Walking in public places

L1985

Hey guys.have been wondering on this for a while and was thinking this could be a good place to ask.
So we have two dogs but live on a farm on a very quiet country road. So when I'm bringing them for walks I rarely put them on a lead and they aren't really used to being restrained. Both are v good at recall which they have to be being around cattle etc. However here is my q. I have occasionally and would like to a bit more bring them walking on the beach around other dogs. Now our first dog is an old lab who believes every dog is a friend he hasn't met yet. He's v polite but does like to say hello. I do like to let him off the leash because he is so well behaved and honestly hasn't an ounce of aggression. The shepdogs a lot more nervy and territorial so I usually end up putting her on and off the Leash depending on what's around. I have to keep a close eye on her but to be fair she probably needs a lot more experience around other dogs as well
So here is my q. Are other dog owners likely to be annoyed with the lab coming up to their dogs? I'm relaxed about it because I know what he's like but they obviously don't and I don't want to offend anyone. He isn't anyway exhuberant and doesn't jump up. It's about 50/50 leashed and unleashed dogs there.
Also any ideas on making the shepdog calm down or is it just exposure? She didn't have a great start in life and you can see that come through still. We have her over a year and she still finds it hard to come near me if I have a stick in my hand (it's a farm, I often have a stick in my hand.) all answers welcomed would like to get an idea around the etiquette of it all!!

muddypaws

Yes, I would be annoyed by the lab coming up to my dogs, especially my very reactive dog, who I am working really hard with to try and get over his issues. That work could be undone instantly by an off lead dog running up to him. I usually find that if an owner is keeping their dog on a lead in an area where they can let them off, there is usually a good reason for it.

kylith

muddypaws wrote: »

Yes, I would be annoyed by the lab coming up to my dogs, especially my very reactive dog, who I am working really hard with to try and get over his issues. That work could be undone instantly by an off lead dog running up to him. I usually find that if an owner is keeping their dog on a lead in an area where they can let them off, there is usually a good reason for it.

That's true, but when I had a reactive dog I purposefully avoided areas that were likely to have off-lead dogs. However, if the OPs dogs have good recall it shouldn't be an issue.

Knine

I agree with Muddypaws. Many dogs do not like other dogs just coming up to say hello and it can cause even the quietest of dogs to react.

I keep mine on their leads around dogs they don't know.

I had an awful incident this evening with a dog who was not on a lead charging up to me and my daughter who was 'helping' me hold my Border dog on his lead. This resulted in the other dog getting shook pretty bad and me trying to avoid my daughter getting bitten. Don't allow your dog to go up to strange dogs even just to say hello.

tk123

I tend not to allow my two to go approach dogs (either on or off lead) we don't know unless they've been invited by the owner and dog. Even at that they're big dogs so you have to allow for the fact that some dog owners are actually terrified of other dogs so while their dog might be dying to see my two the owner has other plans!!

I did let Lucy approach a JRT pup on a long line this evening because the owner was actively socialising it and it was doing fine with new dogs passing him.. sure enough he stepped up on a wall so he could sniff noses with her lol
So simplest thing here OP is to ask if it's ok before he approaches - it shows you're being responsible.

Bailey is 5 months post op now from his knee surgery. I had to start walking him from 2 weeks(!) post OP and even though I avoided the park I still had passing dogs on leads coming towards him which was extremely scary/frustrating and the same years ago with his other surgeries. People look at you like you have two heads when you tell them the dog you're out walking actually has a broken leg held together with pins/plates - they think you're exaggerating because we'd be on crutches/in a wheelchair if we had the same thing done. When he was having his jaw troubles and in and out of vets getting scans etc done I had some unwanted dogs pi$$ing him off and owner oblivious... so again it's best to ask because a dog could be sick/injured without you realising from looking at them

Bells21

A simple flip of behaviour from an owner's perspective would be really good for humans and dogs alike. By this I mean rather than the owner who is walking their dog off lead, shouting from 20 feet away that it's alright their dog is friendly, perhaps they could keep closer to their dog(or have an excellent recall) and ask if the dog that's on lead is ok with having the dog say hi.
I sometimes find that owners of off lead dogs shout this and then when I explain that actually one of ours doesn't enjoy having dogs in his space they say 'oh he's vicious' or 'well then he should be muzzled'. If they just said okidoki and called their dog back I'd be much happier, as would my dog.

muddypaws

kylith wrote: »

That's true, but when I had a reactive dog I purposefully avoided areas that were likely to have off-lead dogs. However, if the OPs dogs have good recall it shouldn't be an issue.

