This story would be laughable if it weren't so offensive. There is a strict leash law in Boston. I was there that day and I saw everything that happened. The alleged "victim" in this matter was allowing her dog to run rampant, off-leash, and was nowhere to be seen as her dog continued to run up on other dogs who were all on leash, in downs, and in training. More than seven times the "victim" was asked to put a leash on her uncontrollable dog. Her response was that it was "fine" and that her dog was "old" and "wouldn't bite". She took offense to the numerous requests that she put her dog on leash. She did nothing to respect the leash law, and she did nothing to control her dog. In an effort to protect the other dogs that were being victimized by this off-leash dog, and to prevent a possible dog fight, the trainer approached the dog and and swung a leash toward the dog to deter its bad behavior. At NO point was the dog whipped. At NO point was the dog abused. The "victim" then went and round up a bunch of other park dog owners and told some obviously swollen tale of how her old dog was just minding its own business and a mean lady started to whip it. A pack of human beings (none of whom saw any of what actually happened) then proceeded to follow the group training obedience to their dogs and yell and jeer in a bullying and infantile fashion. There is a leash law in Boston. Don't be mad when people are forced to protect their dogs when you refuse to obey the law.

I was also at Millenium Park that day, and also have to rebut the "victim's" accounting of what happened. The dogs who were there in a group training were not training aggressive behavior, in fact it was just the opposite. The dogs were practicing obedience and good manners. Down, sit and stay were the lessons of the day. Unlike the so called "victim's" dog, the dogs being trained were all leashed. While this dog, in direct disobedience of the law, was roaming freely and approaching the dogs being trained. The trainer repeatedly, and initially very politely, asked the owner to leash her dog - and she flatly refused. For the safety of all the dogs, the trainer did use a leash to attempt to deter the lone dog from continuing to approach the other dogs. When that failed, she put herself at personal risk, and forcibly held the lone dog back by the collar. At no point did she beat or whip the dog. Despite NOT having seen what really happened, a sizeable and unwelcoming group of friends and acquaintances of the so called "victim" then proceeded to harass and bother both the trainer and all her students. The stories and embellishments of what happened ballooned to the point of being ridiculous. Bottom line, it's the law - leash your dog. Just because you regularly visit the park and disobey the law, that doesn't somehow make it right. Nor does it excuse the entirely unwelcoming and mob like behavior of the "victim" and her group of regulars at the park. It was shameful.

As another witness to the event and a member of this dog training "cult" (as we were called by the "victim") I want to confirm what the first two postings claim: we were teaching our dogs how to sit, lie down, and stay. There was nothing "aggressive" about our actions. On the day of this event I was training a dog that my partner and I rescued last year- a black lab mix with significant emotional baggage. A year ago this dog was on her way to be put down because people had mis-managed her for her whole life. We needed help training this dog, and our trainer has been with us every step of the way. I now own a confident, well-adjusted girl thanks to the training offered by this 5'4 woman in chaps (which were for riding horses, by the way, not beating dogs).
What was really unfortunate is how unsafe we felt as we returned to our cars. We were harassed by multiple people who didn't even see the event, yelling at us, "animal abusers!" "you should be sedated!" and multiple other threats (did I mention that I own a formerly abused rescue dog?) They video taped us, took our license plates, and continued to follow us around the park. If this is really the "community" that they are proud of, maybe they should take a look in the mirror.

I was at Millenium Park and was witness to the reported incident involving an aggressive dog trainer. By way of background, I have been a client of The Pawsitive Dog on and off for 11 years with my 12 year old black Labrador. I continue to do random classes and field trips with The Pawsitive Dog as a way to reinforce the training as well as expose him to all different situations so that he remains a happy, healthy, balanced, and obedient dog. We have done numerous field trips with TPD throughout the City and surrounding areas (Boston Commons, Newbury Street, riding the MBTA, Apple Picking, Brunch in Boston’s South End, Pope John Paul Park, Arnold Arboretum, and Jamaica Pond – just to name a few) and have never, never experienced a situation such as the one at Millenium Park. Field trips are designed to reinforce training in a real-life situation and the fact that there were 15 dogs which were on leash and under voice control of their owners, carrying out various levels of obedience, speaks volumes to the credibility of The Pawsitive Dog. All of our dogs were in a down position and we were in the middle of practicing recalls from 35 feet (with long lines attached – long lines are cotton web training leashes used to provide extra security when practicing recalls). The first distraction in our training exercise was a loose Huskie who came bounding through the group of dogs without a leash and without an owner in sight. CONT'D on next page

