I like watching dogs but I will shout NO very loudly at any dog that jumps up at me. Dog owners have to accept that no everyone likes dogs, some people are scared of dogs, some people are allergic to dogs, and dogs need to be trained to not jump up at strangers.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
Today's rubbish dog walking
(38 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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I don’t let my dog off lead in public places. He’s an incredibly friendly small ball of fluff, but I know that some people don’t like dogs, and also that some dog owners haven’t trained their own dogs which could endanger him.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Really sorry to hear @ARobComp - that's horrible, and sorry to hear of your son's experiences @crowriver.
I agree with @Frenchy though - I like them but I don't definitely don't speak dog. There are considerate dog owners and inconsiderate dog owners - probably in roughly the same proportion as considerate cyclists and inconsiderate cyclists. Dogs bring great benefits to many people, but also terrify many. My own children were attacked and I am still going through the process of reintroducing them to nice dogs with responsible owners.
It's a good point about people having acquired dogs without fully understanding the effort required to own one in lockdown, but I disagree also with "don't get a dog". I don't know what the correct solution is but pretty clearly if all dog owners were as aware as @Stickman and @Frenchy things would be much better.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'd love to have a dog but it's taking me all my time to house train the kids.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Frenchy we might need to arrange a meet and greet at some point in the middle of town when things are slightly less covidy. I've arranged for some walks with a friend's collie puppy that is lovely but excitable around new people. Daughter already knows it a bit so I'm hoping they can get used to each other. Friend is training the collie very well so its already very obedient.
I read somewhere that the lack of socialisation of lots of puppies will become an issue.
I had a dog as a kid. I trained it and it was a great pet. Little brother loved that dog (but spoiled it rotten) and now has a terribly behaved but absolutely lovely what he calls labradoodle (it's a mix of some sort with some labrador in there - he was conned). I will not be using his dog to get my kids used to dogs....!
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'm not anti-dog in general. As I say I grew up with them, and like dogs. Not keen on the larger "fighting dog" type breeds (mastiffs, pit bulls, etc.) and will literally cross the street to avoid them if they're being walked unmuzzled. I won't have a dog as a pet, partly due to my son's fear of them, but also we live in a tenement - just not practical or fair on the animal.
The problem with dogs is not usually with their own family group - though there are of course many stories of young children being savaged by pet dogs, usually "inappropriate" breeds (i.e. not a nice docile, well trained Labrador or Golden Retriever).
The problem comes when the dog encounters strangers. Children, and also adults on bicycles, seem to particularly interest dogs, often not in a good way.
Mix this with owners who are blissfully unaware that their pet may be intimidating and/or aggressive to strangers ("He's just friendly", "He's good with kids", etc.) and it can be the perfect storm.
I'll reiterate. In my opinion, if you have young children, it's not a good idea to get a dog.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Man dragging small yappy dog across road at the midcalder end of Livi on my commute Thursday. He said He just wants a bike of his own. We all laughed.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Warning dog walkers are trying to garrote you at Thriepmuir
Really not too busy, pre pandemic levels, no verge parking
One party I pinged my bell at - seven moved to the right, taking dog. One stayed on left. Plenty space between. As I was taking it slow I had time to notice the wire connecting the party on the left to the dog.
I said Jesus wept and went on my way
A bell would have helped, the dog Walker opined.
I was not Zen, I said I did ring my bell so don’t start on me. But no swearing
It is a tad windy out there but the wee cafe at Clubbiedean is open, not much of a queue
Posted 3 years ago #
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