All dogs should be leashed, no exceptions. amirite?

This isn't unpopular. In most places U.S) it's actually the law.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If only it was actively enforced everywhere. Constantly off leash where I am

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah, it bugs me a lot because a lot of owners who are rehabilitating rescues with trauma will leash their dog, be super cautious and careful, but they NEED to take their dog out and the dog needs to get used to walking outside. They're doing everything they can to prevent aggression, and then some people without leashes "because their dog is friendly" but doesn't understand boundaries will be ALL OVER the leashed dog. I'm a Rover walker and sitter on the side and some of my clients' dogs are very sweet to humans but have trauma with other dogs. It drives me bananas when owners are like, "it's fine! My dog is friendly!" Like, okay? You don't know THIS dog though, and it isn't. If the other owner is doing everything they can to prevent incidents of aggression within reason and an unleashed dog gets hurt, responsibility should be on the owner who didn't leash their dog. Also, aggression aside, if your dog is running around and sometimes out of sight (which I've seen countless times), I know you're not picking up your dog's poop and that's super lame.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog got bitten while staying with a Rover worker for this reason. I told them that under no circumstances can my dog be allowed to be near other dogs, they were walking him, and some other dog owner let their dog come up to mine, starting a fight. You never, ever let a dog freely approach an unknown other dog, and I don't get why people do that.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah, that sitter sounds irresponsible. I always am thorough when asking about a dog's behaviors before accepting a booking, including asking the dog's triggers, what interventions help, and precautions to take.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yes! Our dog is leash-reactive and will bark. She'd been run up on by off-leash dogs several times (and actually never bitten), and even in that situation she's more calm than the "friendly dog." Up until a week ago we had two big ass dogs living right upstairs, so I'd always check to make sure the coast was clear before entering the hallway. Husband was at our door and one of them just turns the corner and goes after our dog in the little hallway. The owner was still up the stairs, leash was like 10 feet long. Why would you do that knowing what we know? Wtf.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That is SO frustrating! The first time I really noticed this as a problem was years ago, I was at a park with a friend and her sister came with her dog (super friendly and sweet dog, this dog GALLOPS instead of runs, kind of like a deer?) but the dog was off-leash in the leashed area. Bear in mind, this park HAD an off-leash area. The dog would run out of sight frequently and I kept asking if we needed to go after her. Her sister (very sweet gal but omg) was so nonchalant and didn't care. A few people ended up coming up to her and chewing her out about her dog, and she was like, "Hey man, she's friendly! Relax, dogs need to run." I ended up taking the side of the people complaining. I've grown up with dogs and don't currently have one, but I was shocked that me, the NOT DOG OWNER ONE IN THE GROUP, had to be like, "Right, but Daisy (dog) runs up to strangers and she's a big dog. They might have trauma with dogs, or their leashed dog isn't friendly." I didn't end up ever hanging out with the sister again because I think she was pissed I didn't back her up, but like? Go be mad ig, you're still the inconsiderate one here.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Ugh, good on you for saying something! How inconsiderate. And absolutely no concept that HER dog could be hurt in that scenario, approaching an unfamiliar dog. Out of sight is so crazy.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Maybe dogs who are aggressive shouldn't be going to dog parks or areas where non-aggressive dogs get the opportunity to run around. Being able to run or play with a ball in a wide space is massively beneficial for exercise for dogs and being in areas of nature is very stimulating. So is interacting with other dogs. Why should ALL other dogs suffer from that because someone else's dog is aggressive? This makes no sense! If you have an aggressive dog, you take your dog somewhere where dogs have to be on a lead, not punish everyone else.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm not talking about taking an aggressive dog to a dog park, I don't know where you're getting that? I haven't seen anyone argue against dog parks specifically. That's a total straw man argument. This is about spaces and areas where dogs should be leashed.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Same in the UK, people use my uni campus as a dog park and I've been knocked over a few times by people with big dogs that aren't fully trained. Hospital trip each time because of a genetic condition. There's 'keep dog on leash' signs everywhere.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It is the law where I am, but that doesn't keep people from hanging out in the park with their free-range dogs. A dog not on a leash isn't something that the police are going to rush to address, so you just look like an idiot waiting for an hour for them to show up so you can tell them that someone had a dog off a leash, but left. I don't know that I have ever even seen a police officer remind someone that their dog needs to be on a leash, much less ticket them.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

