18/10/2021
Please please be a responsible dog owner and always ensure your pet is on lead unless in a designated off-leash area. It is against the law to have an animal off lead in an area that is not specifically marked.
Often dogs who are off lead have very poor recall and social skills, they will run up to other dogs and people without being invited and without the owners control.
It is very dangerous and disheartening when a client or I am working with a reactive or fearful dog and we are unwittingly approached.
It doesn’t matter if your dog is ‘friendly’! No one likes having a stranger run up to them uninvited… it’s just rude! It’s rude for your dog to do this too!
Off-leash dogs cause major setbacks with training. Often something that the owners and I have been working on for months or even years can be undone in a second with a bad experience.
Yes, your dog may be friendly… but what if mine isn’t?
You will be responsible for any vet costs and the pain and suffering that your pet experiences when it gets bitten or attacked because if you can’t recall your dog while I’m yelling that mine isn’t friendly and not to come close.. then it’s your dog that’s not under control, not mine.
Be responsible. Obey the law. If you have your dog off-lead and see a dog on lead, put your dog on their lead as well.
It’s very easy to politely ask ‘can I approach?’ ‘does your dog want to play?’ and actually listen to and respect the handlers answer.
Not every dog wants to play and that’s okay!
Just need to get something off my chest....
I love dogs, I do, and I'm lucky enough to have made a career out of working with dogs. The recent increase in dog numbers means there are more people than ever enjoying the company of dogs, but also more dogs than ever are out and about in public places. Some of the behaviour I am witnessing by some dog owners is driving me more than a little crazy.
PLEASE PUT YOUR DOG ON A LEAD. Why has this become so difficult?
This includes cafes, walking on the footpath and at parks that are not designated off-leash. It is for your dog's safety, as well as the safety of other dogs and people. It has become impossible for me to walk around my local area without meeting at least 3 off-leash dogs each time, and cafes seem to attract off-leash dogs.
I don't understand it - your dog may be friendly, but how do you know how the dog they run up to will react? And why is it OK for your dog to be annoying to others? I've witnessed some dangerous things with fights, knocked-down tables, terrified kids and boiling coffee going all directions.
YOUR DOG DOESN'T HAVE TO “SAY HELLO" What if the other dog (or owner) doesn't want to "say hello" back?
"My dog just wants to say hello" is usually the excuse people give when their dog has no recall, but why would you let your dog jump in the face of a dog on a lead that you don't know? It can go pear-shaped VERY quickly, and I have witnessed some dreadful dog fights as a result of this. Please work on your recall or don't let them off the lead. I just want to walk Chilli in peace.
Finally, about the current POODEMIC - yes, dog poo is unpleasant, but you need to pick it up!
If your dog does a poo on a footpath at night, it might be a shock to learn that you still need to pick it up, even if there were no witnesses! I know it's hard to get your head around, but I'm getting sick of giant piles of poo on the footpath waiting in the morning!
Rant over, thanks for listening….. and of course, I know that most people do the right thing! xx
