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What do you do when you come across an unleashed dog?
My neighbor was taking Toby (the bichon) for a walk today (I'm sick ) and on their walk an unleashed GSD came up to them. Toby ALWAYS barks at other dogs, mostly it seems bc he is excited and wants to meet them. So Toby was barking and it seems the GSD got pretty worked up as well. My neighbor didn't know what to do but started pulling Toby away until the owner came out (and started yelling at Toby!!). So still being a new dog owner, I realized I wouldn't know what to do in that situation! I am a little paranoid b/c one of the dogs in Toby's obedience class was really traumatized by some off leash dogs and I don't want that to happen to my boy!
As their dog approaches my leashed dog, I somewhat dramatically tell the owner to "Recall your dog! Recall your dog!"
While the dog doesn't stop immediately most of the time, they are usually caught by the owner before the dogs are face to face. Then the leashless owner who is at this point either embarrassed or scared inevitably say "Well he's friendly." Ok, dumba$$, that's all well and good but did you ever stop to think that it's unfair for your loose dog to approach my leashed dog who is more than a little intimidated by strange dogs invading her space?
I like it when kids ASK if they can pet my dog and I also like it when owners ask if their dog can sniff my dog's privates.
The other dog's owner was completely in the wrong for yelling at Toby. Boo on them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mar0
What do you do when you come across an unleashed dog?
My neighbor was taking Toby (the bichon) for a walk today (I'm sick ) and on their walk an unleashed GSD came up to them. Toby ALWAYS barks at other dogs, mostly it seems bc he is excited and wants to meet them. So Toby was barking and it seems the GSD got pretty worked up as well. My neighbor didn't know what to do but started pulling Toby away until the owner came out (and started yelling at Toby!!). So still being a new dog owner, I realized I wouldn't know what to do in that situation! I am a little paranoid b/c one of the dogs in Toby's obedience class was really traumatized by some off leash dogs and I don't want that to happen to my boy!
Mar0, as you know, you dealing with 3 issues.
1, Historical cultural difference places dog in the same league as people on the mainland who let their damn cats wonder all over the neighborhood. In some areas its seen almost as the right of the animal to be free from roaming restrictions.
2. Funding for animal control on Kaui is just below approval for using taxpayer money for the SuperFerry. I think you know what I mean.
3. Socio-economics could be a factor in getting a person to obey the laws especially when the alternative is to just dump the animal near Barking Sands to fend for itself, knowing in short order they will get another and it starts all over.
Kaui as all of Hawaii has a "owner control" law although getting that enforced in near impossible. You saving point is Hawaii does have a owner financial responsibility provision so if anything happens to your dog from a unleased dog on public property, the owner is personally responsibe to pay the cost. That could be vet bills or it could be a pet shrink. Proving it will be difficult and who knows if they would pay.
Here's a tip that may work, do a search for Hawaii Revised Statutes and Kaui County code and print out the section on controling a animal Tape it to their mailbox or fence. Cross your fingers they get the message.
I walk everyday so it's not unusual to cross paths with an unleashed dog. Normally what happens is I will slow the pace to give me and the dogs a chance to size up the situation and if the other dog is not too aggressive, I will let them sniff and say a quick hello and then we're on our way. My dogs are social and rarely is there any drama - unless it happens to be a pack of dogs running loose looking to pick a fight. That can get ugly quick.
yep my sister is always walking her fila brisario , these dogs are highly instinctive and will protect their owner at the cost of their life which is what they are trained to do . My sister lives alone and she is a former dog trainer as well . She lets "sammy " size up the sittuation himself . He usually just sniffs and moves on . he is very well trained and she has made him so . He does know how to be friendly and he is with everyone and everything and not your typical fila . Just pick up your dog if your able and then report the loose dog to the animal control especially if the owner is acting like a jacka** !!!
Thanks for the advice. This dog usually isn't out unleashed and I have only ever seen him once before, so its not a super common thing by any means.
And Pacific flights-I'm def aware of the cultural differences here on Kauai...all my friends own hunting dogs that never get out but I live in a pretty haole neighborhood.....i'm hoping this is a one off but i appreciate your help!!
I hate when this happens. My dog got attacked by a dog that was off its leash while we were taking a walk. I threw my body over him till the owner came and got his dog and thank goodness my dog was ok but he was always fearful of large dogs.
I agree about reporting the dog and talking to the owner if you can.
The only unleashed dogs I ever come across in my neighborhood are ones who have gotten loose, and the owners are either actively attempting to retrieve, or where nobody even knows they're gone yet. It's never a case of an owner nearby who is just letting the dog frolic offleash/unconfined. Willie doesn't really react to loose dogs, except to do the buttsniff. He freaks out more about LEASHED dogs we encounter on walks, if he's not allowed to go sniff and say hi. If he can't do the meet and greet, he'll get really barky.
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) and on their walk an unleashed GSD came up to them. Toby ALWAYS barks at other dogs, mostly it seems bc he is excited and wants to meet them. So Toby was barking and it seems the GSD got pretty worked up as well. My neighbor didn't know what to do but started pulling Toby away until the owner came out (and started yelling at Toby!!). So still being a new dog owner, I realized I wouldn't know what to do in that situation! I am a little paranoid b/c one of the dogs in Toby's obedience class was really traumatized by some off leash dogs and I don't want that to happen to my boy!
