> but how do you stop a dog from shaking their head???
>

You can take a slobber-cloth/tissue/hanky and wipe the dogs face so if it does shake it's head it doesn't send slober flying. Many people who own dogs do not like slobber, it's not something I would let my dog splat all over anybody.

>however if my dogs are running past them and the grass they are on is muddy these people are stood in a muddy park

I really don't see that you have no choice there.  If people are picking there way along a muddy path I would not let my dog run past them if I thought there was any danger that they would be splashed as a result.  Obviously different if they have a dog running about themselves but if they are "civilians" they do not deserve to be put out by our pets.  As Teri, has pointed out, not only do we have the need to ensure dogs do not become more socially unacceptable than they are it's just plain manners.

> you HAVE to expect it you are in an environment where there is dirt.

I agree but you should not avoid this area as you have indicated at because of this.  We all have a right to go where we want, when we want & in what attire we want.

No matter what situation you are in whether it be a park, high street or dog show it is not acceptable to let you dog dirty another person.  As Teri & Isabel have said it's all about manners! I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate me shaking my shampoo drenched hair all over you!!

well if i was in the bath next to you it would be expected (not to say that i will be in a bath next to you) but you get my drift

> It's not a very common reaction, and probably was more intense due to Busters size

Yes, I can see that would be more likely and it is good to see that you appreciate that is how is it sometimes.  I think we all need to understand what impact our dogs may have.  For my spaniels the worst thing is their greed and their total lack of understanding of the concept of a private picnic!  This is what I have to be on my guard for during the better weather and I do need to be constantly on the alert for anyone sitting on the grass, whether eating or not, as they would be considered as worthy of close inspection and I do put leads on as recall is likely to be unreliable.  I am not saying accidents do not happen but when they do it is my fault and if a profuse appology is not enough I would happily buy new sandwiches.

I find it very sad that the coutry is coming to this,  there was an article in my local paper the other day as they are trying to pass through that no dog can go into a childs park or surrounding areas which for me doesn't leave very many places for me to walk with my dogs.  What really gets me is there is a dog walk in our local park and now they want to get rid of it.  So annoying.  I have many dogs, 3 kidsw and have always cleared up after both sets, I know there are people out there that don't and have had many a run in with them but all it does is get me upset and them not interested.

Linda 

There is a growing anti dog movement in my part of the world that would seize on any opportunity to completely ban dogs from all green areas. The big issue is dog poo. Many have picked up on a and applauded a Guardian article that advocated all dogs should be exercised on lead and around the streets only.

I think all dog owners have to be ultra sensitive to how others perceive our dogs and aware that many actively loathe canines, in some cases this is cultural and ingrained from early childhood. I do not seek to make judgements only to say that if we want to continue with the freedoms we currently enjoy we need to be seen to be sensitive to the views of others and ultra careful in keeping the right side of public opinion.

Umm I think his article was a bit OTT myself, I cant see everyone rushing out to cull all the dogs.  I think he is entitled to his opinion but I cant see them selling many papers with an idiot like that peddling his bias.

Whistler,

I agree, the Coren article was a great example of shock-print-exhibitionism, akin to the brattish, attention-seeking excesses of Julie Burchill and the like, and what will have the greatest effect there is no reaction from the likes of us.

The anti dog brigade is growing though, particularly in cities I think, where the demands on green spaces are also expanding and where different groups are not so keen on dogs, particularly when they poo and the owners leave it! People are generally more fastidious now and, I think, more precious about their rights, so quick to jump on anything that irritates or conflicts with their view of life/ the environment and the way it should be.

>if we want to continue with the freedoms we currently enjoy we need to be seen to be sensitive to the views of others and ultra careful in keeping the right side of public opinion

Absolutely - if we don't collectively ensure we ALWAYS make our best efforts, our freedoms as we currently know them will be lost to us forever.  It may sound dramatic but things have been changing for a long while, little bits of beach and park land claimed as dog free zones, becoming bigger chunks, year on year.

I would not want to own the breed I currently have if it's freedom were restricted to a flexi lead :( 

> I have never had someone freeze and screech

I had a young teenage girl freeze and scream and scream and scream .... , Alfie thought it was great fun so stood and barked at her - in a come and play kind of way (although she wouldnt know that).  I tried shouting at him but he was too interested in this girls screaming so I shouted at her, told her to stop screaming, as soon as she did Alfie went on his merry way.  Her dad came out and I thought I was for it but he gave her a right telling off for being so stupid.  I did go over and ask if she would like to meet Alfie on the lead as he is very friendly but she was too scared. 

Another instance at the beach the boys were sniffing the ground near a group of people who were stood chatting and this girl who must have been about 12 just climbed up into her mums arms because she was so scared.  Its sad really that people are this scared of dogs, they are missing out on so much.

