Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

J G Wray — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:38:54 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]I really do wonder what planet you live on Wynne it's certainly not the same one as most of the rest of us.[/quote]

It's Wales

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 09:54:54 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"] What if instead of a car door, it had been an animal that emerged between 2 parked cars?[/quote]Then if it had been a car passing instead of a cyclist it would have been splatted and its owner would have been totally to blame. I really do wonder what planet you live on Wynne it's certainly not the same one as most of the rest of us.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 09:51:28 GMT

Cyclists who wear normal clothes aren't a problem. They're usually going slowly enough so they can stop if if they encounter an unexpected hazard. Lycra louts who think they have a God-given right to treat a public highway as a race track are a problem. What if instead of a car door, it had been an animal that emerged between 2 parked cars?

Wynne

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Eilidh Corr — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 23:08:05 GMT

I saw this recently and thought it was a simple but useful step which could be added to driver training.

http://99percentinvisible.org/article/dutch-reach-clever-workaround-keep-cyclists-getting-doored/

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Dinu Catilina — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:38:43 GMT

I've never seen a bike riding on it's own. They tend to take a human with them!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 18:30:12 GMT

A horse feels pain if it's hurt...............a bike doesn't.

Wynne

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Wren — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:51:14 GMT

I have to say we have everything from the solo MAMIL to what seems like the entire TdF peloton on the roads in our neck of the woods and my horses (everything from just-backed youngsters to racehorses) never seem too concerned. I do ask (if I do chance to speak to them) that they shout 'hello' before they get to us, as it is often hard to hear a virtually silent road bike approaching at speed over the 'clip clop' of iron on tarmac. I also do not understand, when there's a wide road and nothing coming the other way, why they don't pull out a couple of feet further to pass (same goes for cars). A horse spooking into the path of an overtaking cyclist is going to make a hell of a lot more of a mess of an expensive bike and a vulnerable human than the horse or the person on it. If it were me on the bike I'd give the horse a wide berth!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:03:59 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]I think because inconsiderate cyclists can really be dangerous for horses, who can get badly spooked.[/quote]Had you considered that it might be better to train the horse properly before taking it on the road?

PS The word 'who' is reserved for human beings, horses are 'it' or in this case 'which'!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 15:05:21 GMT

I think because inconsiderate cyclists can really be dangerous for horses, who can get badly spooked.

Wynne

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Robin Grimmer — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:37:34 GMT

Thanks Martin/Neil. I always take primary past parked cars so would never get doored, but a less experienced cyclist could have come a cropper. But as you say, you then get impatient drivers who think you should pull over to the left. I would have expected more sympathy from Wynne as a horse rider also being a vulnerable road user. How often do you read the headline motorist killed or seriously injured by cyclist? Never! But sadly the reverse is often true.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:18:59 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"] I experienced last month when a rider gave me a mouthful after I'd stopped and pulled over for her. (I was going too fast apparently)[/quote]How come you got 5 stars and a like while I got one for essentially the same reply?

I can beat that one though. I stopped for a horse rider in a narrow lane and she gave me lip for stopping because her horse didn't like men dressed in bright colours standing still in gateways. As said - you're damned if you do and.............

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 13:17:10 GMT

I'd encourage any cyclist to ride a metre out from parked cars

I nearly car door...d a cyclist a few weeks ago, imagine the headlines in Cycle (CyclingUK magazine) You don't always see cyclists especially if they are moving at speed and that applies to anything coming out between cars as well. It cuts both ways this road safety lark and for the sake of fairness I find horse riders are 95% very polite, it's the 5% that ruin it for everyone as I experienced last month when a rider gave me a mouthful after I'd stopped and pulled over for her. (I was going too fast apparently) swearing at folks does no good, all it does is wind motorist up and they look for an opportunity to get even and that won't be you. I smile and wave, much like the penguins in Madagascar (and polish my halo )

Neil

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:00:53 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]However, it never ceases to amaze me how cyclists assume they have a right to ignore normal road manners, pass others far too closely and far too fast, and any injury is always the fault of the other party. Robin states he gave the dog walker a mouthful. The dog walker could easily have retorted "Buy yourself some specs"[/quote]You spout some pretty stupid rubbish on this forum Wynne but this one takes the biscuit. Whenever can it be the fault of another road user when some idiot swings their car door open without looking? OK, it wouldn't happen to me because I always ride a metre out from any parked car just in case some thoughtless idiot does just that but I'm sure you'd then be the first to complain about cyclists riding too far out into the road and slowing your magisterial progress in your car. Perhaps we should also all ride along at 5 mph like you on your precious horse and hold all the traffic up! Damned if we do and damned if we don't.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Eamon McAllister — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:38:01 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

A lot of dog walkers charge unrealistically low rates, so the only way they can make a living is to walk far too many dogs together.

