Comments on: Off Leash Dog Walking

By: Betty

Betty — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:56:54 +0000

I can see why you are concerned. Check to see if there is a leash law where you are. I bet there is. If the dog leaves their property without being on a leash, then they have violated the ordinance. I’d report them if Jingle is really threatened, and you can’t get anywhere with talking to the owner first.

By: Sally your neighbor

Sally your neighbor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:55 +0000

Amen. Off leash is not safe for your dog, that’s why we keep ours on. Except at the mall, when Jeremy MADE us do it!

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:54:26 +0000

As a leash-only dog walker, I concur with the irritation. I am convinced that it is a combination of smugness (we don’t need no stinkin’ leash) and weariness of being pulled hither and yon by said canine companion.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:44:27 +0000

Amen, sister.

By the way, I am head over heels in love with your dog. I love reading about your dog. I STILL do NOT want a dog.

xoxo

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:59:32 +0000

I recently gave up on the dog park. It pains me to do it to Spirit but almost every time there’s a dog with bad manners or an owner who isn’t paying attention. I simply won’t wait for my pup, or theirs, to get hurt. I really do think a little call over the the pd is appropriate. It’s against the law almost everywhere because it’s a safety hazard. At very least they can put up a few warning signs that may curb the behaviour.

By: KC

KC — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:56:03 +0000

I have an off-leash lady too. At least she follows around with her bags, but the dog is SOOOO in charge. And when this giant Lab (makes my big Lab look puny) sprints at us and then his hair goes up on his back, it’s intimidating — even tho he’s a Lab of the oh-so-friendly variety.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:01:22 +0000

Much as I totally get why this bugs you, what about the road? the cars? the possible accidents and squished dog elements? How do you not say something?

By: Elspeth

Elspeth — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:24:39 +0000

When I first got my dog years ago (he was a little bichon puppy, maybe 4 lbs) I couldn’t bear to see him bucking like a horse when I tried to attach him to the leash. So I walked him around the neighbourhood off leash following after him like a twit wherever his fancy took him.

Then he grew old enough to be a brat about things and so he got his leash and I never looked back.

I think the allure of the whole off leash thing is to say “look at me! My dog is so well trained that it can go off leash!” Except that when they’re not, it’s really irritating for everyone else.

There are some parks where I live that are specifically off-leash places to go, so I could understand that sort of thing there, encouraging your dog to play with other ones and burn off some energy. I always get worried by the fighter breeds as well, more so if the owner looks either tough or wishy-washy. One could mean that the owner wants their dog to be a fighter and the other could mean that the owner might not have trained their dog at all.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:33:46 +0000

Totally know how you feel! There is a mangy dog that looks like it may have rabies or something and likes to lunge towards Bella, and she is scared of that ragged ol’ thing. We’ve called the canine police in Cary, but didn’t do anything about it because it wasn’t vicious. Lame!