>You can take a slobber-cloth/tissue/hanky and wipe the dogs face so if it does shake it's head it doesn't send slober flying. Many people who own dogs do not like slobber, it's not something I would let my dog splat all over anybody

lol my mum hates slobber, it makes her heave so she always carries kitchen roll with her when she walks my dogs.

>I would not want to own the breed I currently have if it's freedom were restricted to a flexi lead 

no, me either. Im lucky living in the sticks, you dont really get anti dog people, in fact where I walk you dont get many people which is fine by me !!  I do like the occasional walk along the beach in the winter though which can be a bit of a nightmare because this is where you tend to bump into the anti dog brigade.

At best this "journalist" is a wind up merchant, at worse an idiot !

Just read the article, about halfway before I couldnt read anymore.  Just sat here with wide eyes and jaw open.  I got to the part about the grandmother statement (where he said the grandma cant be over 30 herself)   Rude, ignorant, and a lot of words I cant say on a forum.  How could this get printed!!!

> Parks do not belong to dog owners.

But we are the most regular and consistent users.

I wonder how many fewer green spaces we would have if it was not for dog walkers using them 365 days a year?

> I wonder how many fewer green spaces we would have if it was not for dog walkers using them 365 days a year?

I doubt very much that local councils see them as the preserve of dog walkers, far from it.  I think many would be glad to see the back of us. 

> you HAVE to expect it you are in an environment where there is dirt.

I disagree completely. I walk my dogs down the local country park. I expect to get wet and muddy but I do NOT expect my dogs to get anyone else wet and muddy. In fact I would be mortified if this happened. Non dog owners walk down the park too, they are generally well dressed and clean and stick to the paths. If I see such a person walking towards us I call my dogs to my side and don't allow them to splash the people.

It's grossly irresponsible to think that you have the sole right to use a public space and your dogs can run past people splashing mud on them and covering them in dog slobber! This behaviour could fuel calls for dogs to be banned from such parks :-(  It's up to all dog owners to ensure that their dogs are not a nuisance to anyone else.

I wonder what you would say if you were hit on the head by a football down the park? After all people play football there, you should expect to be hit....or would you expect those playing football to take care to avoid you?

People use rollerblades in our park too, would you just expect to be run over by them, or would you hope they would take care to avoid you?

I have to giggle reading this I watch picnic's like a hawk its OK when people are there my cocker will sit and stare until I collar him but any picnic when they are off playing ball and his nose is in a sandwich box. You didnt mention the fact that spaniels also go deaf when on the hunt for a cheese sandwich - we have made many hasty retreats of a plaid picnic blanket.
Its leads on well before he picks up the scent of FOOD.

Although I disagree with the main message of the article, there was one teeny point made that I could see a little bit of sense in...the bit about fox-hunting.  Any dog can attack at any time for any reason, but since the most dramatic cases (usually children's deaths) are publicised so much, you'd think the government would maybe do something to educate people on being more aware of their dog?  Or obedience training?  Good Citizen certificates?  Maybe if they encouraged the public to look after their dogs' good behaviour instead of spending the hours they did over the fox-hunting ban (or for that matter, the docking ban) then perhaps dog attacks would be less frequent?

> Although I disagree with the main message of the article, there was one teeny point made that I could see a little bit of sense in...the bit about fox-hunting.

I disagree, the problem with fox hunting as I see it, is that it's poeple setting dogs onto foxes (or using dog to catch a fox), not dogs going about thier business and when happening accross a fox they kill it. Dogs displaying natural behaviour and having a scuffle is not a problem in the laws eyes, but when people set up the situation it is illegal.
Mentioning the fox-hunting ban is just another way for the writer to get peoples attention and get a ratings boost :(

> Most of them are basically prostitutes who'll write anything as long as it pays.
>
> "Ethical" and "journalist" are words seldom seen on the same sentence.

LOL Totally agree! Does that go to TV presenters too? Oh and RSPCA vets?

Press release recieved today from the RSPCA about the programme Rogue Traders.

"Mark Evans, the RSPCA's chief veterinary advisor, said: "Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit driven business. The RSPCA wants the public to destroy the puppy trafficking business by only buying from responsible and caring breeders. We hope this episode of Rogue Traders will raise awareness of this unethical trade".

And exactly who would these responsible and caring breeders be? Since the Mark Evans told the nation that the KC practises eugenics and breeders who show dogs are breeding unhealthy mutants?

> I walk my dogs down the local country park. I expect to get wet and muddy but I do NOT expect my dogs to get anyone else wet and muddy. In fact I would be mortified if this happened. Non dog owners walk down the park too, they are generally well dressed and clean and stick to the paths. If I see such a person walking towards us I call my dogs to my side and don't allow them to splash the people.

I always call my wet and muddy dogs to me if I see walkers, on many ocassions though the walkers where I am will say "Oh don't worry, we don't mind them coming to us" I always explain that if I let do it once they'd do it everytime and also point just how muddy they are. The deterent to stop walkers wanting my come to my dogs is to say "They are on a lead because they have been rolling in fox poo" then nobody questions my actions! lol.