How do you handle loose dogs?

[kjcmsw]

Originally Posted by Bentleys Momma

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look to see if I can find Muzzle. I thought of mace but worried it may harm the eyes. If this is made for dogs specifically I would feel much better! I am going to unfortunately change our walking route which cuts off a big chunk of our walk and will probably just end up going around twice. My daughter seemed to think these people may not be the most reasonable of folks. I am also glad to hear someone else has called on a dog. I love animals and hate for anything bad to happen to a dog because of an owners irresponsibility! And was kind of feeling guilty that I was thinking of calling.

I "think" maybe your gut reaction to call is because the dog scared you (rightfully so); however, I believe --- particularly living amongst others in a subdivision ---- the proper course of action is to let the owners know as they may not know...you'll be able to tell from their response if they care or not. It may turn out they're horrified their dog has escaped. Dogs are notorious for "not" escaping" when the owners are home and when they leave...they find a way out to "find" their absent owners, thus he may never leave the yard whenever they're home. Repetitive escapes after you know you informed them then warrants a call as once they have to pay a big fee to get their dog back they will probably fix its escape hatch...or leave it at the pound. I've had to call on a couple actually vicious dogs (wouldn't let us leave the house to go to our car/trapped for a couple hours in my house it was like a bad B-movie) - in my area they are slow to respond and I've had to "lie" (as I would never harm a dog) and imply to them I would to get them to act. Hopefully you won't have to resort to threatening.
IMO
Kendra

[Ringo1]

Loose dogs are scary when you have little ones. I took Lucy and Ringo over to the Hoover Resavoir to walk the other evening; a very popular place. I was quite in the bad mood and having trouble managing both dogs. It was packed with people and other dogs. Suddenly, this big water dog came running over to us at full speed and Ringo went OFF when he got close. The guy's like well - he just wanted to play.

Excuse me? Most small dogs do NOT like being charged by big strange dogs. It was wayy too crowded with people, children, and other dogs for any dog to be off leash.

Pissed me off and really got our walk started off on the wrong foot.

[WV~Yorkies]

I know how mad it make you. I can't even walk mine. We don't have a leash law so nothing I can do. I try to walk and have 6 dogs ranging from 50-100 pounds after us. I thought about getting some pepper spray but afraid I will accidently get it on mine or on me.

Only thing that bothers me is you went into these people's yard, garage and in the front door. You piss them off and that might come back to bite you on the ass. If they would say something was missing you just placed yourself at the scene. If one of mine got out I would be greatful that someone did it for me but some people are not like that. You might want to leave this one alone for right now.

[nana911]

I think you handled the situation perfectly. And as another poster said, I would go back to the residence, let the owner know. If you again see the puppy out, then let the police or animal control know so that they can be cited for violation of the leash law.

[misslissa]

the only thing i can say is i have actually kicked a Labrador who got out of the invisible fence and bit my ex's puppy. invisible fences are not allowed wear i live so they got in trouble on two different accounts

[Bentleys Momma]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

I "think" maybe your gut reaction to call is because the dog scared you (rightfully so); however, I believe --- particularly living amongst others in a subdivision ---- the proper course of action is to let the owners know as they may not know...you'll be able to tell from their response if they care or not. It may turn out they're horrified their dog has escaped. Dogs are notorious for "not" escaping" when the owners are home and when they leave...they find a way out to "find" their absent owners, thus he may never leave the yard whenever they're home. Repetitive escapes after you know you informed them then warrants a call as once they have to pay a big fee to get their dog back they will probably fix its escape hatch...or leave it at the pound. I've had to call on a couple actually vicious dogs (wouldn't let us leave the house to go to our car/trapped for a couple hours in my house it was like a bad B-movie) - in my area they are slow to respond and I've had to "lie" (as I would never harm a dog) and imply to them I would to get them to act. Hopefully you won't have to resort to threatening.
IMO
Kendra

Hello Kendra -- Thank you for your opinion and I will definitely take this into consideration before making any decisions on how to handle moving forward.

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

[Bentleys Momma]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

The guy's like well - he just wanted to play.

Excuse me? Most small dogs do NOT like being charged by big strange dogs. It was wayy too crowded with people, children, and other dogs for any dog to be off leash.

I am so sorry this happened to you. What amazes me more than anything is how dense people can be!

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

[Bentleys Momma]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

I know how mad it make you. I can't even walk mine. We don't have a leash law so nothing I can do. I try to walk and have 6 dogs ranging from 50-100 pounds after us. I thought about getting some pepper spray but afraid I will accidently get it on mine or on me.

Only thing that bothers me is you went into these people's yard, garage and in the front door. You piss them off and that might come back to bite you on the ass. If they would say something was missing you just placed yourself at the scene. If one of mine got out I would be greatful that someone did it for me but some people are not like that. You might want to leave this one alone for right now.

I know. I completely lost my temper. I never actually entered through any door but you are right about the "scene of the crime". And I don't mean to judge by appearances but these people seem as if they could be a mite bit on the scrappy side. The more I am thinking on this, I think we personally are going to lay low for a bit. For our walk yesterday, we got into the car and drove to a park that is not too far away (even though we are in a subdivision, it is out in the country so real parks are a bit of a distance). We had a nice relaxing walk and the best part was every pet we encountered was on leash. Happy day happy day!

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

[Bentleys Momma]

Originally Posted by nana911

I think you handled the situation perfectly. And as another poster said, I would go back to the residence, let the owner know. If you again see the puppy out, then let the police or animal control know so that they can be cited for violation of the leash law.

Thanks for the feedback. I think we are going to be a bit in hiding for a little while before we make any sudden moves

Originally Posted by misslissa

the only thing i can say is i have actually kicked a Labrador who got out of the invisible fence and bit my ex's puppy. invisible fences are not allowed wear i live so they got in trouble on two different accounts

Oh, wow... you must been terried. I know I would have been as well. And people who do not have small dogs just don't get it! Sounds like the owner was in trouble for the invisible fence so I am glad you were able to get a tiny bit of justice from the real ones responsible (OWNERS!)

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Bentleys Momma

I am so sorry this happened to you. What amazes me more than anything is how dense people can be!

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

I agree. I had a young man being dragged by a Bull Mastiff approach Lady and I. He looked genuinely offended when I picked Lady up and said his dog was friendly! Maybe, but he was 125 pounds or so and under no sort of control.

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I agree. I had a young man being dragged by a Bull Mastiff approach Lady and I. He looked genuinely offended when I picked Lady up and said his dog was friendly! Maybe, but he was 125 pounds or so and under no sort of control.

The same thing happened to my husband. A girl who was being pulled by a German Sheppard lost control of the leash and the dog was biting in the air trying to eat Fizz. My son said she looked like a little pink helicopter as my husband turned in a circle with this dog on hind legs trying to 'get her'. It sickens me how animals get a bad rap because of negligent or ignorant owners. Personally, I'd alert the owners as others have mentioned. If not personally - I'd leave a note explaining that their dog was at risk of getting run over. It's a shame that you have to alter your walks .