Being chased by dogs

[shaunaneto]

I certainly don't sniff the kind of things he does....

Brilliant, well done sir

[shaunaneto]

Originally Posted by Hank
I usually carry a small child to fend off any unruly animals.

Small children are, in general... heavier than Sporks

[Graeme78]

They're pretty chunky things weimaraners. I don't think one would notice much if I punched it on the nose.

I don't know, a dogs nose is supposedly the most sensitive part of it's body. A dog doesn't see like a person, they have very poor eyesight in comparison to our own, the third dimension and the way a dog sees is to use it's nose. That's why the spend so much time with their noses stuck up another dog's backside and sniffing trees and corners and grass and fence posts and anything that happens to have had a dog pass by in the last century.
Oh and why do they spend so much time rolling in fox poo, it must be like crack to them, every time mine does it he gets hosed down, next day goes back does the same.

[Flopsy]

In Calderdale there is a by-law that states a dog owner must put their dog on a lead if asked to do so by anyone, anywhere.

Don't agree with that. Just because someone doesn't like dogs I would have to put my dog on the lead? Even though my dog isn't aggressive? By the way dogs can be more aggressive on leads as they feel vulnerable. My dog gives most humans and other dog a wide berth so why should I punish him by putting him on a lead. Don't tar all dogs with the same brush I say. So glad I don't walk my dog in public parks.

[djglover]

So you expect people to evaluate the risk a dog poses to them on first sight. based on what? I'd rather people just kept them under control, and I think that is a pretty sensible rule in the main. recently I have had a face of with a Rottweiler and bitten by a very unassuming Labrador cross. In each case the owner was very defensive about their dogs behavior.

In my opinion I shouldn't have to make that decision, if your in a place where there are other people, you should be forced by law to have it on a lead.

[shaunaneto]

I think I can break down my dog encounters as follows

40% super friendly would really like to play
40% friendly, will say hello and then be on their way
15% indifferent, maintains a sensible distance
4% nervous, distinctly unhappy at my presence
1% aggressive

I've only ever been caught out twice by dog behaviour where I misjudged the dog. On both occasions the dogs behaviour was clearly driven by fear.

[Hank]

40% super friendly would really like to play
40% friendly, will say hello and then be on their way
15% indifferent, maintains a sensible distance
4% nervous, distinctly unhappy at my presence
1% aggressive

Sounds like my social interactions with the ladies as a young man. Although the first figure may be a little (very) high.

[RaceTheSweeper]

Lots of differing opinion on here some a tad hysterical :-O some perfectly reasonable. We have two dogs and it's not often we have to walk them where there are a lot of public. Our border collie doesn't even want to say hello, to her no one exists but me, MrRTS and her tennis ball. If we are in public and we see bikes or runners we call down and she lies down. Not moving till we tell her. She is never on a lead as she really doesn't need one. Now, the other side of our coin - our chocolate lab. She loves everyone and wants to charge at everyone to say hi. We totally understand that to the unwary seeing a big chocolate lump bouncing towards you at full throttle is a bit unsettling so if on paths where there is a lot of people we keep her on a lead. She really can't stop herself going daft. She doesn't bark or show aggression though.
It can be a problem if we are somewhere quiet and walkers or runners suddenly appear and Tia sees them before us. Then it's a case of chasing after her shouting "she doesn't bite!".
We adore our girls and we want them to enjoy their life and the outdoors as much as the anyone else. Live & let live is my motto :thumbup:

[inspector gadget]

me and my other half both like dogs and are comfortable around them,but we have both been bitten by dogs,just a frendly bite but resulting in us both having bruised legs and having to spend hours in the hospital having treatment,plus having to pay for treatment.plus our next door neighbours kids who are both under the age of 10 were playing football in the field when a dog came bounding over chasing the ball and knocked the youngest boy over,resulting in him being scared stiff of dogs and not wanting to play in the field,the dog was only being playfull,but i think if you are in a public place keep your dog on a lead,but if out in the country side as long as it is not aggresive let it run free.

[IainR]

Classic dog encounter last night at Salt Ayre cycling circuit races in Lancaster...

Me, walking up from leisure centre to race circuit, lots of cyclists around... sees couple with staffordshire-big-jawed-mutt off the lead.
Dog sees me and clearly attracted by my spindly legs, starts jumping up and down around me... but of course "He's Okay"...
Owners eventually get said dog's attention and it loses interest in me and runs off towards the youth cyclists as they're warming up.
Owners, obviously oblivious to signs of cycle race in progress, head off towards the circuit itself obviously thinking it was laid out just for dog walking (as, judging by the number of steaming turds on view do many other dog owners).
Owners now clearly also oblivious to the signs saying "Cycle Racing Circuit: All Dogs to be on Leads" emerge from woodland looking for unleashed dog which is now enjoying life on the circuit.

Fortunately no harm done on this occasion, but...

Was it public land? If so and on right of ways its just under control..

But youd have thought for just the short period of the race people would keep their dogs out of the way.. so many have stepped across me on a lead.. long spindly leads, you'd just snap the dogs neck.. scares the hell out of me.