Dogs in Peckham Rye

[Lynsabelle]

Took a walk this evening in the garden section of Peckham Rye (japenese, sexby etc.) Now, I am not a fan of dogs, so the fact that on entrance there were signs saying that all dogs needed to be kept on leads in this section made me pretty relaxed and happy. Sorry to say that not one dog walker had their dog on a lead here, and one dog had me in tears I was so afraid as it bounded up to me.

I find it hard to enjoy our local parks, purely because no dog owner seems to be able to control their animals. Yes I appreciate that parks are prime dog walking areas, but equally, I expect dog owners to be able to control their animals. When I have showed how scared I am I have been laughed at with no apology. I don't really consider it acceptable to have dogs running up to me, jumping up at me, stealing our food/picnic etc ? and the owners not really giving a ****.

I appreciate I am a very small minority with my fear ? are there any green spaces I can enjoy without having to worry about dogs that technically should be kept on their leads?

Thanks

[dimples]

hi there , Im sorry about your experience . Im a dog owner and walker in peckham rye and totally agree with you about dogs on leads at the part of the park you are talking about , it really p------ me off too when signs are not obeyed cos it does give us a bad reputation and for such a small area easy to respect and also the picnic area should be respected as a total no go !

[hpsaucey]

I'm not afraid of dogs, but have had a couple of occasions with dog walkers who have been walking maybe 6-8 dogs and obviously been totally unable to control them! I'm sure this is an uncommon occurrence, and wouldn't want to give dog walkers a bad name, but I was uneasy, let along my two young kiddies who were pretty upset.

I do understand that it is sometimes difficult to stop a dog jumping over these low fences in both the Japanese garden and the picnic area. Most people ... but not all ... retrieve their dogs relatively fast.

I am sorry you had a bad experience!

[neilson99]

We let the dogs run free and put metal railings around the kids playground to keep them inside...seriously!

[Frankito]

Lynsabelle, sorry to hear you had a bad experience in the park. As a responsible dog owner I admit to walking through there with my dog off the lead. However, now that you have raised it and I see the distress, I will avoid Saxby going forward or, at very least, leash her up.

Without trying to sound insensitive, you seem to have quite a fear of dogs in general. Perhaps I am reading too much into your post but for me, the tone, the language, the expression all suggests someone who has had some bad experiences in the past... Hopefully not all in Peckham Rye and never with my my pup.. I have observed with my dog that when we approach people who are scared and may make frantic gestures, it seems to make her more curious to want to say hello.

With dogs it is all about eye contact and, if you stare at her/ him, then depending on the dog this can be interpreted as a sign that you want to fight with them.

I have a large dog (Weimaraner) who is 18 months now. She is high energy, very playful, friendly and eager to please. She doesn't have an aggressive bone in her body and I know this as I have always been very mindful to nurture her and teach her who is boss whilst trying to allow her some individuality (contradicting myself her but hey, I am an old romantic). I class myself as a responsible owner and I do care what other people think of her and that she does not cause any unnecessary stress for anyone else whether that be in the park or elsewhere.

It's not always difficult to gauge when an adult is cautious of dogs. Kids are much easier to read as they tend to be a whole lot more vocal about it. When this happens I always try to prevent the dog from coming to close. Unfortunately, not always possible as she adores kids and is always curious when they scream which never helps the situation. I have various sets of friends with kids who, for the most part love and play with my dog. They pull her tail and sit on her and she loves the attention. She also knows when they do something she doesn't like and will always run away and yelp. A true wimp but gladly, a safe one.

So please, next time you see me in the park, say hello. We don't bite....

In my time walking her, I have only witnessed one bad experience, the result of a very careless lady who let an unpredictable dog walk loose. It was a dog-on-dog thing, no people involved fortunately. 99.8% of owners are wholly responsible and won't seriously mind being asked to keep the dog away. I know I have smiled in the past when someone has freaked out at my dog coming close but not because I think they are stupid/ weak, more because I know she is truly harmless and just loves attention. Having said that there have been one or two completely hysterical people whom I have encountered in the park and screaming and swearing at me hasn't gone down particularly well on either occasion where my calm, reasoned response has slipped slightly.

And as for professional dog-walkers in the park, you will be surprised at just how much control they actually have over the pack. I challenge you to observe how they operate, albeit from a very 'safe' distance. The two I have experience with know how to handle dogs in all situations. But, as a pack, they just want to play together, explore and make as much excited noise as they can, a bit like a bunch of schoolkids with a ball.

