Join Our Community of Dog Lovers!

Subscribe now so that you get email alerts about all new content and/or updates from Champion of My Heart!  +

FREE e-book "8 Things to Know About Veterinary Care"

July 13, 2011

Over the Independence Day Weekend, Lilly and I squeezed in some girl time for a hike. No trouble with mountain bikes on the hike-only day, but we did come face-to-face with two off-leash dogs. Not great, but it could have been worse.

High temps meant getting an EARLY start to the hiking day so that sweet, mostly black Lilly (our canine heroine) doesn’t overheat while exerting.

best dog blog champion of my heart
Lilly smiles at our personal hike "summit"

Exciting Bunny

 

As we trekked along, I spied a tiny rabbit, sitting stock still on the single-track mountain trail. I didn’t have to wonder too long how long it would take Lilly to see it.

One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi.

Lilly shot to the end of her leash and strained, squeaking and grunting with delight.

Smiling, laughing we moved forward, and just as the rabbit dashed off into the brush, realizing that being a statue wasn’t working …

TWO OFF-LEASH DOGS came barreling around a blind corner of the trail:

  • One took up the rabbit chase, down the mountain
  • The other bombed straight toward Lilly

The bunny had amped up all three dogs, and then they met. Worst. Possible. Timing.

I don’t pretend to respond to such fear-inducing onslaughts perfectly, but here is what I did:

  • I reeled Lilly back toward me and beat a hasty retreat the other way.
  • I hollered (perhaps not all that nicely) that Lilly was AFRAID of other dogs, but NOT before the Lab came snout-to-snout with Lilly.

Yes, she snarked at him. Just noise. Bluster. No contact.

Two Things

First, park RULES call for all dogs to be on leash. Goodness knows, I personally am a major rule-follower, but I honestly don’t mind other dogs being off leash … IF they don’t come racing up to us. If they mind their own business and pass with control, I’m perfectly fine with that.

Second, the encounter was likely more difficult for all three dogs because they had a Bunny Rush going. So, I grant that caveat.

Aftermath

Once the other woman leashed up her dogs, she took them well off the trail so that Lilly and I could pass. Normally, Lilly is good about WATCH ME and walking nicely past other dogs, but she was still pretty amped up and again … shot to the end of her leash and grumbled at the other dogs for a few paces.

Later, when we ran into another duo of dogs (leashed this time), Lilly grumbled at them too. Drive by grumbling, I suppose. Displaced grumbling.

We were well off trail as they passed, but Lilly still felt afraid.

Since this was only a few days after her first (this year) summertime fearful dog flip out / meltdown, there is a chance this went badly because she still had what we call “bad body chemistry” going.

And, yet, when two equine-mounted volunteer park patrol guys, clip-clopped their way by. Lilly sat on a nearby rock and was completely fine. They even said something like, “That looks like a very good pup, right there.”

When to Say What

I truly try NOT to assume that an off-leash dog is an issue … until it becomes an issue. In other words, I don’t immediately call out, “Call your dog, please,” or “She’s afraid of dogs.” I only say something if I have to.

When you have run-ins like this, what’s your offensive or defensive protocol with other dogs and other dog owners?

***

best dog blog champion of my heart17 days left to vote. You can vote each day (1-2 times).

Please VOTE Champion of My Heart as Best Dog Blog!

Missing VOTE button when you click through? Try holding down your SHIFT key and click the page reload icon in your browser.

And, if your wondering why this matters …

  1. The winner gets to donate $1,000 to a favorite pet charity.
  2. Writer’s like me need active reader support to achieve our goals … more on that here –>

7 Best Ways Readers Can Help Bloggers Succeed


 

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. Ah! That is my worst fear! It was okay when Oreo was younger, but now that she was attacked when my dog was on a leash, and another dog wasn’t, I am deathly afraid of dogs off leash myself! I take her to the park every day a few times now that she is terrified to walk around our neighborhood (she was attacked there). Frequently, I see people with off leash dogs. If I am close enough to my car and feeling uncomfortable I leave and go to another park close by or go home. If they are close to me I watch them carefully and jet in the other direction. I wish I had the guts to say something, but I would never get close enough to them in the first place.

