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Dogs on leads - M.O (25th Feb 2015 - 15:11:50) Taking my grandson for a walk at Radford park today, when two black Labradors not on leads came bounding up to him barking, terrified him, very scary for a three year old, as much as I was telling him it was ok he was sobbing, I said to the owner they should be on leads, to which she replied it's people like me that make children scared of them, NO it is not people like me ! It is a public space, walk your dogs by all means but on leads we can't all be dog lovers ! They may be harmless but a three year old does not know that. Your dogs run off frightening people they then S..T while you can't see them, if your dog needs to run, then run with them on leads if you can't do that then clearly you are not a responsible dog owner !!!

Re: Dogs on leads - Jane (25th Feb 2015 - 16:06:01) Wooo that's a bit harsh! I can completely understand where you are coming from with relation to your 3 year old grandson. The dogs should have been under control and not been allowed to bound up to a small child. But it is a public open space and, as such, people do have the right to walk their dogs off lead. I think if you're walking in a park you should expect to meet other people and dogs. But to say that if you're not able to run with your dog on a lead then you are not a responsible dog owner is a really unfair statement. I have a dog, and I have been unwell for a year. Hence, I can't run but I can still walk my dog and do so in Radford Park. I allow my dog off the lead and always pick up her poo (as I do observe where she is) but I do put her on the lead if I see either a small child or another dog. I agree there are irresponsible dog owners around, but most of us are fairly decent people with a sense of responsibility.

Re: Dogs on leads - Lips (25th Feb 2015 - 17:45:47) It's unfair to expect responsible dog owners to suffer the punishment deserved by irresponsible owners. I say all youths should be under adult control 24/7 because some youths cause trouble...

Re: Dogs on leads - Brian (25th Feb 2015 - 22:24:43) There is no legal requirement for you to have your dog on a lead unless the area has specific signs requiring you to do so and anyone suggesting otherwise is spreading a hateful myth. Suggesting dog owners are not responsible because we didn’t have the dog on a lead is nonsense and a red rag to any dog owner because of the point above. Radford Park is one of the few places safe from traffic etc that dog owners can give them the daily exercise they require as no dog can be adequately exercised on a lead. That said the owner should have their eyes on the dog and recall them if they seen a child walking around in the dogs path and then leaded them until clear. In the very same way you should have a 3 year old within arm’s reach and have him lifted or protected when you seen the dogs running. This advice is no different than being aware of swans etc (you not going to ask them to be on a lead?) or a child near the water’s edge (Your going to hold their hand etc)

Re: Dogs on leads - Laura (26th Feb 2015 - 13:41:38) I was wondering if you would like for your grandson to meet some very calm, well trained, child friendly dogs, to help him get over his fear? They will lie dead still and allow him to make the moves? (They go to nursing homes etc, so very gentle). Seems a shame for him to go his whole life potentially frightened of dogs if it can be avoided? Kind regards, Laura.

Re: Dogs on leads - Lips (26th Feb 2015 - 14:49:21) Brian and Laura: I couldn't agree more. We also have a dog that is very calm and can help those people fearing dogs...

Re: Dogs on leads - l (26th Feb 2015 - 17:33:09) This is my son......I think my mum was very angry when this happened as the owner was not very understanding and my son was very scared. And yes she did comfort him and tell him that he did not need too be scared. But even still he was extremely frightened to have a couple of large dogs run up to him and keep barking at him. I think it is perfectly fine for dogs to run off on their own but they need to be well trained......running up to people and barking at them is not acceptable. If they are not well trained then maybe the owners shouldn't be too far away so that they can stop them. My son has not stopped talking about this and it has effected him sightly. Thank you so much for the kind offer of letting him meet your dogs. He actually loves dogs.....we do have some lovely gentle ones in the family he is just not keen on any dog bounding up to him and barking.

Re: Dogs on leads - wendy (27th Feb 2015 - 10:38:36) I will try and lighten this thread as I can see it from both sides. I used to show dogs, and one day I walked past two german shepherd dogs that were sitting under a table, one flew out and bit me on the leg, luckily I was wearing thick boots so it's teeth didn't sink in, I was worried that the dog might attack again, especially worried in case it was a small child. I went and found the owner of the german shepherd, who said and I quote "Will you walk passed him again, so we can see if he does it again" I declined. That's what I call bad dog ownership. Do hope the little boy is over his fear now, and that it won't put him off of loving dogs.

Re: Dogs on leads - helen (27th Feb 2015 - 15:29:37) Yes it is quite scary for a small child of three when big dogs approach, but equally not good to grow up scarred by the experience, hopefully you can introduce him to smaller less bouncy dogs? the king Charles Cavelier or something of that size are usually very gentle and less likely to bound around a small child. If one owns a large dog though it is better to let them behave like a dog and have a run around off the lead, as dogs on the lead become scared and agressive when other dogs approach because they feel they cannot defend themselves should trouble occur from another dog who may not be on a lead. I feel sorry for dogs never allowed off the lead, they love to follow scents etc, part of what a dog is all about.

