Leash Your Dog!

[Anonymous]

I used to walk my dog off the leash all the time. The main reason I leashed him was due to people giving me looks as they came towards us. He gave no sign or indication that he would do anything. In fact, he could have cared less.

Today, on my run, I saw a wonderful dog walking off leash with its owner. Made me happy to know that there are still people who do it - who feel comfortable and confident in their dog.

I am not excusing the behavior of all dogs or owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I once witnessed a dog owner let her dog go down the slide at a playground, more than once. She thought it was cute. The rest of us were shocked. Unfortunately, everyone was too timid to say anything.

Probably was me....Oh well

I think I'd like you AND your dog! I beg the kids liked it too.

[Anonymous]

What angered me most was that even if the dog was supposedly "gentle", why or why would anyone choose to walk their dog outside a school during dismissal, leashed or not. It is just asking for trouble.

This makes ME angry. I live next to a school and have no choice. How dare anyone claim her precious snowflake has sole right to a public street. I guess the world should stop turning twice a day to ensure the safety of the precious ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to walk my dog off the leash all the time. The main reason I leashed him was due to people giving me looks as they came towards us. He gave no sign or indication that he would do anything. In fact, he could have cared less.

Today, on my run, I saw a wonderful dog walking off leash with its owner. Made me happy to know that there are still people who do it - who feel comfortable and confident in their dog.

I am not excusing the behavior of all dogs or owners.

So the law doesn't apply to you, oh, entitled asshole?

[Anonymous]

I'm a long-time dog owner. I always keep my dogs on leashes, even though none of them have ever shown any aggression toward humans. It's the law!

Beyond that, there's the issue of other dogs. And no matter how well you know your dog, you don't know all of the other dogs of the world. It's a recipe for disaster to walk a dog unleashed.

And there are designated dog parks where you can let your dog run off leash.

I'm curious as well what the breed of the dog is.

I would also add that what happened in that article could've happened even if the dog were on a leash.

Certainly dog owners should keep their dogs on leashes when in public spaces, but parents also need to control their kids. While walking my dogs -- with leashes -- I've had a lot of kids just run up and assume they can pet the dogs.

[Anonymous]

I have to say the only breed of dog I've seen off leash that is very well behaved are Border Collies. I've now known three and all have passed whatever test is given by the City of Rockville for off leash dogs and they are awesome; well behaved and do not even look at anyone other than their owners. I have no idea how the owners trained them. I should add - three dogs but two different owners in two different parts of Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What angered me most was that even if the dog was supposedly "gentle", why or why would anyone choose to walk their dog outside a school during dismissal, leashed or not. It is just asking for trouble.

This makes ME angry. I live next to a school and have no choice. How dare anyone claim her precious snowflake has sole right to a public street. I guess the world should stop turning twice a day to ensure the safety of the precious ones.

You are wrong. It is really, really irresponsible.

Run them in your yard if they must be out and about during those 5-10 minutes when the kids are getting out of school.

If you don't want to put your dog or a bunch of kids at risk, don't bring your dog to where there is going to be a concentrated group of 80-100 kids (including preschool and toddler siblings) emerging on the sidewalks at the same time. It takes all of 10 minutes, even less, for those kids to clear out.

It does not inconvenience you in the least to either keep your dog inside those few minutes, keep them in your yard, or walk them down the street a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to walk my dog off the leash all the time. The main reason I leashed him was due to people giving me looks as they came towards us. He gave no sign or indication that he would do anything. In fact, he could have cared less.

Today, on my run, I saw a wonderful dog walking off leash with its owner. Made me happy to know that there are still people who do it - who feel comfortable and confident in their dog.

I am not excusing the behavior of all dogs or owners.

+1, well trained lab and golden retrievers are better off leash. It's a fact that dogs get aggressive when leashed. Use a rule of reason. You should know your dog or face the consequences.

[Anonymous]

If you want your dog to run around unleashed, move to the country and buy some land.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want your dog to run around unleashed, move to the country and buy some land.

and then be prepared for the likely possibility that your dog will be accidentally shot by hunters, or pissed off landowners, hit by a car, disappear, shall I continue?

