What is 'Under control'?

[UncleBob]

OK, so we all know that we should have out dogs 'under control' when out and about. What do you think about this scenario that I've just seen while driving to work:

Travelling in the opposite direction was a cyclist whose dog, a large German Shepherd, was trotting along off-lead in front of him - in the road! That was a first for me! I've seen people with off-lead dogs on the pavement and wasn't sure how under control they would be if a distraction (squirrel!!!) arose on the opposite side of the road, but actually in the road!? Seemed hugely irresponsible to me but I thought I'd see what the rest of you thought ...

 

[Charlie]

Unbelievable, dangerous, thoughtless, reckless are the first words that come to mind. I don't even like to see dogs approaching off lead on pavements as this is bad etiquette in my book. To trust a dog not to run into the road if a cat appears or they are spooked is foolhardy, not to mention putting other dogs and owners in anxious or even dangerous situations. It blows my mind. xx

 

[Boogie]

Very bad idea. Any dog off lead near a road is a bad idea. Dogs are not always predictable - I feel the same about three year old children, hold their hand for goodness sake.

 

[snowbunny]

I hate to see dogs off lead on the side of a (normal) road. I suppose I sound a bit hypocritical but it does depend on the place. I walk mine on- and off-lead on the road outside where we live in Andorra, but that's a little different because a) it's a dead-end and any traffic on it is going very slowly and we get plenty of warning because it has a hairpin bend so we can see traffic coming below (or above) us way before the bend, b) they're only off-lead when there's lots of snow on it and so either no cars or the cars will be crawling (it's quite a steep hill and at the very end of a long climb) and c) it's only about 100m long. I would never, ever, ever walk them through the village off lead, even if there was very little traffic and even if I thought they were faultless, things happen. No animal is ever 100% trustworthy. Some might have a very high level of training, not have a high prey drive, not be overly sociable or interested in people or other dogs. But things happen outside of our control. Any animal can be scared, even the most bombproof ones. It's not worth it just for the sake of convenience.

 

[Joy]

Yes, I too hate seeing dogs off-lead on or next to a road. I like the freedom we have in the UK to have our dogs off-lead in most places, but I wish people would be sensible.

 

[MellowYellow]

I'm not a great fan of cycling with dogs anyway. On road particularly it's a potential catastrophe - do you have the dog on a lead, when there is the danger you might be pulled off the bike, or leave it running alongside by you, where this is always the chance the dog will make a wrong move and be run over, or cause an accident.

 

[snowbunny]

I'm not a great fan of cycling with dogs anyway. On road particularly it's a potential catastrophe - do you have the dog on a lead, when there is the danger you might be pulled off the bike, or leave it running alongside by you, where this is always the chance the dog will make a wrong move and be run over, or cause an accident.

A friend of mine cycles with her dog along the back of the beach where they live, to get to the doggy beach. I don't recall if the dog has ever pulled her over - I do know she has cycled home from the shops a couple of times when the shopping bag went between the spokes.
I always look at her cycling with Annie, look at my lot and just shake my head. Nope, not gunna happen

 

[Loraseal]

We live in Holland....so there are many cycle paths. I see it daily with leash and very rarely without. I personally do not advocate it as seems so dangerous to the dog and other road users. The lazy option of exercising your dog! They also have special adapters on the bike for the lead ....still dangerous. You also see dogs sitting in the front baskets of the bikes! Not seen a Labrador though!!

 

[MellowYellow]

I sometimes see people cycling with their dogs along forest paths. To me, the dogs often look stressed - it's a fast trot they have to do to keep up. For some dogs (setters, weimaners, long-legged light-built dogs) this is ok, but for heavier dogs I'm not at all sure it's a good thing.

 

[Stacia]

I used to go obedience dog training many years ago, the trainer told the tale of how he had such obedient dogs he used to walk them to perfect heel, off the lead through the village, in fact he said he was showing off! One day, a cat appeared over the road and his dog shot across the road to it. He said he learned a lesson that day and forever after he never had his dogs off lead on roads.

