and attack Leo, in these instances I feel it is better that I have my dog under control.

I personally feel that regardless of breed, dogs need to have time off the lead to fully exercise and use their senses, it is the owners responsibility to make sure their dogs are safe.

by eogh Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:42

I let my two of the lead when I go to the lakes or down the fields near me . But not if there is any other dogs or ppl around just incase anything happens. Cause even if it was mine two were attacked I would get in trouble as it is against the law in Ireland to have a staffordshire bull terriers off lead in public they are also ment to be muzzled Crying or Very sad

which I don't do cause it makes them look dangerous which they are not.

by Mani Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:49

Only on lead when near roads w/ cars. He's not great w/ all dogs he meets, but if off-lead he will avoid the dogs he doesn't want to meet anyway.

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 13:55

I think if your dog has perfect recall and has shown it isn't going to dive off after people or dogs or whatever, then it's OK to let your dog off the lead in public. The only problem I have with it is roads, but I know a lot of dogs wait for their owner or develop some kind of awareness. There's an old neighbour of mine with an old JRT and he's always off the lead, just trots ahead in front of him, never gotten into any trouble. Personally, I'd never let Loki off near the streets because even if his recall was perfect, there's a first for everything. Plus his recall is non-existent at the moment, but even when it was great, he wouldn't come back if I called him when there was a dog near. When Loki's recall is normal again, I'll work on calling him back when around dogs (dogs that I know), but that's just as a "just in case" rather than me wanting to let him off the lead around dogs all the time. I'll mainly stick to letting him off the lead when it's quiet.

by **Gazagem** Mon Dec 17 2012, 14:04

ANattyRat wrote:I think if your dog has perfect recall and has shown it isn't going to dive off after people or dogs or whatever, then it's OK to let your dog off the lead in public. The only problem I have with it is roads, but I know a lot of dogs wait for their owner or develop some kind of awareness. There's an old neighbour of mine with an old JRT and he's always off the lead, just trots ahead in front of him, never gotten into any trouble.

Sounds just like my female gsd although she was 8 when she started not needing a lead
It's like they get a calm about them however I wouldn't have had my male gsd off lead near any distractions and same with both mine at the moment
I have a friend with a collie that's the same never goes far from his owner and is as gentle as a lamb

by Lis Mon Dec 17 2012, 14:31

Passey83 wrote:I let Leo off lead when we are away from roads/paths IF there are no other people/dogs around unless he knows them/they know him. He does generally have good recall.

I will always make sure he is on lead if there are people/dogs around that we have not socialised with before as a lot of the dogs in our village are little yappy things that all seem to be dog aggressive and always try to go for him. They run around off lead all the time and try and attack Leo, in these instances I feel it is better that I have my dog under control.

I personally feel that regardless of breed, dogs need to have time off the lead to fully exercise and use their senses, it is the owners responsibility to make sure their dogs are safe.

I totally agree! All dogs need some off the lead time if safe to do so. I take my Dizzy on a great walk where I can see for miles in either direction, so this is when I give him his freedom to run off lead and also without his muzzle (purely for peace of mind purposes). He is not forwardly aggresive but a couple of bad experiences in the past have have lead me to learn that I cannot ever fully trust him with any dog, as certain things just cause him to flick a switch and suddenly play no longer becomes play, especially if they are yappy/squeaky little dogs Sad

Plus I know that any dog that has a go at him, he will not hesitate in retaliating.

Dizzy's recall is loads better than say a year ago, so if I see someone coming he goes back on his lead instantly. Plus if we are playing with his ball, then nothing else matters around him other than his beloved ball and it's easy to pop his lead straight on Love Struck

by **mickgill** Mon Dec 17 2012, 14:42

I haven't let Duke off the lead yet though his recall on the 50ft training lead is very good , today i was training on that very lead on a field near us, Duke was doing really well till a retriever bounded out of a near-bye woods gallops over and bowls Duke over as well Sad

, the owner appeared about 100 yards behind his dog shouting and whistling for it to return to him fat chance of that , in the end i walked Duke over to the dogs owner and naturally his dog followed us .