And it's a law that gets ignored quite frequently.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah, an unenforced law. Which means it gets ignored, usually by people with poorly trained dogs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Seems super unpopular among dog owners, at least in Sweden. They all let their dogs lose at every beach, park, forest and even in the city.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The only problem is it's not enforced as much as it should be

by Anonymous 1 year ago

it's the law yes but it's neither enforced nor followed anywhere i've been

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I feel like this is more popular in the US. It's normal in the UK to let your dog off and it's not illegal, but prohibited in certain areas. I find the opinion baffling tbh.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

There are no problems with dogs attacking people? Attacking other dogs? Causing issues with local wildlife?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I like pets as much as the next guy. But pets should be contained. Leash or crate or designated area with fences.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The county I live in has a 5ft max length on leashes. I was bitten jogging back in 2020 by a dog that was on a 15ft leash, and the dog outweighed the owner by 50 or more pounds. I gave the dog a ton of room by jogging in someone's yard, and the dog still lunged at me, and the owner had zero control. All in all, I was ok. It was cooler outside, and I was wearing a few layers that definitely helped. I should have called the cops but I didn't have my phone. I've been hugely vocal about leashes on dogs ever since.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Similar thing happened to me. I got lucky that only my running shorts were torn and I wasn't bit. The owner said he would pay for the shorts but ghosted me once I told him they were $40.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Never at all, or never if they're outside in a non-enclosed area?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

No exceptions. Leash everywhere. In your house? Leash In a crate? Leash In a fenced in yard? Leash

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Undercook, overcook. Jail. Straight to jail.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Ask a question? That's a paddlin'.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeesh

by Anonymous 1 year ago

And you can't let go of it, ever! You always have to hold your dogs leash, every day, every month, every year, even when they die, otherwise you will face the consequences!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

They said no exceptions l

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Start with ur mom

by Anonymous 1 year ago

oooo Burn!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Agree fully, and I don't think this is an unpopular opinion. Dogs are animals. If you own a dog, you are the one who is in control of your dog. You need to be in control of it at all times, because even well trained dogs can be unpredictable in certain circumstances.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What if they're in bed at home?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Believe it or not, also leash.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

![gif](giphy|1rRTvcTXdJRKOGbnKH)

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My yard is fenced in, as is the dog park. Thise are the only times my dog is unleashed while out of the house. Well, that and my families farm. There isn't a soul for miles.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What about like… sheep herding dogs?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

NO EXCEPTIONSSSSSS

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Easy: leash the dog and have the dog leash the sheep. Duh.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Herding dogs doing their job won't be running off the property to harass other people lol

by Anonymous 1 year ago

In the US most Sheep spend at least a portion of their life on public lands under grazing rights but the land is public use. The herding dogs ain't bad but the protection dogs will have you pissing your pants 3 miles in to your nice calm hike.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

agreed, My dog an I have been attacked by "dogs who are loving and would never hurt a fly" just because we were walking by. Most dogs just want to protect their owner(s) from what they believe is a threat.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

This isn't unpopular. It's a law pretty much everywhere in the US.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Just like speeding. It's against the law so nobody speeds.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

"Unpopular opinion: speeding while driving should not be allowed" ![gif](giphy|CDJo4EgHwbaPS|downsized)

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Not everywhere. They do have off leash beaches, dog parks and regular parks. If you don't like that there are plenty of other spaces you can go instead. I keep my dog on the leash when i go hiking and pick up after her. I think people have an issue with dogs because almost 50 Percent of US households have them now

