Getting fed up

Today, we took Jango for a walk. We have been slacking with the walks recently due to moving home however he has been walked every other day (usualy he gets an hour a day if not more) anyway, due to this he was very excited. Fair enough. We get onto the feild, he spots a black lab. The couple immediatly stick their dog on a lead - fine. Not my issue. However Jango hasnt seen a dog for 24 hours and is excited. He runs over and starts playing.

They took the effort to pick up their labrador- holding it high in their arms - bearing in mind this lab was twice the size of Jango and stsrt saying "control your dog"

I'm sorry? Is my dog not allowed to meet yours? Is yours too good for him? Or do you not let your dog play? I was livid. Most people have been quite lovely. You get the odd few. However their total over reaction was astpunding. Jango is one of the dopiest puppies you will ever meet. He is big for his age and excitable but he just wants to say hello to everyone all the time. I was understanding when we first got him. Then a little offended. Now I am just plain fed up of the ignorant attitudes we get. Another mans dog was playing with ja.go the other day. They were chasing down a hill and fell over. He then turned and said "He better not have drawn blood" I was shocked. I am really careful with this because I know how people have been recently due to that child being killed. I was watching him the entire time and know for a fact that at not one ppint did he even get the opportunity to "draw blood"

Sorry. Rant over.

I may be missing the point, but if they put their dog on lead I would put my 2 on lead, or keep them away from the other dog. They've obviously put it on lead for a reason. Its your responsibility to keep Jango away from situations like this, that lab could have been DA or could have been reactive on lead.

All dog meetings should take place with both dogs on lead anyway, incase anything happens its easy to remove them. Especially unknown dogs! I dont let Bailey off lead when there are other dogs about due to the fact he would run over to them, most people dont like to see 3 stone of SBT running towards them and their pooch!

you should never allow your dog to run over to any other dog especially one thats onlead without asking the owner first

I certainly wouldn't appreciate it i have an on lead reactive dog whos a lot bigger then a staff and could do alot of damage should he deem the other dog as a threat

If you see someone else put a lead on their dog you should recall your dog and do the same

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but you were the one in the wrong here. I mean, Jango may be the friendliest dog ever, but how are they to know that? Not to mention the other dog may not get on with dogs, or it may get on with dogs but only when introduced properly. It's very unsafe to let him run up to dogs he doesn't know, because even though he's friendly, you don't know if other dogs are. So imagine if a random dog just came running over to you and you have no idea if it's friendly or not.

Of course he can meet dogs, but it's best when it's done when both dogs are on the lead (at first, at least).

I am sorry to learn you are fed up Ann (AMarie) . I hope today goes more smoothly for you and Jango.

It is totally wrong the way people over re-act and say nasty things about staffys.

We pick our puppy today, Bo-Jangles, he is coming home with us for the very first time. When he becomes of the age to take him for walks, I hope no-one says anything but nice things about Bo-Jangles. He will be kept on a lead at all times, except when he is on the beach with Joe and our two children. All dogs on the beach allowed to run free where we live. Dogs are only allowed on the beach when it is out of season, i.e. winter.

Kind regards

Clare.

Sorry but I am with the majority If they put their dog on lead you should have too. Yes people do over react with Staffys a lot of the time and it does get very frustrating when we know how soft our babies are. But all intros should take place on lead first so that owners maintain control of the situation.

I never allow Dempsey to approach another dog unless the other owner says it's ok first.

I understand what you mean about him being friendly, but you were in the wrong by not asking them first.

It is very frustrating when your dog can't socialise but I am one of those people that expects owners to put their dog on the lead or at least call them back. Logan is very nervous at times with big dogs and nervous can be un-predictable.

By all means socialise at every oppurtunity but make a point of asking the owner first. Logan is now nervous/aggressive because people allowed their dog to run up and subsequently attack him. He was the most friendly socialable dog before it happened but because owners let their dog run wild he has now to suffer as a consequence.

Sorry, but I agree with what has been said too. Jango may well be the sweetest dog in the world, but the person that he's bounding toward has know idea what your dog is like.. It maybe that his dog is not very friendly and not socialized or very aggressive. Imagine how you would have felt if Jango had been attacked and badly hurt by this other dog.. Always approach another dog with him on lead.. I had a similar experience yesterday as a collie approached us, luckily I had just put Molly on the lead so I had her under control and she was busy with a stick so was calm.. and the collie didn't come too close. But I do wish dog owners wouldn't just assume that all dogs will get on and play, it's not always the case.

Not much to add really as it's all been said above - personally I hate off lead dogs running upto mine. I would have reacted the same as the labradors owners hun.
If my dog is on a leash - it's for a reason. If I see dogs in the field that are on lead then I keep mine on long lead. As a staffy owner you need to be the one who is super responsible - at all times. That's just the way it is.

If u ever see someone put their dog on a leash - then take that as an indicator to recall your dog and leash him - out of respect.

Staffys are often dog agressive and I don't blame people for being wary . I agree keep your dog on a lead until you have asked to owners permission ( if your dog is not dog agressive)

I am not scared of dogs but there are some breeds I would be spooked by if they ran over to us and my son gets scared if large breeds suddenly run up to him . I wouldn't preume it was a friendly dog just because it was off the lead either .