This has happened a few times now with different dogs the other week we were on the beach and a guy walking a Lakeland terrier thought it was fine for his dog to be off the lead while it ran over snarling at Duke and i mean showing it's teeth , i told the guy what i thought of him and he walked away muttering under his breath, all this makes me think for the moment Duke is better off on the lead i do not want another dog with bad habits passing them on to Duke .

by BigNick8 Mon Dec 17 2012, 14:48

Lis wrote:Plus if we are playing with his ball, then nothing else matters around him other than his beloved ball and it's easy to pop his lead straight on

This is soooo Ella Big Grin

She loves a fuss and attention from anyone, her biggest 'fault' is being overzealous and jumping up at people 'expecting' to be liked and made a fuss of by EVERYONE! I will keep her on a lead where there are children around, and other dogs too. But the biggest way to keep her occupied is to take her ball along, she's so hypnotized by it that the world could collapse around her and she wouldn't notice - it's all about her ball Wink

I take her on long walks to secluded areas (and there's plenty of them down here) be it forests, national parks, reservoirs, beaches and she runs/splashes to her hearts content.
I think every dog has that certain element of mischief in them, Ella is no angel and though she's quite small as Staffy's go; she has snarled at other dogs that have tried to steal her ball in the past.
There is a guy lives very near me that NEVER puts his two staffs on a lead and they are exactly the kind of dog (due to the way he has failed to make them decent dogs) that will attack anything and everything.
It's sad to say it, but I have to cross the road when I see him as he has no control over them whatsoever and I dread to think what I would do to him if one of his dogs went for Ella bring it on

People like him shouldn't be able to keep dogs in my opinion hypnotised

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 14:59

I do let Dempsey off lead, the same as I have always let my dogs off lead.

BUT.

I've always trained my dogs to either come back 100%, or at least stay as soon as I tell them. I never let them run up to other dogs unless the other owner says it's ok, and even then I make sure both dogs are ok with it!

by **Staffy lover** Mon Dec 17 2012, 15:43

I let Pixee off lead when there are no other dogs about. Generally I will put her back on lead when I see any other dog off lead so I have the situation under control. Pixee use to go after other dogs in the early days, now she does not, I either say' wait' or ' this way' and walk in a different direction to which Pixee will do as asked. She does need off lead time. On canal paths she is off lead unless I see a crown of people coming to which she is put back on lead as she still finds certain people threating to her sadly, but far and few now I am happy to say. Cyclist are no problem, she will 'sit' when I say and let them cycle pass her. I however always put her back on lead when little ones are about. I hate other dogs that come up to her! Bad manners!

by Dan330 Mon Dec 17 2012, 15:56

I let monty off when playing fetch, this often ends up with him playing with other dogs, but I always have him on a lead if we are just walking. He is really well socialised now and seems to back off straight away if another dog warns him. He's seems really content!!

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:03

eogh wrote:I let my two of the lead when I go to the lakes or down the fields near me . But not if there is any other dogs or ppl around just incase anything happens. Cause even if it was mine two were attacked I would get in trouble as it is against the law in Ireland to have a staffordshire bull terriers off lead in public they are also ment to be muzzled which I don't do cause it makes them look dangerous which they are not.

Irelands laws on dogs and specific breeds is ridiculous.

by Mani Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:13

It's pretty much like that for the whole of Continental Europe or even more restrictive.

