Oh yeah, that's exactly the way my Sweetheart trained me. Whenever we come across a pretty woman I look at her for a treat.

For me the legal aspect is beside the point here. You can vouch for your dog, but that is not of any help to the guy with the barking dogs because he does not know it. For him an unleashed dog is a threat. I do not approve of him shouting but I side with him all the same. Sorry, Amande.

You started a sensitive topic, so please keep in mind that all these replies are not here because we want to make you feel bad, but just because most of us have some bad experiences here.

I think you are a responsible dog owner, which is also shown here, when you try to inform yourself and asked us for an advice.

I think the next time you are going to be in a situation like this (when someone is trying to tell you something and even more so if he is yelling at you, you should predict that something isn't right… I don't know how good your German is, but maybe he tried to tell you if you could please keep your dog on a leash and you didn't hear or understand him, so he started to yell because he was probably afraid.

You said his dogs were reactive so I guess he probably was in a similar situation before and because his dogs bark and behave reactive, other dogs take this as provocation and bad things can happen then.

Me for example, I talk very calm and on a silent side, but when I am afraid for my girl, I would yell too.

You also said your dog is afraid of bigger dogs… well, my is also and I always keep her on a leash. And I can’t count anymore how many times I asked politely if people who were approaching us could leash their dogs. Some did leash the dog, some didn’t (and in that case, I raised my voice and repeated). Someone even told me that my behavior is idiotic (exact words) and that I shouldn’t have a dog. Most often people just roll their eyes, grab the dog for a collar for a few seconds and make few steps forward and when passing us they told me that their dog won’t do anything and he just wants to play.

Well, my girl gained the fear for bigger dogs just because too many of “they just want to play dogs” “played” with her and guess what; it was always “the first time” their dog hurt someone. And even then it was my fault as I have the breed which other dogs usually don’t like, so I was told.

So, although you know the laws now, please keep in mind that it is polite to leash your dog when you are passing by other dogs. It takes just a second for you to leash the dog if she is at your feet anyway.

wish you happy walks and waggy tails!

Thank you very much for your post. I have to say, I really felt awful after this thread.

The only reason I asked for the law, it is because I wanted to know if I can take her leash off in certain circumstances : no one around, either human or dog, that she could bother. If the law said keep your dog on leash all the times no matter what, then I would have, even when I am out at the evening far from any houses and completely alone.

I never meant to seem unrespectfull for other dog owners or people by asking for the law. I thought keeping her at my feet was enough, I know now that it is not, and I won't do that again. I didn't mean that I would just follow the law, regardless of what people think, just because it is the law.

I should have told that earlier but I was so surprised by people reactions, assuming I am a stupid and bad person, I have to say, that really hurted me.

I'm sure nobody assumed that here. This is just EF's tough love.

With all the groans and red reputation points of yesterday... I have to say, too tough for me !

I have 2 dogs. One was at dog school, was well trained, in fact came out top of his class but I never let him off his lead because he simply runs off & disappears for 2/3 hours.
My other dog was never in dog school but if I let her off the lead she is very good & never strays more than 4 or 5 metres from me.
So I have one dog who is permanently on the lead & another who is only on a lead where there is a sign saying so.

One thing to say. If in doubt, leash.

My mutt behaves most of the times. But i know its only most of the times so he is always on leash. He is allowed off leash only in doggy parks. Why should i have to keep an eye on him at all times and be stressed about what he is going to do if he sees another dog. I have him on leash. Problem solved. That way people wont even ask me to leash him. Which is good since i dont speak French :P