Oops. I was guilty of letting my dogs off leash when I lived in KW. I'd walk them on leash until I got to the Elm Grove Elem field, and if no one was there, I'd let them run. Both are JR mixes and need lots of exercise. Occasionally, someone would walk up the greenbelt and they would run up to them...and I'd call them back. Sorry if I scared anyone. I know all dogs will bite but mine are much less aggressive off leash than on. I'm glad now that I don't have to worry about this anymore.
@Love2Run: please enlist a good trainer. Huge red flag if a dog is MORE aggressive on leash than off. If indicates a power struggle and JRTs are known to be "bossy" -it also indicates that they are in charge not you. If you can't be in control when they are on leash( the leash is an extension of you) then there is no way you are in control when they are off leash.
Please understand that I am not singling you out- but what you wrote is the mind set of many dog owners. They just really don't understand dogs. It's not a question of aggression it's a question of safety for the dog, the owner and anybody or anything the dog encounters. It's also good manners. I'm sure as a runner you must've encountered a dog off leash that wasn't well mannered- it's a pain. Of all the dogs I have seen unleashed( probably 100 over the last 2 years alone) I have seen 1 that was trained- and her dog was at heel and as soon as she saw us she sat ( visual cue)the dog at heel and leashed him. That dog never moved a muscle and it maintained eye contact with its owner. 1 out of 100. There are dog parks for off lead. I train mine off lead in my yard. I have dropped the lead and stood on it while practicing training on the greenbelts but even with the training I would never let my dog run loose.
4951