Discussions

You would think this would be a universally accepted piece of information, yet some dog owners in Brandon don't seem to understand this.  
 
I'm a runner. I run around this city (Primarily the east & south end) and it's been a trying time of year - especially this year - when it comes to people walking their dogs.  
 
I'd like to preface this 'rant' with the fact that I am a dog lover as well. I feel anyone who doesn't love dogs needs their heads examined.  
 
In any case, this year has been interesting when running on paths located around the city. People walking their dogs is awesome. I love seeing them and I especially love seeing all of the different types of doggos we see around here.  
 
What has been driving me bonkers, however, is the ever growing habit of walking a dog without a leash.  
 
Now, I understand that it can be somewhat empowering to be able to command your dog and dictate his/her behavior just with the sound of your voice and your body language. However, when walking with your dog in public, I (along with everyone else) expect you to have your dogs leashed.  
 
Here is an example of why it's important to have your dog leashed, even if you think you have complete control over them:  
 
Two weeks ago I was running along one of Brandon's many running paths when I noticed I was approaching a man walking his two dogs from behind.  
 
As I got closer, it was very apparent that both dogs' body language indicate that they were uncomfortable with the speed at which I was approaching them and their owner from behind.  
 
One thing people don't realize is that dog's don't necessarily understand context. When this man's dogs looked to see that another man was approaching them at a higher rate of speed - it's not inconceivable that a dog perceives this as an act of aggression.  
 
So, when these two dogs began to bark and become defensive of their owner, I understood completely what they were doing and why they were doing it.  
 
I should point out that in this scenario, nobody was injured - the dogs never attacked and I never felt completely in danger.  
 
As I get closer to the two un-leashed dogs that were becoming more and more defensive of my approach of their owner, the man in control of them began to yell at them and pat his leg as if to tell them to calm down and get out of the way.  
 
He then yelled, "He's just out for a run - leave him alone!".  
 
The sentiment was nice - I understood he recognized that I was out for a run and his dogs were coming close to interrupting me, which I wouldn't mind if they were on a leash. However, when a dog isn't on a leash and they are noticeably agitated by the way in which I'm approaching their owner (running), I become defensive and worried that I'll be bitten. And I wouldn't blame the dogs AT ALL if I was bitten.  
 
So, having an owner tell his agitate dogs that I'm "Only out for a run" while they are unleashed makes me feel a little irritated.  
 
Dogs don't speak English.  
 
The only true way to avoid an incident with your pet and another person is to have them leashed, regardless of how much control you personally feel that you have over them with just your voice.  
 
I often wonder how these owners would feel if their otherwise perfect dogs turned in to defenders and the owner was unable to reel them in during a potential attack in defense of their 'pack'.  
 
 
If only there was a way to always know for sure that your dogs are completely 100% under your control... that's right - it's called a leash.  
 
So - use a leash people and always remember that your dogs can't speak English.  
 
Edited by Chewey85, 2017-05-29 08:38:22

What the dogs do understand is the tone of the voice issuing the commands. This is basic parenting skills when trying to control a toddler.  
 
Calmly saying, "you should not go onto the road" versus yelling "GET OFF THE ROAD NOW!!" will get different responses. Dogs are like toddlers and talking to them in a calm manner will calm them down and yelling will get them to notice you.  
 
He was not talking to them in English, he was saying "Blah, Blah, blaahh" but in a tone that calmed the dogs down. It may have appeared to be yelling but it was probably a calming tone at an elevated decibel rather than a short, sharp command at an elevated decibel.  
 
He should still have a leash on them though.

I keep my dog on a leash when we are out walking and I pull him to the side and close to me when people are passing us out of respect. What I don't like is when I come across dogs that are unleashed. I usually yell at their owner's to get their dog as I don't know how mine will react other than to fight. Do I unleash my dog if they come up too close? Who is responsible if one of them gets hurt? People need to keep their dog on a leash in town/city. Take them out to the country if you want them to run free.

Please don't encourage people to bring their dogs into the country either! We have a dog, our neighbors have dogs etc. Country dogs can be territorial, are often left on their own outside and are not leashed/penned. A strange dog entering that dogs property can result in a very undesirable situation.

