Just thought I'd share this story of a bit of a close call I had with a dog and swans a couple of years ago...
I was at a local nature reserve and was in the area where there were several ponds. As I was walking along a family of swans started coming straight towards me so I sat down on the grass as I wasn't sure which way they were going to go and figured I'd be best off sitting still until they passed. They walked straight passed me, the male looked really impressive that close but then he lifted his head and hissed! I was a bit nervous at this point as SOMETHING had upset him, and it wasn't me! Slowly, I stood up to see what it was that had bothered him and spotted a dog running towards where we were. Now, I'm a dog owner myself and have no problem with dogs as long as they are under control and are not taken into dog-free zones. In this instance, the dog was off the lead, in a dog free zone (and there was a warning on the gate that the swans had young with them!) and was heading towards the swan family with the owners trailing behind oblivious to the fact that there were two adult swans with young cygnets and a male swan who was not at all happy about it!
I moved passed the male swan and towards the dog (which hadn't noticed the swans) and took the chance at greeting the dog and lightly taking hold of it's collar to stop it continuing onwards because the male swan seemed to have no intention of shifting! As the owners came up I told them that the swan family was just around the corner and they quickly put the dog on the lead. Of course, it could have been a very different situation and I would have hated to think that the swans or the dog might have ended up injured because someone couldn't be bothered to follow the rules or take consideration that there was a family of swans there.
Spoilt my nice moment with the swans too! It was the closest I'd ever got to a family of swans without them wanting food!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Nicki C said: Hi KatTai True with children too. Maybe that is the birdwatching part of me coming out on the posting on this particular thread. On another one of my Forums there is a lot of debate about dogs v's birds in nature reserves and it can get a little 'strained' at times. Some birdwatchers are of a mind set that dogs disturb birds/nesting birds, and that is how it is viewed. Only today I was at one of my main parks, and two dogs started to fight one another right in front of us. This was a large mixed breed, and a little Dachshund. Not so nice for spectators to see all the dog hair, teeth, and fur flying about. Both dogs where not on leads. The owners of the mixed breed dog did nothing but stand there not doing anything to stop the fight. The owner of the Dachshund did all of her best to protect her own dog. Not so good. Regards Kathy and Dave
Hi KatTai
True with children too. Maybe that is the birdwatching part of me coming out on the posting on this particular thread.
On another one of my Forums there is a lot of debate about dogs v's birds in nature reserves and it can get a little 'strained' at times. Some birdwatchers are of a mind set that dogs disturb birds/nesting birds, and that is how it is viewed.
Only today I was at one of my main parks, and two dogs started to fight one another right in front of us. This was a large mixed breed, and a little Dachshund.
Not so nice for spectators to see all the dog hair, teeth, and fur flying about. Both dogs where not on leads.
The owners of the mixed breed dog did nothing but stand there not doing anything to stop the fight.
The owner of the Dachshund did all of her best to protect her own dog.
Not so good.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Again though, both of those examples are the fault of the owner. If the dog is running about disturbing birds nests, it is the fault of the owner not the dog and it is wrong to punish everyone because a few people can't be bothered to be sensible (same with children). If someones dog is dog-agressive then it shouldn't be off the lead. My dog has been attacked on several occassions by other dogs, but I don't blame the dogs I blame the owners for not ensuring they are kept secure. Again, it isn't fair to punish all dogs because of the behaviour of a few irresponsible owners. My dog understands the "path" command, in spring she stays on the path regardless of where we are (for wildlife and to avoid damaging farmers crops etc) or she gets put on the lead end of story. She knows she is to stay on the path, sometimes she'll try pushing her luck especially early in the season but she soon gets the picture when she keeps ending up on the lead which is no fun for her! It isn't difficult, dogs aren't stupid they can quickly learn how to behave IF the person puts the time in to teach them.
I've been on walks with my dog and without before I got her, and in all honesty I don't notice any difference in the wildlife I see (and I'd argue that I'm actually seeing more red squirrels and deer as she can detect them when they aren't even visible!). I'm going to have to wait and see if she's actually found a route used by the fox that has been seen in the park but she's found a track used by something that she finds interesting. Besides, I'd rather have a companion that be wandering around on my own! I've certainly been at reserves when I've felt intimidated by some non-wildlife related activities that go on at some reserves and I'd rather have a dog with me than be completely alone.
Thank you for your interesting reply.
Back on track once more with issue of Dogs and Swans. I can understand where you are coming from with the dogs and the owners. Yes, it is true what you say about the owners not taking responsibility for their dogs. It is the minority who spoil it for the majority of people. Then everyone, and all dogs gets tarred with the same anti-social brush.
It is good that your dog is well trained on command. It is not so good if your dog gets attacked by the less well trained dogs - because of the 'thoughtless' owners. It is good for owners to secure their dogs form biting other dogs, and people.
Dogs make great companions and they are good company to have in your life. We have had one dog when I was young as he was part of the family and we loved him to bits. He was a character too.