Dog on a lead until you can ask the owner if they are ok, sniff on leads and then let them off if all is ok.
I do understand you being fed up about attitudes.I walked bruce this morning and a woman was going to take her dog out.She saw us and shut the gate!

Im afraid this is the life of a staffie owner.On a positive I have changed the mind set of lots of people once they meet our pups and see how gentle they are

I think you are missing the point. They were leaving and I had just arrived. It is a feild of dog walkers. Should I just keep him on the lead constantly then? Unbelievable.There were others there with their dogs off the lead. Should I just keep him strapped to my side in case he wants to have a play? I understand they may have been worried but I have spoken to dog trainers who have said to not makehim anxious around other dogs and people by shying him away. I dont really understand what you are trying to tell me? I have owned plenty of dogs before and never had to put them on a lead everytime someone decides to leave the field???

The point is - no dog should be allowed to go bounding upto another unless invited to do so by it's owner.

If your dog has great recall then have him off lead but don't allow him to pester other dogs.

Just because it's a field of dog walkers dosent mean it's a free for all ! Some off lead dogs will stay close to their owners and not run over to the nearest dog. Obviously - yours did. So the point was - don't allow that to happen.

You don't need to shy him away from other dogs - but letting him run to another dog - who's owner picked the dog up - is not keeping ur dog under control.
What if the lab had gone for ur dog ? And your dog retaliated ? The lab woulda come off worse and you would be responsible for allowing it to happen by letting ur dog off lead run to another.

My dogs don't get to run off lead everyday. If there are other off lead dogs around - mine stay on lead - not because I dont trust my dogs - it's other ppls dogs I don't trust.

Most times I take mine on a brisk walk round the villiage, takes about 45mins and they have had enough when we get home.

If you can't recall your dog away from other dogs then yes, he should be on a lead IMO, out of respect to other dog owners.

What if there's a DA dog minding his own business and your dog runs over then gets bitten?

What if there's an anxious dog who's owner is training and your dogs runs over and sets the training back by scaring the dog?

What if there's and ill or elderly dog that your dog hurts by trying to play?

Just because you have a friendly dog doesn't mean you should allow it to run over to other dogs. There are so many other reasons why other dog owners wouldn't want it, yes one could be down to prejudice but that's just one and one you should rise above, feeling sorry for the poor ignorant person that's missing out.

When Elmo was first going out for walks as a young pup, he was quite timid and if another dog would've bowled over to him frightening him then I would've been furious as that could've really affected him for the rest of his life. That's just another example.

Elmo can't be recalled from other dogs yet so if there are other dogs around that we don't know then he goes on his lead, for his safety as well as out of respect to other people.

Nobody wants him to be kept away from other dogs but it is good etiquette to first check if it's ok for your dog to go up to the other dog.

This isn't because Jango is a Stafford, it's just because if a dog is on lead it is on a lead for a reason, mostly because the owner either can't get their dog back or is unsociable. Therefore, it is a lot of stress on the owner to have a dog come up to them when they know there is a chance of a potential issue.

For example I met a man with a collie cross a few weeks back and his dog was off lead. Logan is always on lead and the man said "do you want me to put him on?" I said "yes please, because Logan is quite nervous, though if he's on lead I've like them to be able to say hello?". The man put his dog on lead and they both had a sniff then moved on. The man does this now everytime I see him and I really appreciate it tbh.

AMarie1989 wrote:I think you are missing the point. They were leaving and I had just arrived. It is a feild of dog walkers. Should I just keep him on the lead constantly then? Unbelievable.There were others there with their dogs off the lead. Should I just keep him strapped to my side in case he wants to have a play? I understand they may have been worried but I have spoken to dog trainers who have said to not makehim anxious around other dogs and people by shying him away. I dont really understand what you are trying to tell me? I have owned plenty of dogs before and never had to put them on a lead everytime someone decides to leave the field???

It's not that he shouldn't be off the lead, it's that if you see another dog, put him on the lead if you want them to meet, OR call him back to you just while the dog is there to avoid any of this happening. If his recall isn't good around distractions, then put him on the lead until the distraction is gone. That's what I did with Loki. That way no-one is at risk of getting hurt (ie your dog because he runs up to an aggressive dog).

Only add to what is said already . IF you can control your dog off lead and make him pick and choose his playpals, walk by etc, then great , but if he goes bounding up to an on lead dog then that is unacceptable.
UNLESS of course this is an imposed leash free area , in which case you read the Dangers and make the choice regarding your own dog
My youngest is temperamental around other dogs , some he likes and some he doesn't and he is easily distracted so as a responsible owner I always clip him on around other dogs and introduce them gently as long as the other owner is ok with this.
Question for you ........... You let your boy come bounding up to Tommy and a fight breaks out , (Tommy starts it) who is at fault , you or me ???