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:22

Craaaaaaaaaaazy

by **stella** Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:32

i think if your dogs recall is good and you know your dog is fine with other dogs or the place you are walking your dog has no other dogs around/you have a good view around you there is no reason why you cant let your dog off its lead,obviously around the streets on lead at all times Big Grin

by **Mark** Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:40

Mileys recall is great when there is no one or dog about but as soon as she sees them she is totally distracted. We used to let her off as she is non agressive to people or dogs she justs wants to play. She did once hold a line of traffic on the road so now she is on a training lead. Hopefully we can try her again off lead in the summer and pray she is better Smile

by eogh Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:41

It's crazy but luckily it is rarely enforced. Its the same for pit bulls english bull terrier gsd Doberman few others to

by **jshrew** Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:41

Ledger is finally getting the hang of 'fetch' and with his chuckit or boomer ball that is 100% his focus I still only let him off in the park if I can initially see that there is no one else around but I have started testing him when people or dogs walk through and so far he will just stand on command and focus on the second ball which I carry and if I spot an off lead dog I put Ledger back on

I do let him off for short periods in certain areas again when there are no visible distractions just to work on his focus when he does pick up a scent and so far so good but on the whole if I don't have one of his balls then he stays on lead

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:45

eogh wrote:It's crazy but luckily it is rarely enforced. Its the same for pit bulls english bull terrier gsd Doberman few others to

All the "bad" breeds basically and any crosses or deemed crosses. Bit silly really.

by Panda Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:51

Solly is muzzled and on lead when in London. If he meets up with his dog friends then he can have a good blow out with them most mornings, but woe betide if a strange dog intervenes, I have to keep a sharp look out. I dont think any dog should be on the street without being on a lead, no matter how well trained it is.

by Mani Mon Dec 17 2012, 16:54

eogh wrote:It's crazy but luckily it is rarely enforced. Its the same for pit bulls english bull terrier gsd Doberman few others to

I think police officers have more stuff to worry about than if a dog is outside without its muzzle. Sure they don't carry pocket breed recognition flyers with them. If an accident happens, then sure, but just as normal policing, probably not. Tomorrow I'm going from the UK to France, then Spain and finally Portugal with Mani... and all the way back a week later. I'm taking a muzzle but will play the ignoramus for the most part.

by rescuestaffords Mon Dec 17 2012, 18:48

My dogs are off lead in safe areas...if they didn't get the off lead exercise they need they would drive me mad!

I think it's important to let dogs off lead (aslong as it's safe to do so and their recall is good) They are an active breed and lead walks just do not cut it in my opinion.

I could lead walk my dogs for 3 hours and they still wouldn't be tired, but 2 hours off lead and they sleep like babies.

by **Nathan** Mon Dec 17 2012, 21:41

I only off lead in enclosed spaces. The prey drive is to strong anywhere else, recall is great until they find something more intresting. I had gun dogs before and they are a world apart, husky side must come into it but cant let the staffy "terrier" side off the hook. There is generations of hunting, flushing out and digging out prey in there blood. Its easy to forget they have a working dog bloodline as well in there past

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 22:03

I can always let Harv off the lead, he has no aggression to any dogs and will recall from everything including dogs 99% of the time Smile

by Guest Mon Dec 17 2012, 22:06

Suki is on lead unless she is in an enclosed area.

by Steveb Tue Dec 18 2012, 13:46

I think it depends on the dog. For me Teddy is always on the lead because he can be DA with strange dogs. Bella on the other hand is fine with other dogs - she just ignores strange dogs and her recall is excellent. So she is off lead more often than not. Blue loves other dogs but his recall isn't as good when he is playing - so he will go on and off the lead depending on the situation - not because he is aggressive but rather to prevent a benny hill sketch lol

So with three dogs and three very different ways of doing things, I don't think there is a one answer fits all with Staffies Smile

by Eloise Sun Dec 23 2012, 00:50

I can't let mine off the lead unless we are walking with friends as when we are alone he has chased, caught and ate 2 rabbits and then we have the horses, joggers, and other animals and his recall is nil even though we have been to training and we work on it. Mine is staff cross Jack Russell (we think). He is incredibly friendly, but he is a jumper and will try and kiss the face - even though at home he is brilliant with commands. not listening

by harlou Sun Dec 23 2012, 15:07

We let Olly off his lead when we are on the beach in the woods etc his recall is great except when he sees someone he knows then he becomes deaf , our only concern is if he meets aggresive dogs as he is a reat soft lump who will not even defend himself,he runs back tail between legs .

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