I am not critising cyclists at all , but I am just looking for general Edinburgh forums , to post a comment about living in Edinburgh with a dog.
I have never received so many unfriendly at times almost hostile remarks about my dog as here. Whyt is Edinburgh so unfriendly to dog and dog owners? Oh and btw , complain all you like at me and my dog , we're staying.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
Dogs
(5 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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It's probably that, as with motorists and cyclists, an unrepresentative but noticeable minority give the rest a bad name. I generally find this happening when someone else's dog-ownership impinges unwanted upon me.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Welcome Rhino.
You don't say if you ever ride a bicycle yourself. It's not a requirement for posting here - though obviously most people do.
It will be interesting to hear what you think of the comments here - and also to hear about what happens on other Edinburgh forums.
Some people like dogs (and animals generally) and some don't.
Of course 'it's not the dog, it's the owner'.
Can't expect you to be responsible for other people. Suspect people have two main problems with dogs - fouling and fear.
Edinburgh used to have a real problem with dogs fouling public places - and owners feeling no responsibility for clearing up. Fortunately that has changed a lot, though some owners think it's ok not to clean up in 'wilder' places - e.g. the verges of some cycle paths!
For people on bikes 'the issue' is uncontrolled dogs which may/do get in the way unpredictably. Long leads can also be a problem.
As with many things that exercise people on this forum it's about responsibility and tolerance. Of course cyclists sometimes see themselves as a 'persecuted minority' - as will some dog owners. Cyclists and dog walkers have long been users of many paths in Edinburgh. The increasing popularity of these leads to some conflict.
I suspect cycle use (in Edinburgh) is increasing faster than dog ownership.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I have never received so many unfriendly at times almost hostile remarks about my dog as here."
Really? Well that's unwarranted if it happened without actually knowing you or the dog. As is stated above, it's not the dog it's the owner, most of the times if there is an issue. As a dog owner it has to be borne in mind that you are responsible for the dog (I'm using 'you' as a generic 'everyone' term there, not you) with regard to anyone, not just a cyclist.
The dog I had years back would walk off the lead and was perfectly biddable. I knew that, I knew I was still in control of it. Other people didn't know that, so if someone was around I'd get the dog to stay closer to me, and keep hold of the collar if the eprson looked like they needed added reassurance.
By the same token, given the unpredicatability of dogs (who do, after all, have a mind of their own) cyclists, where they see them (to distinguish from cases where a dog emerges unexpectedly from undergrowth) should slow down.
Responsibility and respect on both sides. Sounds simple doesn't it?
Posted 13 years ago # -
There is a general problem of respect in society, with people too quick to form gangs: "motorists", "cyclists", "dog owners" etc. In all groups, there are those who break rules, are unsafe or disrespectful of others. This tends to reinforce this grouping.
In the end though most of us take part in multiple activities.
By the way, my understanding is that dogs should be kept under control on public paths. I quite like dogs but ones that are not in control can cause difficulty and stress for other, in particular cyclists. My wife is just plain frightened of them (even when walking). However some dog owners do not appreciate this and let their dogs free around her.
On one occasion, one owner shouted at me for a few minutes for using my bike as defence against his aggressive dog that had just attacked and bitten two others. But that's just some folk. There are some equally out-of-balance people on bikes.
Posted 13 years ago #
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