[DogGoneGood]

This is a big pet peve of mine. Today when I brought the boys for a nice long walk (as it's FINALLY warmed up and they've been cooped up in the house for a good portion of the winter due to it always sitting between -20 and -30 C).

Well, while we were out an older couple came around the corner with their big, young over zellous yellow lab that BARRLED over to us. The only way I was able to get this dog away was to shove her and get my boyfriend between us and he was able to chase her off. I yelled at the owners to call her and they (while calmly strolling along) attempted to call her ONCE.

They apologized and said how she's really friendly and I retorted "well mine aren't! If she's not going to come when you call her you should have her on a leash". Okay, so I lied. My dogs are pretty much fine with other dogs, though Linkin IS iffy sometimes, it really depends on the dog. This is why I hate strange dogs running up to us, you just never know. All dogs could "be really friendly" and for some reason someone decides they don't like the other. I'm a small girl who isn't really THAT strong and both my dogs together probably just about out weigh me. If something happens I'm basically screwed.

I believe there's a time and a place to let dogs meet and play and all that, and randomly out on a walk with some strange dog I know nothing about just isn't it.

I've come across, on more than one occassion, those owners who think it's fine to let their dog run loose and interupt other's walks and go pee on people's lawns. I absolutely hate it. I've come across others who have perfectly well behaved dogs off leash, and others yet who perhaps made the mistake of letting their dog off leash too early, but those owners at least TRY to make an effort to get their dog back and under control. These people really didn't care until I started lecturing them about how one day their dog's going to run up to another dog who may not be as tollerant as my boys just were.

So, I ask, do you let your dog greet others on walks or do you avoid other dogs if you can? Obviously, it's a lot easier greeting another dog if it's on leash, you have more control over the situation, but I just think that going for a walk isn't really the time to let your dog socialize with strangers dogs...

 

[Tankstar]

Depends.

For the most part. No. He can be leash agressive, although he is alot better. I still dont chance it much.

But if Im walking him, and I see some one walking past and we chit chat a bit, then yes. But if Im walking, no I pull him to my side and walk past. 98% of the dogs in my 'hood are not friendly. at all.

I was walking him today and a idiot had their dumb yorkie on a flexi, 15 feet infront of them. I though "Oh shit". yes its just a yorkie, blaze probably out weights it by 60lbs, but a agressive dog is a agressive dog IMO. dog come barreling over, seems fine, as it is 15 feet away fromt he owner. I loosen my grip a bit on Blaze to let him smell her since she is smelling him, as soon as he went to sniff her she went in to full growl/snarl mode. which in turn sent blaze in to one (He has been attacked atleast 5 times on walks on his leash, so is iffy about other dogs when on leash. He has come a LONGGG way from the very leash agressive dog he used to be.)

its nice to see well manered offleash dogs. We walked down to the school field, I let him off. just as I did I seen out int he other field 2 border collies. I thought "Oh great, i didnt see them quick enough". But their owner called them and they didnt bothe rus, nore did blaze try to go to them.

I dont trust 98% of the dogs around here.

 

[Inga]

Well my dogs are pretty friendly with most dogs but they do not like it when dogs come rushing over and get in their faces. Actually, it might just me that doesn't like it when other dogs come rushing over and get in their faces. So far neither of the two dogs I currently have had much issue with other dogs. There is always a first time. Carsten did have a Boxer get nasty with him once and a crazy mix breed in dog class has jumped on him and nipped him a few times. The last time that dog did it he jumped up and walked toward the dog. I called him back and he came right away. I think he had, had it with that behavior. I am real sick of people letting their dogs do that anyway. I think it is rude and thoughtless. I don't care if YOUR dog is friendly or not. I do NOT want it rushing my dogs or being rude to me, especially if the owner is NOT in control.

 

[Lolas_Dad]

I allow Lola to greet as many dogs and people she is willing to when we are out walking on leash. Some people walk the other way which is fine. There is one guy at the townhouse complex next to me that has a westie. Lola had met her in the past when his wife, him and their daughter were walking the dog.

There were a few times when the guy was out there by himself with the dog and Lola wanted to say hello. The guy made an about face and started walking the other way with the dog so I had called out to him and asked him why he was walking the other way. I got close enough to tell him that Lola had already seen his dog in the past as he remembers the time he was walking the dog with his wife and daughter and how come you won't let her see your dog now when you are by yourself.

He started saying uh uh uh he could not think of a reason. I then told Lola that some people must think there dogs are to good to greet you and that those people are nothing but snob's. Yes I did say it right in front of him.