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The dude probably lives in Canada, where people can't afford kids so they got dogs and treat them as if they were kids and bring them everywhere.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If I am going out into the wilderness, which in my area means the possibility of bears, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, moose, etc, then my off leash domestic dog is the least of their worries on the trail. If my dog needs to use their speed to escape an aggressive animal, then I will not impede with a leash.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yes please. Got my dog from a shelter where he was for over half a year and because of that, he gets really anxious around other dogs. I keep mine on a leash, but what's the point if you let yours run up to him and say "OHH DON'T WORRY, HE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING I PROMISE". Maybe, but don't you see how scared and frustrated my pup is? Piss off. The world wasn't made just for you and yours

by Anonymous 1 year ago

As someone who's afraid of dogs I agree. I was attacked by two rottweilers when I was a kindergartner. Their owner encouraged them to be mean and didn't feed them. Combine that with a crappy fence and you've got a scared 5 year old running for his life. He had the audacity to scream at me when they got put down. Never been able to be comfortable around dogs since.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I just don't think it's natural for them to always be on a leash. If you're in a city or heavily populated area, sure. But if you're in the middle of the woods alone, let them off leash. Also some people like to play frisbee at the beach with their dog. Go to a no dogs allowed area instead of you don't like it.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Are dogs specifically allowed off-leash at your beach? They are not at my beach because they scare off all the native waterfowl in the area. And yet there are always numerous dog owners there with their dogs off leash playing frisbee, etc. I'm a dog person--I have two, they are my kids. But I get tired of the fact that the "rules don't apply to me/my dog" mentality seems so much higher among the dog-owning crowd. You say it's not "natural" for them to always be on a leash. But it's also not natural for them to be at the beach (as opposed to the waterfowl, who count it as home and don't have humans to feed them).

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Dogs get injured so easily off leash in the woods. Also get into dead animal carcasses that can get them sick. If it's a hunting area they could be shot. It's not smart to ever walk a dog off a leash. Beaches are public. With adults elderly children and other animals. Dog needs to be on a leash. Wanna play frisbee? Do it in a container yard. Don't have one? Maybbbeee you got the wrong dog for your lifestyle. Damn. It's about the dogs safety as much as human. If your dog bites someone they could be euthanized.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

You only let the dog off leash if you are actively keeping an eye on it. Again those people can go to a no dogs off leash beach. Let the dog play frisbee and have fun at the beach.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Or people with dogs could just go to dog friendly places

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Or people scared of animals can stay sway from places with animals.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah... that's why places specifically for dogs exist.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah, like... the great outdoors. That's where animals naturally exist.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Then take your dog off leash in the woods and drive away if you like to listen to nature on cultural problems

by Anonymous 1 year ago

How is a dog friendly beach or the middle of the woods not dog friendly???

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The woods have animals that live in them. Your dog doesn't need to running around there, or on beaches. The problem with telling people to go to "no dogs allowed" areas is that assholes will still have dogs there, frequently off leash. Pet owners who think their dogs need off leash time need to go find places that allow it, instead of ignoring leash laws whenever and wherever they like.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Some woods are safe for your dog to run around in. Dogs should totally be running around on beaches, they have so much fun there. If dogs are allowed on a beach they should be there. If you don't like it go to a beach where dogs aren't allowed.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Then don't go hiking if you piss your pants at the sight of a dog, especially in a less civilized location. After all, the animals were here first.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Wtf are you talking about? We are also "animals", what do you think we are?! Aliens?!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That's not an opinion. It's also not unpopular. It's actually the law. There are a lot more people who don't own pets and who own pets who always have their dog on a leash, then the few that don't leash their dogs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It's the law where? The US?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah the US... I love dog culture in the UK, though. No leash laws, but all the dogs (that I encountered on my trip to Northern Ireland last summer) were off leash on the beach and perfectly behaved. They ignored each other and people. The difference in the US is peoples' expectations. People always want to come up and pet my dog or allow dogs to meet off-leash, so in her mind, people = attention. If everyone ignored dogs in public in the US like they do in the UK, it'd be so much better. I'm trying to train my dog not to approach people but it's easier said than done when 95% of the people we meet want to pet her and at least half of them don't ask first.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yh from UK and exclusively walk my dog off the lead. It's a border collie so intelligent, and well trained. Always ignores other dogs and people alike. Never had an issue in over a decade thankfully

by Anonymous 1 year ago

tbh even in the UK I probably couldn't let my dog off lead because she's a husky and has a high prey drive. But I am so jealous of UK dog culture!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Not unpopular. Also no to long leashes they give almost 0 control. Flexi leads also should be banned they have the same issue and also if they break you're screwed.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yup. The leashless dog owners claim that it's leashed dog owners who don't know how to train their dogs properly who are at fault for their own failure to observe laws and etiquette which are meant to protect everybody.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

