Sorry, can't make head or tail of what you are talking about Rune.

As for your paragraph about no dog going anywhere near anyone who just might be frightened, I have never heard of anything quite so daft! If someone is terrified of dogs, that is very sad, and very unfortunate, but I hope you are not suggesting that all dogs should always be kept on a lead at all times just in case someone wanders past who just might be terrified of dogs. If you have a terrible fear of something, then probably it just might be a good idea to shoulder some responsibility yourself and not put yourself in that position in the first place!! I used to be absolutely terrified of moths, so I never opened the bedroom window until my lights were off - I took responsibility for my own ridiculous fear of something as harmless as a moth. Although I would not dream of suggesting that dogs are as harmless as a moth, if anyone is terrified of dogs, it is pretty stupid in my opinion on a lovely sunny day to go for a walk along a canal towpath in the middle of the beautiful northamptonshire/warwickshire countryside and expect everyone to keep their dogs on a lead just for you. THAT is being selfish ... expecting everyone else to cater for your phobia.

I cannot think of anything that I am absolutely terrified of to come up with a good analogy - the moth analogy being really not very good at all!

Of course non dog walkers should be allowed to walk wherever they please.Its upto dog owners to keep their pets under control and not cause a nuisance to others.

Just because people frequent certain areas with their dogs dont give them sole access rights.

I dont think anyone is saying the dogs should be on the lead at all times
But it is reasonable to expect that dogs will NOT just charge up to them
If you have your dogs offlead it is YOUR responsibility that they are under control and dont go bothering people unless invited

There is a big difference between dogs (on or offlead) calmly walking past someone who isnt keen on dogs - compared to a large - super fast - wolfy looking dog charging right up to them and stealing their food or barging into a shop

It is not just your responsibility but it is also the LAW that someone shouldnt feel threatened by your dogs

so you either have them under control or on the lead

The reality is though not everyone like dogs, some have a phobia, some are allergic, but most simply just plain don't like them..

All it needs is a bit of common-sense on both sides- don't use areas when you know dog people will be out in force and put your dogs on leads when it's busy, you have an out of control dog and or required to. Simples really, all it takes is for one accident to happen at any given time and the antis will have a field day..at the end of the day it's about being a responsible owner as every body is entitled to use public facilities etc.

It is indeed. Does she speak english? It might be a good idea to gently try and talk to her and introduce your dog/dogs to her children?

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We dont think she does speak English. We believe her husband is a Taxi Driver. Last week when it was school holidays & glorious weather Taffy & I were strolling through the park - him with his nose down sniffing everything taking no notice of anybody when this young girl went running away from us. I didnt take any notice at the time then I noticed that she was running to her mother who put her arms round her & took her away. It was only then that I realised it was this Woman - didnt recognise her without the buggy she usually uses. So at least one of the poor children is already scared of the dogs.
Most of the regular dogs out in a morning are elderly ones owned by pensioners & not a scrap of trouble

I would try to introduce her to the dogs - a few of us have said we would, but she stays or rather runs away from us. Its a real shame

Ben did neither. Both were running alongside us as we biked along the canal, I think it was Ben who had run slightly ahead, but maybe Tai as well, when Ben spotted the picnic table! He did not charge flat out at them, they actually made the usual ooo oooo noises that accompany us wherever we go because the dogs are so gorgeous (I am biased of course!! ), and it was then that Ben decided a halt was in order and he helped himself to a sandwich as he trotted past. Again, with the shop, I didn't actually see it in detail because I was behind sorting our my gears, but OH said he was biking away up the slope to the canal with them running behind him, when Ben made a detour into the shop.

No harm done, chew was paid for, and everyone thought it highly amusing.