Best place to live with responsible pet owners?

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

If there isn't anyone else around, I let my dog off leash when we are at a river, or hiking. ........
I can only speak for in my neighborhood, but we have many dogs and I don't think I have ever seen dogs off leash (except at the park, which is not off leash, but there is a huge area great for throwing balls which is WELL AWAY from every thing else and the park is not well used by people). Kinda goes back to the if there is no one around thing.

The "if there is no one around " it's ok thing does not work for me. When people eventually come around, there is a good chance they will step in dog poop. As far as I'm concerned, it's an example of irresponsible dog ownership.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by karlsch

The "if there is no one around " it's ok thing does not work for me. When people eventually come around, there is a good chance they will step in dog poop. As far as I'm concerned, it's an example of irresponsible dog ownership.

I disagree, but I always pick up my dog's poop. It's not like he runs and poops at the same time. He has to stop and squat. Can't miss a dog pooping...Allowing a dog off leash has nothing to do with scooping poop.

My dog also doesn't run away from me. My leash is 6 feet long and if there is no one else at the river, I don't see an issue taking him off. I see someone starting to head over and he's leashed. It's that simple.

I fully appreciate that not everyone likes dogs. I have been on trails on Mt. Hood where I passed two people in 8 hours. I'm not talking about heavily hiked trails here. Clearly they need to be leashed then.

[castiron]

I carry pepper spray in my hand in Bend because I'm in a minority (perhaps 20%) who keep my dogs on-leash at all times. The pepper spray is for other dogs who may happily approach my boxer and find that he is "not really that into" it. Protect yourself, that is your right! BTW, I lived in Port Townsend, too. Sorry you had a dog attack incident there: where did it happen? This site on dogs has been really an eye-opener for me, especially because I don't have the typical Bend dog (retriever or lab or aussie). Leerburg's Dog Training DVDs and Free Dog Training ebooks

[Minervah]

One thing I don't understand about people around here is that they take their small kids to the dog parks and allow them to free-range. These parks are created so dogs can run free but parents seem to mistake their kids for dogs I guess. I don't have a dog but a friend has a well-behaved golden retriever. Her dog will come to her on command and is very friendly But when a dog that large, about 80 lbs, gets running and a toddler is in the way, the dog doesn't stop to easily.

I think if parents are going to bring their kids to a park designed for dogs the kids should be on a leash; it's only fair.

[dachmom]

I agree that you will not find a place where all dog owners are responsible. I do know that Marion County (Salem, etc) has a leash law, I have seen signs posted. I don't know how well that is enforced though. I keep my dogs on leash at all times because they are scent hounds. I don't have a problem with people letting their dogs off leash in off leash areas, or as a previous poster said if there is no one around. As long as they are respectful of others and leash the dogs when they see other people, and pick up the poop of course.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Minervah

One thing I don't understand about people around here is that they take their small kids to the dog parks and allow them to free-range. These parks are created so dogs can run free but parents seem to mistake their kids for dogs I guess. I don't have a dog but a friend has a well-behaved golden retriever. Her dog will come to her on command and is very friendly But when a dog that large, about 80 lbs, gets running and a toddler is in the way, the dog doesn't stop to easily.

I think if parents are going to bring their kids to a park designed for dogs the kids should be on a leash; it's only fair.

Some breeds are great for kids and some aren't. I think people that have good with kid type dogs forget that not all breeds do well with the unpredictability of little ones.

Since we got our dog when our kids were small, temperament was really important to us.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by dachmom

I agree that you will not find a place where all dog owners are responsible. I do know that Marion County (Salem, etc) has a leash law, I have seen signs posted. I don't know how well that is enforced though. I keep my dogs on leash at all times because they are scent hounds. I don't have a problem with people letting their dogs off leash in off leash areas, or as a previous poster said if there is no one around. As long as they are respectful of others and leash the dogs when they see other people, and pick up the poop of course.

In Salem scooping poop seems to be a much bigger problem than off leash dogs. I rarely see a dog off leash except in the rivers and we have tons of dogs in my neighborhood.

I can also say that I have watched other dogs poop in my yard, and it is almost 100% guarantee that if a tween/teen is walking the dog it stays in my yard.

[karlsch]

Dog discussions like this are always interesting.

You always find that:

All dog owners consider themselves to be responsible - It’s always the other dog owners who are irresponsible.

Dog owners consider themselves to be the only ones qualified to determine whether their dogs are a danger or a nuisance - what non-dog owners think does not count. Because of this, they think they are qualified to determine when it is ok to violate dog control laws.

That’s why you read statements like these: “If there isn't anyone else around, I let my dog off leash when we are at a river, or hiking” or “I don't have a problem with people letting their dogs off leash in off leash areas, or as a previous poster said if there is no one around.”

Dog owners have a lot to learn. As Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer says: “I rehabilitate dogs. I train people.”