>us as humans are never able to 100% predict how a dog will act in a given situation. You can't 100% predict anything, does that mean you should be scared of that random car that just passed you? I keep my dog on a leash when i take him out for walks but that's so he doesn't run onto the street and get run over if another dog happens to be there, he's never bitten anyone seriously so i doubt he would actually be much of a threat to anyone if i did go with him unleashed

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It's not just about how your dog will act in an off leash situation but also how other dogs could act around or respond to your off leash dog.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The only time I'm okay with it is if it's a certified service dog who needs to be off leash in case of emergency. Most of the time those are extremely well-trained dogs (not the fake ones who don't do any training and the owners got a vest online) and only stay near their owner. Anything else I'm moving away if I see an unleashed dog coming toward me.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Agreed. I think this should be a popular opinion but ok. I was bitten by an off leash dog recently and the owner just didnt care, he was saying he wont hurt you over and over and wasnt calling his dog over to him and calmly watching as it bit me.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I have had park rangers advise me to keep dogs on a leash within a mile of the trailhead, but if they are trained to voice command, let them off as leash as long as no people are in sight. My dog is reactive, but well trained. I keep him heeled and leash him when in site if any moving thing. In 5 years the only incidents we've had is with ‘friendly dog' owners who don't control their dogs at all. They approach my now leashed dog without hesitation. If I am doing a 10 mile hike in the desert I do frequently and encounter 1 person a day, I'm going to let my dog run off leash when I know it is safe.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

FACTSS. This keeps EVERYONE, humans and animals, safe. It is on us as the humans to protect our animals and our community at the same time. One bad situation and an innocent person or animal loses.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If it's not in a dog park or your own house it shouldn't be able to get within 10 feet of a person without their consent. Dogs are too unpredictable and dangerous and many owners now don't even leash them while walking around

by Anonymous 1 year ago

A lot of dog attacks are because the dog owner 1.) doesn't want to keep their dog under their control and 2.) doesn't want to keep their dog calm and happy so it doesn't develop aggressive tendencies. Previously abused rescues do exist, such as mine, but I've trained her to be good. She's staying on a leash though, regardless of how good she is. Obviously there are other reasons for dog attacks too, some of which are beyond anyone's control, but usually they are well within someone's control but that people would rather think of the dog as their baby than their animal.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Counterpoint: plenty of exceptions exist.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Not unpopular at all.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Same for children tho

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Are you aware of fenced off leash dog parks?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm not agreeing with OP but dog parks are *dangerous*

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I strongly disagree. Dogs should be able to play with each other in the park and swim and run. Dogs should simply be raised well. You can't even predict how humans are, should they be leashes as well?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

We are comparing intelligent humans to dogs now..how silly

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm not keeping my dog on a leash in the house. You're a crazy person.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Even in their own homes? Maybe we should muzzle all humans too? Because you can never 100 percent predict how a human will act in a given situation.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Some people are exceptional trainers and I am alright with their dogs not being on a leash but that's just me

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog is in the house, she doesn't need a leash

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I mean… Duh.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

When I was like 5 or 6, I was seriously attacked by a dog and had my face split open like the Grand Canyon. 500+ stitches and a few plastic surgeries. Want to know the cool part? The dog was on a leash. Leash or not, a poorly trained dog is a danger period.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

All dogs with teeth have the capability to bite and bite hard. Emergency rooms are filled with people who were attacked by "well-trained, well-behaved" dogs who were "totally harmless." Doctors and dog experts constantly warn people to never leave your toddler alone with a dog. That includes the family dog you had years before the child arrived.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What emergency room are you going to where it is filled with dog bite victims?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My reply is hyperbole, to stress a point. Literally filled with dog bite victims. No. Are dog bite injuries, especially among kids, a common occurrence in emergency rooms? Yes

by Anonymous 1 year ago

>Emergency rooms are filled with people who were attacked by "well-trained, well-behaved" dogs who were "totally harmless." They are filled with even more people who were harmed by another "intelligent well-behaved" humans.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

