On 2006-03-25, Pat penned:

"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote

It might be a case of owners who never "had" to obedience train the
dogs. Now that they're in a more populated area, suddenly they are
embarrassed by the dogs' behavior and are trying desperately (via
yelling at them when on walks, etc) to make up for lost time and
prove to other people in the neighborhood that they're not just
letting their dogs run rampant.

It's a thought, anyway.

It's not so much they yell at them to discipline them but rather to
keep them from running off too far or into the street.

That's also a part of training, though. There are plenty of dogs
trained to heel without a leash or to stay within some distance
without a leash.

There are three dogs and they all go out at once with one human, who
endeavors to keep track of all three at the same time without using
leashes. So one or more of them is always getting too far away and
must be called back.

Still, a well-trained dog doesn't need to be yelled at. Training
needs to be constantly reinforced, but yelling isn't necessary
(especially if it's driving your neighbors nuts).

--
monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully

pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca