Often when I am out walking my dog on the lead, I notice that there are many other dog walkers out there who's dogs walk quite happily by their side or behind them off the lead on the pavement and near the road.
The other evening I was at my parent's house with Desi (my lab) when there was a ring at the doorbell.  My dad went to answer and whilst he was chatting at the door Desi managed to slip through the gap and what did she do??? she ran straight out in to the road.  Thank G-d there was no oncoming traffic but I really had a huge shock when she did this.
Every time we walk I get her to sit before crossing the road, which she does once prompted.  I even tell her to "watch the traffic" but she just seems to have no idea.
How do people do it when their dogs follow them nicely off the lead on the pavement like that?  Isn't it a huge risk they are taking doing this?  And how can I get Desi to be aware of the road and the traffic.
Thanks
Van

There are several dead dogs who used to be walked without a lead.

I consider my dog pretty well trained but I would not risk her life this way, neither would anyone sensible.

Hi Van,

None of mine have ever had road sense - I just know for sure they'd be run over if they somehow got startled and escaped onto a road :(   I see latch-key type dogs all the time crossing the road so sensibly :rolleyes: it seems as though the better we look after them the more danger they are in .....

There's a lad near me who has a Staff and Ridgeback - NEVER on leads - walks the main road all the time with the dogs wandering ahead or lagging behind yet they always seem to stick to his side when he crosses side streets and they never venture onto the main road, even if they see other dogs

In other words, I can't help you in the training dept, Teri :) 

I don't believe dogs can get road sense and it is up to us as the human part of the relationship to ensure that they don't get anywhere near the roads without a lead!

I too look at others and marvel. I know for a fact that a squirrel or a cat would send mine accross the road like a bullet and tho' he is generally obedient I would not stand a chance of getting him back quickly enough to prevent a possible disaster.
Whilst I think it does 'look' amazing I think i'll just stick to a lead and collar.
I would love to hear what anyone who does obedience training with heelwork etc. thinks. As they are the experts.

We think our dogs too valuable to risk, like most highly trained dogs eg police, guide, deaf, assistance dogs.........

I met a chap with his lab whilst out walking with Luke this morning. He said he had seen me training Luke. He had been taught how to practise loose lead walking at puppy class but he and his wife had tried it a bit and then decided it was easier to walk their dog off lead........

I find that a bag full of raw meat and bones works a treat! You find they stick to your side like glue. :D But I never ever let my pup off the lead on a busy road. 

I was thinking about this after this morning's encounter - it's not just busy roads, is it? Even in a cul de sac there will be residents' cars coming and going, delivery vans etc. - and the ever present cats & squirrels to distract. Surely for safety a dog should be leashed near any road which carries traffic?

If no for the dogs safety then a dog should be on a leash near any road for the safety of the public.It would take very little for a dog to run into the road and cause an accident...its just not worth the risk
Archer

Personally I value my dogs too much, and I also couldn't live with the guilt if one of them caused an accident. 

But there is a better reason than these :)  the law requires that any dog in a public place be on a collar and leash, with an ID tag and under control, I think compliance with the law is a pretty compelling reason for not letting a dog off the leash in a public place :) :) :)

I am in total agreement with you all.  I can't understand how these dogs are trusted to walk off the lead like that.  Even though I marvel at their good behaviour and I see it every single day I would not want to risk it with my lab.  Although she sits most of the time when we cross roads I still have to prompt her and I know that if a particular odour wafted her way or a dog on the other side of the road she would be off like a shot.  I for one will never let her off the lead near any road be it a side turning or a main  Like you say Tohme she is too treasured to risk such a thing. 

This is my pet hate. I often wonder at what stage do these people decide to 'take a risk' and see if their dog gets run over. If the dog is so well behaved then what's the big deal about having it on the lead anyway? It INFURIATES me that these morons do it and for the life of me I cannot understand the desire to do it!
Sorry, but it makes me WILD!!!! I'm a homevetter for a rescue centre and actually reclaimed a dog where the people were walking it on the roads off lead, despite being told not to.
Kat

Was walking a long a main A road in Bristol and there was a workman in his van doing something at the roadside, he ahd his Pet Basset wandering up and down the pavement sniffing ehre and there, just a stray scent and he would have been under heavy traffic!!

The worst thing that I saw was a man and his off-lead BC, standing on the narrow central reservation of a dual carriageway in town. The dog was inches from the cars - if it had anticipated his command to go it would have been killed :(

Daisy

A bloke in the town where I used to live used to walk his dog offlead. The dog was very well-trained and used to the routine, and she'd trot ahead to the point where they crossed the road, and sit at the kerb, waiting for the bloke to catch up with her and stroke her head which was her signal to cross.

You can tell what's coming, can't you? :( Yes, as the bitch was sat there at the kerb a passer-by stroked her head. The bitch set off across the road right in front of a car and was killed.

Oh thats awful :(
Even though missie is good off lead and is very quick to respond to commands, I always put her lead back on before we reach the main roads. Even if very late at night with no heavy traffic she still has her lead on to cross roads.
There are a few I see off lead road walking and I'm always scared they might cross the road to see my dogs but when we are on the same side as them I cross over hoping they won't follow.

Dee

Gosh! Just thought, what if they do follow and they got run over, would it be my fault?

My first dog, a lab X whippet, was trained by her previous owners to sit at the kerb when on lead walks crossing the road.
She got loose one day (this was when she was still with her previous owners) and i happened to see her as I was on the way to collect her for her walk. She was sitting at the pavement good as gold, but as soon as she saw me she started to cross...thank heavens there was only one car and it saw her and slowed down.

Dogs can never understand traffic or the dangers like we can. I do know of one person on dog forums who claims it is perfectly safe in some situations, but he is a complete idiot and show off.

Lindsay
X

I totally agree with everyone that it's absolutely essential that dogs are leashed anywhere near traffic. However, that leads me to wonder how GDFB manage to train their dogs so that their owners can trust them with their lives? I know it's a different issue to one's average pet dog, but I'm intrigued - how do they do it?