Dog Walkers Code

Hi All,

This idea is a bit "out there" but I was wondering what people thought about some kind of "Dog Walkers Code".

Basically, I get mixed feelings whenever I take my dogs out. I want them to stay off the lead and play with other dogs, as I believe this is the best way they will socialise... And the more they socialise, the better behaved they will be (around other dogs).

But, I totally understand people who put their dogs on a lead at the first sign of other dogs. Many people don't know how strange dogs will react to their dogs and so don't take the chance. When this happens, I feel obliged to put my dogs on the lead when I really don't want to.

It would be great if there were some universal code that dog walkers could use. Here is an example of what I mean:

Dog walkers could take out three flags. At the sight of another dog owner, the walker can hold up one of the flags.
- RED FLAG to say "I am keeping my dogs on a lead and I don't want them to play because they are agressive / I don't want them to play, etc.
- YELLOW FLAG to say "My dogs aren't agressive, but I don't know how they will react to your dogs, so you can let yours off at your own risk.
- GREEN flag to say "My dogs are fine and I am happy for them to play with your dogs".

Obviously this would be a bit of a ballache, as no one wants to carry three flags, but you can see what I'm getting at.

What are your thoughts?

I like this idea.... would save a lot of hassle, and shouting over to the other people....

I like the idea and it would help to avoid confusion all round.

Totally unworkable although nice in theory. I don't know about you lot but if I walk in popular places half the owners are clueless as to where their dogs are anyway and walk along in MP3 land.

I think there already exists a clear etiquette - if someone recalls their dogs and puts them on a lead, or they are already on a lead, then for one reason or anotherm I would never ever assume aggression .... they donot want anyone elses dog charging over to them.

It doesn't need to be any more complex at all than that.

That's kinda the way I do it at the moment. The only issue I find is taht most of the peopl who recall their dogs are doing so because they thingk that YOU won't want your dogs disturbed. It's kinda like (in quite a few cases with me) no-one really know so they opt for the safer "on lead" option. But usually, when we approach them on a lead, they are happy foer dogs to play and it turns out they did it for MY benefit.

With some kind of code, it would eliminate the confusion.

My dogs are always on leads and although they are not aggressive I do not like dogs running up to me or them!! Its not polite..

Sorry, have to say, strange idea.
Firstly, carrying 3 flags
Secondly, your scenario:
You dont need some over-complicated system.
This is easy to resolve. If people are putting their dogs on the lead because they don't know what your dogs are like, you should, for reasons of convention and politeness, do the same. Not to mention, it is sensible, as you dont know what their dogs are like, in terms of safety for your dogs.
Then when you are nearby, just both ask.
If Ok, just let them off again.
QED

Your idea, whilst well intentioned, seems to fit in with that peculiar modern tread of finding over-complicated solutions to problems, which in wiser times, would have quite simply, without much thought, resolved by good old fashioned conversation.

Or are we all too anxious and suspicious to talk to strangers now?

In Denmark, for example, Danes still ask, and on the whole, there is no issue.
This is because, on the whole, most dogs are dog friendly, most owners can suss out if other dogs are friendly without needing to pop them on leads, most owners have good recall (as most owners go to dog training), and most owners dont care if dogs have everyday spats

And that's cool. I'd totally respect that.

Personally, I try to let mine socialise with as many as possible so that they can play and enjoy themselves, but I completely understnad your point of view and wouldn't begrudge you for having your dogs on a lead.

The main reason for this post was because at our local park, theyre is a couple who bring their pack of lurchers and let them run off the lead, but go BERSERK whenever they go up to another dog. This annoys me a bit as I'm of the opinion that if you don't want your dogs going off to other dogs (or if you don't want other dogs approaching you) don't let your dogs off the lead in a busy park.

Yes, in most cases a conversation would suffice, but there are times when I think some sort of signal would be useful.

For example, my most recent rescue is still nervous of dogs, but introduced to the rights dogs, she is fine. So, I will often pop her on the lead when I see other dogs approaching. Unfortunately once they see me do this, many, many dog walkers take a very wide detour so that they don't have to put their dogs back on a lead but are giving me the space they think I want. Often they are too far away for me to shout over what I actually would like.

So, in fact, socialising her gets more difficult because of people's misunderstanding.

So for me, it would be nice if I could commnunicate to them that actually I would like my dog to meet theirs, in a controlled and calm manner.

I know. I said this was a silly example, but it was more the idea behind it that I was getting at.

To be honest, What people are suggesting is what I already do. However, in practice, i have found it not to work as well as it sounds. I find that people put their dogs on a lead for the sake of putting their dogs on a lead.

I guess I just wish there was a local "lead free zone" when We could go and let them run free for a while, but there isn't one near to me (that I know of).