Wynne

[/quote] Around where I live it's £10 per hour per dog which isn't too bad if you can get a pack of them together. It's probably time that "professional" dog walkers were regulated.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Robin Grimmer — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:08:35 GMT

The dog walker needed the specs. They pulled up ahead of me and opened their door without looking. I was cycling up the road minding my own business. Nothing wrong with my eyesight or reactions. I anticipated their mistake.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 14:02:36 GMT

A lot of dog walkers charge unrealistically low rates, so the only way they can make a living is to walk far too many dogs together.

However, it never ceases to amaze me how cyclists assume they have a right to ignore normal road manners, pass others far too closely and far too fast, and any injury is always the fault of the other party. Robin states he gave the dog walker a mouthful. The dog walker could easily have retorted "Buy yourself some specs"

Wynne

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Robin Grimmer — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:10:29 GMT

One of these dog walkers nearly doored me on my bike as they weren't looking when they opened the door of their van. Luckily I anticipated this and there was enough space to move out, gave them a mouthful though.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 09:47:06 GMT

I've seen this too, was up on the moors and a van pulls up , about ten dogs jump out , crap everywhere and have what looked to me like several fairly intense skirmishes. No poop scooping, one hurtled towards me and my dog. The supervisor looked very sheepish and had no control whatsoever. I'm glad I wasn't on horseback , accident waiting to happen

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Eamon McAllister — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 09:42:06 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Some of the dog walkers around here have real delusions about their capabilities. Large groups of poorly controlled dogs being walked over the Forest.

[/quote] I have to agree. The New Forest is plagued. I keep count and so far the record stands at 12 dogs all off the lead being "walked" by two people.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

J G Wray — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 08:15:59 GMT

So far this year dog walkers and home boarders have been sources of injured dogs, "kennel cough" and my personal favourite Cheyletiella.

A client came in with her delightful Welsh Springer Spaniel named after a philandering Welsh singer....Sitting on the exam table "Tom" rested his head on the owners shoulder and she cuddled him in to her neck. When he turned to greet me I noted the owner's scarf (Hermes - I know about these from buying Xmas presents) had slipped to reveal a rash and the consultation went from there.

What perplexed me most was how upset the owners were to the impending, albeit temporary, disruption to their social life that being unable to home board and delegate walking meant. They were accustomed to boarding "Tom" at weekends when they went away, often abroad. Funny old world.

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 20:45:42 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]I must be misunderstanding this, how is that the owner's fault?[/quote]The dog walker had advised the owner that the dog was badly behaved (as had I) and needed behavioural counselling and had warned them that if they didn't seek this then she would refuse to walk him because it was going to cause an accident. He bolted and pulled her over causing her to lose grip of the lead so it became a self fulfilling prophecy. OK she could have refused to have walked him but she didn't know what he was like until she had.

[/quote]

Nevertheless, the dog got run over while under the dog walker's care. So I don't think the courts would see it that way!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 18:45:30 GMT

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Robin Grimmer — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:39:07 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

Sometimes the dog walker is more sensible than the owner. I've had a recent case of a client's dog running away from the dog walker and getting knocked down by a car. The dog walker had previously warned the owner several times about its behaviour and now has given them the sack.

[/quote]

I must be misunderstanding this, how is that the owner's fault?

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Bob Russell — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:27:22 GMT

Some of the dog walkers around here have real delusions about their capabilities. Large groups of poorly controlled dogs being walked over the Forest.

Had to rebuild a few when they have been set upon by a pack.

Pack animals being walked as a pack means they tend to behave like a pack!

A dog walker as a supplement is not a problem but a dog walker instead probably is!

RE: Dog walkers - a 21st century problem!

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:18:24 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"] I have had a few cases where dogs under the dog walker's care have been in fights and have been bitten. They seem to just pile all the dogs together and take them for a walk, with no accounting for individual dog's temperament etc[/quote]Sometimes the dog walker is more sensible than the owner. I've had a recent case of a client's dog running away from the dog walker and getting knocked down by a car. The dog walker had previously warned the owner several times about its behaviour and now has given them the sack.

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]If people haven't got the time to walk their own dogs then perhaps they shouldn't have one [/quote]Amen to that! Trouble is the dog is just one of the lifestyle essentials they have to have.