I could understand that if someone has a dog that is DA then approaching another dog is not a good idea but if a person's dog already has met Lola and they get that way then they are snobs. It's not like Lola was aggressive to the dog in the past.

There is one woman who walks her pekingese that Lola likes to say hello to the owner and her dog. She doesn't mind it at all when Lola approaches her dog to say hello.

Then you get the people who go to an off leash dog park and walk their dog inside the off leash area on a leash and if another dog comes over to their dog they shoo the dog away that's approaching there dog. I'd call them a snob also and they have no right bring their dog in a dog park that is off leash and keeping it on a leash.

 

[DogGoneGood]

I think it is rude and thoughtless. I don't care if YOUR dog is friendly or not. I do NOT want it rushing my dogs or being rude to me, especially if the owner is NOT in control.

This is basically my thoughts on the situation... but it gets me just that much more when the owner gives little to no effort to control their dog. I can at least appreciate it when an owner rushes over to collect their dog and help me out!

 

[Sunshyne]

I live in a big subdivision, and for the most part the dogs are friendly and owners are decent. There are a few dogs we run into often, and they say hello, do a sniff and we're off (all leashed).

Just yesterday this lady had a huge dog, and it was being walked with a head harness thing (I don't know what these are called!) and it was freaking out when he saw Chloe. She said "sorry, he's just a puppy" and had to hold his head and put him between her legs to control him. He was about to get out of that thing. That kind of made me nervous, as he wasn't doing anything friendly at all, he was growling, lunging, etc.

It's pretty funny, most dogs around my hood are big - we have labs, mixed, you name it, and most of the time when we are about to cross each other, people go to the other side of the street! You would think the person with the small dog would do that, but I never do. Chloe is super friendly and loves every dog we meet, but sadly I can't assume they will like her as much.

If what happened to you happened to me, I would be pissed. I hate loose dogs, just because you never know. I'm also small - 5 feet and 105 pounds, so it's not like I could do any damage.

 

[JohnnyBandit]

Its Rude..... And while Merlin is generally fine with other dogs off lead, he takes it as a challenge when he is leashed and a dog rushes up to him. I run into this from time to time. I have used the "mine isn't" line before myself

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

NO, I don't generally allow my dogs to greet other dogs. I typically cross the street if I see a dog coming, not because mine are aggressive...but because they are 60 lbs each and when they get excited are a hand full. If the other dog is the least bit aggressive or challenging, Mac will react. So, I usualy re-direct and keep going.

If I just have Mac or Roe, there are a few dogs that I may allow them to greet. There's a very sweet rottie (or rottie mix) that Mac LOVES.

 

[Laurelin]

Not anymore. Summer is reactive, and it just works better to keep her out of the situations where she could meet a rude offleash dog. She'll be fine at first but if they start annoying, she will snap at them. I've unfortunately met too many idiots and idiot dogs out on walks to risk it. She's had a dane, a maremma (maybe a pyr x), and a dachshie snap at her. Just not worth it, especially when your dog is so small.

 

[Puppy_love_122]

I'm the only person in my area that walks their dogs, so we don't ever really come across off leash dogs walking. Although, we come across off leash dogs when we pass people's properties. Most of them I know, well don't really know, but we meet them several times a week, and know some of their names (from the owners yelling at them when they follow us...if they even notice) actually I know most of their names...there is joey, barkly, jack, georgia, scruffy, bailey, lulu, cleopatchra, and elly. Haha. Anyways...I know that they are friendly, and so I let them greet, and keep walking...usually with an extra buddy tagging along

But if we are somewhere walking, like at a campground or park or somewhere that I don't know the other dogs, I don't let them greet.

 

[nikelodeon79]

I then told Lola that some people must think there dogs are to good to greet you and that those people are nothing but snob's. Yes I did say it right in front of him.

I could understand that if someone has a dog that is DA then approaching another dog is not a good idea but if a person's dog already has met Lola and they get that way then they are snobs.

Then you get the people who go to an off leash dog park and walk their dog inside the off leash area on a leash and if another dog comes over to their dog they shoo the dog away that's approaching there dog. I'd call them a snob also and they have no right bring their dog in a dog park that is off leash and keeping it on a leash.

Maybe they're not "snobs." They don't know you... they don't know your dog. They don't know if you vaccinate your dog, or whether she's healthy/worm free. Heck, maybe THEIR dog is having worm issues and they're wanting to keep him/her away from your dog as a courtesy.

