hi

to be fair. i took Tupac to the london marathon to meet my boss...couldnt move for crowds,noise cheering music.... people didnt notice he was there until they looked round....but at no point did i let him offlead to free run...madness!!
has to be on the individual tho...5 of mine would be fine in that situation and 4 of mine wouldnt so.....

So your dog has never been to a town centre or a public event?, so where are they when you go to these?, i walk my dogs through town daily on our walks to get to the woods, they are greeted by people who they know look forward to seeing who are perfect strangers to me, how did you do the 200 people before 12 weeks training or do you meet them all in parks?, how do your dogs react to street cleaning machines, buses and the hustle and bustle of life in general.
I have no problems with your ways of doing things but i would find it quite alien to leave my dogs at home unless of course it was firework display or something of that ilk.

I have taken our boys to crowded, busy, noisy places - last year we took them both to a huge local agricultural show, complete with funfair and tractor pull...

They've done town/city centres, fairs and Max has been to a fireworks display as well.

However, I would never, ever let them offlead at anything like this. I use them for socialisation purposes only.

Because we live in a very quiet, rural area - not much noise, traffic or many people; it's important for me to make sure my boys can cope in noisy situations etc, since they don't encounter them very often.

sorry i disagree.... i take 2 of my dogs to work everyday,i dont drive,i have to walk through a busy high street,Tupac comes to my mums everyweek,a train and a tube,and again a high street,oh and have been known to go to festivals too(notting hill carnival this year if i have time off) shows etc.... am i cruel? no i am not!!!
and as for little dogs.....legs is their usual view

dogs are social creatures so dont quite get your rant soz....unless its about the heat,then thats another story

I can see everyone's point of view. Had I have had the choice when Misty was younger, she would've come everywhere possible with me. I think it is a good idea to socialise them in crowed areas.

I just couldn't believe how many were offlead. Some where beautifully behaved, just sitting with their owners, but most weren't. If I did have a dog with me, it would've been onlead, and I would've gone to a quieter area to have a play.

It was the little dog when we were watching the laser show that really shocked me. It was dark, getting darker and he was running around offlead, and was getting some distance from his owner. And where the owner was stood, was where alot of people were going to be walking towards at the end of show, as it was towards one of the exits.

I know that my labs would've loved yesterday, (although some people might not be too happy with Hamish cocking his leg on everything and everyone!!!!) but my spaniels would've hated it, they don't like crowds, they can both be nervous, Gracie more so than Misty.

It's nice to know that I'm not being stupid in thinking that some people were being irresponsible!

Ee that would really have annoyed me, offlead/not under control dogs in such an environment.

I love taking ours to agricultural shows, or horse events, and we often stop at town with them if we're on the way home from somewhere. We have days out and take them with us, sometimes involving a dog friendly cafe or pub stop? My dogs seem to really enjoy visiting all these places. (On a short lead and always incorporating a decent pee stop/walk away from the crowds at some point).

However, on really hot days recently I know they'd rather be at home in our cool house dozing, even with all the water and shade available. So we do sometimes leave them because of the heat more than anything else.

I can't help feeling sorry for any dogs who never have 'days out' someplace different, (ones who would enjoy them and not get stressed) but that's definately me humanising them I think...as I do

200 people before 12 weeks! Honestly! Does that mean if my dogs only met 199 they wouldn't be well socialised? Give me a break!

I have owned dogs for over 30 years not one of them has been timid or frightened by every day life! I live in the coutry, always have done, I don't think I have seen a street cleaner in years let alone the dogs! But if they did see one it wouldn't be a problem!

I could take my dogs into any situation and they would handle it just fine but I choose not to, my choice!

Because I have dogs so I fit my lifestyle around them not the other way around. I have no need to take my dogs to a town center, my nearest one is 15 minutes away in the car, if I need to shop they stay at home. At public events my dogs stay at home and are looked after for the day by my parents.

I never said you were cruel! Don't put words in my mouth! I understand some people have the misfortune of not living in the country like me (I couldn't stand being a towny ) so sometimes your dogs have to go into public places that I understand and have little problem with. I just don't get why you have to take your dog out to people oriented events?

Oh and yes when it is a hot day well that just takes the biscuit!

Pilgim... im not a townie out of choice believe me !!
...luckily im on the surrey borders

.....if my dog is well behaved and onlead causing no distress to anyone or thing then why not take him?
after the marathon we all went for a celebration drink,we were asked to stand outside...then the manager personally came outside and asked us to bring Tupac in!..maybe he was good for buisness lol

Cool! am sure Tupac would make anyone come inside for a closer look

I would never force my opinions on anyone and I certainly don't think I am right and you are wrong We both have different views and I respect yours and can see that it works perfectly for you and your dogs.

My parents used to take their border t with them everywhere, he was a very well travelled little man.

Perhaps if I didn't have 3 children to look after on days out then maybe I would take the dogs instead BUT I honestly couldn't cope with 3 children and 2 dogs, I just don't have enough hands So I am perfectly happy to leave my dogs at home with my parents.

So lets just agree to disagree on this one

That's one thing i worry about!!!! When I have kids will I have to start leaving the doggies at home on days out?!!?! BOOOOOO!