Irresponsible Dog owners (1 Viewer)

[nick scarle]

Despite doggy-school and constant efforts to train him, my dog remains a badly-trained, badly behaved dog who sees his sole objectives in life are to have fun and tear around out-of-control, jumping in lakes, rivers and wherever he fancies. He is still however a joy.

PS 1. he found me a Black-winged Pratincole, the second ever for the country - found it whilst extracting the mutt from a lake

PS 2. before I get totally slammed, I do limit his out-of-control delights in life to places I don't deem sensitive and are conducted on my own land or other places not generally visited by normal types, so I see little that is irresponsible. (Besides, given I am already labelled irresponsible by half this forum for my disgusting flying habits, I don't think I will worry too much anyhow 3 )

Way to go Jos :t: Personally I'm trying to train my pooch to chase Canada Geese and nothing else - with limited success!

Incidentally, the Canada Geese produce far more s**t than my dog ever could.

 

[Pam_m]

Way to go Jos :t: Personally I'm trying to train my pooch to chase Canada Geese and nothing else - with limited success!

Incidentally, the Canada Geese produce far more s**t than my dog ever could.

I would hope that is a tongue in cheek remark, otherwise not funny!

Nice dog by the way!:t:

 

[Jane Turner]

Sometimes dogs have their uses

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=815080&postcount=718

 

[Penny Clarke]

Just noticed this thread, oh dear, I could rant on for hours.......

Now firstly I don't hate dogs and ok I admit I am not a dog lover BUT there are SOME totally rude, arrogant, irresponsible, selfish owners out there. It certainly isn't the dogs fault. As several people on here have said, it is awful seeing bags of dog cr*p hanging about in trees and bushes, it is just sickening, as is the piles of dog cr*p increasingly adorning our countryside, to the point in many places now where you have to look down alot more than you look up for birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eg, Sandringham Woods (went once and have never been a second time it was so bad), Ringstead Downs, Bawsey Country Park, Kelling Heath (extra bad), coastal path at Holme and generally all along the coast - I could carry on with this list. The other problem is the noise aspect, hearing people shouting for their out of control dogs at the tops of their voices, over and over again and whistling for them, completely spoils the tranquility of out being out in the countryside.

The MAIN PROBLEM is this - THERE ARE TOO MANY DOGS AND TOO MANY DOGS PER HOUSEHOLD. When I was a little girl (in the village of Holme, Norfolk) there was ONLY one dog in the village!!!!!:eek!: yep ONE DOG IN ONE VILLAGE and that dog was a working dog, no one had a dog as a pet in my village - NOW well over half of the village is owned by 2nd home owners who all pile down at weekends/holidays, drive down to the village carpark with the 4x4's and several large dogs all pile out the back of the car, all out of control and racing in all directions - the owners (most) don't give a monkeys about them being on leads and presume that we ALL love dogs. I have an incident with a dog virtually every weekend now and its getting boring and tiresome. Its all very well people shouting back 'its ok they won't hurt you' when you have a monster of a dog galloping at you with saliva dripping and any second (while you heart is going nine to the dozen) you seriously believe you are going to be attacked - how they h*ll do I know their darling 4ft high pooch isn't going to have me for lunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Wardens at Holme reserves have massive problems with irresponsible dog owners all the time and its getting worse - its a constant battle and I am sure I speak for all reserves both along the coast/everywhere.

I can understand people who wish to have a dog, especially people who live alone and enjoy having them as a companion and can even understand people having 2 dogs, but 3, 4, 5 etc I just don't get it! I think they should bring back the dog licence and limit every household (from now on) to a maximum of 2 dogs. The reason why people are being asked to clear up after their dog is because there are so many thousands of dogs now compared to years ago, that if NO ONE cleared up, the situation would be even worse than it is now. Think about it - did you notice dog cr*p everywhere when you were a youngster, say 30 years ago?????? (depending on ages of people reading this) - I certainly can't remember any, simply because there wasn't the same number of dogs around then!!!

