Should my dog have to wear a leash?

Question

My dog is a German Shepard husky and I walk her all the time without a leash. She is 14 years old and is very slow. She never leaves my side when we walk and is very loyal. Today while walking my dog home from the park I had a young black man start yelling at me to put my dog on a leash. I didn't have one and he started talking about how he should start carrying a bb gun to go out to his car.

Then I encountered another guy who was giving me extremely dirty looks.

The whole time my dog was just walking by my side at the slow pace she walks. My dog has never attacked another human/dog in pretty much all its life (besides being a puppy) and I feel it deserves the respect to stay off her leash.

Opinions?

Answer 1

The man you encountered sound nuts so I would try and forget about him.

As to whether you should have your dog on a leash, that depends on whether or not you have leash laws in your area. If you do, it would be better out of respect to leash her until you get to a signed off leash area. Don't forget that although you know she is a sweet old dog, maybe people who are not familiar with dogs do not know that which could be why you are getting the dirty looks.

If you do not have any leash laws in your area, technically there is nothing anyone can do about it. But again, you might want to consider leashing her in residential areas (along the sidewalks, etc), purely out of respect for those who might panic when then see an unleashed dog. I am sure she won't mind wearing a leash for part of your walk as she sticks by your side anyway.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Strangers don't know your dog is 14 and gentle, they just see a large dog off leash. If something were to happen (even if another dog attacked yours), you'd have some level of responsibility simply because your dog was off lead.

I'd put her in a harness and attach a very short leash - you can either hold it or let it hang. If she's on a collar, buy a leash and tuck the end in your pocket.

A leash isn't going to hurt your dog and they are very cheap - you could even pick one up at a local dollar store, but using one will stop the strangers from yelling at you.

Answer 3

Hon, you must take into consideration that many people are afraid of dogs, on a leash or not.

Don't be mean spirited. Have good "doggy manners,"
when you walk your dog, put him on a leash.

I'm a dog lover, so I understand, how you feel. When I walk dogs, I am careful to watch the reaction of others, and cross the street if I sense anxiety. It's less stressful on me and the other person. Be kind!

Make life easier for yourself and others and put the leash on the dog. You will be less aggravated by doing so.

If you sense someone is tense about the dog, walk on the other side of the street.
Woof Woof!

Answer 4

I would say at least have a leash with you when you are taking her out of your home or yard. It would be best if you did have it on her for her own protection. When she has a leash on, if for some reason you need to pull her out of danger (like away from a car while you’re crossing the street) then you can quickly react and get her out of the way.

If you don’t like having her on the leash all the time, but you have it with you, then you have the option of putting it on her when you get around other people. It will give them a sense of security (because they don’t know your dog and if she may or may not attack them) and you get less dirty looks and comments.

Answer 5

Yeah, you should have your dog on a leash.. The thing is, if everyone keeps their dog on a leash, there is no problems with dogs that are roaming and free.. If you are allowed to have your dog off leash cause it is slow and walks with you, then why shouldn't I have my dog off the leash when she walks fast but heels well.. And if I can have mine off the leash then why not the next person... Next thing you know everyone has their dog off lead because hey why not, that person over there with the old dog has his off leash.. Next thing you know, people don't realize that there is even a leash law, all because you thought you were above the law with your old dog.

Answer 6

Sorry, but there are leash laws. If your walking you dog on the sidewalk she must be on a leash. Besides she could be attacked by another dog and you'd stand a better chance of getting her away if you had a leash to pull on.

Answer 7

I had the same thing with my 12 yr old cattle/ kelpie. wouldnt hurt a fly and the oval is her back yard. There was a woman jogging there who freaked out. Started screaming about a leash and ringing the council and reporting us. we were gobsmacked. She started abusing us, so said, I hope you have a nice day, to which she replied 'i hope you die'. Hmm very strange behaviour.. im guessing she was scared of dogs... and that is why she behaved like that. hard for me to understand as i know my dog. shes a sweetheart. but this lady didnt and just saw a strange dog, with teeth who could run faster than she could.. im a firm believer in letting them run free, but i guess these days its considerate to leash them when others are around. after all we dont know what they have experienced and the fears they have. Inconvenient and not much fun for you or the dog i know . But what can you do. We still have to be sensitive to others. Just imagine you had a phobia with dogs and you saw a great big German shepherd with massive fangs unleashed near you! (a 14 yr old, placid, sweet, old dog walking next to his human)..Everyone sees things differently. But really, I prefer animanls over humans, Id let my dog go and run amok....ha ha

Answer 8

People who are afraid of dogs feel safer when the dog is on a leash. Also for the dogs safety a leash is best.

Answer 9

I understand your desire to not "punish her", but look at it this way. If anything went wrong, including another dog trying to attack her... you could be liable. Most areas have a "leash law" stating that your animal should be restrained when in public. I commend you and your pup for being such a good team, it really sucks that you have to use a lease because of all the "bad" people, and dogs.

Answer 10

I have a titled Master Hunter, so her training level is far beyond the norm. She will not only stay beside me, I could send her home or anywhere else I wanted to. But I still wouldn't even think of walking her on a public street/sidewalk off lead.