I'd have thought so, I've done loads of work rehabilitating aggressive dogs back into acceptable members of society, and before anyone blames the owners, the majority are rescues and they came that way, one of the main things that help them is off lead time with other dogs, our dogs at first, with the aggressive dog muzzled, then our other clients dogs on our land, and eventually once they are trustworthy into the real world.

Some parts of Leeds do require dogs are to be kept on a lead the sign shows a dog with an upward line from the collar, denoting the lead and text underneath stating dogs are to be kept on a leash. There is at least one area I know of where dogs have to be kept on a leash unless they can be recalled and thats Otley Chevin and I really enjoyed that walk because all the dogs off the leash were under control and quite a few dogs came up to greet Duke.

I hope you never witness a vicious dog attack. Duke was attacked by three dogs all belonging to the same owner I watch his flesh being pulled and he bled profusely. The dominant dog had Dukes head another had his middle and the other got his back end. I did try to get to him to help, he was on the extendable lead as I went forward he tried to crawl away. I couldn't think straight, the dogs were in a frenzy. Absolutely horrible. All because some b......d couldn't control his dogs. I was shouting at him to grab his dog. It was obvious which was the pack leader and he couldn't he was so hesitant. Once he did the others back off. You can still see the scarring where the fur hasn't grown properly. He was only four months old at the time and on the leash. He never yelped. I thought he was a gonna. He had to have veterinary treatment. I assumed his demeanour would change but thanks to the help of the dog training club I attended it didn't phase him. He was happy to see all his pals. It affected me more than him. He will retaliate now but as heavy as he is I have lifted him to avoid a conflict with out of control dogs.

Having said all that I am not against dogs being off the lead. Its as you say if owners can't control their dogs they should keep them on the leash. Unfortunately that doesn't happen. I also think what happen to us is rare for an attack of that ferocity.

I was told that the lead is like a transmitter and if I am uptight, frightened the dog can sense that and will re-act - not sure that's true but I am confident around dogs so whether that has helped Duke to be confident around dogs I can't say.

Sue

where do you find is good to walk round mansfield?

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, hence healthy debate, but I rather think that certain points have not been read. If so, they have been ignored.

There have been numerous accounts of dog attacks on this thread, and my points regarding the safety of children and your own dogs have not been mentioned. Shame!

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My dog loves thieves wood which during the week is usually pretty quiet if you want no hassle. Oxclose woods is also a good one, not really a wood but the dogs we take there all seem to love it as theres loads of open space to run around in and you hardly see anyone else.

Depends what you're looking for though? Off lead or on lead? Quiet or busy?

Where do you take your dog(s)?

Healthy debate is good. I also feel that many parts of my side have been ignored.

Like the fact that its just not fair to punish well behaved dogs for the behaviour of a few naughty ones.

At least someone agrees with me then. I'm really glad that there's someone out there doing good work with aggresive dogs and not just writing them off like many others. I only wish there where more people out there like you!

As you already know I strongly disagree with you on this matter. i too would like to live in a world where no dog ever shows any aggression to other dogs or people. It is terribly distressing to witness your dog being attacked, or worse your child.

My brothers border terrier was attacked reciently as he was walking down the street with her on lead, a lurcher rushed out of someones house, flipped her and went for the under belly, it meant business. She did sustain quite bad injuries, but my brothers greatest concern was that it would effect her behaviour around other dogs, she was extremely sociable, i reasured him it would not, as she had been socialised every day for four years off lead with other dogs. after a couple of weeks she was well enough to go to the dog field, she was her same normal self.

I actually believe that a ban on off lead dogs will make matters worse, leading to frustration and more aggressive dogs.

The trouble with leads is they are only as effective as the person holding it, often when a dog kicks off owners drop the lead or get it pulled out of their hands

But as you say we are all entitled to our own opinions.

Thanks, it's really rewarding work, having an aggressive dog can be very stressful, but with hard work and commitment on the owners part, they can have a good life.

we take cassie on a long footpath near edwinstowe for a quiet walk with the kids put she mostly she gets walked near town as thats where we live mostly up sutton road and to sutton rez which isnt really a pleasant walk. we had heard bad things about theives wood at one time is it better now?where is oxclose woods?( barney is my OH)