I think this was my initial point. You put your dogs on a ead becasue you see the other do it.... but you don't know that they're doing it because they don't wanna socialise them.... that's just an assumpt you'd rightfully make. Like in Hali's case, she wants them to socialise, but has to put them on a lead to do so, and then this get misinterpreted by others.

I understand that some poepl are saying "Just ask the owner", but you often find that they give you a wide berth as well, so it's hard to do this. A signal would remove all confusion.

Please ignore the "flags idea". This was supposed to be for illustration, but I think people are taking me too literally!

I think the problem is, introducing dogs can be a tricky thing. I've not met that many dogs who are totally fine when meeting other dogs.

Bryan is fine when meeting other dogs IF he's not on his lead. My foster dog though is a bit strange. If there's a lead involved at all she can get a bit vocal/snappy (although she's never bitten). Eg. if the other dog is on a lead and she's off her lead, she coud have a go, if she's on her lead she will have a go. If both dogs are off she's fine.

I think it depends where you walk as well. Round where I live, there are a lot of regular dog walkers so we all know each other and our dogs know each other.

Cassie is much the same (our lurcher). She is lovely with other dogs, but if she's on a lead, she gets defensive! This is the main reason why I Don't wanna put her on a lead. It's northing bad about her, but she is a rescue dog and we don't know how well she was treated in her former life.

Yeah. We have a few that we know and it warms my heart to see my dogs playing with their friends.

No! No! I think it`s brilliantly surreal. But it needs to be extended.
SKULL AND CROSSBONES:I`m having a bad day. B*gger off. And your dog.
IMPALED TEDDY: Child free zone
PINK WITH DIAMANTE: Ooh yes, let`s compare nail varnish while our chi-poms play

Your dogs can play with my dogs anytime BTW. If they don`t like yours they`ll grumble and move away. If I don`t like you I`ll probably do the same

LOL. Thanks ClaireandDaisy.

If I'm ever down the south -east, I'll take you up on that!

Love you flag Ideas!

I'm quite taken with the "Impaled Teddy" flag

i think its ex idea ,i allways wave to other dog walkers ,just to indicate ,mine like other dogs are fine at mixing ,with others no problem

Then that is wrong, and certainly not normal for dogs.
As a species, most dogs, by nature, like meeting other dogs.
The problem is threefold, modern, and usually comes down to owners:
1) Slack owners: Most dog owners in the UK do not go to training classes. This would not matter if they made good attempts at training themselves. But, as we know, most people arent good conscientious forum visitors, and these days just buy dogs and hope for the best (or expect dogs to work it out by themselves)
In the social multi dog setting, this results in lack of social skills learnt from puppyhood, no recall by the owners, and poor handling skills.
2) Over-anxious owners. With the increase in slackness comes the related but converse anthromorphism.
In the social setting of multi dog environments, that's humans unneccesarily panicking and worrying about their 'babies'. One symptom of this is the common habit of tensing the lead and causing on-lead agression.
Simply, dogs do not have to be "totally fine" meeting other dogs. They just need to be dogs and be allowed to get on with acceptable canine heirachal stuff. This means a bit of rough and tumble and putting in places. Same with kids.
I only mean well balanced dogs (and kids), not those with nervous disorders or medical conditions.
3) Macho owners: Dont train and dont socialise, as they want their dogs to grow up aggressive and threaten other dogs. But they dont like it when a dog can beat up their dog though!

I do feel or some of the owners on here. it must come down to what area you live in, as I can honestly that the areas where I have lied in the UK, and anywhere in DK, I've never had any probs. Most dogs have indeed not had probs meeting other dogs, but then most of the owners didnt have probs meeting other dog owners, so didnt fall into the above categories.

I have had instances in the past where another dog went for Cassie because she overstepped the line. She cowered off and the owner was very apologetic. I told the owner that I had no problem with what his dog did, because it taught Cassie, in a way she understands, not to cross the line!

Equally, I have had instances where Cassie has gone for another dog because he was being too pushy (kept trying to mount her). The owner of this dog was expecting an apology off me, but he never got one. As far as I'm concerned, Cassie did what a dog should do, and told the other dog off.

Fabulous thread this .... I totally agree with the issues raised in Krusewalker's posts - it seems better education on the part of the owners (to include body language/handling skills) is probably priority numero uno. Just my 0.02