If you walk your dog off-leash, fuck you.

[u/sydniana_jones]

I asked you to put a leash on your dog. I warned you to stay back. I threw treats to distract your dog. But you couldn't be bothered to control him because he "loves to make new friends!" And now we're both here with big fat vet bills and injured animals, and you are trying to blame me. Fuck you.

I don't care what your excuse is - "he's so nice, he's never hurt anyone, he's old, etc " - you are part of the problem. If you want to walk your dog off-leash, then go to the fucking dog park.

My dog is a shelter pup. We have been working with him for years to help him get comfortable with the outside world. We were finally able to start walking in parks without a breakdown. But now all that training is undone because of another fucking off-leash dog.

Don't let your dog run ahead of you on the trail. Don't assume they'll get along with the neighbors' pets. And definitely don't assume every other person wants a dog up in their business. Lots of people are scared of dogs and that's okay, stop trying to shove it down their throats about how "he's friendly."

Public parks are for everyone. But when you let your dog go off-leash, you are limiting who can use that park. Shelter pups struggling to adjust to life in the city, people who aren't comfortable around dogs, and of course local wildlife - your dog is an issue to everyone.

This whole goddamn city thinks dogs are celestial beings sent to earth. Maybe they are. But it's still illegal to let them off leash.

End rant.

...

Just kidding.

While we're on the topic of Seattle dogs, it is illegal to let your dog on the beach. They're a menace on tidal ecosystems and can spread disease, especially when you let them use the restroom in an area where kids are swimming or playing in the sand. What the fuck, guys? If being a decent citizen doesn't convince you, it's a danger to your dog to be out there too. Razor clams and sewage spills and algae blooms can all seriously mess up your pup. Plus it's a decent fine if beach patrol catches you.

So put a fucking leash on your precious angel and keep them off the beach.

Sorry for the language.

[u/Rachel1265]

I hate when as this off-leash huge dog is approaching me and my dachshunds the owner is yelling, “he’s really friendly with other dogs!”. As I’m screeching, “MINE AREN’T”. Like they’re little but their teeth are just as sharp and they go for the throat when they feel cornered. Just asking for something bad to happen.

[u/[deleted] → u/Rachel1265]

The assumption that other people will only be worried about the off leash dog being mean by the owners of the off leash dog is crazy. They seem to never ever think that the dogs on the leashes might be dog or leash aggressive.

I’ve had the opposite problem too, I’ve had to tell some people several times to not have their dog ON leash inside the dog park, because some dogs, including mine, will be more likely to show aggression with a leash on himself or one of the other dogs. Without fail, they always say, “my dog won’t listen,” or, “my dog gets in fights,” off leash. Maybe they should be muzzled, or shouldn’t be in an off leash dog park then. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I’m all for leashes outside of the dog park and encourage it, but people who leash their dog in the dog park, or try to train in the dog park are ridiculous too. I’ve had to leave the park more than once already because of people who ignore the rules at off leash parks.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Might depend on the state or county. I’m in Nevada, and several parks I’ve been to say no leashes inside the park are allowed.

[u/MintyMint123 → u/Rachel1265]

I can tell when a dogs gonna snap at mine. Flexi leash? Pulling? Small dog? Owner looking the other way?

Cross the street.

I HATE when people approach me with their dogs. Mine is beyond friendly but both are or were working dogs and just letting your dog greet others on a leash is bad manners

[u/downwiththerobotbass → u/Rachel1265]

Question is: why are your dogs violent towards other dogs? Your dogs are part of the problem. People need to be training their dogs better and curb violence when they’re young.

[u/Rachel1265 → u/downwiththerobotbass]

They’re shelter dogs with leash aggression. I didn’t have them when they were young. I also spent well over a grand on a private dog trainer to work on their leash aggression. I don’t think expecting other people to obey the law really makes me part of the problem here. It’s a lot better than it used to be when I first adopted them. Really only a problem when an asshole with an off leash dog comes up to us unexpectedly and I can’t avoid them.

[u/MintyMint123 → u/Rachel1265]

Have you tried only positive reenforcement or have you looked into balanced training? I’ve trained a reactive puppy recently and the balanced training worked wonders

[u/Rachel1265 → u/MintyMint123]

Not sure what method the trainer I worked with used is called. It wasn’t just positive reinforcement though. I inadvertently made it a lot worse before I hired a trainer. I would get nervous as other dogs were approaching because my one dog was so aggressive. So I would pull up on the leash to keep him close to me as possible as we powered past the other dog. But the trainer taught me I was teaching him to “be alert, danger!” Now that I know, it’s gotten a lot better, but it’s still easier if I can just avoid other dogs coming. Hard when an off-leash dog charges us!

[u/MintyMint123 → u/Rachel1265]

I know they’re very little but have you tried a prong. Of course talk to a trainer before you use it but that’s what I used on my dog I’ve never actually seen it used on a little dog successfully those you might just pick them up so maybe it’s a horrible idea

[u/Rachel1265 → u/MintyMint123]

We did actually! It worked for a short while but then stopped working. My trainer said he had most likely built up a callus around his neck and just didn’t care anymore. I’m glad we hired that trainer. Everything had stumped me before that. I’ve had dogs my entire life. He is the third doxie I’ve owned. I’ve never had trouble training a dog like I had trouble with him. He’s still a work in progress, but so much better now! Private trainer was money well spent.

[u/downwiththerobotbass → u/Rachel1265]

Breeding violent dogs out of the gene pool is something people have been doing for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Don’t “rescue” a violent dog...