AMarie1989 wrote:I think you are missing the point. They were leaving and I had just arrived. It is a feild of dog walkers. Should I just keep him on the lead constantly then? Unbelievable.There were others there with their dogs off the lead. Should I just keep him strapped to my side in case he wants to have a play? I understand they may have been worried but I have spoken to dog trainers who have said to not makehim anxious around other dogs and people by shying him away. I dont really understand what you are trying to tell me? I have owned plenty of dogs before and never had to put them on a lead everytime someone decides to leave the field???

no sorry you are missing the point

There could be lots and lots of dogs off lead playing with their owners on a field, does that give you the right to unclip your dog and let them bound up to every dog there in a free for all? NO of course it doesn't if you can't recall your dog and keep them away from other dogs then do not have him off lead around other dogs.

Like i said i have an on lead dog, but i walk him with my staff who we got to a field to let offlead where other dogs run about, I do not want strange dogs bounding up to Chance in any manner as he is likely to really hurt another dog, you should always ask the owner first it's called manners!

Sorry but this has the exact same feel as a situation I ended up in the other week. I was training Brutus on a long line. A guy walked in to the grassed area I was in and paid no attention to the fact I was there with him. He let his dog off the lead at which point I called Brutus and put him on his lead. His dog ran up and attacked Brutus and pinned Him with his mouth over Brutus's head. I was furious, his response was, it's ok he is just playing. With which he followed with, oh is he a boy, that would be why my dog attacked. What frustrated and infuriated me was if Brutus retaliated, i would have been attacked as he is a staffy and his dog was a lab. I agree with everyone in that you should ask owners if their dog is ok with play time and then let them off the lead, not just assume all is ok.

if your dog had of done that to one of my on lead dogs, it would have ended having a very nasty telling off!

I have my dog on lead for a reason and wish people wouldn't allow their off lead 'friendly' dogs to annoy and bounce all over my dog.

To be honest, I can't really sympathise. It may have had nothing to do with your dog - the other dog may not have been very friendly with other dogs. When Dempsey is out on a walk, he's put onto a lead when other dogs are near. We get quite annoyed when people see the lead clipped on and still let their dog come over.

Food for thought.

AMarie1989 wrote:I think you are missing the point. They were leaving and I had just arrived. It is a feild of dog walkers. Should I just keep him on the lead constantly then? Unbelievable.There were others there with their dogs off the lead. Should I just keep him strapped to my side in case he wants to have a play? I understand they may have been worried but I have spoken to dog trainers who have said to not makehim anxious around other dogs and people by shying him away. I dont really understand what you are trying to tell me? I have owned plenty of dogs before and never had to put them on a lead everytime someone decides to leave the field???

Doesn't matter if there are other dogs around. If your dog looks to be approaching an on-lead dog, chances are that person doesn't want their dog to play for one of various reasons, so the polite and considerate thing to do would be to call your dog back and ask if they can play.

Is Jango your first dog?`The reason I am asking is that you may not be aware of 'dog etiquette'. This is basically what the other forum members are advising you on. It is for your safety and your dogs. Lola is sometimes dog aggressive so I keep her on a lead when other dogs are around, if a loose dog ran up to her she might attack it and this would be the owners fault as the dog wasn't on a lead. Lily is really friendly but I wouldn't let her run up to a leaded dog as that dog may have issues. I think in this case the Lab owner was over reacting but you do need to be careful

If you look at it from the other owners perspective - Daisy is always on the lead because her recall is not good enough to let her off yet not because she is dog aggresive, however, other poeple do not know that. When we are out walking, off lead dogs approach us a lot and I find it very annoying (often they don't even bother to call them back or if they do they ignore their owners) It is mostly annoying for me because she then wants to play which is awkward when she is on the lead which gets tangled, you can imagine! Luckily for me that's the worst that happens as Daisy isn't dog aggresive but like I said the point is they dont know that.

The fields I walk Katy in are busy with dog walkers,(Katy is over friendly). Today I was walking her, we have a single gated field followed by a double separated by a hedge. Coming up to the hedge I heard voices coming through the top gate, needless to say I recalled Katy to put her back on the lead, I only keep her off if we know the owner & dog. As it was it was 2 Chihuahua's & a JRT came charging up to us yapping like mad!!!! The c's had to be put on lead but JRT was ok. But had there been a scrap my Katy would have been to blame, i'm not taking that risk

i kinda feel for you as I know what its like, my two have to stay leaded because of this. I know my dogs like yours are totally safe around other dogs but you have to remember a few things, old dogs need space, pups need space and some dogs dont like to be mobbed. we as owners have to restrain ourselfs sometimes. I keep mine on lead because they will simply run off, fast far and possibly fataly but still get annoyed when people lead up near mine. i wish i could say hey its okay your dog is safe but then i kick myself and think "hey they are just responcible owners" they dont know my dogs.
secondly riley my exes dog has had an op on his leg and needs to keep his excitment down or he may blow a 3 grand op she personally paid out for. if another dog approaches he will instinctivly want to play and rear up...not good as she is skint anyway...this nearly happended when a rottie cross slipped his lead and decided to play leaving him with a bad limp and a very worried owner for a week... yes we face our own predudaces but other owners have there own problems too mate and its not always about your dog being a staff.