A veteran runner long ago taught me to run with a weapon of some type (she used to run with a road flare) to defend myself from...off leash dogs.

I was knocked off my bike by an unleashed dalmatian, but not bitten. I learned my lesson: next time, the dog won't be able to run away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate off leash dogs with a passion!

And I know people are going to come on here saying "Well the girl shouldn't have been trying to touch it", but with a 23 month old, it is so hard to prevent them from making sudden movements like this. My 18 month old LOVES dogs, and tries to get at them when she sees them. We tell her not to, and usually stop her from approaching dogs. Luckily, we mostly encounter leashed dogs, and oftentimes the owner tells us that it's okay and she pets it. But sometimes, the owners tell us that the dog isn't a kid person, and we move on. Either way, she is too young to understand that you can't approach a dog!! When we encountered an off leash dog one day, she tried to go up to it, and we picked her up quickly and walked away from it. But if we had another child to tend to, or if we didn't get there fast enough, I'm certain this could have happened to us.

People need to be responsible. I'm sick of things like this happening!!

I have a dog and a child. And, I agree 100% dogs should be on leashes. No question. But the above is pure bullshit. You're the parent. You watch your child. It's not hard and, to be blunt, it is your responsibility. It's no different than teaching them other safety lessons, like crossing the street after looking. So, quit abdicating your responsibility on that front. You are part of the equation. Others do it, so can you.

Thank you for responding to this before I could. I also have a dog and a child, and I do my best to keep my always-leashed dog away from kids (although I have not memorized all the local school release times as that other PP seems to expect). But leashed dogs are allowed and expected on public sidewalks and trails -- as are runners, cyclists, and other hazards. If your kid is too young to understand safety in these public locations, then you need to have a good grip on her or be in grabbing distance.

Plus, you're putting me -- a stranger -- in the position of possibly needing to grab or knock aside your kid to prevent a dog-kid interaction. You can imagine the parental outrage from that situation, even (or especially) if it's not clear the dog was ready to bite. You're not leaving me a lot of good choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want your dog to run around unleashed, move to the country and buy some land.

Hey, it's the rude neighbor from AU Park. What an ass you are.

[Anonymous]

I have a dog and children. I wish people would not try to pet my dog. period. She's a terrier and impossibly cute, but she (like many dogs) is startled and over excited by high pitched squeaky voices of children and some women. When I bring her to pick up my kids I stand well off to the side 9like 50 yards or so--but squealing kids come running at her screaming "awwwwwwwwwww, she's so cute!" --their parents do nothing to restrain them. The 6 or 7 year old girls are like dog maniacs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a dog and children. I wish people would not try to pet my dog. period. She's a terrier and impossibly cute, but she (like many dogs) is startled and over excited by high pitched squeaky voices of children and some women. When I bring her to pick up my kids I stand well off to the side 9like 50 yards or so--but squealing kids come running at her screaming "awwwwwwwwwww, she's so cute!" --their parents do nothing to restrain them. The 6 or 7 year old girls are like dog maniacs.

School poster here.

Thank you.

What the dog people are not understanding is that walking your dog right by where all the elementary school kids exit right at dismissal is just a recipe for disaster.

It is potentially dangerous for the kids, and not fair to the animal.

That is why I say it is irresponsible.

It is even worse if you have a breed known for aggression, or if you are not walking the dog on a close lease (such as those stupid extendo leashes). That is just plain stupidity and selfishness. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a dog and children. I wish people would not try to pet my dog. period. She's a terrier and impossibly cute, but she (like many dogs) is startled and over excited by high pitched squeaky voices of children and some women. When I bring her to pick up my kids I stand well off to the side 9like 50 yards or so--but squealing kids come running at her screaming "awwwwwwwwwww, she's so cute!" --their parents do nothing to restrain them. The 6 or 7 year old girls are like dog maniacs.

Well, then, duh, leave the dog at home!

Have you heard the term "attractive nuisances"? That's what you and your dog are being at that school.