dog etiquette

I  have just seen on the news about the little 6 year old girl who was attacked by a dog. The story does not identify the dog breed or give much detail, other than the Mum and Dad of the little girl were fighting to get the dog off before the owner even appeared on the scene.


This is one of my biggest annoyances when walking Harley.


Harley is an unsociable dog - end of !


He does not like other dogs - he is fine with people, children and cats (he thinks he is a cat) he is fine with Billie, Kenzi and Ruby and even our friend's dog Poco but other than that - he does not like other dogs.


That said, when I walk him I am very aware of this and although I stay calm and assertive (thanks Cesar Milan) I also keep him very much in my sights and as soon as we see other dogs I put him on the lead.


SO .... my issue is this .... WHY oh why do other dog walkers not do the same ?


They may well be confident that their dog is "friendly" but if their dog BOUNDS up to mine - my dog will NOT be so friendly - I think he is a little anxious and with the classic "Fight or Flight" syndrome ..... he chooses to fight - but whilst he may be on the lead and I can pull him away ... the other dog very often just keeps going. Time after time this has happened and I have had the other dog still egging him on ........ ARGGHHHH ..... And of course once my H has started their dog will often retaliate, as is natural !!!


DON'T JUST TRUST THAT MY DOG IS NICE !!! 


I do what I can but seriously it gets really irritating - especially when a  larger dog will not leave him alone ! 


Our worst encounter was near the river with a family (who were out paddling in the river last summer). They had a Staffie who was just wandering about at quite a distance from them and where they could not see him - he headed for Harley at a pace - Harley stiffened and crouched and you could sense his fear ..... I called out and shouted several expletives telling the dog to leave but it was just jumping at Harley - Harley barred his teeth and started growling and the Staffie retaliated aggressively - at that point, after hearing my shouting, the owner called their dog back ....... but why did they not have him under control in the first place ????? I was shaken and in fact didn't take H for a walk for about 3 days after that encounter.


There is another dog walker in particular whom I have taken a dislike to - he has 3 dogs all larger breeds, and they ALWAYS bound over to Harley - I am sure they mean no harm and are friendly BUT again ..... Harley doesn't know that and he immediately goes on the attack ......... but I have Harley under control, on the lead - the owner of these 3 dogs does NOTHING to control his and has even tutted at me ..... I can imagine one day H will end up connecting with one of his dogs with barred teeth and H will get the blame - even though I keep asking this man to hold his dogs !!!1


Hence I sympathise SOOOO much with this family - there should be  firmer regulation regarding dogs and walking them.


There is a sort of agreed dog etiquette amongst most walkers and yes, usually the walks are good. I have even made friends with a few who all give H a slow, gentle introduction and reintroduction to their dogs and then we have been able to walk together ..... but just an unspoken etiquette is not enough - or maybe it is ..................... because there will always be those few who will  break the rules and would take no notice of more stringent laws or regulations.


HOWEVER ......... if I hear one more person say "it's OK....... my dog is friendly" ..... I think I will scream !!!!