Walking your dog

Hello all, another newbie question:

I have read that there can be loose dogs in certain areas/neighborhoods. Do many of you have problems taking your dog out to do their business or just a walk if you live in one of these areas? My wife is concerned that this may be a problems when we look to relocate.

I am not asking about specific neighborhoods at this time, just overall comments.

Thanks.

Never had a problem with street dogs. They are usually very friendly and well mannered. The bad ones get taken care of.........

We live in two very different towns in Mexico and live with five mutts. In Ajijic on Lake Chapala we bought next to a seemingly endless deserted beach where we can let the mutts run free without disturbing anyone and they can and do poop to their hearts' delights. In San Cristobal de Las Casas in the Chiapas Highlands, the environment in which we live is a densely populated urban zone so to walk the mutts without inconveniencing and offending other local urban dwellers, we must put the babies in the car and drive through crowded city streets taking them to adjacent woodlands which, in Chiapas could mean you may encounter strangers who are off their rockers. Getting to the
adjacent woodlands at the edge of the city where dogs might be welcome by folks one might inadvertently encounter, takes a good 20 minutes each way from our house. Needless to say, the dogs stay in Ajijic under the care of a house sitter and never accompany us to San Cristobal. Your wife is right to be concerned so if you are a dog freak as are we, buy or rent in an area where you have easy access to a large deserted beach or other environmentally welcoming private area where you can walk freely with the mutts without worrying people whose paths you may cross as you proceed. One other consideration - in San Cristobal de Las Casa roaming street dogs may and often are killed by local authorities who are known to commonly round them up and show them and you no mercy. Another consideration when you pick an area in which to live as some municipal jurisdictions are far more intolerant of unleashed dogs than others. You will probably be unable to ascertain the attitude of local dog control authorities until you have actually lived in an area for some time so look for a home where you can run your babies privately on a deserted beach or nearby woodland you can freely use without offending a landowner or occupant. Not so easy as you might think to find wooded land open to the public where you and your babies can feel comfortable walking freely and minding your own business.

I used to carry a long metal pole or broomstick, but I had to bang it on the curb and yell to discourage an approaching dog. I hated the thought that I might have to strike one being aggressive, but I wouldn't hesitate if Precious was in danger. Now I carry a small squirt bottle with water and it works extremely well. The neighborhood dogs know I have it and veer away when they see me. I have twice thwarted a charging pitt bull and was truly surprised at how well it worked. Be sure to test it occasionally while walking to insure that it will send out a strong squirt when needed.

My dog is extremely friendly and sub. I find the local dogs quite territorial, and doing their job means protecting their turf. My girl can't understand why they don't want to play. I have not, however, has any real problems. I do like the water bottle idea, and might try it.

As you can see ccw, there are vastly different experiences depending on who you ask. I walk my dog on a leash the same route/time every morning. I do give her a quick off leash romp on the beach front in front of the Ajijic malecon. Walking your dog off leash is not only illegal it carries it own risks of accidental poisoning or other perilous encounters.

There is a large park in Chapala where you may allow your well-behaved dog off leash as long as you clean up after him. There are friendly dogs and dog owners there every morning.

Hey Groovy, what is the time frame for the people and doggies in the park? Mas o menos.

Trailrunner wrote:Hey Groovy, what is the time frame for the people and doggies in the park? Mas o menos.

9 - 11 mas o menos.

Gracias!

I am old school. A dog is only allowed off the leash if it can be fully under control. This is not a right, it is a hard fought privilege.

CHILLIN wrote:I am old school. A dog is only allowed off the leash if it can be fully under control. This is not a right, it is a hard fought privilege.

New School is a leash law.

The park Feeling Groovy mentions is the Chapala City Cristiania park adjacent to the lake, a beautiful large semi forested park. At one time San Antonio Tlayacapan had a nice dog park. I don't know if it is still there. I myself live in downtown Chapala and walk my small longhaired Havanese most evenings and nights on our malecon and around town. I have been doing this most days going on 7 years now and have never had much of a problem. In Chapala most of the street dogs are not agressive but can be annoying by following us around sometimes. Turning around and saying no loudly and stomping your foot seems to deter most of them. But of course I never walk her off lease either.

We always walk our dog on a leash; safer for us and him, considerate for others. Merlin, our 11yo male Weimador is great with people but does not play well with other dogs. I never allow him to approach another dog without proper introduction. As long as the dogs are not aggressive, I think we will be fine.

We also always walk our dog(s) on leashe(s) in the Ajijic community and only let them romp off leash when on the deserted and extended lakefront beach adjacent to our home where other pedestrians are seldom encountered. As there has been a rash of dog poisonings in the Ajijic community as of late, it is never a good idea to let your dogs roam free in town regardless of your attitude regarding your imposition upon others you and your dog(s) may encounter along the way.

Speaking of dog stories, here's a very recent one: A gringa brought an unleashed pit bull into Yves' restaurant and Yves said it must be leashed.
While he went to get a leash, the dog attacked his own old and crippled dog and it resulted in some heavy duty vet work. You have to wonder what the woman was thinking. Or not thinking.

Derecho Gringo