[Wellspan]

Hi. I sooooo get the reactive. I have lost count of how many times we have run into this situation. I have an unneutered male springer. He is an other dog bark at me magnet. I am constantly turning direction. Or if I have no choice, make him sit a good distance away from incoming, give him biscuits. Make it a training exercise. But it is not 100 % effective yet against him learning to leash lunge, because he has been lunged AT so often. It can be soo stressful. I have him on a four foot leash. While the other people have their dogs on these 12 foot recoiling leashes. Which btw is a hazard and a prelude to a fall. Saw a 15 lb French bulldog take out a 150 lb lady while she was picking up his poop and he lunged at me snarling and wanting to fight. Ever try recoiling one of those leashes in a hurry? Reeks havoc on the hands like a rope burn. People don’t understand their animals. They particularly don’t understand the threat they are to other people and their dogs. I just keep a safe distance and control my end of things. I tried asking a woman to please put her pair of snarling golden retrievers on a leash so I could pass. She said no. When I got back to my car there was a long note telling me she has lived here for 30years and she never had to leashher dogs. When there are leash law signs all over the place. I do what I need to do to stay safe. Talk about frustrating.

 

[Wellspan]

Oh. I forgot to say. With the charging off leash dogs without or with owner in sight. I simply say a loud and stern NO. Go home. And usually the dogs listen. The owner stands there dumbfounded. If I wait until the owner makes the command it could be to late for me.