Dog's, though of a completely different species, can read human body language better than most humans. I don't own dogs, but according to my girlfriend's dogs, I'm their master. All I have to do is raise a finger and give a stern look and they both obediently sit and await my next command. Dogs tend to draw on the energy of their human...a person yelling excited;y at their dog will only make their dog more excited, which can sometimes lead to disaster.  
 
But I agree, all dogs in public should be on a leash, whether it's for their protection, other animal's protection or other people's protection. I think it's carelessness when people don't leash their pets.

What a fantastic post; thanks. I also run (though not regularly enough to call myself a runner) and have encountered the same problem on occasion. I also love dogs and hate to see any potential conflict happen when it doesn't have to. The bottom line is that the city has a by-law that states that when walking your dog in city limits it must be on a leash. There is no part of that by-law that says "unless your really, really sure your dog won't misbehave". So even if you have the best trained dog on the planet you need to have it on a leash in the city, period. It's not optional. Here is the actual by-law :  
 
 
5. (a) No owner shall:  
(1) permit his dog to be anywhere other than on the owner's premises unless:  
i) the dog has a collar and the proper license tag, and  
ii) the dog is on a leash, not longer than 1.8 metres (6 feet), and  
iii) the dog is under the immediate charge and effective control of some  
competent person.  
[AM. B/L 6171/20/94]  
 
`Note that it says "and" not "or"  
 
 
 
Perhaps as another form of context, what do you think people would say if runners decided to jog around inside the off leash dog parks?

Brandon hills is same situation I encountered similar story when I was running the dog growled at me I thought the dog was going to bite me and the owner walked fast to stop his dog.  
Brandon Hills is public also so many times I see unleashed dogs so you run approaching a corner or top of a hill then there you go ...a loose dog barking and walking fast towards you and at times the owner would actually be quite further way back behind.  
Last I was on my bike (Brandon Hills again) going straight on a trail then around a corner a dog is there so you brake not hit the dog.  
Loose loose loose dogs and dogs with the owner not even close to them. A lady got bit by a loose dog in Brandon Hills few months ago. Have a leash.

Brandon hills is a wildlife management area. It is not a green space in the middle of a city. I do not expect dog owners to have pets on a leash out there. But like anywhere you go there are many dogs that should not be off leash anywhere. But that is the owners fault, not the dog.  
 
Back to the Brandon hills, there are no leash laws for a wma. I'm sure there are harassing wildlife laws for k9 to obey but that would be it.  
 
I do not expect dogs to be on a leash on a trail in the hills.

I don't expect em to be on a leash either, but when I'm out for a run there and your dog can't control himself I'll defend myself. I usually yell ahead because I try not to surprise anyone. Some dogs are trained so well and others are like wild dogs on the hunt. So if your dog attacks me I go for it's head or more specifically the nose. I try not to kick because chances are I'll miss. Unless I know I can get in a good boot to the ribs. Lol!

not sure why any dog owner would risk their dog getting hurt

Does there have to be a rule in order for people to follow it? If your dog cannot be around people without getting aggressive then you should not let your dog off leash in a public place such as the Brandon hills or anywhere else in Brandon. Also people must realize their dog is a stranger to others and not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Just because you think your dog will behave or that the other person will not mind your dog that isn't always the case. Keep your dog on a leash unless in the dog park or in your own yard.approaching them

Zekeland said "Brandon hills is a wildlife management area. It is not a green space in the middle of a city. I do not expect dog owners to have pets on a leash out there. But like anywhere you go there are many dogs that should not be off leash anywhere. But that is the owners fault, not the dog.     Back to the Brandon hills, there are no leash laws for a wma. I'm sure there are harassing wildlife laws for k9 to obey but that would be it.     I do not expect dogs to be on a leash on a trail in the hills. "

You may think differently if it happens to you to get bit by a dog especially if you have not anything wrong. We are not talking about walking through somebody's house property and the owner's dog bit you.  
So in the trails a dog owner should not sue injury to their dog when a cyclist hits their dog or a runner/or walker kicks their dog for running at them because no law and dogs are not expected to be on a leash.  
I should have told the lady that got bit by the dog in the trails that she over reacted and it was her fault that she asked for it so she deserved it because cannot blame the dog priority first and cannot be the owner's fault either for their irresponsibly.