no matter how you feel about other dogs, there is a polite way to ask someone to put their dog on a lead!
I think Jaspersbloke wasn't happy with the way the lady acted and calling a 10 yr old an offensive name wouldn't have helped the situation!!
Ok she may have apoint but it makes a difference how you put your point across

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If you have complete control of your dog, it's easy to avoid confrontation from other dogs providing yours is fast enough.

I'm much better at reading other dogs than mine is (he thinks snarling teeth and fur is an invitation to sniff) and his recall in the park is very strong. I can also send him away (at the moment with use of an emergency tennis ball in my pocket) so without him knowing it, I have control over who he does and doesn't sniff. In parks it's also easy to see them coming before they're close enough for an investigation and I can wander in another direction. I have no problem with other people's out of control dogs because it gives both me and Shadow more experience. If I had no control over my own, then no, other out of control dogs would be terrifying at times but that's as much my fault as their owner's.

If I enter a park and there are other dogs playing, do I have a right to order them to leash them so I can unleash mine? Not at all! and that's the point of the OP. The rudeness for that lady to lay complete claim to the park no matter what her judgement is of a 10 year old or excitable puppy, if she isn't happy letting her dog off leash in their presence then she shouldn't let her dog off leash in their presence. She has no right to order him to do it so I don't blame you for being angry.

That's definitely a difficult one. Both parties would have to follow the same rules for that to work. If one does, the dog wanders over of it's own accord and any training you've put into place is gone to pot.

Dogs are animals not cars. If your car shunts the back of someone elses, you had complete control. If a dog sniffs another's bottom, they had control not you. I appreciate legally it's a different matter, but common sense says that innocent, natural behaviour such as this happens and cannot be avoided. What can be avoided is fighting, but to date this has never happened with mine.

Talking of worrying about other people... We were out at the park today and a small dog was playing and running around having a great time with our dog and a setter. The small dog's owner decided that the play was getting too boisterous for her little one (I didn't think it was particularly, and I'm over sensitive if anything), and picked it up and held it in the air above her head. I called our dog back to me since she was obviously worried and feeling uncomfortable in the situation, but the setter thought it was an invitation to leap up and play some more. The woman walked off and left the park. I felt quite sorry for her.

What do you do in a situation like this? Isn't lifting a little dog in the air just like showing a red rag to a bull? I can well understand her being nervous, being a new dog owner myself.

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http://www.eghamreflexology.co.uk

what a shame , maybe next time you could both put the dogs on the lead until they've calmed down and let them ahve a sniff with you both in control??? i think if you snatch your dog away without saying anything it could cause problems later??? its a hard one isnt it??
because i have a Staff (shes still a teeny pup!) some people give me a wide berth!!

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I'm 14 years old and we have a 4 year old (we think) rescue. I get victimised by "older" people as when their dogs come up to mine he can sometimes get aggressive (just giving a warning growl) to the other dog. He doesnt go over to other dogs ignores them completly and carries on playing he doesnt like getting into fights only to protect me on rare occasions. I think sometimes its people who think they know everything about dogs telling people what to do and some people tend to go for younger people. It is upsetting a rather frustrating I really feel for both you and your son.

IF your dog is involved in a dog fight and it is off lead and the other dog is on lead YOUR dog is legally considered not under control and therefore responsible. I did not say your dog is considered not under control at all times if off lead did I?

Yes there is a law, like JSR is saying, a 13 year old child in my street was walking her small poodle of lead to our local field. Her parents got a £30 fine & a letter of the council.!



I have said so many times before, I have an aggressive staffy. (Not always, but will go like a bolt of lighting!) And normally i walk him before and after people have used the fields, But..



There has been times, When people have just let their dog of the lead & allowed the animal to come to us... They have no thought for other people walking their dogs at the time. I have lost my rag sometimes at shouted "Can you put the dog on the lead please" & i get nothing but them walking off..!

Thats completely true here anyway

Bear was bitten quite badly on his face by an off lead dog, as he was off lead aswell nothing could really be done only a warning if the dog warden/police saw the attacking dog off lead again

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Owner to-
lots of rodents
2 monster dogs
1 slinky cat

Hold on a minute.

If you have an aggressive dog, bloody mussle them. Or better still get them in some sort of therapy.
If not, then do not walk them in dog parks.

Could not agree more!

If I had even the slightest suspicion that my dog would be aggressive to another dog he would wear a muzzle. If I could even imagine him being aggressive towards a person he simply would not go out. If he had a problem when he encountered other dogs then I would avoid them like the plague, but he does none of these things, so why should he be made to look like the bad guy because of other dogs that do have these problems.

I simply cannot believe the number of people who complain about other dogs near their own sensitive/aggressive or whatever dog whilst walking in the park/local field etc. 'I hate it when other dogs come running up to us at the dog park' well, DUH! If you are aware that your dog has a problem then you should be taking steps to sort it out, for the dogs sake if nothing else. If this is simply not possible then should you really be taking it to a place where you can pretty much guarantee you are going to come across other dogs?

I don't like heights, so do you know what I do? I stay off the top of buildings!

Lucky, I really feel for you too. You have learned to understand your dog and are aware of his shortcomings, which is a very mature and responsible thing to do. I just wish every dog owner would adopt the same attitude.