After posting my latest Monkey blog I was having a look at some of the other blogs on the screen and dropped onto http://pittiesincity.blogspot.co.uk/ as it was talking about being a leashed dog in the city and the trouble that it was causing with the ignoramuses that lived near them. They had a link to this site http://dogsinneedofspace.com/2013/05/11/stop-caring-what-others-think/ which made me stop and realise that I too was doing Monkey a disservice by my attitude to others. How many of us behave in this way to avoid confrontation?
How many of us would it take to stop the people who behave in this cavalier fashion?
Should we start to take back our neighbourhoods from the minority who give us a bad name?
What do you think?
Is there an easy way of doing this or do we have to take a chance on being abused?
6 comments:
That is a difficult one as for all the good dog owners there are bad ones too. We have a guy on the park with two pitty type dogs who we avoid. He sees us walking the other way. Anyway one day we walked smack bang into him and he asked us why? My friends terrier then went to bark at his dogs. We just said this why we avoid you. His dogs were sweet and he was very nice about it. He never stopped to think ours were the problem. Sometimes things are not what hey seem. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
I've had people cross the road when they see me and Polly. I did ask one once why and was told that Greyhounds were known for killing small dogs....really????
Unfortunately, after Polly was turned on by an off leash Staffy that had been happily sniffing her, Polly now tends to bark and raise her hackles, whilst wagging her tail. I think if the Staffy had been nasty right off, Polly would have just backed away, but she was lulled (and so was I) into a false sense of friendliness.
Strange thing is if dogs come into my flat Polly is a bit wary but doesn't bark. she's fine with my friends large German Shepherd and my dad's old Staffy, so I think it's just being on the lead outside that worries her.
We're wimps.
XXXOOODaisy, Bella & Roxy
I generally will try a friendly, non-confrontational aproach first, but I will say what has to be said if it comes down to it. I think a lot of times we miss teachable moments, too. People are a lot more likely to hear your message when they don't feel attacked, but sometimes you have to get in touch with your inner tough dog.
I also know that one of my dogs can't handle being approached by strangers. Yes, we made a little boy cry this weekend when we told him no, but her body language told me that she wasn't cool with it, and we respect that. If you can't be your dog's advocate, then nobody else will!
Interesting topic. I have 4 rescues they all came to me with varying degrees of behavioural problems.
One of them was attacked by a GSD and is very wary of them now. Another of my dogs is still learning her manners and we prefer to take her where there are not too many dogs.
I have recently donated to yellowdoguk.co.uk and received by return yellow ribbons which I tie to my dog's leads.. I am also considering buying a couple of bandanas which say " my dogs needs space"
I consider myself to be a responsible dog owner and do my utmost to avoid confrontations.
Folk who have assertive dogs also need to be made aware of this scheme as it is not only for nervous dogs . A yellow ribbon or a bandana will,indicate there is a problem and stay clear of my dog/s.
People who allow their dogs off lead, let them approach mine who are on leads, and their dog has little or no recall are the worst. Then they say "my dog is friendly".
Disaster waiting to happen....
How to tackle the problem of irresponsible dog owners? Goodness knows.
Molly, Taffy, Monty and Winnie's Mum.
Seems that there is no ready solution to the problem. I came across the yellow ribbon scheme some time ago and thought it sounded good but it does rely on other owners being aware of what the yellow ribbon or bandana symbolises as well. For me it is fear of attack by other dogs that is the main concern. They say that you should step out of the way but I'm afraid that my instinct when it occurred with Winnie was to step in. Luckily the Rottweiler eventually responded to it's owner - when they caught up - but it has left me with a wariness I never had before. Hopefully one day there will be an end to the problem - but I fear it may need legislation before we can step out without worry.
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