Lovely walk out until.... ( dogs)

[Colin]

From Colin's Book of the Bleedin Obvious

 

Dog's ain't stupid (well, not all of them) and they are 'pack' animals.

 

If a dog is on a lead then, you are telling it that YOU are the boss and, it will moderate it's behaviour accordingly or face some kind of retribution.

 

If it is off the lead then, you have elevated it's status to 'equal' (at least) and YOU will have to put up with the consequences when it decides to deal with any kind of intrusion or threat appearing in it's 'space'.

 

Personally, I firmly believe that, regardless of location,  all dogs should be on a lead and under control(?) when you are out with them.

[as]

for those of you who are seriously interested in canine behaviour and how to improve your relationship and communication with your dog, here are a few links to books which I found to be extremely helpful:

 

http://www.nonlineardogs.com/socialorganisation.html

 

http://www.nonlineardogs.com/100MostSillyIntro.html

 

http://www.positiveanimalsolutions.co.uk/dominanceindogs.html

 

 

and the 2 books every dog owner should read:

 

http://en.turid-rugaas.no/calming-signals-photos.html

 

http://understandingthesilentcommunicationofdogs.com/

 

 

enjoy!

[Islander2013]

 

 

 

I agree with Kave Ugl, where as I am sure a proportion of dog walkers are responsible, its the careless ones that cause fear and distress that are remembered. It is unfortunate that it seems to be the owners of 'Attack' type dogs that are the most irresponsible, and it is these dogs that are the most frightening. I often hear the argument that all dogs will bite, and this is true, but.. a Jack Russell, or Poodle or Labrador will bite - just the once - as a defence mechanism, where as the attack dog, Rottwieller, Doberman, Pit Bull will keep biting, it is bred in them.

I am not sure what the solution is, but veer towards attack type dogs always being muzzled when in public places. Hounds, toy and general 'family friendly' dogs being exempt. I should say that I am Dog owner, but as a child I was petrified of dogs, and even now am very wary of some breeds that I meet when out walking. I do think that some dog owners are reluctant to admit that their 'babies' are actually rather unpleasant animals.

 

I'll remember that then the next time my dog is bitten multiple times by a labrador - with all due respect, Pleepsie, it doesn't matter what breed a dog is, if the temperament is such, it will bite and continue to bite.  I've met rotweilers, staffies, dobies and so forth that have been the most placid creatures going yet some absolutely horrendous labradors, poodles, poms, etc.

 

Yes, it is the careless ones that cause fear and distress.  However, I can't help but wonder why the OP remained on the beach or even went on the beach if they saw that there were two dogs off the lead - I won't venture onto a beach with my dog if there are dogs already there off the lead.  The OP doesn't state that the dogs attacked her dog, how much they had socialised their yorkshire terrier, etc.  Don't get me wrong, having had one of my dogs previously attacked viciously by a labrador, I do sympathise re dogs off the lead (and wish more were on the lead) but as responsible dog owners, if we have a nervous dog then we owe it to them to do all we can to alleviate the fear of dogs being frightened of other dogs, and many a time that involves overcoming our own fears and socialising our dogs with other dogs.

 

 

Seriously??  Im sorry I dont have Xray vision of what's round a corner!   My dog is not a nervous dog by nature she is super friendly and a little childs best friend and plays daily with 2 large breed dogs. Its when a huge uncontrollable dog runs over it understandably became very  scared can you imagine the size ratio of something that big wanting a pop at you. No it didnt attack my dog, if it had there would of been hell to pay for I swear. The owner managed to run over and grab it BEFORE something happened its hackles were up and it was barking. I should not have to put up with that.   To the owner of the German Shepard, I'm sorry but I dont agree that its acceptable that you allow your dog to run up to stangers barking off the lead ( sorry if I read that wrong?)  Regardless of the breed thats unfair on people. I know that would scare my child and my dog and quite frankly me to.Really if your going to have a dog that needs plenty of exercise that really is your problem to solve without every other joe bloggs having to meet your dog to?   Everyone says their dog wont bite anyone, How many times do we read in the paper that the owners of a dog who mauled " they never have done that before?"  My old dog before he passed away was a larger breed dog, who would bark at strangers.. I would never of dreamt of having him off the lead in public for that very reason.  My dog has plenty of socialising daily with 2 large dogs, I dont want or need every tom dick or harrys dog approaching us when were trying to have a nice walk out.