  2. I’m glad that it turned out OK. I bet that you’re right about the bunny amping up everyone.

    The area behind my house is completely an off-leash area of National Forest. In theory, only residents with adjoining lots can access this piece of National Forest – and we all get along as do our dogs. There are no public trailheads for anyone else to get into this area.

    On occasion, people trespass across my land with aggressive dogs in tow. Because the people trespassed, I have to admit that I become very aggressive when I encounter them. I tell them that I am willing to give permission to neighbors with sociable dogs permission to cross my land but I’m not willing to give that permission to people with dogs who might attack others. I tell them that I’ll call the sheriff the next time that I encounter them.

    I’m afraid that I’m not the slightest bit diplomatic about it…

    In public areas with lots of people hiking, my attitude is completely different. I don’t like seeing dogs running around willy-nilly and possibly upsetting any fearful dogs or people. However, since my dogs can handle being charged, I rarely confront the rule-breakers.

    1. I can totally see that difference, KB. Trespassing AND causing trouble with an established community of dogs is WAY not cool. Your pups are so lucky to have such a vast running and playing ground nearby.

  3. In apology for ignorant dog people everywhere, I’ll say that I recently was that person whose dog rapidly approached a strange dog off leash while walking in a park.

    I thought I had taken all the right precautions. It was early in the morning and temperatures were below freezing so I wasn’t expecting to encounter anyone. Honey always stayed within 20 feet of me when walking off leash. And, she returned to my side every time I called her (which was frequently throughout the walk).

    Then she spotted an on-leash dog walking with his person before I did. And took off to greet him.

    She was perfectly responsive to me the entire walk–until she wasn’t.

    Fortunately, the other dog wasn’t fearful or aggressive for any reason. But it was a quick lesson that the control I thought I had just wasn’t there.

    I apologized profusely for Honey’s (and my own) bad manners. And vowed to work harder before our next off-leash walk.

    I hope you at least got an apology for your (and Lilly’s troubles). For the stupid among us, thank you for your grace in frustration.

    1. Oh, Pamela. We all have times when our dogs behave not so great in public. At least you apologized … so often when we have issues in public, people just glare at *me* and/or never say a word.

  4. People who take their dogs out for walks in neighborhoods, or parks or even on trails need to have them on leash. I have little patients for people who let their dogs run ahead of them with no control. There natural reaction is to run at something they see.
    I had a hip replacement a year ago and walking after a certain time in recovery is necessary. When there are loose dogs running about and running at you and you have no where to go can be a real threat. It becomes a frightful moment. I love dogs, but they need to be on a leash.

  5. We had encounters like this in the city. Unfortunately, when there are other people involved, you’re going to run into the dumb ones. That’s what I love about living so far out in the country! 🙂

  6. I have no patience for people whose dogs are out of control on on-leash trails. We spend so much time working with Buster and Ty on their reactivity on-leash and one bad encounter can undo all our work.

    The other day I ran into a couple and their dogs were running way ahead on a trail where dogs were supposed to be leashed. I didn’t have my dogs with me, but her dogs ran right up and sniffed me. When I got to her, I told her that the dogs really should be on leash and that if I’d had my dogs along it could have been a problem. Her response was, “Why? My dogs aren’t aggressive. Are yours?” If my dogs had felt the need to defend themselves from this out-of-control pack, not only would it have been a huge setback in our training, my dogs would have been the ones in trouble. It’s simply not acceptable.

  7. I used to be a “He’s friendly…” person, as my dog ran toward another dog. Since I adopted my fearful Akila, I’m a “Please get your dog!” person.
    She is TERRIFIED of any dog approaching off leash. The other dogs sense her fear and will assume a dominant posture and harass her.
    I avoid encounters, if possible (cross the street); try to go to places where I’m less likely to find off leash dogs (a park vs. my neighborhood); go out with a mother bear complex (protect her at any cost).
    I get very anxious and Akila knows it. I now carry Sprayshield citronella spray to use in an emergency.

  8. How about the time I was playing off leash in the park with my two and saw a woman coming with 2 dogs, on leash. I called my dogs, downed them and leashed them up only to find she had now let her dogs off leash and they were barreling down the sidewalk at us. It was the usual, ‘oh they’re friendly.’ I’m still mystified at what in my actions made this woman think that was a good idea. You can’t fix stupid.
    I don’t have a problem with off leash dogs but in my experience, the majority of people do not have control or do not care.