But that's not what the OP has asked, they want to know if other owners would be annoyed at the lab coming up to their dog. I am keeping him away from areas with other dogs but we will need to go where there are other dogs as part of the work, keeping them at a distance but that he can see them.

volchitsa

Bells21 wrote: »

A simple flip of behaviour from an owner's perspective would be really good for humans and dogs alike. By this I mean rather than the owner who is walking their dog off lead, shouting from 20 feet away that it's alright their dog is friendly, perhaps they could keep closer to their dog(or have an excellent recall) and ask if the dog that's on lead is ok with having the dog say hi.
I sometimes find that owners of off lead dogs shout this and then when I explain that actually one of ours doesn't enjoy having dogs in his space they say 'oh he's vicious' or 'well then he should be muzzled'. If they just said okidoki and called their dog back I'd be much happier, as would my dog.

Yes I find that our dog, who as a pup used to race up to all the potential new friends she saw on walks, has gradually become more prudent, so that now when she's off leash and sees a new dog she'll hang back a bit and look to us for confirmation that it's ok to go up to them.

That way when I see the other owners looking a bit worried (grabbing their dog or whatever) I either put her leash on straightaway or else speak to them, if they're close enough, and decide what to do accordingly. Much easier for all concerned, IME.

So maybe, to get back to the OP's question, s/he could try taking the dogs out but be ready to call that dog back as soon as it shows interest in other dogs. If recall is good, the dog will soon catch on that running up to new dogs without permission is a no-no.

sillysmiles

Personally it doesn't bother me unless the approaching dog is aggressive but my guy doesn't get a chance to meet many other dogs, cos most of our walks are on country roads or canal banks.

Milly33

Tough call, to be honest it would not bother me, but I can see why it would bother others. And also be prepared for your dogs to get some snaps from other dogs who aren't that friendly...

L1985

Thanks for the comments guys. I do try judge the owners reactions it's just our lab is so good natured and never puts a paw out of place so I hate constantly calling him to heel when he isn't technically doing anything wrong!! He looks at me like I was only saying hello and it's a kind of baffled hurt....yes I'm a sap!! For some reason even though he's an unneutered male other dogs don't seem to mind him at all but I get everyone's point. I'll try keeping him on a Lesh for the busier parts and the quieter ones let him off.
I need to work on Juno as she is one of the dogs that will snap at other dogs which I would love to train her out of. I think it's due to lack of exposure as she's a nervy dog in general!!

L1985

Thanks for the comments guys. I do try judge the owners reactions it's just our lab is so good natured and never puts a paw out of place so I hate constantly calling him to heel when he isn't technically doing anything wrong!! He looks at me like I was only saying hello and it's a kind of baffled hurt....yes I'm a sap!! For some reason even though he's an unneutered male other dogs don't seem to mind him at all but I get everyone's point. I'll try keeping him on a Lesh for the busier parts and the quieter ones let him off.
I need to work on Juno as she is one of the dogs that will snap at other dogs which I would love to train her out of. I think it's due to lack of exposure as she's a nervy dog in general!!

tk123

One other thing to watch out for - if your guys don't have much experience around other dogs they might be a bit clueless and not be able to pick up cues from them so you need to be watching for them. Our neighbour's dog is like this - LOADS of the local dogs hate him because he's so overly friendly and doesn't know when to back off. He's the only dog Bailey has ever properly told to FO after he came thundering over and smacked into him when he was sore a couple of years ago and still now a few years later Bailey won't have him near.

L1985

No Lance is very polite doesn't ever jump up.he just ambles over likes the aul sniff but has been growled at on occasion so then he backs off and moves in. He is honestly the most placid dog-the vet has xrayed him twice while he was awake.once his whole spine and Lance just lay there and did what he was told. Even thou he's not neutered I presume other dogs just pick up on that. I do get a lot if the points here thou which is why I asked the q!!!

s7ryf3925pivug

You can usually tell from looking at a dog and their owner if they might react badly. If you're not sure then assume they will react badly.