My most recent incident was at Burnham Overy Staithe a couple of weeks ago - I arrived at the quay and parked my car (only person there at this point) and as I was getting my stuff together from boot of car a dog owner (who I thought was a man at this point) ambled along behind me along path with 2 bassett hound type dogs and then made their way up onto the sea bank which goes out to Gunhill (where I was going) - when they reached the top they let both dogs go to the toilet right in the middle of the path and did not clear up. I then made my way up onto the bank and as I started to walk in the same direction as dogs/owner, I was about 100 yds behind, one of the dogs turned and barked ferociously at my and stood his ground - I stopped and stood still waiting for owner to call dog back - the owner did nothing and just stood also. This infuriated me, I looked at my watch and thought why should I have to waste any time at all waiting for the owner to politely call the dog back, a minute later the dog realised I wasn't going to move and grumbled and turned round and continued following its owner. I decided to drop down from the bank and follow the path adjacent, lower down alongside the reed beds - further along I realised I was virtually level with dogs and owner - the same aggressive dog suddenly reaslied I was there and proceeded to bound down the bank after me - the owner still did nothing. I shouted back 'please call your dog back' and the reply was 'he won't hurt you', I called back again 'please call your dog back I am frightened of dogs' and the (lady) shouted back in a blunt, sarcastic, rude voice 'you are in the wrong place then arn't you'. THIS MADE ME SO ANGRY:C - normally I would have answered back, but the things I wanted to say would have exploded into a MASSIVE argument and I ended saying absolutely nothing - and also this lady looked pretty scary (being serious!) she was a big, overweight, ugly, short haired lady that I did feel very intimidated by. She also carried on muttering saying to her dog 'its ok she won't hurt you'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway later on when I overtook her and got a good bit further up the path I got my camera out with 300mm lens and photographed her and her dogs for evidence, if I should ever need it. In fact I am going to start doing that to every dog and owner I see breaking the law I have decided!!! Its probably a good job I was born female, if I had been born a man I just get the feeling that I would have had alot of scraps/punch ups with people!!!!!!!

On the other side of the coin, there are some lovely dog owners with perfect dogs - dogs that walk alongside their owners without leads, extremely obedient and obviously very much loved, happy dogs, but very sadly there are very few.

There are simply too many dogs per household and very sadly too many owners that just simply don't care a hoot.

Penny:girl:

 

[Irene Boston]

I sympathise Penny. I've also found a very good response to the usual 'he won't you' remark. I usually counter with 'yes, but I might hurt him'. Usually works a treat, even though, as you know, I'm barely taller than you and slightly built! They're usually so amazed that a wee woman would dare to say something like that ... and wearing walking boots, I'd be fully prepared to defend myself if an aggressive dog came anywhere near me.

Another dog owner / birder I know carries a walking stick so that he can keep other dogs from attacking his dog, which is perfectly behaved. Other people I know carry Dazers which can be effective in stopping an attack.

Last year my husband had several operations and while out walking, the last thing he wanted to risk was any dog jumping up at him, so I had more than few encounters with owners who couldn't care a fig what their dogs do.

I just wonder sometimes how small kids and anyone who's particularly physically frail, or elderly manages when a heavy dog bounds into them under the pretext of being friendly. People wouldn't let their kids knock into other people (I hope!) so why is it acceptable for dogs to do it?

 

[Jos Stratford]

I can understand people who wish to have a dog, especially people who live alone and enjoy having them as a companion and can even understand people having 2 dogs, but 3, 4, 5 etc I just don't get it! I think they should bring back the dog licence and limit every household (from now on) to a maximum of 2 dogs.

Fortunately, Britain is still a nation where persons have the right to think for themselves ...mostly. It is not your job to understand other people, they are capable of doing that for themselves.

They might well not 'get it' why you wish to waste your time running around after birds, but I don't think that would be a reason for them to try to bring in regulations to limit it. It is not far removed from a facist society that says 'I don't get it, so ban it'.

 

[Jos Stratford]

NOW well over half of the village is owned by 2nd home owners who all pile down at weekends/holidays, drive down to the village carpark with the 4x4's and several large dogs all pile out the back of the car

So what is your actual grudge? Is it that people have dared to move into your village, or that some people are rich enough to own two houses? Or that they have 4x4 cars, or that they have several dogs, or that the dogs are not controlled?

 

[nick scarle]

I would hope that is a tongue in cheek remark, otherwise not funny!

Nice dog by the way!:t:

Only partly tongue in cheek I'm afraid ... My regular dog-walk is plagued by Canada Geese - they are not a native species and have no place here IMO so I do not stop my dog chasing them. Sadly they have taken over to such an extent that there is very little else for her to chase. Also, most people where I walk do bag and remove facies and there is rarely a problem with bags in trees etc. but as for the goose sh*t, now that IS a problem. I would like to get in a time machine and go back to meet the moron who first brought them over here and ask him what the hell he thought he was doing!

 

[Euan Buchan]

I think dogs should be banned from all public places!!!

I agree or better still kept on leads. Dogs always ruin my birdwatching days. When I'm at my local patch and birding and see a family or a person with a dog in the distance my quick thaughts are 'Please be on a lead' but no and the dog just ran towards me barking and trying to jump up on me. Worst time I was in a field at my patch when a dog appeared from nowhere trying to jump up on me. In Public Places Dogs should be on leads at all times they can run free in their own garden and house but in public places No!!!

 

[marcia A]

Yes dogs should be kept on leads at all times - no excuses especially as there extendable leads available giving the dog freedom to wander.