  9. The ones who drive me nuts are the people who yell “He’s friendly” as their dog is bearing down on us, running at full speed.

    Um, yeah, but mine is sometimes not – especially when a dog is running up in his face!

    And if I yell, “Call your dog” chaos ensues as they try and he completely ignores them and keeps coming.

  10. When I was in Colorado, several hikers and all the park rangers we ran into thanked us for having the dogs on a leash. I didn’t understand why until we ran into a few unleashed dogs. We always got off the trail when other dogs approached. Mine aren’t afraid but instead want to jump and play. We worked a lot with treats to sit quietly while other dogs passed and the dogs improved after having several encounters. Most people would apologize when their loose dog ran up to my dogs but two guys did not bother to call their dogs or apologize. They just kept walking and eventually their dogs ran to catch up. Those are the ones I get angry with, plus the smug people who look down their nose at me because my dogs are going nuts while look! Their Rover is just a happy free spirit!

  11. I try to take Kona as far off trail as possible. Luckily for us this almost always puts us on awkward, steep terrain and makes it easier to put myself between the unknown dog and Kona. I’ve also found that any owner who will leash their dogs will recall/leash them when they see me pull way out of the way.

    I think it’s helpful to really be able to read dogs when it comes to dog-dog encounters. I know Kona and her body language really well. I can usually tell from a distance by the other dog’s reaction to Kona how an interaction might go. With that said, I know bad reactions can happen quickly so I always play things conservatively. If a meeting can be avoided, I avoid it.

    I haven’t had much luck hollering/talking to owners. I’ve even had one person go out of their way to be rude to me. This person’s dogs take all my attention (they’re having lots of fun with zero boundaries and they make Kona tense) so I end up ignoring the person in order to keep an eye on the dogs. That apparently makes me a b–. Yeah.

  12. I am sooo snarky when it comes to (illegally) offleash dogs. If the dog starts coming in my direction, I yell out (not so nicely) “CALL YOUR DOG!”

    On one occasion where a Spaniel actually crossed a street to come up to Marge, I snappily told the owner that a leash, or perhaps training, was in order. Louie was there and can testify that I was livid! Another time a pit mix puppy bolted at least 200 feet from its owner to the curb of a busy street to check Marge out. I gave them a piece of my mind as well.

    If the dog is under control and will absolutely, positively 100% not approach me, I don’t mind it one bit. I’ve dropped Marge’s leash before ONLY in places where we are completely secluded (as in, I can see from all directions that no one is coming). I would not want to scare another dog by her running up, just the way I wouldn’t want another dog running up scaring her.

    It’s a topic I feel strongly about!

  13. Back in the day when I roller bladed, I was taken out in a park by an off-leash dog. I think it’s great to have special off-leash parks for dogs; they just want to have a good time. But if there are leash laws in place and someone is injured, the owner should be penalized. Big, barreling canines can be dangerous.

  14. GEEZ I hate this kind of encounter. I agree – off leash/in control – NO problem. Whacked out/no recall loose dogs = big problem. My guys are very reliable (even with bunny encounters) so are often off leash in safe areas. I am HAPPY to leash them up as soon as I see other dogs coming. Since no amount of ‘please call your dogs’ or ‘my dogs are not friendly’ works, I place myself in front of my leashed, sitting dogs and have kicked the interlopers away. Reactions range from being yelled at to absolutely no reaction. People are VERY strange.

  15. I have yet to find the sentence that conveys the message crystal clear. I tried for a while with “she is VICIOUS and FALSE” which is usually answered by “Oh, but mine isn’t…”.

  16. Sorry to hear about this encounter! When I was a little girl, I used to walk my fox terrier Acey on our block. My mom was a career woman, and not home. We had a woman from Guatemala who took care of us. Well, just as I approached home, another dog, off leash, came barreling towards us and attacked Acey. I gathered him into my arms and ran back to the house crying, with minor bites that had to be checked out. It left me wishing all dog owners knew to keep their dogs on leash when out walking in an area with other animals around and little girls trying to walk their dogs.

Comments are closed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Free!

Stay Tuned for Something New!

big things in the works ... promise

Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!