The parks are thete for everyone to enjoy and you have as much right to enjoy them as I do to exercise my dog in them. I am sure there is a happy medium out there somewhere that suits all. I would be interested to hear orher constructive viewpoints from those on both sides of the 'fence' and even those perched in the middle. :)

[SarahO]

.

[Strawbs]

As a dog owner who takes their dog for a walk in that park and who leashes their dog around the pond and Japanese gardens section I think it's a little unfair when you say 'no dog owners have control of their dogs' - generalising much? I'm sorry you felt fearful and some people weren't doing the right thing but a little temperance on your behalf wouldn't go astray..

[Frankito]

Strawbie, I don't think this post was directed and us good, responsible dog-walkers. :)

[Applespider]

Frankito - I wonder if it was you I saw in Dulwich Park the other night. I was admiring a gorgeous playful Weimaraner as I cycled past which looked around the right age. You are right - it is a minority who can't control their dogs and don't keep them on a leash. It's sometimes the most respectable looking types who have least control with their dogs entirely ignoring any calls.

Lynsabelle - I'm not sure of any local areas which stop dogs entirely but I've seen fewer being walked in Dulwich Woods off the leash than in any local park. It's not green space as in no expanse of grass but it's a lovely walk through the trees and you can forget you are in London quite easily.

[Frankito]

Applespider, I only do DP at the weekends.

Now if you had said a stunning guy with his doe-eyed Weimaraner then that would most definitely have been me..!

[hpsaucey]

I'm sorry but this just ISN'T always true!

You have 'experience of two' and I am glad that MOST are responsible, but there are a few others who aren't so responsible. I've seen packs of 6 or so jumping into the Japanese garden and no attempt made to recall them where they ran through someone's picnic and kiddies. I've also seen a dogwalker apparently unaware of the affect her group of 4-5 dogs were having on the young child in a buggy that they were surrounding which was fairly terrified - and again, no attempt to call them back.

Maybe you'd say they obviously weren't 'professional' and that may be true but they're still using the park.

H

Frankito Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> And as for professional dog-walkers in the park,

> you will be surprised at just how much control

> they actually have over the pack. I challenge you

> to observe how they operate, albeit from a very

> 'safe' distance. The two I have experience with

> know how to handle dogs in all situations. But, as

> a pack, they just want to play together, explore

> and make as much excited noise as they can, a bit

> like a bunch of schoolkids with a ball.

>

>

[Frankito]

HP, gosh that does sound a bit shocking what you saw..

However, your comment about my two dog-walkers is complete tosh as you don't even know who they are.. Making gross assumptions erodes the credibility of your post in my eyes..

And for the record, I know loads of dog-walkers, I mentioned my two who ARE both very professional and attentive and I say that as I have seen it with my own eyes... I consciously chose not to stick up for dog-walkers of the planet as I know there are some bad 'uns out there but please, put the tar brush down already!

[Senor Chevalier]

Franko - Think she's just saying that your sample of 2 good ones doesn't mean there aren't also bad ones which you have also acknowledged. Can't see her slagging off your 2 in any way. Perhaps if you weren't posting so prolifically you'd have time to read posts properly...!

[Frankito]

And where did you come from? It's Frank to you, thanks.

Prolific poster.. Love it! Can you remind me what my daily, weekly and monthly post ratio is? You have obviously taken time out from keeping count to shake your finger at me. Bless..

[hpsaucey]

THANK YOU Senor Chevalier - for reading my post properly and a measured response to Frankito.

FRANKITO - as SC said, I was saying that your two ARE responsible but, from personal experience THERE ARE OTHERS THAT AREN'T.

Think the credibility of my post stands somehow! Please re-read it!

Senor Chevalier Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Franko - Think she's just saying that your sample

> of 2 good ones doesn't mean there aren't also bad

> ones which you have also acknowledged. Can't see

> her slagging off your 2 in any way. Perhaps if

> you weren't posting so prolifically you'd have

> time to read posts properly...!

[Senor Chevalier]

Just bored and sticking my nose in really - you're right, I don't have a dog and don't live near Peckham Rye park or use it (though the cafe looks nice - meant to check it out) so I have no business posting on this thread.

Just having a relatively quiet weekend and keeping myself amused on the forum and couldn't help but notice you all over it, haven't done any formal analysis. Will see how bored I am this afternoon and whether I can be sarsed to run the numbers...

[Frankito]

EDF is addictive isn't it...! It's also great distraction fodder when one has a hangover.... Not that I get drunk every day!!

HP, you are clutching at straws. I don't need to re-read any post, least of all yours; should I need my hysteria fix, I will call my mother! Lol :)

[hpsaucey]

Cafe's OK - good cake! Quite weekend - maybe you need a dog to keep yourself busy with today lol!