The owner of The Pawsitive Dog managed to shoo away the loose, unruly, and rude Huskie from the group – thus preventing a potential dog fight. At no time during this situation or the ensuing situation did the owner of the Huskie appear.
Immediately afterwards, an elderly basset hound mix approached the group. The trainer announced to her clients that she would handle it and had in her hand a long-line (see reference above – a cotton web leash used for training recalls). She asked the owner of the hound, numerous times, to remove her dog and the reply was that “he was old and wouldn’t hurt anyone). I remind the owner of that dog and the readers of these posts to remember that there is a leash law in Boston. Period. Allowing your dog to go into a group of dogs you do not know is not safe, regardless of the situation, and disruptive to the students who are in a training class. When the dog owner refused to leash her dog, the trainer swished the cotton web long line on the dogs rear.
What happened after this situation was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my years with The Pawsitive Dog. A posse then formed at the top of the trail where we were training and several dog owners began walking through our training session, weaving around the dogs. I would like to add here, with great pride, that none of our dogs broke position or experienced any aggression toward these individuals.
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An elderly gentleman then marched through the crowd, with his dog, to approach the trainer about her behavior (as a footnote, this gentleman was not witness to the actual fact, merely reacting on the embellished story relayed to him). The trainer was polite and firm with this gentleman and actually thanked him for being respectful in approaching the group with his dog on leash.
We were starting to wrap up our training session at this point and as we came off the trail, we walked into a group of individuals, few of whom actually witnessed the situation, and they began jeering us and our dogs. One woman, who was pushing a stroller, took it another level and was ramming the stroller into the backs of the trainer’s ankles. The jeering, staring, and attempts at intimidation was something one might witness in a mob shakedown, not what I had envisioned for a Saturday afternoon training session in one of Boston’s beautiful parks, which I assumed was open to all.
In closing, I would like to state that I have never, in all the years training with The Pawsitive Dog, witnessed cruelty by the trainer or her staff. Dogs are corrected for inappropriate behavior in a clear and fair manner, redirected so that they are shown what is expected of them, and rewarded (with food) for exhibiting the appropriate behavior. The Pawsitive Dog’s employees have all competed and placed nationally in obedience as well as many of their clients.
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In addition, The Pawsitive Dog encourages all of its clients to take and complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog tests (and I am pleased to report that most of them do). In addition, the trainer has been featured on radio and television, teaches classes through ISIS Maternity, fosters dogs from local shelters, has had her own dogs featured on Animal Planet and other television shows. On an aside, the “doggie defense” class mentioned in the article is actually an invite-only class which is offered at the training center for current students to help reduce a dog’s aggression – it is not a police dog class – and is taught by a visiting trainer. The gear mentioned in the article were actually riding chaps as the trainer came from a horseback riding lesson to the field trip. In no way, to the educated eye, could chaps be mistaken for a scratch suit.
I would support The Pawistive Dog in any situation and would perhaps suggest that the individuals who had their dogs off leash and not under voice control, consider scheduling a consultation with The Pawsitive Dog so that they, too, could have a well-adjusted and obedient dog.

As another witness to the “event” – I was standing next to the trainer – I think my classmates have already addressed the ridiculousness and inaccuracy of the account as written by Mr. Ertischek. It is obvious he is reporting something he heard at least third hand and didn’t bother to check the accuracy of the report, speak to other witnesses or actually read the info on the Pawsitive Dogs website. Instead I would like to address the misrepresentation of the trainer and her techniques. I invite anyone reading this article to visit the website and actually do a little reading (since Mr. Ertischek did not). Check out the section on extracurricular activities and field trips http://thepawsitivedog.com/fieldtrips.htm to see pictures of our training style in action or any of the pages under the “wags n brags” section to see our accomplishments. I think if you look a little further into the matter you will find that in no way are the training techniques “aggressive”! Instead we are taught to be responsible dog owners with balanced and well mannered dogs.