 

 

I wasn't aware there were corners on a beach.  I haven't been on a beach in Shetland (yet) where I haven't been able to view the entire length of it once on it and even then, if there were others on a beach with dogs off the lead, I'd promptly leave.

 

I'm glad to hear your dog was not attacked.  I agree with you, you shouldn't have to put up with a dog having its hackles up and barking.  That said, I still stand by my comment that a child screaming will not have helped the situation but do appreciate that it is not easy with young children.  Reminds me about how Police dog handlers always tell the person they are apprehending to stand still ... a dog cannot differentiate between someone waving their arms about or going to throw a punch and it's worth educating children (and adults) how to behave around dogs (not saying you don't, by the way).

 

I don't have my dog off the lead in public.

 

Re your comment "Everyone says their dog wont bite anyone" - err, I don't.  If someone asks (and many a time, people just push, shove, poke eyes, allow children to slap their faces, etc., without even asking) I do tend to reply along the lines of "Hasn't bitten anyone yet and tends to have a placid nature".

 

And I'd agree with you re "every tom dick or harrys dog approaching" IF they were off the lead or out of control.  I know there's some dogs that don't get on with other dogs and if I see the owner of a particular dog that I know doesn't like other dogs, we (us human beings, that is) acknowledge each other, even turn and walk in the opposite direction/take a different route so a confrontation doesn't occur.  Other dogs that are under control on a lead, I'm more than happy to meet on a walk because the more socialisation, be it with humans or other dogs, the better.  Would you just want to socialise with 2 human beings simply because you hadn't got along with a taller person?

 

 

I agree I do get very tired of dogs running up off the lead in a public place we had an incident on a beach path here on the westside last summer with 3 Collies of the lead ( with the owner ). We didn't have our dog with us that day, but one of the dogs knocked our youngest bairn over with quite a thump. The owner was not even carrying leads and they were all round us in a barking frenzy. Was very unpleasant. 

 

(I would also like to point out our local beach, from the car park is a path up before you can see the beach like the OP we couldn't see what was on the beach until we had got to it, ours must be a beach you haven't yet visited !) 

Edited June 17, 2014 by Islander2013

[Kavi Ugl]

 

 

http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/06/25/dog-may-be-destroyed/

[shetlandpeat]

I read that too Kavi, unfortunately, we see these episodes happen frequently.

[shetlandpeat]

Over the last few years there have been 17 reported crimes of dogs against people, 8 crimes reported of dogs against livestock and 4 against dogs/cats on the islands. One can only make a guess at the unreported attacks.

 

It may not sound many, but these episodes can have a lasting effect.

[paulb]

i knew there had been a few but thats a lot. the staffy bulldog when trained well is a lovely pet. when not well have a look at the sspca rehoming site. it really tells a sad story. 

[Suffererof1crankymofo]

Over the last few years there have been 17 reported crimes of dogs against people, 8 crimes reported of dogs against livestock and 4 against dogs/cats on the islands. One can only make a guess at the unreported attacks.

 

It may not sound many, but these episodes can have a lasting effect.

 

Last few years?  Are we talking one year, two years, three years - what?  Do the figures break down if the same dog has offended more than once?

 

Scaremongering doesn't help anyone.

 

Care to share how many people have attacked people in the same period?

[Ghostrider]

Over the last few years there have been 17 reported crimes of dogs against people, 8 crimes reported of dogs against livestock and 4 against dogs/cats on the islands. One can only make a guess at the unreported attacks.

 

It may not sound many, but these episodes can have a lasting effect.

 

If they would start threatening to put the "owners" down instead of the dogs, these stats would soon shrink to minimal.

[shetlandpeat]

 

 

Last few years?  Are we talking one year, two years, three years - what?  Do the figures break down if the same dog has offended more than once?

 

Scaremongering doesn't help anyone.

 

Care to share how many people have attacked people in the same period?

 

 

1st para - Do your own research

 

2nd para - freely available facts, or would you like these hidden?

 

3rd para - WTH has that got to do with this topic?

 

I can only assume you are still a dog owner, I remember you worrying about transport fot it/them. Figting dog/s if I remember rightly, I am sure however you will correct me if I am wrong.

[Ghostrider]

^ Somebody is really getting in to this meaningful discussion and constructive debate thing aren't they P. http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq330/Redneck_Hillbilly0504/EyeRollII.gif

[shetlandpeat]

You may be right..

