What is 'Under control'?

snowbunny · 21 August 2018

Hollysdad said:
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.

This also applies to running too, especially on lead. I take my dogs running (one or two at a time) but as they're off lead, they get to run ahead, lag behind and still sniff the environment. I should add that I'm slooooow! They love it, push to be the one who comes out with me, and display nice relaxed body language throughout. However, I don't kid myself that it's as stimulating to them as if we were to walk the same distance. I'm not interacting them as much as I would on a walk, although I normally stop for a bit of a game here and there - I pretend it's for the dog's benefit but it's funny how it tends to coincide with me gasping for breath.

Going out with your dog isn't just about exercising them, and I think people often forget that, focussing more on the amount of ground covered than what activities the dog got to take part in.

Shaz82 · 21 August 2018

This issue came up the other day for my friend and I. We let our dogs run free in the park near us and play together. There are 4 gated exits and not one has a sign about not allowing dogs to be off lead. However, a community warden warned by friend to put her dog on the lead as it was not under control (I was not there). An out of control dog to me is one that does not obey you and bothers others, but on reading up on it on Google and our council's site, just by having your dog off lead is deemed to be out of control, no matter how well trained they are.

Charlie · 21 August 2018

That's ridiculous @Shaz82 I reckon it won't be that long before we become like the US and Australia. Off lead will be a thing of the past, I feel it coming

x

MaccieD · 21 August 2018

Jennifer said:
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.

No you're not because you take an approach that protects the boys and you - you pop them on lead and keep them close/move them as far away as possible. You've also made huge progress with them as well ??. I think the real danger is for dogs who are off lead, perhaps without an owner in sight, or with an iffy recall. I always would recommend a 'if in doubt, pop the lead on' approach

MaccieD · 21 August 2018

You need to check @Shaz82 whether the council has made a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). Many councils are making the orders whereby dogs have to be kept on lead in parks and whether a dog is under control or not is irrelevant

Jennifer · 22 August 2018

MaccieD said:
No you're not because you take an approach that protects the boys and you - you pop them on lead and keep them close/move them as far away as possible. You've also made huge progress with them as well ??. I think the real danger is for dogs who are off lead, perhaps without an owner in sight, or with an iffy recall. I always would recommend a 'if in doubt, pop the lead on' approach

Thank you Rosemary. I never actually pop them off lead in a public place it would be too risky if they freaked and bolted. It's very difficult for a scared dog well over threshold to hear instructions never mind respond, as you know. I also, unfortunately, still use headcollars. I came in for quite a bit of stick on the old forum for using them I know they aren't popular and I would love to not use them but, like a muzzle at the vets, they help keep everyone safe just incase. I've never used them to stop my dogs pulling on the lead they walk lovely on a lead but they give me control of their heads which is very useful with reactive dogs and hopefully shows anyone they may lunge at, very rare these days thank goodness, I have control. :wasntme:

Shaz82 · 22 August 2018

Charlie said:
That's ridiculous @Shaz82 I reckon it won't be that long before we become like the US and Australia. Off lead will be a thing of the past, I feel it coming x

And only allowed in 'dog parks' probably, that would be awful although it would be nice to have parks just for dogs where no one brings their kids with balls and picnics etc.

Shaz82 · 22 August 2018

MaccieD said:
You need to check @Shaz82 whether the council has made a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). Many councils are making the orders whereby dogs have to be kept on lead in parks and whether a dog is under control or not is irrelevant

Yes, I tried to find this out but it is not clear anywhere on my Council's site, I have got to search a bit deeper for that info, it should not be so hard to find out what the public need to know. A dog off lead is deemed to be 'out of control' though, just by being off the lead.

Joy · 22 August 2018

Shaz82 said:
And only allowed in 'dog parks' probably, that would be awful although it would be nice to have parks just for dogs where no one brings their kids with balls and picnics etc.

I wouldn't want parks just for dogs as I feel that would lead to them not being allowed elsewhere. As something like 25% of households in the UK own a dog I think imposing more dog-on-lead laws could be a big vote-loser and so hopefully won't happen.

At the recreation ground near my house everyone - dog owners, children, sportspeople - seem to share the space happily. There are many times of day when it's deserted so I have Molly off lead then, whereas the other evening when i popped her down for an extra walk it was full of sports groups so I kept her on lead and did a bit of heelwork training.

MaccieD · 22 August 2018

Shaz82 said:
Yes, I tried to find this out but it is not clear anywhere on my Council's site, I have got to search a bit deeper for that info, it should not be so hard to find out what the public need to know. A dog off lead is deemed to be 'out of control' though, just by being off the lead.

You could just ask them what areas/parks have PSPOs in your area. I've recently signed a petition to try and stop a council increasing the 'No Go' dog area in a town and also to create more areas where dogs can be off lead. May be worth considering a local petition ….

Shaz82 · 22 August 2018

MaccieD said:
You could just ask them what areas/parks have PSPOs in your area. I've recently signed a petition to try and stop a council increasing the 'No Go' dog area in a town and also to create more areas where dogs can be off lead. May be worth considering a local petition ….

After reading your post I searched PSPO and found some information on the old council website which is not on their bright shiny new site yet. There is a PSPO area around and including the town centre (where the park is) but it only lists anti-social behaviour as drugs, drinking etc. This is what is shown on the gates as there is a huge problem for that in this park (the Council is to start trying to resolve this as it is shown in a 'Visit Colchester' campaign advertised on Sky - St. Botolph's Priory). Nothing about dogs at all is shown on this PSPO, there is a separate one for poo picking up but that is all. However, I have also found that English Heritage own the Priory Ruins and on their site they say 'dogs welcome on leads', damn. The wardens are not referring to this though so we'll see how it goes.

MaccieD · 22 August 2018

Always worth an email to clarify the position. If digs have to be on lead I think it's meant to be signed as such and there could be a difference between the park and the priory grounds.