Re: Dogs on leads - Ian (27th Feb 2015 - 15:49:21) Quite simple really, if you have a dog that walks off the lead and does not jump up at, bark at or slobber over other members of the public then absolutely no problem whatsoever. However if your dog does ANY of the above then they need to be controlled and if that means being on a lead then so be it. NO young child should be confronted by a dog off a lead barking at them.

Re: Dogs on leads - Janet A (27th Feb 2015 - 20:32:58) I agree with Ian on this one.

Re: Dogs on leads - Vicky (28th Feb 2015 - 13:35:19) Hi. We go on walks with our children regularly and we ALWAYS meet dogs off the lead who bounce/bound over to us, albeit usually in a friendly way. On one occasion a labrador-size dog knocked our 3 year old over when it jumped on him and pushed him into huge patch of nettles. He's never forgotten it although this happened years ago. They love dogs that they are familiar with but not ones that come charging over to you at full pelt. We've always encouraged our kids to stand still, not make any noise but it makes little difference. We distract the dogs away from the kids which sometimes works but we end up with muddy paws all over us instead when they jump up. Owners usually just say "oh my dog is very friendly, he/she is just saying hello, and won't hurt you". Oh - well that's alright then isn't it! NO IT ISN'T!!! We've gone for a walk and don't want to be jumped on by your dogs thanks whether it's my kids or us. Keep dogs on leads UNLESS you can GUARANTEE that the dog either won't bother people (adults and kids alike). Why don't owners get this???

Re: Dogs on leads - freya (28th Feb 2015 - 17:52:06) How the hell did we cope before talk back came along and gave Liphook people a place to bitch and moan ??? Get a grip people there are more important things happening in the world !!!! You are so lucky if these are the only things you have to worry about. Life is to short. This unfortunate indecent has happened deal with it and move on. No one is perfect, sometimes these things happen.

Re: Dogs on leads - Anon (28th Feb 2015 - 20:03:46) Using talkback to have a bitch and moan, isn't that exactly what you Freya have just used it for? Just because a topic doesn't measure up to what YOU think matters does not mean it does not matter to other users!

Re: Dogs on leads - l (28th Feb 2015 - 20:38:14) Thank you to those who do sympathise with this. I totally agree that if your dogs can not go bounding up to people barking then yes let them off the lead.....then if they cant, they should be on a lead . I am sure that if my son had gone running up to these 2 dogs growling and then he got bitten it would still have been his fault. Freya....get over yourself. If you are not interested in the thread then please do not need and comment. This thread is really to make dog owners aware of how some people/children can feel when a dog is not well trained and that the owners need to take some responsibility. I am sure that if 2 big dogs had done the same to your child and scared the sh*t out of them, you would feel the same.

Re: Dogs on leads - M.O (28th Feb 2015 - 21:02:58) Oh dear Freya, You clearly don't agree with talkback, well you don't have to read it ! I for one most certainly know life is too short, and yes I do have things to worry about ! So what you are saying if the incident went one step further and the dogs attacked, that would be fine, I would just have to deal with, as sometimes these things happen, I DONT THINK SO !!!

Re: Dogs on leads - freya (1st Mar 2015 - 00:39:24) I had made no opinion either way regarding dogs. But now I am being attacked and others are talking for me I will say what I think. I was bitten by a large family dog as a child. I have a scar to prove it on my top lip. It never stopped me loving dogs ,as I was taught how to act around dogs. As a child playing over Radford park. My friends and I where scared by a dog barking at us as well. As we were taught to stay calm and show no fear we could handle the situation as it happened. I was 9-10 at the time. now a days I also walk my dogs twice a day over Radford. Yes they are large. They do not bark at people and I have them on a lead when near children. In fact a few children love to make a fuss of my large dogs as they are gentle with children. My large dogs have also been attacked a number of times, by smaller aggressive dogs. Some on leads and some off leads. My large dogs do not attack back as they have been trained not to. I have also had a older man walking with his wife, hit one of my large dogs round the head as he walked pass my dog. My Dog had done nothing except walk past this nasty man. My dog nudged him back to tell him to get off . The man went mental and started shouting at me and waving his arms around my dogs head. so I waved my arms around the man's head and followed him shouting at him as he did to me and my dogs. The couple now avoid me when the see me and have not assaulted my dog since. It would seem he did not like a bit of the treatment he gave my dog back. As I Said these things happen. You deal with it and move on. Sometimes things just happen and you have no control over it. We all have to deal with these sorts of things daily. As I said before. How would you have delt with things without talkback to complain on. Most probably been a little angry and then forgotten about. With internet access it's so easy to bitch and moan about things. You can ruin live at the type of a word these days. Yes we are all guilty of this. We just need to calm down and breath sometimes.

