I agree to certain degree but dogs to need offlead excerise.Mine are only offlead when there are no other dogs around or people.Meg will only tolerate certain dogs so no chances are taken.
Both have excellent recall,but they are still dogs with minds of there own

Thank you Sallyanne, you have just proved my point beautifully.

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I can't take my dog off the leash in a public area unless the area is very quiet and he couples up with another dog then I can as he doesn't get distracted, or I am completely on my own (not advisable in a Public Park - although I have done it). I have an extended lead coupled to his harness. He has jumped into water and had a paddle and a bit of a swim. However I have come across a lot people who can walk their dogs off the leash and their dogs are under control by verbal commands. Even if I reached a stage of training where I was almost 100% sure he would respond I still couldn't release him in a busy public area as there are a lot of people who are frighten of Staffie's especially around their own dog(s).

I understand the points you have raised which from another aspect are relevant and made me realise I am not being mean keeping him on a leash due to my inadequacies in not having trained him to a higher standard. We are getting there but its very slow progress.

I have had Duke now for nearly 3 years, I didn't do enough research into the breed, except we wanted a medium sized dog. The only thing I thought I knew was that their jaws locked so I felt it was important to train him to give me objects and for him to get use to me taking things out of his mouth.

The first I knew of the dangerous dog law of 1991 was when I read it on the wall at the vets while we were waiting to his first injection! I asked the vet about training classes. He said you can do it yourself, whilst he was right you can teach a dog the basic commands yourself you can't socialise him without other people and dogs. Fortunately I met a dog trainer while out walking Duke. We went to puppy class and onto obedience class.


Sue

What I find really annoying is those dogs offlead who come bounding and leaping all over mine,owners who have no recall and I've got two dogs to control,one who goes bananas because he wants to play,and the other who's growling and snapping.She hates dogs running at full pelt towards her,ever since she was attacked by a JR.

I usually shout to owners to put there dogs onlead and usually they either ignore me or say it's ok there friendly.It does my head in.

God tell me about it.
Thats why i go out late at night, aswell as onlead in the day, night time is so my dogs can have their runs in peace.

people are very inconsiderate before we had cassie we were out with a friend walking whos child is scared of dogs and when people let there dog run all over and have no control they dont realise how distressing it can be to someone who is scared, it was awful she sobs at the sight of a dog and if one is of the lead she is hysterical

Sallyanne, I can totally sympathise with you when people shout my dogs friendly. I always keep Katie on the lead even when we appear to be alone on the hills as she is quite nervous of other dogs, although the other dog might be friendly Katie is scared of other dogs ever since she was attacked. I have been known to yell back, 'mine isn't though' generally they'll call their dogs or put them on the lead.
Lots of people a frightened of dogs and it's unfair of us dog owners to frighten people when out and about with our dogs. My border collie was very well trained and would come back very quickly when recalled, she never wandered more than a few feet away from me but I'd always put her back on the lead if I saw someone either with or without a dog as I've witnessed a dog being attacked by another dog once too often!
It's the irresponsible owners of dogs that tend to give all dog owners a bad name, those that allow their dogs to stray, those that think everyone is a 'dog' person, and lastly those who do not train their dogs to respond to even the most basic of commands, and those that actively make their dogs aggressive so as to appear 'hard' (I dislike the last lot the most).

I think the last few posts have really emphasised my point beautifully.

I too, started exercise my dog in remote areas, basically to avoid other dog owners, and it is completely unfair. It is the absolute love for my dogs that makes me determined to keep them out of harms way. Whilst he had every right to be exercised in a public place, he was always under control, and yet was constantly bothered by loose dogs, friendly or not. I was in a no win situation, since Zak being a German Shepherd Dog, was looked upon as being the aggressor. I removed that chance by having him on a flexi and so protected him at all times.

I would always advocate training with your puppy, as I am sure Jenny will confirm. All puppies need socialisation, with both people and other dogs. I am amazed that this vet did not emphasise this point!

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There have been some invaluable points made here which I totally agree with. Great debate.

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I take my two up to the moors where I can see for 360 degrees for a mile in all directions - only then do they come off lead. It isnt cos I dont trust my dogs or that my dogs recall is rubbish BUT I will do everything in my power to protect my boys. Because they are Rotts even if little Fufu runs up and instigates a fight it will be my boys that are once again demonised. I wont put my boys in the situation where they have choices to make - I make the choices for them so that its the right choice!!!
If I spot someone with a dog on the lead my immediate thoughts are that a) it could be a youngster b) it might have cr@p recall c) it could be aggressive or d) maybe its been lame or had an op and is on restricted exercise - all reasons IMHO to be courteous and give them a wide berth - it doesnt take much to have a bit of respect for other people.

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Jo, Nelly, Bhu and Molly
Some people talk alot.................and say nowt