Off leash meets On leash

[TrishB]

Hi all,

What do you do when your off leash dog meets an on leash dog - or visa versa?

I've been in situations of people leaving their dogs off leash in my neighbourhood. Granted, they're not strays, the owners are in the area walking with them (I won't call it walking them, because that means a leash! ). I personally don't like it when a dog that is off leash approaches Parker. He loves other dogs, but I don't need the hassel of the circling, hackles up, pee wars, etc. Of course, they are in the wrong and are breaking the leash laws - but what do you do?

I've also been in other situations where Parker has been in the trails of the off leash park and we see a person who has their dog on leash. If I see that, I'll put Parker on his leash - because I figure that there's a reason that they have their dog on leash (I assume dog aggression, whether it's right or wrong, I figure better safe than sorry). But then I wonder why they would bring their dog to an off leash park and leave it on leash. There are 98% more parks with leash requirements where you won't be approached by an off leash dog, why not go there? Then you won't have to worry about being approached at all (or at least, you shouldn't ).

What do you do in either situation? Regardless of the fact that they should or shouldn't happen, the reality is that they do; So the situation needs to be dealt with.

[Karlan]

There is a lengthy discussion in the thread below with different opinions represented.......

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ight=dog+parks

[Karlan]

P.S. The last half of the thread is where the on leash off leash discussion comes in.

[JoJo]

There are 98% more parks with leash requirements where you won't be approached by an off leash dog, why not go there?

Maybe these people like the scenery better in the off leash parks. I didn't know that there was a rule for using these parks......"Off leash only". Or maybe they just happen to live closer to these parks.

JoJo

[Judi W]

wow, I find that a very strange position. The assumption that because someone happens to have their dog on a lead in an off lead area it must be vicious. Perhaps your neighbors who merrily disregard the leash law feel the same about your dog do ya think? Now I happen to believe that it is good manners, proper management and being a good neighbor to obey the leash law, but I've never heard of someone thinking a person who chooses to keep their dog on lead in a dog area must be "dealt with". I didn't think those areas specify no leashes allowed. Perhaps they want to enjoy an area where dogs are welcomed, but don't feel they have a good enough recall. There are many reasons besides viciousness for a person to choose to have their dog leashed in a dog area.

[TrishB]

Yes, the Dog Park discussion talked about what I'm asking about - but it only talked about it on the level that 'it happens'. What I'm asking for here is what do you do when it happens to you? In a park, on your street, while hiking, etc.

Your dog is on leash, an off leash dog approaches: What do you do?
Your dog is off leash, an on leash dog approaches: What do you do?

I'm not asking about the legalities - I'm asking what do you do in the situation.

And yes, I can agree that people are just as welcome to walk their dogs on leash in the off leash park (just like the joggers, bikers, walkers, etc. are as well). But I don't understand not wanting to be approached by off leash dogs is you enter the off leash park! If you have concerns about it, it would make sense to not enter it, because it's going to happen.

[damp]

I would say it’s prejudging to assume that a dog on leash is aggressive. I would rather think the owner knows that he/she doesn’t have full control of the dog when off leash. That’s not a sin but respect for the other dogs and owners.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Perhaps they want to enjoy an area where dogs are welcomed, but don't feel they have a good enough recall. There are many reasons besides viciousness for a person to choose to have their dog leashed in a dog area.

I'm just being honest! That is my first reaction simply because in my experience, that's what the majority of them tell me when they thank me for putting Parker on leash. Typically it's a "Thanks, he's not sure about other dogs." or "Thanks a lot, she's just not good with other dogs."

Although I know of quite a few that do as well because they don't want their dogs swimming in the creek.

Either way - I put Parker on leash when we see another on leash dog. Period. I think of it as being considerate of the other owner and they typically appreciate it.

Anyway - this is off topic.

What do you do in the specified situations? On leash approached by off leash / off leash approached by on leash?

[Judi W]

If you can see that your dog's attentions are not welcomed, call your dog back.

As far as off lead dogs approaching when you are the one on lead and they don't have anyone to call them back, few dogs actually close contact with the Rottweilers, but when that does happen, I simply wait patiently until the greeting and status rituals are completed. Sometimes it seems like forever, but it really isn't. Dogs have their own rituals, quite complex and they even occasionally involve some noise, but very rarely anything beyond that.

And BTW, you did state that they should be "dealt with".

[damp]

Originally Posted by TrishB

Your dog is on leash, an off leash dog approaches: What do you do?
Your dog is off leash, an on leash dog approaches: What do you do?

I tell the owner to get their dog on leash or I will let my dog off leash (that helps)

If my dog is off leash and I see or hear any human or dog in a world away from us, or a reaction in my dog's posture (before I see or hear anything) I put him on leash.

[Ilovemypuppy]

I fail to understand the fascination with anyone having their dog off leash....EVER. It's not safe, it's not mannerly and no dog, I don't care how well their owner THINKS their dog is trained is 100 percent reliable in EVERY situation and the situation can change in a heartbeat.
Letting a dog off leash is dreaming unless you are in a fenced area. Ask any dog

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Judi W

And BTW, you did state that they should be "dealt with".

No, my mention of the situation needing to be 'dealt with' was in regards to when the situation actually occurs. When you find yourself in the situation of having your dog approached by another. Regardless if the situation should have occured or not, you've found yourself in it and you'll have to deal with it, like it or not. It made no reference to to temperament of the dog approaching. Just to how you deal with the situation you are being presented with.

Although I have no idea why you're stuck on this point - it is off topic. I hope it clarifies the statement for you. You just took it out of the context in which I said it.

Thank you for your reply to the question. Although I find the off leash dogs approaching my dog on city streets (illegal) very irritating. Waiting it out seems to be the only option.

[Judi W]

I appologize for misunderstanding your dealt with statement. I see now how you mean it. My oops.

Yes, waiting it out works just fine. dogs speak dog quite well and few want to mix it up with a Rottweiler, they are simply running up in greeting.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

Letting a dog off leash is dreaming unless you are in a fenced area. Ask any dog

You haven't met a few dogs in my neighborhood! Example: There's one guy who takes his dog for walks off leash all the time, and we see him frequently when Luna and I are out and about. The dog is usually 20 feet or so ahead of him, but always listens when given a command to "come" or "stop". The other day I came out my front door with Luna and as we approached the sidewalk, beyond the hedge I see this dog about 15 feet away. He saw us and made a little jump forward to come visit and his owner, who was still halfway down the block, called out "stop". That dog stopped in his tracks and waited for his owner. As far as I'm concerned, this guy can walk his dog off leash as much as he wants. He has a mental leash and his dog responds immediately to it.

As long as people have control over their dogs, I don't mind at all if they are off leash.

As far as what I do, it depends on the approaching dog. If it trots up friendly, I lift the leash out of the way, allow a greeting, and then move on my way (while looking for the darn owner!) If it comes charging up in a more aggressive manner, I will give Luna a pop and take a half step in front of her to let her know I'm taking care of it, and I will yell in my best growl voice "No!", and that usually takes care of that. Beyond those, we've only encountered 3 dogs that were very aggressive and looking for a piece of meat. I just had to think on my feet for those, and one encounter was pretty darn scary.

For these types of dogs, there's no excuse in the world good enough for not having them leashed.

[LynnS]

We rarely come upon dogs off leash in the city but it happens occasionally. I have gotten fairly good at reading dog language but I am still vigilant if Bella is approached. If the meet and great takes more than 15 seconds or so I just tell Bella Leave it and off we go....BTW if we are off leash at the beach or wherever and I see a dog on leash I dont do a thing. Bella does not go up and greet other dogs as a matter of course...