Why is it so hard for people to put a dog on a lead?

-I have been attacked by other peoples dogs when I was younger and I am not very happy about being around them. I am happy to keep my side of the path if they keep theirs. The problem is that a lot of people refuse to put their dogs on leads when they are near other people and near little children. I am fed up of getting dogs running up and running around my ankles or my little one. All I ask is to keep the dog out of mine and my little ones personal space.



I was out walking the other day and a ageing yobbo with a dog saw us coming and made every effort possible to keep the dog out the way of our little one which I really respected him for and thanked him. A bit latter on we passed a few middle aged couples who made no effort at all to control their dogs and we were just sworn at when we protested to the dog coming near.



Some of us have had bad experiences with dogs and just don't want them near us. Just keep them on a lead or out of the way. Especially near little ones. Please.I'm afraid their is no particular answer to what you said, except that I completley understand your problem. I love dogs to bits, but I understand what a horrible experience with a dog can do to somebody, and it is irresponsible and insensitive to others when people don't keep their dogs under control, out of respect for others!!



The only thing you could do is, if there is one particular person whose dog(s) keeps coming near you, or acting in any way intrusive or scaring you, and they wont put it on a lead, you can report it and make the person put it on a lead no matter what they say, it is your right to do so. Other than that, I hope nothing terrible like that ever happens again, and I feel for you and dislike those rude disrespectful people!I completely agree. I think that people love their dogs a lot and think they're harmless, even if it's not. Also, they figure that everyone should love dogs. People like that really annoy me, and I completely understand how you feel.
Hope you feel better after your rant. This is not the place for rants.
what is a lead? and quit being a drama queen
I do respect your opinion and agree to a point. What I want to know, are your reaction to dogs creating a fear of dogs in the "little ones". Children generally copy the adult.



I have encountered the opposite. I have encountered children running up to my dogs and try to pet or chase my dogs. There parents are either no where to be found OR just dont' care as long as the kids are not bothering them. Also, I am a little tired of overly dramatic kiddies, start screaming in fear as me & my dogs are passing, on leash, especially when the kids are older kids, usually girls.



So, keep your kids away from me and my dogs. Teach your kiddies to always ask before petting and no when to leave. If I'm in the park, sitting on the grass with my dogs, minding my own business, I don't want to end up babysitting your kids.
I'm afraid I'm on the other side of the fence with this one. YOU had a bad experience with a dog and I understand that, but dont expect everyone else to pay the price for it. Dogs need to run, dogs need exercise and that means being off lead. Yes you get the odd tosspot who's dog is uncontrolable but for the most part they are okay. There is no side of the path for you and a side for them, this is everyones planet and the dogs have as much right to run around on it as you do.

I feel sorry for your child as you are passing your fear and your bad experience onto him and thats not fair. My dog actually gets frightened when a child screams at him, stupid thing is my dog is only a baby himself and is more scared of the children than the children are of him!!



dogs were on this planet before humans were.
if there is a leash law they should be on a leash ... but having said that my dog does not run up to other people, kids, dogs, animals (when she is on or off leash), but she is constantly run up and pet by little kids without my permission ... my dog is friendly so i do not have to worry but the owner of that child needs to worry because the next dog might bite ... and meaning no disrespect but to me it sounds like you have a dog phobia resulting from whatever trauma you had to go through ... if you do, nothing will make you feel safe around dogs short of therapy ... that is a psychological issue that you need to deal with on your own ... and don't make your kids fearful of dogs as that would be unfair and unsafe ... i have a small dog and a woman in my building has a phobia of dogs ... even if i am holding my dog she is fearful my dog is suddenly going to attack (never has) ... i control my dog, you control your kids, and get help for your phobia because you may not want them near you or just out of the way, which is not realistic ... dogs are part of our society and there is more likelihood of you beating your phobia than dogs staying out of your way for a lifetime ...
I can sympathise with your predicament, but the elephant in the room says you need counselling to allow yourself and your child to be in a public place where dogs are present and often off leash.

If you read the short article in the link it may empower you to know what dogs are 'thinking' and 'saying'.

http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.ph鈥?/a>

Whilst it is polite behaviour for people to prevent their dogs running up to strangers, it isn't mandatory.
You would assume that, if a dog is off its lead, it must be gentle. But this is not true. There's a new story every week about a child getting mauled. Or an adult. Or another dog. I wish fenced off areas were available for dog walkers/people who wish to stay away from dogs. I love dogs. I have two myself but I crap myself whenever a dog is off it's lead and it runs up to us if I have my little girl with me or my dogs. And don't get me started on the poo! Some people shouldn't be allowed to own animals.



EDIT: I just had to add that, recently, on my local news, they reported that there had been a spate of attacks on GUIDE DOGS for the blind which is beyond disgraceful. There was one particular story where one guide dog was chased a few hundred yards, mauled and then made its way back to it's handler & got them home safe. People who knowingly let a vicious dog run loose are nothing short of criminal.
Most dogs aren't as inhibited as you seem to be, and will approach you to sniff you and to introduce themselves to you in a very friendly manner. If you jump, wave your hands in the air, and make silly faces, or run, the dog thinks you're trying to play and will respond likewise. The best thing to do if you are scared, is to extend your fist so the dog can smell it, then withdraw it and walk away as if nothing had happened. Hey. Dogs are people too, and deserve respect!!! Have a wonderful day.