You're right though - I've definitely been spending too much time on here.

Senor Chevalier Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just bored and sticking my nose in really - you're

> right, I don't have a dog and don't live near

> Peckham Rye park or use it (though the cafe looks

> nice - meant to check it out) so I have no

> business posting on this thread.

>

> Just having a relatively quiet weekend and keeping

> myself amused on the forum and couldn't help but

> notice you all over it, haven't done any formal

> analysis. Will see how bored I am this afternoon

> and whether I can be sarsed to run the numbers...

[Senor Chevalier]

OK Frank, since you ask, here are your Stats:

*Joined 107 days ago

*Posted 1074 times

*Average posts per day 10

*Average posts per month 300

*First three months - average 200 pcm

*Most recent month - 400

Not looked into others but I reckon this must be close to top of the league table and the addiction is clearly escalating. Time for rehab?

Having been nagged by the wife for the disproportionate amount of time time I spend looking at this thing and often watrned "not to engage with the crazy people" I am in no position to preach. I wouldn't worry, whilst quite an acute case, I'm sure the usual lifecycle (tentative first posts, growing confidence, exponential growth, plateau and then fall off to a more healthy steady state will apply.

Still pretty bored.

[Frankito]

Wow, brilliant...! Are you looking for a job?

[puzzled]

lynsabelle does sound a teensy bit of an hysteric. in tears in fear of a dog thinking of coming near her. look, luv, it is a public park and (god forbid) you will certainly encounter lots of our four-legged chums. you seem to have spent your time in the park quivering in case you walk past a dog. in spite of what the anti-dog army on here likes to trumpet, dogs and their owners are by and large fine and well-behaved (much better behaved than many humans, judging by last week's events). of course there are exceptions. I think you are rather far up yourself and that you would feel happier if you addressed your issues. now, I await the utterly predictable torrent of abuse from the dog-hating pillocks who spend so much time on here.

[Senor Chevalier]

Well I've been looking into statistics today and, whilst I can't be certain, if I had to call it, I'd say the rabid dog-lovers are outnumbering the dog-hating pillocks though it is a close call. Of those in either camp there are the live and let live variety and then the extremists that give the others a bad name. I've just been to Peckham Rye park for a stroll as it happens and spotted 2 untethered dogs in the dogs on leash area against the rules. Now they were perfectly well behaved, and didn't bother me at all, though my wife did quicken her pace as she is a bit jumpy around dogs.

People accept that there are dogs roaming around parks and there is no objection to that, but there are areas where dogs are meant to be on leashes for those with irrational fear of dogs to visit and feel safe in. Are you saying that those afflicted with such psychoses should not be entitled to enjoy their area of the park?

[Frankito]

SC, very valid point re leash-on/ leash-off areas, something I will observe far closer and more consistently going forward.

[Ron&Tom]

Hi Lynsabell, i am so sorry to hear of your distress with regards to your experience of dogs in Peckham Park. 6 months ago we bought a 3 month old (VERY excitable) Parsons Russel Terrier who absolutely adores people and no matter what we do when he is off the lead, once he has his sights set on someone he is off bounding and leaping like an idiot at them! We have become very vigilant with regards to his excitable temperament and keep a very keen eye out for non dog owners/picnickers/children in our park and as soon as we spot his keen interest in innocent parties put him on the lead (that is if we can get to him in time!!). Although there are some bad owners/walkers out there i can honestly say that the mojority of people walking dogs are very responsible. The growing trend that i seem to be coming in constant contact with is general public who think it's acceptable to bother our dog whether it be children barking and screaming at him/throwing his ball into a group of people having a picnic (which one woman has done twice)/going to pick him up and pet him and generally encourage him, thinking its acceptable behaviour because he is a puppy. We always walk him around the edge of Dulwich park which is a dog excercise area to keep him out of the way of distraction but have come to realise that 'dog excercise area' now means cross country bike/jogging/dog walking area and have come across a hanful of nasty people who swear at you for sticking to the designated area and getting in their way. The point i am trying to make is that your incident is very unfortunate, but some of us are trying to be responsible owners and sometimes have to go way out of our way as not to upset or cause distress to members of the public who just want to enjoy our lovely parks. I always try to keep my puppy under control and will ALWAYS apologise to anyone he approaches without them having any interest in him. I hope you said something to the owner of the bounding dog and hope you find your space to relax in without being pestered in the future.

Ron of Ron&Tom

[Frankito]

Bless little Arty....... :0)