And maybe the people in the dog park don't have a nice, open space to exercise their dogs. Maybe THAT'S why they go there, not to socialize. I see nothing wrong with them not wanting other dogs meeting their dog... but then again I'm not a big fan of dog parks in general...

 

[Lolas_Dad]

Maybe they're not "snobs." They don't know you... they don't know your dog. They don't know if you vaccinate your dog, or whether she's healthy/worm free. Heck, maybe THEIR dog is having worm issues and they're wanting to keep him/her away from your dog as a courtesy.

And maybe the people in the dog park don't have a nice, open space to exercise their dogs. Maybe THAT'S why they go there, not to socialize. I see nothing wrong with them not wanting other dogs meeting their dog... but then again I'm not a big fan of dog parks in general...

When you quote someone please use the entire quote of the context you are talking about. When you cut the first art of the quote off that is relevant to the topic it makes it backwards and takes the thought out of context.

Now that that is out of the way. I had said that this particular dog with the owners was met before. With the daughter and wife in tow this guy has a different attitude than when he is by himself.

The following is what you should have also included in the quote:

There is one guy at the townhouse complex next to me that has a westie. Lola had met her in the past when his wife, him and their daughter were walking the dog.

There were a few times when the guy was out there by himself with the dog and Lola wanted to say hello. The guy made an about face and started walking the other way with the dog so I had called out to him and asked him why he was walking the other way. I got close enough to tell him that Lola had already seen his dog in the past as he remembers the time he was walking the dog with his wife and daughter and how come you won't let her see your dog now when you are by yourself.

He started saying uh uh uh he could not think of a reason.

By any chance is your occupation a politician?

By the way they had already known that Lola was spayed, had her shot, was checked and showed negative for worms and tested for heartworm which was also negative. I am sorry I did not include that information in my original post but really it has nothing to do with anything as I had said when this guy is walking his dog by himself he is a different person than when he is walking the dog with his wife and or daughter.

I do not like the fact that when he is by himself walking the dog he has an attitude. He is in fact what I would call a snob.

Now when it comes to people walking there dog INSIDE the off leash dog area on leash and do not want to have other dogs approach their dog. You might be quite correct when they might not have a big enough space in their yard to walk there dog. But they do in fact have enough space outside the off leash dog park. This particular dog park is a very small part of a 500 acre park. There are plenty of parks and open space where if people want to walk their dog ON LEASH they can. Just do not do it INSIDE the OFF leash dog park.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Only if the dogs we see are on leash, or supervised by their owners PERIOD.

 

[K8IE]

I always hold Cooper back and never approach other people unless we are talking and they want to let the dogs meet. Before even getting close though, I make it clear that Cooper will play bow and maybe even box and that if their dog is the least bit timid or defensive that it is not a good idea to let them meet. Cooper can overwhelm a dog that is not very social quite easily so I am VERY careful about his interactions with dogs we do not know. I also holler to people who have their dogs off leash about Cooper's rough play and boisterous behavior if their dog is approaching us so they can call their dog back if it is not going to be OK with how overly friendly he is. This happened to us when we were hiking a few weeks ago. We had Cooper on leash of course and a couple with a JRT approached us (JRT was off leash). They said "Is he OK with other dogs?" and I said, "It depends on your dog really, he is a Boxer and is very playful and might paw at your dog". Well, they let the dog approach and he and Cooper sniffed each other and Cooper started to play bow and the JRt flipped out. The man was right there and grabbed him, and apologized.. No one was hurt, it was really just his dog "talking" more than anything, but I warned them..... I get really frustrated when people let their dogs run loose though when they have no idea what other dogs are like. I would never let Cooper run loose unless he had 110% recall and I KNEW he would ignore other dogs. There are just too many bad things that can happen...

 

[MoonStr80]

Sometimes I allow Johnnie to greet other dogs it depends on what dog etc If friendly yes, if aggressive no.

Frankie doesn't know any better, he picks a fight with any dog so I'm at a point trying to train him or to cross another street to avoid the dog

 

[PitBully]

Depends. If they are little dogs, puppies or females, my males tolerate them just fine. Large adult males, under no circumstance are they tolerated by my dogs.

PB

 

[DogGoneGood]

And maybe the people in the dog park don't have a nice, open space to exercise their dogs. Maybe THAT'S why they go there, not to socialize. I see nothing wrong with them not wanting other dogs meeting their dog... but then again I'm not a big fan of dog parks in general...

