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i allow my dog to sniff other dogs on leash sometimes, but i ask first and i am close at hand in case their dog is not as friendly as they say it is.
my dog is fine with friendly dogs but if a dog takes an aggressive or rude stance at all, she will react. since so many people have no clue what their dog's body language means, i don't tend to trust their assessment of their dogs' behavior. and i certainly wouldn't just let my dog run up to a strange dog on a leash without saying anything to the owner.
if someone owns a dog who *is* dog aggressive, as long as they have sufficient control over their dogs they should have the right to walk in a public place without people's dogs running up to them. and whether or not you think they deserve that right, people DO do that. maybe it'll never happen, but maybe the 100th dog you let your dog run up to will be aggressive, and will hurt or kill your dog. if that happens are you going to blame the dog? the owner? or yourself?
We often do ask. Some of the greenways we walk are so tight that dogs are upon us before anyone has a chance to say anything. Generally speaking, I can tell by watching the owners eyes and the dogs body language. Nothing needs to be said. My dogs don't care either way. They welcome all, friend or foe.
The real issue (to me at least) isn't so much about retractable leashes, as it is the people behind those leashes. While there is a time and a place for retractable leashes, a responsible dog owner should be able to operate one respectfully in any setting.
It's also about knowing your dog and choosing the right equipment that will allow for the best control of your animal. I know I could take my (50 pound, non-pulling) dog anywhere on a retractable, but my neighbor's 100+ fear aggressive dog I wouldn't dare take her out on a retractable leash, because I couldn't be 100% confident in my abilities to control her in any situation.
People often times are so self-involved that they don't stop and think about their how their actions will effect others around them. For example, if you're in a veterinary office setting, it doesn't matter if your dog is on a retractable leash or a 4-6 foot nylon leash, your dog shouldn't be more than 4-6 feet away from you.
We often do ask. Some of the greenways we walk are so tight that dogs are upon us before anyone has a chance to say anything. Generally speaking, I can tell by watching the owners eyes and the dogs body language. Nothing needs to be said. My dogs don't care either way. They welcome all, friend or foe.
Congratulations on having such well-socialized and friendly dogs. I mean that sincerely.
The real issue (to me at least) isn't so much about retractable leashes, as it is the people behind those leashes. While there is a time and a place for retractable leashes, a responsible dog owner should be able to operate one respectfully in any setting.
It's also about knowing your dog and choosing the right equipment that will allow for the best control of your animal. I know I could take my (50 pound, non-pulling) dog anywhere on a retractable, but my neighbor's 100+ fear aggressive dog I wouldn't dare take her out on a retractable leash, because I couldn't be 100% confident in my abilities to control her in any situation.
People often times are so self-involved that they don't stop and think about their how their actions will effect others around them. For example, if you're in a veterinary office setting, it doesn't matter if your dog is on a retractable leash or a 4-6 foot nylon leash, your dog shouldn't be more than 4-6 feet away from you.
Exactly, and thank you for being a responsible dog owner! Gosh, reading all these comments give a person hope!
small dogs on retractable leashes are one of my biggest "pet" peeves! only second to people not picking up dog poop! there are people who never seem to train their small dogs to heel, so when they're on a retractable leash, they can be all over the place.
regardless of the dog's size, when people are walking on a sidewalk or other busy path, the dog should be right at your side and not 4-6ft away!
Amen!! I am afraid of dogs and it really annoys me when dog owners do not walk their dogs on a lease or use these really long leashes. I continously have to call out "Can you hold your dog. I am afraid". Most of the times the owners will comply, but there's been a couple of the times when the owner would just look and smile, not do anything and say "Oh, she/he wouldn't do anything" .UGGH, This really gets me upset, especially when I am out running/jogging. Then I have to look like the bad gal and say, Seriously it's against the law for you to walk your dog without a leash. Can you please hold it so I can pass.
I just don't understand why people would even take the chance of not walking their dog on a leash or having the dog 10' ahead of them. I mean, you never know what can happen. For everyone's safety (including the dog), the dog really should be beside the owner.
You need to respect the fact that some people are afraid of dogs, even little tiny ones, and demonstrate immediately that your dog will not get near them without their persmission...and do so by getting that leash retracted and keeping it that way till safely past them.
Wow, if only more people thought like this. I think I love you.
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I mean that sincerely.
This really gets me upset, especially when I am out running/jogging. Then I have to look like the bad gal and say, Seriously it's against the law for you to walk your dog without a leash. Can you please hold it so I can pass. 