 

[MellowYellow]

I used to go obedience dog training many years ago, he told the tale of how he had such obedient dogs he used to walk them to perfect heel, off the lead through the village, in fact he said he was showing off! One day, a cat appeared over the road and his dog shot across the road to it, He said he learned a lesson that day and forever after he never had his dogs off lead on roads.

So true; even the best-trained dog is not a machine. Luckily!

 

[edzbird]

To me "under control" has different levels depending on where you are. "Under control" along a road would mean "on a lead" (not a flexi-lead either), because I don't believe you can trust a dog 100% - I know a lot of people where I live disagree. I also don't believe you can control a dog is you're riding a bicycle.
"Under control" on a footpath in the countryside would mean "being able to call your dog back if necessary" - ie no people/dog bothering, no livestock bothering, no chasing wildlife. Coco is not totally "under control" when we go off lead, I admit but I try to avoid other people/dogs.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I see the dog with bicycle thing here very often here and I can't recall ever seeing the dog on a leash. It freaks me out, personally. I don't really think that WITH a leash in much better as it seems very likely the dog could pull you over. But I'm not a bike rider because of my balance issues, so it's not something I've ever even thought about doing.

As there are no leash laws in the town where I live (just the 'under control' caveat), about 30% of dogs are off leash. This includes my friend's tiny chihuahua, who is very well trained. With her, though, it makes me nervous as there are cars, bicycles and humans all sharing the same narrow lanes and she is very hard to see. One sharp turn of a bike around a corner and no more Fine.

To me, under control means a solid recall and 'don't touch' at distance. I've long thought that I'd never let a dog off lead without those criteria, but lately I've been doing it with foster dog Carbon in less populated/no car areas. While I love seeing him have some freedom, I'm pretty sure it's not the 100% right thing to do PLUS it's probably slowed down the rate at which he's learning a good recall. So I'm definitely feeling conflicted over having essentially given him too much freedom too soon.

 

[MaccieD]

Here's some useful info for the UK, particularly regarding leads
A guide to the laws relating to the walking of dogs - InBrief.co.uk

 

[edzbird]

This is the bit which is worrying..."No actual harm is required for an offence to have been committed: an offence has taken place if the dog causes reasonable apprehension to someone that they will be injured, whether or not they actually are injured. "

 

[Plum's mum]

Recently my hip was so bad I struggled to walk and getting Plum out was quite an effort. I thought about walking to the park then cycling around the perimeter with her to give myself a bit of respite. But how would I have got my bike, Plum on lead, and myself to the park?!
There's no way I'd cycle with her beside me on or off lead.
Had there been a magic way of getting there I would have given the cycling a go, gently round the outside; but I've no idea how Plum would have reacted to me on a bike.

I certainly wouldn't take her around the streets /pavements off lead. If she saw a cat I'm sure she'd chase.

 

[Hollysdad]

I see dog owners walking their dogs from the bike most days. It's very common in the Forest.

Many of the dogs look as if they're not enjoying it. They don't get time to do doggy things on their 'walk' but just have to trot along beside the bike. If they stop to say hello to Holly they have to run to catch up. A walk should be stimulating and enjoyable for a dog, not an endurance test.

Doing that on a public road just beggars belief.

 

[JES72]

This is the bit which is worrying..."No actual harm is required for an offence to have been committed: an offence has taken place if the dog causes reasonable apprehension to someone that they will be injured, whether or not they actually are injured. "

I can see why this paragraph is included in the law about dogs being under control. I would think a very aggressive snarling dog that jumps on up on you could be very frightening but may not hurt you, but it does concern me as a dog owner. I wonder under which circumstances this law has been applied.

 

[MaccieD]

Under control isn't just applicable to being in public

Controlling your dog in public

 

[Jennifer]

I was going to mention the 1988 road traffic act but it's in the first article @MaccieD posted a link to. Having read both articles, thanks Rosemary very useful info to know, I've decided I'm basically stuffed with my two.