Last week it was adolescent behavior, this week I've heard several stories about scary encounters with off-leash dogs. One involved a family with small children and a leashed dog being rushed by FIVE off-leash dogs on a hiking trail. The five dogs consisted of four muscular bully breeds and a yappy chihuahua bringing up the rear. This family had no idea where these dogs came from, if they were friendly to dogs, adult humans and most importantly small children.
They scooped up their kids and hoped that their well-socialized white shepherd could handle the situation on her own. Jasmine, the dog, immediately dropped and rolled over. The big dogs stood over her, growled, sniffed and moved on. The little dog attacked immediately and moved on when Jasmine didn't fight back.
All of that took place before the owners sauntered around the corner with a very relaxed, "Oh, sorry."
Here in Oregon we hear lots of stories about off-leash dogs slipping off of mountain trails, getting into terrible situations, being followed by their owners in a rescue effort only to end up on the news when the professionals have to rescue both owner and dog.
In fact, it has become so common that in some areas it is posted that dogs will not be rescued.
Now, I'm all for training dogs to be well-behaved and reliable off-leash. However, there are times when leashes are required by law or for safety reasons. Additionally, there is a HUGE difference between having you're dog under control off-leash and simply having your dog off-leash.
NEVER should an off-leash dog be running up on people and other dogs while you lag behind. Sorry, but never. You don't know if that person is afraid of dogs or if a leashed dog is aggressive. Besides that, it's just plain rude!
When hiking or camping, it simply isn't safe to have dogs off-leash in areas that they don't know well. While dogs are pretty agile and smart, they can still misjudge a trail or lose their footing. They can be lured by a new scent or interesting sound into a dangerous situation. It's their human's responsibility to keep them safe.
Speaking of safety, when out hiking, a leash should not be attached to a collar! The collar with identification needs to be on, but the leash should be attached to a harness. Should a dog slip off the edge of a trail, we don't want him hanging by collar!
For more information about hiking safety, please check out the in-depth artcile from Spot Magazine at http://www.spotmagazine.net/Issues/Spot_April2009.pdf.
One last thing. I have heard people say that they don't want their dog on-leash because it seems mean, it seems less fun for the dog and they just want their dog to be able to enjoy their freedom.
So, what if I said I didn't want to buckle up my kid in the car because it made the ride less fun and I wanted my kids to be free to enjoy the back seat? How would that go over?
- cindy bruckart's blog
- login or register to post comments
- back to the dog blog
- more by cindy bruckart
Jasmine's experience is my biggest fear!
Now that I have small dogs, an experience like this is my biggest fear. This must have been awful for Jasmine's family - waiting and hoping they were not about the watch their beloved friend be killed in front of their small children. I can only imagine how different the outcome might have been with my TWO blustery terriers - full of attitude but no size to back it up, just two senior citizens scrambling to lift them out of harms way.
When will people realize that their dogs are not trustworthy in every single situation and they cannot predict what is around the bend of the trail? Until that happens, we end up taking along defensive weapons just in case - pepper spray and a large walking stick with a brass handle - I hope we never have to use either one but I sure don't want to watch my dogs be dismembered or see my spouse pushed off a cliff by a dog fight.
Thank heavens Jasmine got through the experience. And thanks for the reminder that the backwoods are not necessarily safe for our furry friends. I hope the right people read your message......
I've been on the other side
I don't let Tucker off leash in very many places where I'll encounter other people or dogs, unless it's a designated off-leash place like a dog park. I know Tucker, but I don't know the other people/dogs. He's very submissive to people and other animals, big or small, but because of his size (104 pounds) he's a lot of dog, to be sure.
Several months ago, a friend and I were walking in the hills outside of town, Tucker was dragging a 20' line and Charlotte (25 pounds) was loose. We encountered several people on the trail. Most of the folks either had dogs of their own off-leash, or were expecting to see dogs off-leash, but we did encounter a mom and her son, about 8 yrs old, who, clearly, didn't feel good around dogs. As soon as we spotted anybody on the trail, we would call the dogs to us and put them on leash.
Around here, there are many places that allow dogs to run off-leash, which is great for the dogs, and the people on those trails or in those areas should know that this is a possibility. Even so, I want to be a responsible dog owner and have consideration for others.
Off-Leash Areas
I completely agree that people should expect off-leash dogs in areas designated for such. If you're afraid of dogs or if your dog isn't friendly, you certainly have no business being in an area reserved for off-leash activities.
The problem is when people go to areas that do require leashes, or that might be unsafe (according to common sense) for off-leash dogs, and ignore the need for a leash.
Even in places like dog parks, however, I strongly believe it's important to be in control of your dog at all times. It sounds like you and Tucker are very responsible and respectful of others. I hope more people will follow your example.
~ Cindy
off leash trails
I've got to say that I agree whole heartedly (even though I can't spell with a darn) I have 2 small dogs a min pin who is almost 10-rescue and hyper and been known to react to situations
and my daschund mix who as a puppy got brought in to our family has become dog-assertive shall we say. (and now 6 years old)so when walking on the wooded trails and other dogs come up not on a leash. I'm not really sure what to do.
I tell the people "my dog may react negatively to your dog(s) please be aware." and so many people laugh it off or say "ah, they'll be fine" or "if my dog causes trouble he deserves what's coming to him".
I have been working with my younger one for a while now to not react negatively and to have these people blow this all off.. well then I get to start from scratch with my training.
sounds selfish, but it's true.
sometimes I just pick the one up that I am with (usually walk separatley..less pack mentality) if the dogs are too large or too assertive when running toward my dog. I would feel terrible if my dog did something to someone else's. and mine are always on leashes especially back in the wooded areas.
Erin Schroer