# Vicious Dogs might escape leashes **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323 "2014-02-02T00:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/161 "2014-02-03T20:08:42Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > I think the difference here is I put myself, as a human, higher up in the heirarchy of rights than dogs. > > It may not make much sense to you, it may not be enforcable or even practicable, but in my mind I have more of a right to walk where I want than a dog does. So if I’m walking down the street and an untrained dog is coming my way, I do believe the owner and dog should be the one crossing the street and being inconvenienced, not me. And only they should be suffering the sound of that dog’s barking, if they’re going to just let it bark the whole time. They’re the ones who chose to have a dog, not me. > > “You live in a society and gotta deal with other people, go live out in the sticks if you feel that way, I love my dog, you need to make exceptions, yadda yadda–” Not going to change my mind that I am the one with more rights than a dog. I don’t like untrained dogs and I don’t make exceptions in this regard. And as a human I put myself as high up the hierarchy as you. So if you don’t like being near me and my dog you can go around. You are worried about what may or may potentially happen. How I’m I going to know what is in your head? You don’t like that a dog may potentially bark at you? Sounds like your problem. It’s up to you to keep yourself out of situations that bother you. I have enough to worry about in my own life to worry about your delicate sensibilities. If I had an aggressive dog or one I know was prone to being vicious then most of the responsibility rests with me. I will keep my dog from licking you or running away from you (or the car door, or the mailbox closing, or the rabbit) but if you expect every dog to walk robotically by pretending you don’t exist, tough shit. I’m allowed to walk here too. With my dog. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/162 "2014-02-03T20:17:28Z")
I really can’t believe people are saying it’s not their responsibility to train their dog so it doesn’t bother other people. If it “can’t be trained” (which I don’t believe, there are many different methods out there), then it’s the owner’s responsibility to _keep it away from people_. You made the choice to own it-it’s not my responsibility to cross the street because of _your choice._ That’s what it comes down to,\* taking responsibility.\* There are a number of wonderful dog owners in this thread who do just that. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for others. To re-iterate, I’m not a dog-hater, not in the least. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/163 "2014-02-03T20:18:52Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > And as a human I put myself as high up the hierarchy as you. So if you don’t like being near me and my dog you can go around. You are worried about what may or may potentially happen. How I’m I going to know what is in your head? You don’t like that a dog may potentially bark at you? Sounds like your problem. It’s up to you to keep yourself out of situations that bother you. I have enough to worry about in my own life to worry about your delicate sensibilities. If I had an aggressive dog or one I know was prone to being vicious then most of the responsibility rests with me. I will keep my dog from licking you or running away from you (or the car door, or the mailbox closing, or the rabbit) but if you expect every dog to walk robotically by pretending you don’t exist, tough shit. I’m allowed to walk here too. With my dog. I think you missed “untrained” in the post to which you’re responding. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/164 "2014-02-03T20:44:41Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I really can’t believe people are saying it’s not their responsibility to train their dog so it doesn’t bother other people. If it “can’t be trained” (which I don’t believe, there are many different methods out there), then it’s the owner’s responsibility to _keep it away from people_. You made the choice to own it-it’s not my responsibility to cross the street because of _your choice._ > > That’s what it comes down to,\* taking responsibility.\* There are a number of wonderful dog owners in this thread who do just that. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for others. > > To re-iterate, I’m not a dog-hater, not in the least. Right on. Unreal what some write here. Your dog, your responsibility. End of. And this comes from a former Doberman owner who’d never have to bother to pull on her leash or otherwise correct her barking/growling @ anyone – fixed of course, as any responsible owner should do. It’s called “training” and I spent many, many hours at it – although Dobies are one of the easiest breeds to train. One of the smartest dogs around. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/165 "2014-02-03T21:04:58Z")
**Jacques Chitte** we hardly knew ye. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/166 "2014-02-03T21:52:26Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I really can’t believe people are saying it’s not their responsibility to train their dog **so it doesn’t bother other people.** Bolding mine. I think this is where a lot of the hostility and disagreement from the dog owners comes from. None of us know what dog behavior is going to bother you! Some people are afraid of a dog by its size or appearance alone. Some people fear German Shepherds, so even if Rin Tin Tin\* himself came walking down the street, they’d be afraid. Is that the dog owner’s fault?