 

 

Care to share how many people have attacked people in the same period?

 

I only presented facts, if they are not liked, not my problem, to question them to try to limit their impact is expected but if we wanted to look at finer details then further research of the facts should be done. If the same animal had attacked twice, then that is two seperate acts, regardless. What people attacking people has absolutely nothing to do with this. That would be a pointless figure and, had originally lowerer the debate to pointles comment, happy to recipricate, why, because the facts remain and cannot be altered.

 

No where in the reply was regard given to the effect these crimes have had on folk, I know from personal experience an altercation with a dog not in control can stay with you until you die. Or is that a price worth paying?

 

Dog owners will, in the main be responsible, it is as ever those who do not who are the problem. Any form of dog bred for its agression should need additional restraint. It should not be left out of sight unless it is secure.

Edited June 30, 2014 by shetlandpeat

[Windwalker]

 

Last few years?  Are we talking one year, two years, three years - what?  Do the figures break down if the same dog has offended more than once?

 

Scaremongering doesn't help anyone.

 

Care to share how many people have attacked people in the same period?

 

 

1st para - Do your own research

 

2nd para - freely available facts, or would you like these hidden?

 

3rd para - WTH has that got to do with this topic?

 

I can only assume you are still a dog owner, I remember you worrying about transport fot it/them. Figting dog/s if I remember rightly, I am sure however you will correct me if I am wrong.

Perhaps rather than spitting the dummy out, would it be possible to state the source of information so that people can see whether its genuine or not. If your going to introduce "bland" statistics, perhaps you should be prepared for it to be questioned.

 

I would suggest that suffererofonecrankymofo was likely making the point that you are likely far more at risk of being beat up by someone than bitten by a dog. Perhaps putting your statistics into perspective.

 

Anyone can quote statistics to try and strenthen an argument, but the devil is usually in the detail.

 

As I side note, I wonder how many dogs there are in Shetland and what the percentage of those have never given cause for concern, just a thought.

 

From a responsible dog owner

[shetlandpeat]

The issue is compounded by the figures from the Police, you may be right they are perhaps of little feeling but,

 

 

The next thing I knew they were shouting at the dogs to come back, one did, the other ignored and ran over over, I had to put myself inbetween the dogs. My  little dog was screaming in terror, and then 2yr old toddler was also then screaming in terror.

 

 

My dog is always on a lead in public places,  but to be perfectly honest I very rarely go out somewhere with him now  for fear of  what happened in this incident.

 

 

Our Mam was attacked by a dog when she was young, the fear and worry about dogs stayed with her till the end.

 

 

I have a deep fear of dogs and would often love to go for a walk but simply don't because I know there's a very high chance I'll meet an uncontrolled dog.

 

 

Simple reason is that, as a dog cannot be 100% predictable in all situations, the risk is mitigated by the assessment of the owner only. Consideration may not be given to the thoughts of others thoughts.

 

 

It is unfortunate that it seems to be the owners of 'Attack' type dogs that are the most irresponsible, and it is these dogs that are the most frightening.

 

 

about 7 years ago when one of those pitbull/staffordshire dogs came flying towards me growling and snarling. I had to run and jump over an ajoining mesh fence to get away from it until the owner came and took control of it

 

 

it may be a friendly sociable german shepherd, and wants to meet people, but quite frankly I dont want to meet it on the beach, and I would suggest neither do many others.

 

 

Just a few of the reasons that folk have fear of irrisposible dog owners and their charge.

 

The figures add to the already ingrained fear of a loose dog, regardless of breed. Testomony, with of course the figures is enough to show that folk have aproblem with uncontrolled dogs.

 

I am sure the Police can furnish you with the finer details, why you would want to try to break down crimes in order to lessen their numbers? As for having more chance of being beaten up, I have experienced 2 incidents with dogs and none with folk. Alas, this still has no place in this matter. A pointless argument to detract from the issue being talked about.

Edited June 30, 2014 by shetlandpeat

[Windwalker]

@pete. "why you would want to try to break down crimes in order to lessen their numbers?"

 

It has nothing to do with lessening their numbers as you well know. Details can put a whole different slant on things. Your good at suggesting that folk are saying something they didn't. Perhaps you shouldn't keep doing that, it's not very nice.

 

You still haven't said how many years the statistics cover.