Also, read the description of the “doggie defense” class http://thepawsitivedog.com/doggiedefense.htm and you will see that it is not a class to teach your dog to be aggressive rather “This invite-only class takes dog-training to the next level. Specifically for clients dealing with aggression issues, the class' unique curriculum teaches owners how to understand and then control their dog's natural aggression. Not to be confused with personal protection, the goal of this class is to reduce liability, enhance relationship and improve control. Through education, repetition and reinforcement owners learn the skills they need to confidently handle their dog in any situation – squirrels, cats, children, dogs…” It is true that some of our dogs have issues, but that is why we are in training!

I would also like to reiterate that our class was working in an area off the main path and away from the larger area of the park where there were numerous dogs off leash. The “victim” and her off leash dog approached our group. I am happy to provide photos of our class in action – which show all dogs on leash in a down-stay and under control. I think it is a matter of common courtesy to leash your dog when asked. The “victim” was asked several times to leash her dog, but refused to comply. I would argue that no responsible dog owner would let her dog approach a group that was clearly training their dogs and would not argue when asked to leash her dog.

I found several comments to another of Mr. Erischek’s articles about Millennium Park -
http://westroxbury.patch.com/articles/saturday-scenes-from-millennium-park-in-west-roxbury

Bob Tewes Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I agree, it's a great park but too many dogs off leash and the cops refuse to enforce the rules. I don't go there anymore for walks and it's a shame. Can't risk it with our 2 year old and senior dog (who we keep leashed). What's most distressing is when you ask someone politely to leash their dog, the rudeness of the response. Very ugly! Perhaps the city should designate a fenced in area of the park for dogs off leash. It seems odd to me that a park built for people is being taken over by dogs.
Kate 5:57pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010
Great photos - Millennium is always a great place to be on the weekend.
But I have to add, the photo of the dogs, with no leashes, did not make me want to go up there! It's a real problem there, too many dogs off-leash.
There is also this article which address the matter of off-leash dogs – but this reported actually talked to people involved on both sides of the issue – http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/features/x1070026926/Canine-culture-clashes-at-Millennium-Park-in-West-Roxbury

Perhaps Mr. Ertischek would like to write a follow up to this article (after more research) to reflect a more accurate account of the incident and to clear up any misconceptions about The Pawsitive Dog he created.

First, I am not associated with either the training facility or the "victim".

After reading the alleged "victim's" claims I would like to point out that it would be very difficult for anybody to get close to a dog should it actually be on a leash. I believe it would be the investigative duty of a reporter to notice something like this and to include the fact that there are leash laws in Boston that this "victim" was obviously disobeying. Perhaps she would like a police report filed against her for endangering other dogs, pet owners, and other users of the park. Allowing your animal to be off leash, even if it is not aggressive towards people or other dogs is dangerous. After spending years working in the veterinary industry and having a degree in animal science I can say comfortably that this woman should be held responsible for her own actions.

I have a (rhetorical) question in regards to the reporting... what kind of dog training requires chaps? Did the author just take the "victim's" account verbatim and assume she was correct? I know that may be how some news outlets conduct business, but I hope local reporters would actually put some time and effort into their reporting.

Perhaps the victim would like to come forward an identify herself and explain why she had her dog off-leash, and why she obviously grossly exaggerated her story. Perhaps the author of the article would like to do a bit more research before submitting a report his news agency should be ashamed of.

Just to clarify- the trainer had literally come straight from training her horse. She didn't have time to change. The chaps were completely unrelated (although it was a good look for you, Jenifer!)

Thank you to everyone who was present to add their side of the story and pointing out that the dog was not leashed, a violation of the city's leash law.

David,

I have to say it appears you aren't even reading the comments carefully. After many people flatly refuted the accounts of what happened, you asked in your own comment on the story, "Does anyone know if the dog in question was struck by a trainer wearing chaps?" That has already been responded to several times. No one "STRUCK" any dog. That's part of the lie told by the "victim" to garner sympathy. All the trainer did was attempt to keep the OFFLEASH dog from inappropriately approaching the dogs (that WERE on leash), she never 'struck', 'threw' or otherwise did anything to hurt the dog (it would be contrary to her nature as an animal lover.) The chaps (again, this was already addressed before you added in your comment) were incidental. The trainer came from a session riding a horse, and for that, one wears chaps!

David,

Also, please comment back if I am mistaken. But it appears you edited your original story. You now have in the body of the story the detail that "Millennium Park requires dogs to be leashed, which according to the victim, her dog was not leashed."

I feel almost certain that you didn't have that noted in the original story. Did you go back in and add that? If so, shouldn't you done that through a correction of some sort to show that it was an omission from the original story?