Cant beleive people leave poop bags in trees and hedges - havent come across that one as yet. How would they like it if passers by deposited 'items' in their gardens / cul de sacs etc - they would be the first ones to complain!

If you own a dog YOU should be responsible for it all times - especially when out in public places.:flyaway:

 

[Mary]

Yes dogs should be kept on leads at all times - no excuses especially as there extendable leads available giving the dog freedom to wander.

Cant beleive people leave poop bags in trees and hedges - havent come across that one as yet. How would they like it if passers by deposited 'items' in their gardens / cul de sacs etc - they would be the first ones to complain!

If you own a dog YOU should be responsible for it all times - especially when out in public places.:flyaway:

As you originally said, Marcia, Nature Reserves are the places where dogs cause the biggest problem. The very title-Nature Reserve- should mean what it says, that wildlife comes first and foremost. Humans are secondary. If humans can be given access in a way that doesn't threaten the species that particular reserve is set up for, then ok, but not their pets. Otherwise, change the name to Country Park/ Dog Walk. This country has many miles of public footpaths dog walkers can use, with their animals on leads.
We have withdrawn our membership from Worcs WT because every woodland we went to was nothing but dozens of dogs. Doubt if their owners were paid up members.
(Good to hear from someone else from BTO|=)|)

 

[derekg]

Being the owner of two Border Collies and an avid birder I often combine the two (walking and birding). I have to agree that to walk your dog in a nature reserve is a no no and picking the dog mess up is a must.

As for long leads on dogs I feel is totally wrong. My dogs are working dogs and need plenty of exercise which they would not receive if merely walked on a long lead. I understand some people don’t like dogs jumping up at them whilst out walking and with a little training by the owner they can learn simple commands to stop this.

Dogs have the right to be free to walk (just as we are) within constraints. I feel it’s the few bad owners that cause the problems for us responsible ones.

Derek

 

[Peewit]

As you originally said, Marcia, Nature Reserves are the places where dogs cause the biggest problem. The very title-Nature Reserve- should mean what it says, that wildlife comes first and foremost. Humans are secondary. If humans can be given access in a way that doesn't threaten the species that particular reserve is set up for, then ok, but not their pets. Otherwise, change the name to Country Park/ Dog Walk. This country has many miles of public footpaths dog walkers can use, with their animals on leads.
We have withdrawn our membership from Worcs WT because every woodland we went to was nothing but dozens of dogs. Doubt if their owners were paid up members.
(Good to hear from someone else from BTO|=)|)

hi Mary

I have to say I agree with your well put comments. :t: I also feel as Penny does about issues to do with dogs.

I am a paid up member of a few bird/nature related groups. I am also a paid up member of the RSPB/SWT. I feel there are things to do on the websites, and places to go that are difficult to visit because of dogs and ignorant people in general. Why are people not made to pay up if they use a Reserve or otherwise for a dog tiolet.
They are costing the Reserve a lot of money to keep the Wildlife safe. This might be a good way of getting rid of people who do not care about wildlife. :C

Another aspect of dog owners. What I find most annoying about some dog owners is just because they are seen as animal lovers it does not mean they have any idea what nature and the natural habitat of animals is about. They are clueless. They cannot see past the end of their noses. :C

The other day I was walking on my own through my patch at Putnoe Local Nature Reserve with my binoculars in hand.
As I was by myself at Putnoe local Nature Reserve, each time a dog owner walked past me I had an assortment of stupid remarks directed at me. Some remarks where more constructive than others.
The dog owners seems to take a delight in shouting at the top of their voice at their dog. It was like they where trying to spoil the enjoyment of what I was trying to do. So ignorant from their point of view. It was woman who did all the bellowing at the top of their voices. :C

The thing is there is a huge multi-acre park for the dogs to run around and play ball in and they pick a compact Woodland full of lovely wildlife for all their dogs social needs, and to poo all over, bark, and scare of the wildlife. The Putnoe LNR, and the park are next to one another so there is no excuse not to use the large park area. That is what the park is there for!!

Again, I was on my own walking a few days ago though Putnoe LNR. An older man with a larger than life pedegree dog past me, I turned my back, and the dog slobbered all over me. I did not look at the man in question or his dog. The man then said 'Oh It is a Tree Creeper', laughed, and he waddled of with his friend. So very funny not. What an idiot - no clue what I was doing, or thinking, and he did not even ask! :C

Anyway I will try to calm down after these thoughts, and all other peoples thoughts I have read here on this thread.

 

[nick scarle]

Another aspect of dog owners. What I find most annoying about dog owners is just because they are seen as animal lovers it does not mean they have any idea what nature and the natural habitat of animals is about. They are clueless. They cannot see past the end of their noses. :C

Anyway I will try to calm down after these thoughts, and all other peoples thoughts I have read here on this thread.