I have to disagree with this. While you might be right that that is the persons intentions, but I'm SURE they could find some other place to do it. If someone is looking to exercise or train their dog on leash with no other dogs running up to them, an off leash dog park is a pretty stupid place to do it.

I think the main thing is curtosy. I think it's incredibly inpoliet to let your dog meet someone elses dog (on or off leash) without first asking the owner of that dog if it's okay, and I think it's incredibly inpoliet and STUPID to let an untrained dog off leash to go running up to anyone it pleases. I made the mistake of letting Coal off leash when he wasn't ready, but at least I ran after him and collected him. These people I came across today didn't put too much effort into getting their dog back, and that really ticked me off.

There's a time and a place (and a way) to socialize your dog with other dogs, and there's a time and a place to let your dog off leash... I think if you have an untrained dog it's just not smart to let it off leash while you go for a stroll down the road. The roads around here are pretty dead for the most part, but I think today proved to those people (at least I HOPE it did) that it just isn't ALWAYS the case. I sometimes walk Coal off leash down just my road but it's very rare, and never when it's such a lovely day out. The nicer it is out, the more likely we're going to come across someone. And no matter what I ALWAYS have a leash with me, regadless of whether or not we're even in our own back yard! We have no fence and if I need to quickly get a hold of Coal I'd rather not have to grab ahold of his scruff and pray I don't lose my grip. Not bringing a leash on a walk is pretty darn stupid.

I duno, I just prefer to avoid other dogs and people when we go for a walk. This is much easier to accomplish if the people actually have their dog leashed! I wouldn't call myself a snob, just very protective of my own dogs and I don't want any problems to occur for the safety of EVERYONE involved. If I want my boys to socialze with other dogs, I bring them to visit a dog I know, like my sisters dog. I know who gets along with who and I know all dogs are up to date on shots and such. It just seems a lot safer than letting my dog make random friends while we're out for a walk. I don't walk them to socialize them, I walk them for exercise and because I believe it's very strong in a dog to need to walk with thier "pack", do doggy things like sniff and mark and to get the fresh air. My boys LOVE walking just simply for the walk, they don't need to be meeting other dogs while we're doing that.

 

[Sonn84]

Depends on which dog I am walking and how the dog approaches us.

I don't mind the dog rushing towards us because that is the way dogs are where I live they are either chained or roam free so they don't know how to approach people or other dogs. If they are friendly I let my dogs interact sniffing and such. If they are coming full force with a fighting purpose I either get it to run away by making a loud noise or shaking my stick at it. My dogs are used to both types of dogs and generally do not react to either.

The only one I have a problem with at the moment is Gizmo she is not a dog friendly dog except the dogs that live here so I try to walk her where other dogs generally are not around.

 

[nikelodeon79]

When you quote someone please use the entire quote of the context you are talking about. When you cut the first art of the quote off that is relevant to the topic it makes it backwards and takes the thought out of context.

My apologies. I merely quoted the parts of your post that I was commenting on. Most forums don't like entire posts quoted for space reasons.

I just was a bit taken aback that you were so quick to call people snobs simply because they didn't want to let their dog sniff noses with yours. Maybe the guy was working on training his dog. Or... maybe he doesn't like your dog. Maybe he doesn't like you.

I know I'm not going to let Luna sniff noses with every dog every time we see one. I might let her sniff noses with a dog one day, and not the next.

As far as dog parks are concerned, I wouldn't know what the proper etiquette is because I've never been to one, and probably never will.

And no, I'm not a politician. Are you? You're quite good at mudslinging.

 

[DogGoneGood]

As far as dog parks are concerned, I wouldn't know what the proper etiquette is because I've never been to one, and probably never will.

And no, I'm not a politician. Are you? You're quite good at mudslinging.

Now now, everyone play nicely

I'm not totally sure about proper etiquette at dog parks either (and like you, have no intentions of ever going to one) but I would assume it's basically common sense; if you have an aggressive dog, don't bring it to a dog park; if you have a bitch in heat, don't bring it to a dog park; if you don't want to be bombarded by other dogs, don't go to a dog park; if your dog goes poop, pick it up; if you don't like other dogs, don't go to a dog park; etc.

I just think it's common sense that if you want to keep your dog on leash and not have other dogs bothering you that an off leash dog park is probably not the best place to choose to do this. People can have the best controlled dog ever and it's still going to at least try to say hi to your dog if it's friendly. Plus, I highly doubt everyone who attends dog parks has THE perfectly trained dog. It just seems like a chaotic place to me that I wouldn't want to risk being apart of... but really, what do I know? I've never been to a dog park and probably never will.