Re: Dogs on leads - Mandy (1st Mar 2015 - 09:27:12) Freya, yes your 1st post made no reference to dogs, so why did you feel the need to give your opinions on a post about dogs ? Nobody has attacked you on here, all others have done is written what they think on the original post, for which all read like positive replys. Your 2nd post is mainly about dogs, so obviously your 1st post was about dogs ! You have also made the statement 'can ruin lives' the original post was nothing to do with how the Internet is used, if you have an issue about talkback, either don't use it or why not start a new thread on what Your issues are with it.

Re: Dogs on leads - freya (1st Mar 2015 - 11:00:46) I have no issue with talk back or the original and other comments. I am seeing things from a different point of view. Which clearly is not right as I am not writing what you wish me to write or to read. I wish no child or adult any harm from any animal. I have stepped in and helped a few people with out when dogs have attacked or barked at them and they where scared. my dogs helped me chase off the dogs causing problems. Not all dog owners are bad. People with out dogs can be just as aggressive towards dogs. As my point with the man hitting my dog states. You have to treat each dog and person differently when you meet. No one is the same therefore no on will react the same way. Dogs have their own brains like us. Some are grumpy, some are gentle,some a aggressive,some are friendly just like people. What works for one dog ,May not work for another. Just like people. I walk my dogs early in morning and later in evening now it's lighter outside. This way I see no one. Just have a calming walk and listen to the birds singing. My dogs can run off the lead causing no problems to anyone else. The person with the barking dog may not even have a internet connection and see your comments. Clearly you can not take your anger out on the person with the dogs. So if it helps you to take your anger out on me, as I have a different point of view. So be it. This is my final post. Have a great and enjoy your next walk.

Re: Dogs on leads - suz (1st Mar 2015 - 22:01:24) Well said Freya. That is all.

Re: Dogs on leads - Richard (2nd Mar 2015 - 06:44:55) I can see Freyas point. As the original post says the concerned grandparent had words with the dog owner so that would negate the need to write on Talkback. Furthermore any dog owners reading this that are of the responsible variety will continue being responsible, those that don't give a damn will continue to do likewise, irrelevant of what has been written here. At the end of the day it all comes down to to that well worn oft used expression. It's not the dog, it's the owner Anyway ramble over Have a good day, a good walk and a good dog!

Re: Dogs on leads - roo (2nd Mar 2015 - 19:21:45) just back from liphook hardware after buying some white spirit to clean of the tar after being tared with the bad dog owners brush, because I cant run around with my dog on a lead because physical restrictions on my part and as my dog needs a good 20 minute run and I'm not capable of that, I THINK M.O HAS OVER REACTED TO A BAD SITUATION BUT SHE HAS CALLED EVERY GOOD DOG OWNER A BAD ONE.

Re: Dogs on leads - Luisa (2nd Mar 2015 - 21:07:51) I don't take my children to Radford Park any more - the kids call it "the dog park" or "dog poo park". Many (not all) dog owners seem to think its more important for their dog to be 'entitled' to run around a park than it is for children to do so without being bounded up to, barked at and having muddy paws put on them. Such a shame as its a lovely place but we've just had too many bad experiences with dogs there.

Re: Dogs on leads - may (3rd Mar 2015 - 08:27:53) I agree, children are more important than dogs, a lot of people seem to think that dogs take precedence over kids, not right, if people cannot ensure that their animals won't run after and jump on children then those animals should be kept on a lead, it doesn't matter what the reason for not being able to run with them, if you can't ensure this them don't have a dog.

Re: Dogs on leads - Jan (3rd Mar 2015 - 11:32:20) I'm with Freya. Louisa, good. Less children means less moaning about dogs. May. Dogs are more important than children. All of the above, may, or may not, be my views. But I am every bit entitled to my opinions as everyone, and as Freya is. But it seems the locals bark at anyone whose opinions differ to theirs, just like dogs (allegedly). Posts that seem to be repeated moans about Liphook are .. more houses being built (it stopped being a 'village' a long time ago, it is, and will continue to get like a sprawling town without enough shops, bigger), dogs, parking, dog poo, travellers, the price of local petrol and 'youth's'., oh, and dogs. I'm often scared by snotty nosed children being allowed to urinate on the grass, children running up to me and screaming and shouting whilst I'm trying to read a book, but hey, the dogs do it too, so I shouldn't moan. Lighten up people :-)

Re: Dogs on leads - l (3rd Mar 2015 - 21:58:45) I think this has gone a bit too far! No one has said all dog owners are the same and are all bad! And yes......children ARE more important! Freya.....I think that it is absolutely disgusting that someone thought they had the right to hit your dog. Completely unacceptable. And yes....I still think that if your dog is off the lead then you need to be close enough to stop them bounding up barking and scaring people......especially young children. If you are unable to keep up with your dog, then take someone with you that can. Unless your dog is well trained. Enjoy the rest of your week

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