Dear Peewit
Please don't tar us all with the same brush, it's been said many times that the vast majority of dog owners ARE responsible and caring, and their knowledge of the natural environment will vary just as much as it does with birdwatchers or any other group of society.

So yes, I think you should try to calm down and accept that you were just unlucky to have encountered one of the very small minority of idiots who give the rest of us a bad name.

Nick

 

[Irene Boston]

The very title-Nature Reserve- should mean what it says, that wildlife comes first and foremost. Humans are secondary. If humans can be given access in a way that doesn't threaten the species that particular reserve is set up for, then ok, but not their pets. Otherwise, change the name to Country Park/ Dog Walk.

Agree absolutely. Minsmere has the right idea - no dogs. But then as it's a defined area, it's easier to police than, say, Titchwell would be that has a public footpath running through it to a popular beach. In the same way our local reserve, Dersingham, has an open access agreement and is adjacent to a country park and visitors bring that 'I'll go where I want with my dog' attitude with them.

 

[Peewit]

Dear Peewit
Please don't tar us all with the same brush, it's been said many times that the vast majority of dog owners ARE responsible and caring, and their knowledge of the natural environment will vary just as much as it does with birdwatchers or any other group of society.

So yes, I think you should try to calm down and accept that you were just unlucky to have encountered one of the very small minority of idiots who give the rest of us a bad name.

Nick

Hi Nick

I have changed my wording on reflection with the quote to some dog owners and not all so words make the difference here. Yes, i have calmed down, and I will be avoiding Putnoe LNR Saturdays and Sundays only in the future. Weekdays or bad weather are deemed as a better prospect to see, and hear birds any day in all 20 acres or less of this tiny Woodland area.

I love dogs/cats whatever myself, and if I had a dog, I would be sure it was well trained, and in my command 24/7.
To me some dogs are ruling the owners not the other way around in many cases. I certainly would not inflict all of the unwanted habits onto other people.

Funnily it always seems to be the smaller dogs who are the the better behaved wonder why?

 

[Kits]

:C
Just wondered how other members felt about dogs being allowed on Nature Reserves.

Goodness! How a sensible question can go off into the realms of dog poop is beyond me! :king:

Anyhoo, back to the OP. I don't like the fact that dogs are allowed at our local nature reserve. I cannot see why they are allowed there, to be honest. Every time I go, I see dogs which are allowed off the lead, leaping into the water, causing mayhem to the water fowl. They also leap along the paths, and on more than one occasion, I have been sprayed with dirty water where a dog has either leapt up at me or shaken its coat. It is not the dogs' fault; it is their owners who are to blame.

But I personally wouldn't allow dogs on a nature reserve at all.

 

[Peewit]

Goodness! How a sensible question can go off into the realms of dog poop is beyond me! :king:

Hi Kits

I agree with what you say about some dogs, and the way they behave when other people are about. Yes, they should not be allowed in nature reserves at all

I was a Marston Vale only this week, and I afraid to say that dog 'Poop' and Dogs go together. Bags of Poo everywhere after the signing said otherwise.
Not nice to know but if owners like to leave desposits about that is equally as horrible, as having dog out of control in a Nature Reserve.

I would not like to be a Wildlife Volunteer spending my time picking up remains of whatever left on the floor to keep the reserve tidy. So horrible to think about.

Any way the question on post one has presented a lot of facets, and they are being discussed forthwith. It really involves all aspects of a dogs life - simple as that.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

Sadly they have taken over to such an extent that there is very little else for her to chase.

Canda geese are invasive and harmful to native wildlife. But you can't use this as justification for letting your dog chasing them, which has next to no conservationary benefit. Cull them/wreck their eggs, for sure, but needlessly letting your dog chase them is just cruel.

 

[Pam_m]

Only partly tongue in cheek I'm afraid ... My regular dog-walk is plagued by Canada Geese - they are not a native species and have no place here IMO so I do not stop my dog chasing them. Sadly they have taken over to such an extent that there is very little else for her to chase. Also, most people where I walk do bag and remove facies and there is rarely a problem with bags in trees etc. but as for the goose sh*t, now that IS a problem. I would like to get in a time machine and go back to meet the moron who first brought them over here and ask him what the hell he thought he was doing!

I feel sad to read that your post was only partly tongue in cheek! Why does your dog need to chase anything? What else would you like your dog to chase? Can you not exercise your dog by throwing a ball or suchlike? I know Canada Geese are not a native species but that does not mean they can be treated in such a way as to let your dog chase them!

In answer to the original question posed by Marcia, I do not think dogs should be allowed on reserves!

A good thread, Marcia!:t: