Off leash dogs where do I stand

So tonight is the second time in around a month I've had to lift my dog when out a walk , my dog is not the best around other dogs that's why I keep him on a leash unless I'm certain nobody is around, tonight whilst walking towards a man with 3 off leash spaniels I stepped in to the side and asked if his dogs would come near mines to which he replied yes and didn't seem to care even though it was clear I was trying to avoid his dogs . When they did come over I had to lift my on leash dog to stop a fight. Even although my dog is the aggressor he is on leash and under control was wondering where I stand if I don't lift him

 

over here in belgium, the off leash dogs owner is going in a foult, iff your dog is on the leash he will be the dog thats being attaced by the other dogs.
so the other dog owner haves no story when there will be a fight.

 

That's the problem my dog is dog aggressive but I stepped in to the side and went out of my way he still let his dogs come over I really shouldn't have to lift my dog should I I don't mind standing to the side but why should I lift my dog surely I'm not at fault if a fight breaks out

 

Even tough my dogs are DA, they are always on the leash.
Over here it's the same as in belgium, the off leash dog's owner is the 1 to blame, even tough it's an off leash area where they are walking.
It's never aloud to let your off leash dog aproach another dog with out the permission of the dog's owner who are on a leash.
Many problems over here with people who have off leash dogs, they al think it's ok untill shit hits the fan.

 

The off leash dog is at fault but you have a PitBull so in society's eyes you are always at fault. Sucks but that the way it is.... Now if was one of these byb bullies, I would just let mine go... But a spaniel!! They will always blame the pitbull. Shit I got lucky when mine killed a chihuahua that had entered my property...

 

I lived up north for a while in a big ass neighborhood and everybody had some type of dog it seemed like..I drove around the whole neighborhood and figured out the best route to take on walks.But nothin is 100 percent I had to make adjustments when i started walking the dogs.No where you go will people follow all the rules.If you live in a neighborhood you may have to change your route to avoid problems.Still no garuntees.

 

Yeah as the others also said in most places the of leash dogs, and their owners are to be held responsible ( when it comes to the law ) its the same here in Greece allot of people walking of leash dogs but also allot of dog's are just let loose to roam freely all day long by their owners. Just make sure that you do everything you can to stop something going down, I especial make sure that I make it loud and clear ( from as far away as they can hear me ) to the owners to tie their dogs because if they come any where near our Puppies :-) their becoming lunch !!!!! now if somebodies dog does come near I do my best to get in between and try to scare them of while doing my best to restrain our to mixes a male @ 88 pounds and a female @ 70 pounds. now if they don't listen I'm pretty sure you will be covered from your side you've done everything you can to prevent something from happening, and again as long as your dog is on leash no one can blame you ( unless you are to be found instigating the attack of course :- )

 

Depends on how you want to see it Slim.
Me personaly never go to off leash area's but over here the rules are very simple.
Never let your dog aproach another dog because that dog can be scared, just operated or plain simple just doesn't get along with other dogs.
This is written in the law, i don't need to muzzle them because they are DA, as long as they are not HA there's no need for it.
The fact that they are on the leash is enough for other dog owners to be aware that my dogs are not here to play with your dog and that i'm just taking a walk.
When i see dogs off leash, i always stop walking and keep my dogs next to my knee's and ask them to leash their dog.
This is enough to warn them that my dogs don't get along with other dogs.
If you are so stupid enought to off leash a dog that doesn't listen to your command, well you wil be the 1 in troubles.
I know it's different depending in what country you are but this is how it is overe here.
Since the ban has been lifted it is very simple, every dog no matter what kind falls under the same rules.
I do have to admit that pitbull owners should be extra carefull specialy when your dog is DA.
So don't go to off leash area's, pay extra attention when walking your dog, when you do come across an off leash dog, warn the owner that your dog is DA or just walk the other way and avoid them.
Don't go to many public area's where you know the changes of you running in to dogs are higher.
Keep them for yourself and search for area's where you can walk with out al that trouble.
This is how i have done it for the last 19 years and for me it works, i had many dogs but never 1 bite incident, always be carefull.

 

I see this too many time. I had to kick a stray last year to try to deter him from getting close and was stalking us for 3 city blocks. I will do whatever to avoid any confrontation and normally see it coming before the dog will. Crossing the street to the other side works well too. Good on you for picking him up some people just put too much faith in their dogs.

 

agree always do research on the laws.
it sucks that in the states you can almost sue anybody for something.
when it comes to your own house, we also need to put up signs warning people of the dog so an intruder knows the risk he is about to take.
If you do find an intruder you may not send your dog over to him on command then you are at fault but if the dog get the intruder on his own will without any command, it's game on.
Indeed the common response is 'he never did that before' LMAO.

 

I JUST moved to a new neighborhood in the suburbs and people out here seem pretty lax on keeping their dogs restrained. Most of the houses don't even have fenced yards, but they've got dogs. I've already seen more than a few people standing in the yard while the dog goes to the bathroom or whatever with no leash or anything. My last male would grab any dog he could get a hold of, so I'm used to staying out of bad situations, but this neighborhood still seems like an accident waiting to happen. It sucks, because I walk my dog a lot, and she expects it and gets crazy when she doesn't get to go exploring.

I'm also wondering how you guys manage to kick the other dog. My dogs have always made sure that they are the closest thing to the other dog! I've picked them up, put them between my legs, but other than that when another dog gets close it's a hell of a thing trying to hold them back, let alone get a kick in... lol

 

I walk with a really short leash 18" clipped to my belt so for me it's no big deal. Only happened once besides another time while biking. I still get flashbacks form that one lol.

 

the owner with the off leash dogs *might be hit with a citation for doing so, but if your dog bit those off leash dogs, *your dog would be the one deemed "dangerous". sux, but that's the way it is. imo, NOT woth the risk. i have resorted to night walking due to this very reason.
and no it's definitly NOT fair. but in owning and dealing with our breed, unfortunately that's the way it is...

 

This might help, buy an air horn at walmart and blow that sucker when those pesky mutts get close. And a water soaker water gun ,and if all else fails, a shot of mace might do the job lol...