the keyboard damp with hot tears, the OP typed:

“And yes, it is a riot to watch the dogs play in sand! What fun! I don’t like anything about the rules that dogs cannot be on the beach on leash. I do have trouble with that one, and I have a hard time smiling back at the people who are walking along the beach looking up at us on the path, my two tied up and wishing (I’m just guessing.. it’s me that is wishing) they could join in the fun. I think it’s best to have them on leash on a beach anyway because of all the dead junk they can roll in… ew. I’m sure they would love that, but yucko-!”

man, those poor dogs…

thee

I wonder if one of the animal control groups could get someone to patrol the park in an overtime-type agreement… That way they are not taking resources currently in use and the fines they could potentially collect would more than cover the costs.

traci,

I have said that I let my dog off leash and will continue to do so. I dont in large parks like Lincoln Park but I do at others. I even started a topic about it after some individuals were going to such extremes in the anti-threads as to suggest to call 911?!? I was surprised at the support I got by others like me who do and will continue to let our dogs off leash. I am sorry about the situation above, but do have to agree that if people are worried about aggressive dogs a leash is not going to stop them. They just arent that strong.

I say this as a loving dog parent – I love my dog. But he’s a big slobbering idiot. No more than two brain cells to rub together at any given time. He’s ill behaved, kinda scary looking but in the end he’s just curious and lacking in social graces. I would never let him off the leash. EVER! I have a hard enough time taking him out in public ON a leash. He’s not aggressive, I could just see where he’d scare someone else.

It’s really all about knowing your dog and using common sense. There are risks letting your dog off leash no matter their size that need to be acknowledged. I don’t mind well behaved off-leash dogs (and I agree it is entertaining to watch them have fun!) it’s just the ill behaved dogs (and owners!) that really ruin it for everyone else. Isn’t that how it always goes. A good thing ruined by people not using common sense.

BDG, maybe you haven’t incurred this yet, but it doesn’t necessarily take a *known* aggressive dog to cause a problem in this scenario. Something psychological happens in their little doggie heads when a leashed dog meets up with un-leashed one. And it is often the one on the leash that lashes out first in response to the situation.

When every dog is loose, such as the off leash park, they get along. If every dog is on a leash, they concentrate on their own agenda with their owner, and seem to ignore each other for the most part. There is trouble when you mix one of each. The leashed dog perceives some kind of threat. The off leash owners think to themselves it wasn’t my dog who started the aggression so I’m fine. When actually the mere fact of their dog being loose, is the cause of the threat.

I get it when you’re way off by yourselves or in the little fenced area you’ve personally found. But for those in a busy public area open to all, it is selfish and rude to think you are not part of the problem having your dog run loose.

LOL! Mike – that’s hilarious! I bet you’re housebroken though. My little bugger uses urine as a measure of letting us know when he’s mad. If he’s happy he will wait as long as it takes to get him outside… oh but when we hasn’t had his afternoon biscuit… it’s a different story.

BDG – that’s the truth if I’ve EVER heard it. *sigh*

I visit Lincoln Park occasionally, and have encountered the non-leash people. I have had occasion to tell people a couple of times to get there animal under control because it came over (uninvited) to my leashed dog. The arrogant and defensive responses I’ve received from these people are astounding. Really, you think you are justified in defending your actions when you are clearly breaking the rules? Sounds like you are inviting confrontation.

Secondly, anybody who knows my german shepherd thinks he is one of the sweetest, most well behaved dogs they’ve come across. People have actually asked me if I’m a police officer or if he’s a police dog, because he minds pretty darn well – much above average. But here’s the thing – most of the time, he doesn’t like dogs that are measurably smaller than him. Seems like many of you offleashers think it’s just peachy to have your small dog come check my dog out when I’m trying to walk away to avoid a possible situation. Then when my dog snaps or snarls at yours, all of sudden we are the bad guys. Get a clue!

I’m with smikes…

someone decides their dog shouldn’t have to obey the rules.. and then walks or runs without paying any attention to where their dog is.

When i call to ask them to leash their dog, many of them act like i am the problem…

my dogs are always leashed… and if on a retractable leash, i know exactly where they are.

If everyone else in the park knew exactly where their animal was and what they are doing, there wouldn’t be a problem.

but there is.

Thank you AlkiDebbie! I made this point on a similar thread a while back. Saying “I let my dog off-leash, but only when there aren’t people around” or “my dog has never bothered anyone while off-leash” just doesn’t cut it. Your seemingly harmless actions may have deterred many people from even GOING to that park in the first place. If I was afraid of dogs or had small children or skittish dogs myself and I was reading this thread or heard about all the off-leash dogs at a certain park, or even drove by and saw off-leash dogs, I would then have to avoid that park out of fear. That isn’t right or fair.

“I bet you’re housebroken though.”

Ermmm….no comment….

*Embarrassed*

Mike

It totally sucks, datamuse! The laws are in place so that everyone can enjoy the parks. I love dogs and I have a dog but I also respect that many people DON’T like dogs or are afraid of them. I think too many dog owners forget that.