>All dogs with teeth have the capability to bite and bite hard. All humans with hands over the age of 12 have the capability to grab you by the head, jump into the air and put their whole body weight on your head and slam you into the side of the road

by Anonymous 1 year ago

So dogs shouldn't be leashed because some humans are violent? Logic isn't your strong suit, I think.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I didn't say they shouldn't be leashed

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Sure thing, just make sure you keep your little Bratleigh and Snotliegh on leashes as well.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

In my home and on my enclosed property, my dogs are not leashed. That would just be strange and dangerous to the dog. My dogs are good at the dog park and leashes are not allowed on a dog at the park. Where I live we have a lot of nature parks. Quite a few of them have off leash trails, the warning sign at the trail even specifically says "trail is meant for off leash dogs, humans be advised"

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Obviously that's not what op meant

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Their stance is vague and where they are from plays an important part as well. Don't be nasty, that gets your teeth knocked in

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Through the screen?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I agree. I also don't think a lot of people should even own dogs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Stupid opinion. I've got a harmless little cocker spaniel who loves to run through the fields. I'd rather put him down than take this daily freedom/joy away from him

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Then take him to a field that is specifically for off leash dogs! You and your dog aren't more special than everyone else, or wildlife.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Tell me you've never been hunting without telling me.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Feral humans do more damage and cause more problems than dogs ever will. Should we leash them up?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The feral ones? Yes.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

As a resident of Portland, I'd feel a hell of a lot safer if our meth and fent addicts were leashed.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Same

by Anonymous 1 year ago

In the UK more people are attacked by Cows than by any other animal, are we gonna leash all of them as well?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Some people shouldnt have opinion and yet here we are

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yet here you are

by Anonymous 1 year ago

When my dog is more behaved than your child I'll put them on a leash whenever your child is also leased.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Lol a dog can bite and do real damage…. A child doesn't have same level of strength and potential to do damage

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What about a sheep dog?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

onfg you know how many people can get fears with a misunderstanding and a dog chasing them?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I mean this seems like a fairly popular opinion. The unpopular opinion is that it's OK to have your dog off leash if well trained, as some people like yourself seem to believe well trained dogs don't exist.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Every time my dog has had an "argument" with another dog, the other dog has been unleashed. I'm trying to drag my dog away; I finally realized I was inhibiting my dog's ability to protect herself. I'm now of the opinion "I will first try to drag my dog out of this mess, but if it goes on longer than a few seconds, it's going to be a fair fight." There's all sorts of advice & videos on how two people should separate their dogs when they get into a fight. There's zero (at least that I've found) on how the poor slob who has his dog on a leash is supposed to deal with two dogs get into it, and one's unleashed.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Never? On private property? What about places specifically allowed off leash dogs?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Cats too, they kill way too much wildlife.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm super pro on-lead dogs because MY dog is reactive af and he's never been able to be civilised around other dogs. I don't understand how or why, but I've accepted that a long time ago. All the time, people walk their dogs off lead and I get prepared to hold my massive dog back. They ALWAYS say "my dog is friendly!" Bitch, I don't care about your dog. My dog is insanely over protective for no reason. If you don't want your dog potentially harmed, leash your dog. I don't ever have my dog in dog parks or off lead because I don't want to deal with the guilt of your dog being harmed and me having to pay for a bill I don't want to be involved in. I work enough for my bread crumbs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

With the exception of real service dogs, I 100% agree. I've got scars on my hand, arm, face and leg from dog attacks. Dogs that run up on me now are default treated as aggressive and are met with a boot.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I think you are simply afraid of dogs. Dogs are far less unpredictable than people. I don't know anyone who would trust a group of people walking on the street. That is why some people even cross the street even during daylight. However, for most of people, when they meet a dog in the street usually they get along immediate.

by Anonymous 1 year ago