So when I walk along sidewalks and see children or dogs walking

[applegrove]

along and not in the immediate control of their parents or owners I want to run up to the parents and yell. It is a mixture of anger and fear I feel. Probably has to do with my PTSD. It takes all my strength to just hold myself back. Any ideas of what I can say to people if I do let loose and confront some adult? Some of you are parents. Do you let your 4 year old walk along the sidewalk with you on a busy street without holding their hand? It is becoming stronger and stronger. I worry that I'll turn into some old yelling entity who harasses people on the streets.

[Pithlet]

1. 4 years old is old enough to walk without always holding hands.

Dogs, yes, always on a leash. I'm with you there.

[Patiod]

2. I used to have a preternaturally well-trained dachshund

Trained to heel perfectly. Never needed a leash. Never ran off after anything, and if he started to, a simple "stay!" would immediately stop him in his little tracks, no matter what the temptation or distraction. People found his behavior eerie.

Never had a dog that well-behaved again, but he did not need a leash when we went for a walk.

[Pithlet]

3. It's the leash laws.

I'm sure there are some perfectly trained dogs, but I think the leash laws are a good idea.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I also had a dog who heeled beautifully. However, I put a leash on her every time

we left our yard because it was the law and it was for her protection as much as anything else. I do the same with my current dog and any other dog I've owned since living in town regardless how well they behave.

[surrealAmerican]

4. I agree.

By four, they should have a full understanding that the street is dangerous.

If they're two, you should probably be holding their hand if it's a busy street.

Of course, from a stranger's point of view, it can be hard to tell exactly how old the child is.

[woo me with science]

12. Yes, four is certainly old enough.

And I have known some very well-behaved dogs, as well.

[femmocrat]

5. Say nothing.

Do not "let loose and confront some adult" unless you see that the child is in imminent danger or the dog is threatening you.

It is none of your business.

[7wo7rees]

7. I agree. And my dog is always ALWAYS on a leash.

[femmocrat]

8. And impeccably dressed as well!

LOL

[dawg]

9. I'm pretty sure that outfit is a crime against humanity.

Pretty sure. :eyes:

[woo me with science]

10. LOL

Adding my thumbs up here. :thumbsup:

Nice suit.

[woo me with science]

11. Yup. nt

[undeterred]

6. I walk along sidewalks with my dog on a leash and I am terrified

of people walking dogs on a leash who really don't have control of their dogs.

Last week a man with a dog on a leash passed by me on the other side of the street. The dogs noticed each other, and the owner and I acknowledged each other. After we had passed, his dog suddenly made a lunge toward my dog and I - the owner dropped the leash - and the dog came running across the street to attack my dog. It was a 100 lb pit bull mix.

The owner started yelling 'kick him, kick him', and I did. The dog was so agitated I doubt he even felt it. I did my best to pull my dog out of the way. The pit bull got a mouthful of my dogs fur and I got a kick into the dogs side before the owner got there. He landed his full body on top of his dog in order to stop him.

That ended the fight. The guy was nice about it and he apologized. Something tells me this wasn't the first time it happened and it won't be the last. If he had been ten seconds later this dog could have grabbed onto my dogs throat and killed him or he could have ripped my hand off.

So I asked myself what I could do. Now I am only walking in another direction and I am carrying mace whenever I walk my dog. I also warned my neighbors who have a two year old that they walk around not to walk in that direction.

But don't harass the people who need protection. Its the other people we need to worry about.

[cbdo2007]

14. I hate when I'm walking my dog and there are stray dogs or people who walk....

their dogs but don't have them on a leash. It is very rude and disrespectful.

My dog could EASILY eat their dogs for breakfast but I"m nice and I just get out of the way or change my path.