20/03/2024
The hardest part of having a dog that needs space is other dog owners.
📣OFF LEAD DOGS THIS POST IS FOR YOU 📣
Dear Dog Pawrents,
I’m not sure what’s happening lately but I’m seeing so many off lead dogs, running up to on lead dogs, and their owners are no where in sight or they’re completely oblivious.
I want to highlight what happened to Mila last week. An off lead dog came running over to her, albeit wanting to play (as it was play bowing ect) but this is not okay. Adding to this, she had her sign on stating ‘I’ve got a bad back’, and if you’re a dog owner you should know that yellow means ‘nervous’.
I don’t know what else I could have done to make it more apparent to other dog walkers that Mila wants to be left alone. It’s not okay that your dog runs up to her, it’s not okay that your dog has no recall, it’s not okay that you’re on your phone not paying attention, it’s not okay that your dog is friendly, I’m sick of hearing this phrase.
When your dog runs over to an on lead dog, you have no idea what that dog has gone through. In our case Mila slipped her disc 3 years ago and she was paralysed, she’s still unsteady on her back legs because her nerves are still damaged from when the disc slipped. She does not want your dog jumping on her. This is not okay. Have some respect for others.
Similarly, there are so many more reasons why dogs are on lead and why they do not want off lead dogs invading their space. They could be a rescue dog who was previously abused, they could be anxious, nervous, previously used as a bait dog, reactive, scared, disabled, the list goes on. There are so many reasons why, but my point is all dogs should be able to enjoy their walk. And ultimately it’s the on lead dogs who then get judged because they are reacting to a situation that they never wanted to be in, in the first place.
It’s a privilege to own a dog, it’s not a hobby. To all dog owners who have off lead dogs with no recall and say ‘my dog is friendly’ please educate yourself. This is NOT okay. Shame on you for being so naive, have some respect for other dog owners and their dogs. You have no idea what their dog has gone through. Do not let your dog approach a dog that is on lead, take some responsibility and stop being irresponsible. Respect other dogs and their owners who are on their own journey.
Kind Regards,
Former resident Mila and her mum who is one of the trustees of TRH.
