Was just coming back from our walk, both dogs back on lead (and walking nicely ) but too good to be true. Bumped into another dog which never has a lead on (or a collar for that matter I noticed today) which I've seen walking down my road several times from my house although never bumped into it. So was walking along the road and didn't think much of this dog as I assumed as it's always off lead (with its owner) it must be pretty well behaved. It came over to say hello, so I let it sniff Dylan first and then Trinity, and then started to walk off, but it kept following. I didn't want to cross the road (it's residential, so not much chance of being hit but didn't want to risk it). It kept pestering us so I just stood there while the owner tried in vain to get it to come away. Dylan got fed up and lunged at it, so it then attacked Dylan. 2 x 25kg dogs flying around on leads with another loose dog thrown in for good measure next to the road was not an experience I wish to repeat. Had we been on the fields i would have automatically dropped /unclippedhis lead and let them run it out, but I wasn't about to let him loose on the street! Dog was finally dragged away but both my dogs were so wound up at this point that all hope of walking nicely flew out the window... :-(

The thing is that there is a main road on the edge of the residential bit which I've seen them walking freely along. I dread to think what would have happened had we all met up there. 

What do other people do in similar situations when off lead already? I've had dogs follow us before in the woods etc but am never sure whether I should just keep walking or stop and wait for the dog to be collected

:-)

Carry a water pistol and repel invaders :D

hee hee  :-D

Whitley Bay beach would've been you're worst nightmare last Sunday! :D It's not a stretch I usually do but we were out for 4hrs walking that day. There were dogs off the lead EVERYWHERE. With mine being malamutes I only let them off lead for a run on private/deserted land.
If your dog is on the lead it's really unfair of other owners to let their dogs wind yours up. A dog has certain natural instincts when unnerved, Flight, Fight or Freeze, when leashed the dogs options are reduced.
My OH tends to boom 'Get you're ****** dog or I'll let mine go!' eek! It tends to work or send the other dogowner scurrying away. I'm abit more tolerant. I tend to suss out the other dog and give it a fuss myself keeping the atmospere calm, usually if the dogs okay with me, my dogs are okay with it. The size of my lot usually evokes a look of alarm on the other dog owners face...almost like they're picturing a pork chop instead of their dog toddling between my lots legs :D

Hi nitody,  People who don't keep their dog on lead when walking on pavements are a pain, especially when their dog won't come back on command.  As you say, it is also very dangerous for the dog as it could get run over or injured by other dogs it is pestering.  I usually wait so the other owner can grab their dog but get a bit ratty if they don't move pretty fast!!

Also it is against the law!!!

I know but like many laws, it isn't enforced.

It is sometimes, Annie ns, our local paper goes in for naming and shaming :) fines for speeding, no TV license etc and I noticed one the other day for walking a dog without a lead on a designated road.

What a good idea, Isabel.  Wish a paper round here would do the same for people who allow their dogs to mess and don't clean up, mind you precious few of them seem to get fined and a dog warden told me they hardly bother taking people to court because they get let off.  (Sorry, I'm a little off topic here)

Hi I had a similar situation the other day.  I was walking Alice on the lead and she stopped to have a 'wee' when a dog came trotting up the road behind us (the owner was following on).  Alice hadn't noticed this dog and when it came up to us it took her by surprise.  She then started barking (or in Alice's case screaming) at this dog.  The owner finally caught up and said 'as she lives here she has a right to let her dog walk off lead.  I live there too!!! but don't let Alice off the lead until I get to the fields.

CarolW

Hi Carol,  Where I live, there is a man nearby who always has his dog off lead while walking it round the pavements.  One day, the dog crossed over the road to see me (without any encouragement from me and I didn't have my dog with me) and was very nearly knocked down by a car.  On telling the owner what had happened (as he was actually round the corner out of sight when this occurred), he promptly told the dog off for crossing the road!  He obviously had no idea he was the one in the wrong.  Mind you, he is one of those who never cleans up after his dog either so obviously not  a very resposible owner.

Spook
I for that reason I stopped walking along Whitley Bay beach as I have one friendly dog staffie x whippet and one unfriendly collie x been like that since we got him from a shelter.

It started getting a nightmare all the dogs running up for a sniff and Patch pulling and wanting to get his teeth into them and that starts my other dog barking and me having to pull them both away.

So now I walk along the the sea front Patch is less wound up that way and I actually enjoy the peaceful walk.
Sharon

I live in a small village with few dogs.  Whilst exercising my two Rottweilers (mother and Son) in the near by field, within secconds a Staffie that lives in a house on the main road had come hurtling up to us and I luckily managed to grab my bitch (who is rather protective of her son and can be a bit miserable at time's) in order to prevent a mass fight!  My boy looked rather bewildered by this as he was only about 6 months old at the time and is a real sweetheart and very sociable!

After rounding my two up I was attempting to move away form the dog that was trying to jump on my boys back, mum was growling and the Staff was clearly was not going to leave us (the owner was no where to be seen btw) I then proceeded to 'growl' and tell him to go 'away' in an attempt to get out of this field at some point in one piece!  Thankfully the dog decided that he had met his match and ran off! 

What a nightmare though and how irresponsible, my dogs are never out of my sight and don't run off - just think if I had not spotted the dog and grabbed my two to stop a fight!Although I have witnessed and be involved in a few dog fights it is a situation that you panic with unfortunately!

In relation to this my next door neighbour used to have a JRT, he loved to escape and run down to the field (you need to walk down a path next to a busy road to get to it) and chase rabbits or find a bitch.  I was forever warning and lecturing my friend and said that they must be careful and secure gates etc.  Sadly he got out one day but ran down the middle of the road and was killed by a car.... I felt for the lady driving as she was devastated!  Just goes to show though that you have to be so careful, use a lead and train your dog!

I am also a great believer that if your dog is happy at home it will not want to run out on you, even if he is entire!

That really annoys me lazy owners around my way, just let there dogs out to rome the streets rather than take them out for walks themselves.

I find it difficult walking my two as Lady is dog friendly and Patch is not so it winds him up seeing dogs off there leads free to
walk up to us.

Thats when he starts strong pulling and trying to bite it and that starts lady of barking and then there's me trying to control
both by pulling them away and trying to shush the other dog away a complete NIGHTMARE!
I need to move

For example two corgi's live across the road always out and about seen them one day down the street across the main road seen them the next day across the main road again only one was limping this time more than likely been clipped by a car and could of been prevented GRRR!

Have only seen one dog lately they don't seem the kind of people to pay and get his leg fixed most likely have been pts. Some people do not deserve dogs.

Sharon