\*\* One of my dogs barks up a storm when he walks. He’s just happy to be alive, but some people could find that aggressive and frightening. The other tugs half the walk until he tires out. I can’t break him of this. But he’s not aggressive, though he might look that way to some. After he tires, he walks with me like a champ. I use a Gentle Leader on him to help with his control, and people who don’t know what that is think I am muzzling him! So they are afraid of my dog that is so “uncontrollable” that he has to be “muzzled” in public. And because someone is scared of my dog due to their own ignorance, that is MY fault? \*One of his offspring-not Zombie Rinty. I’d be scared of that! \*\*Substitute Pit Bull for GSD, and there are many people on this board that would say “yes” to that. But is that the dog owner’s fault, too? ---
**Author:** ![Boogly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/167 "2014-02-03T22:21:01Z")
I think an issue may be how both sides perceive the discussion. One side is thinking of snarly & lunging or slobbery & jumpy (but baby-waby is cyuute!). And the other side seem to be responsible dog owners thinking that any tugging on a leash can be seen as hostile. I don’t think responsible dog owners are the problem. And I haven’t read a post where someone says their dogs run wild sporting a rage boner so I’m assuming most here are good owners. If a person is walking in an area where dogs are walked it helps to learn a little about mutts. People walking mutts remember people who don’t like dogs eventually. When I used to walk my Dads boxers there was a house that had kids that were afraid of them. If they were outside I’d cross the road, but this was easy since it was in a neighborhood. Bad owner are bad…mmmmkay. Apologies if I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/168 "2014-02-03T22:27:03Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > I think the difference here is I put myself, as a human, higher up in the heirarchy of rights than dogs. That’s tenuous. There are plenty of people in this thread lower than dogs. > [@Macca26](#): > > So if I’m walking down the street and an untrained dog is coming my way, I do believe the owner and dog should be the one crossing the street and being inconvenienced, not me. And only they should be suffering the sound of that dog’s barking, if they’re going to just let it bark the whole time. How is reality working out for you? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/169 "2014-02-03T23:07:23Z")
There will always be inconsiderate people to deal with. People on cell phones when they shouldn’t be People smoking where they shouldn’t be People ignoring the obnoxious behavior of their dog/kid/friend/spouse People firing guns and fireworks into the wee hours on holidays (yes, those frighten me when the grass is tinder dry and it’s windy and I have a house and farm full of animals) Gotta learn to deal with the obnoxious in this world or you’ll go mad… ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/170 "2014-02-04T00:08:45Z")
> [@LibrarySpy](#): > > How is reality working out for you? I guess you missed the part where I said > [@](#): > > It may not make much sense to you, it may not be enforcable or even practicable :rolleyes: Because I realize reality doesn’t bend to my whim no matter what I believe. I will forever be the person crossing the street to avoid being jumped on by a slobbery untrained dog, not the other way around. Good try though. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/171 "2014-02-04T00:14:24Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > You know, I really don’t give a shit if they’re “just being nice” or “just want to be friends” or “they can be controlled if I choke the leash up real tight.” > > Train your goddamn dogs. I am so tired of the untrained dog of the lady across the street that just about strangles itself to death whenever she takes it outside. It’s loud, it’s obnoxious, it’s a pain in the ass that I have to cross the street whenever I see it coming because no, NO, I do NOT want it jumping on me and getting mud all over me, I do NOT want it licking me all over, I do NOT want it barking in my face and potentially pissing everywhere in its excitement. It is simply disgusting and obnoxious. The barking can be heard for more than a block in our neighborhood for some damn reason so I can hear the stupid thing the whole time it’s outside, even when I’m indoors with the windows closed. > > Train. > Your. > Dogs. > > I wouldn’t pull a gun on a dog, that’s stupid. But I’ve had it up to here with dimwits who think that they don’t need to train their dogs because “oh it’s so cute when it jumps up on you, see it just wants to be friends my cuddlykinsoooooh!!! It doesn’t bite so everything else it does is OK!” No. I don’t want any part of your dog. I am tired of being almost knocked over by untrained dogs. I am tired of your dog barking its head of incessantly. I don’t care if it’s the size of a shoe. Train it. Your love for your dog doesn’t mean you should just let it act that way. > > The leaving poop in my yard certainly does not help matters. Steel-toed boots are your friends. Not the _dog’s_ friend, mind you, but they _are_ your friend. No dog can bite through that. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/172 "2014-02-04T00:20:11Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > So if I’m walking down the street and an untrained dog is coming my way, I do believe the owner and dog should be the one crossing the street and being inconvenienced, not me. And only they should be suffering the sound of that dog’s barking, if they’re going to just let it bark the whole time. They’re the ones who chose to have a dog, not me. I’m sure they’d be considerate of your demands if you would be nice enough to project them via esp. Most people don’t care what a leashed dog is doing, they manage to walk by without ever being affected. Should dog owners zig zag across the streets avoiding anybody the dog might bark at just so you aren’t burdened with hearing it’s yap? You are among a minority of people that are concerned about a leashed animal barking in their direction. Suck it up or go live in the woods and not bother the rest of us. I think would be easier to deal with rabid wolves then dance around your delicate sensibilities. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/173 "2014-02-04T00:52:38Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > I’m sure they’d be considerate of your demands if you would be nice enough to project them via esp. Most people don’t care what a leashed dog is doing, they manage to walk by without ever being affected. Should dog owners zig zag across the streets avoiding anybody the dog might bark at just so you aren’t burdened with hearing it’s yap? > > You are among a minority of people that are concerned about a leashed animal barking in their direction. Suck it up or go live in the woods and not bother the rest of us. I think would be easier to deal with rabid wolves then dance around your delicate sensibilities. Train your fuckin’ dog instead of posting so much crap on here. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/174 "2014-02-04T01:32:09Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Train your fuckin’ dog instead of posting so much crap on here. :rolleyes: Have you met my dog? What further training do you think he needs? ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/175 "2014-02-04T15:07:05Z")
I’ve passed by plenty of dogs that don’t jump frantically, lunge erratically, and bark constantly. In fact, I’ve passed by a lot of dogs that don’t even bark at passerby at all, or pretty much give two shits about a stranger on their walk! Gosh, isn’t training wonderful? If your dog is not strangling itself in an attempt to jump and slobber all over every person who comes within a 50 yard distance of it, \*your dog is not the problem. \* I mention barking incessantly and it becomes me complaining about a single bark from a dog walking around placidly. I mention lunging and jumping until they’re practically strangling themselves to death and it’s still “Oh a dog barked ONCE at you, what are you complaining about?! Go live on a mountain all alone!” Yeah, great comprehension you have there. Yeah, I’ll be honest, I don’t like dogs. At least I can be indifferent to the trained ones. You people take that as an affront to your very sensibilities and blow what I say out of proportion because how dare I not give off a dog-loving vibe. Good old human nature I guess, happens every single time. PS. Already anticipated all the “go live in the sticks you bah-humbug!” remarks and I’m tellin’ ya, it’s not a compelling argument when that’s not the argument in question. Don’t bother bringing it up. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/176 "2014-02-04T15:23:24Z")
I am satisfied with the training my dog has achieved. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/177 "2014-02-04T19:54:12Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > AIM at the threatening dog – actually FIRE if the hold on the leash is released In most jurisdictions, displaying a firearm in this manner (to intimidate either dog or owner) is considered _brandishing_ and is generally frowned upon, use of deadly force is only authorized in situations where there is an ACTIVE threat I.E. a dog that has escaped the owner’s control Simply growling and lunging, when restrained by a leash, is not sufficient cause for deadly force Is it poor dog manners, poor dog control? Undoubtedly, but not a valid reason for a deadly force response Based on your comments thus far, and as a gun owner myself, I don’t feel you are ready for firearm ownership yet, just my opinion ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/178 "2014-02-04T22:15:26Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Have you met my dog? What further training do you think he needs? Dunno. You are the one saying he’s hard to control on leash. So you tell us. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/179 "2014-02-04T22:42:46Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > I’ve heard that excuse a lot! > “Oh but he’s only one and a half, it’s like his brain is exploding all the time and it’s just so hard for him to control himself. I’ve tried so hard but he just jumps on people and licks them because he’s so happy!” > > What part of “I don’t care, train your dog or take your dog away from me” do you not understand? Yeah, the very first thing we do with our dogs is go with them to a dog-training class. It’s as much training the owner to be completely consistent with movements/commands/expectations… and rewarding with treats (lots of treats). So if you jog past our dogs, they’ll WANT to jump on you _(c’mon, why else would you be running by? You want to play “Try To Catch Me!”, right?)_… But if my wife or I calmly say “Sit… no… let the jogger go by… good dog!”, then the dog will sit and watch you run past (from a distance that’ll cause you no anxiety whatsoever). Yeah, it cost some time and some money, but we considered it part of the purchase price of getting a dog. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323/180 "2014-02-04T22:47:31Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Yeah, the very first thing we do with our dogs is go with them to a dog-training class. It’s as much training the owner to be completely consistent with movements/commands/expectations… and rewarding with treats (lots of treats). So if you jog past our dogs, they’ll WANT to jump on you _(c’mon, why else would you be running by? You want to play “Try To Catch Me!”, right?)_… > > But if my wife or I calmly say “Sit… no… let the jogger go by… good dog!”, then the dog will sit and watch you run past (from a distance that’ll cause you no anxiety whatsoever). > > Yeah, it cost some time and some money, but we considered it part of the purchase price of getting a dog. Congrats. You are simply doing it right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vicious-dogs-might-escape-leashes/680323.md?page=10)