Am I wrong, was that in there all along? If so, my apologies in advance, but I feel strongly that it wasn't there originally.

You're correct, Matt, this is fuzzy journalism...

I think it's pretty clear by now what the two sides of the story was. I'm also glad no one (or dog) was hurt in the "incident," and not the least, the "victim's" dog.

It saddens me, however, to have witnessed the disgusting, pathetic mob-like/bullying behavior that took place after the "incident." There is something fundamentally wrong with the way the "victim's" friends/acquaintances stalked the dog trainer and the training group like a bunch of hooligans ready to pounce on a beaten down dog (pun intended). In fact, I wonder and fear what might have happened to the trainer if she did the same thing while walking her own dogs alone (on their leashes) in that park. That would have been a much juicier story to write David.

And for future reference, I think some folks that frequent the park and reading this article/comments should take a closer look at the website below. It's good for the soul:
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/default.aspx

In closing, something more tangible from the afternoon's festivities: As my wife and I drove off from the group of people, a member of the "victim's" group yelled, "I come here every day. Where are you? Get outta here. Get the f--- outta here."

Brilliant. No, poetic.

I really thought the first title, "Aggressive Dog Training Occurring at Millennium Park, Says Dog Owner," spoke more to "the victim's" purpose of slandering a local, hard-working business owner. I'm disappointed to see that you've changed it.

By the way- where is "the victim" and all of "her witnesses?" Surely they must know that this article was posted- they were the ones who sought out the press. I would be interested to hear their side now that we've all had time to think.

Nice - focus on the fact that the trainer didn't have a permit. Nice. Going. Out of control dogs running off leash with clueless dog owners. A mob of people trying to intimidate users of a public park. A woman uses her baby stroller to assault someone. And you focus on the trainer trying to teach people how to be responsible dog owners without a permit.

The class in no way interferred with anybody using the park. But the people with dogs off leash were interfering in other people's enjoyment of the park and you focus on the trainer. Bravo.

I wonder what the headline will be when one of those off leash dogs bites a child.

Forget about the incident - which no one disputes was fabricated by the victim. What if it had been a parenting class, replacing the dogs in the class with infants? Would that have made a difference?

People have a right to walk in a park without being accosted by someone else's dog. It doesn't matter if they are by theselves or walking their dog. They have a right to walk in a park without being accosted by someone else's dog.

But the way - nice piece of investigative journalism.

Here's the bigger story - some users of the park were trying to bully other users of the park.

I'm very glad that all of you, who were present, provided more details to the story. As a journalist it is often tough to get the full story. This particular police report did not provide many details, but enough that I wanted to let people know about the incident. But I think this raises the bigger issue about leash laws, especially at Millennium Park.

No witnesses were mentioned in the police report, be it for the people who were being trained or the group associated with the person who filed the police report. The woman who owns the dog that wandered into the training group, is listed as a "victim" in the police report, which is why I choose to use that language.

I have heard good things about the Pawsitive Dog company before this incident. They have not returned my phone call regarding this incident. And not getting a permit to have the group there is a serious matter, too. I hope the Pawsitive Dog company gets a permit to have a class at the park, and if it does West Roxbury Patch will cover it.

I have an idea for an article for you. Go to the park this weekend. Watch the dogs that are off leash. Count how many dogs are off leash and count how many people have dogs on leash. Watch how the off leash dogs interact with people at the park for reasons other than dog walking. Interview people (with and without dogs) at the park about how the feel about the off leash dogs.

There is no reason why the park cannot have areas designated as being off leash areas for dogs and areas that require dogs to be leashed.

You might also want to comment on the amount of dog feces at the park left by the owners.

Thanks Jeff,
I've assigned someone to write an article about the ongoing dog problems at Millennium Park with dogs off leashes. I also mentioned it today to several local politicians who I saw at a veterans appreciation day to let them know about the ongoing problem.
This is not a new issue. I've been there plenty of times and seen people with dogs on and off leashes. I see it all around Boston and other areas. I understand this past weekend's incident was very intense and is very fresh, but this is an ongoing problem in West Roxbury.
I think there should be a dog run somewhere in West Roxbury. And there are reasons why you can't have designated areas, there needs to be a process to create such things.
And I think you just commented on the amount of dog feces left at the park by owners. People pick up after your dogs!

To All:
The debate about dogs in Millennium is not new. Check out these comments from last spring on a different local news page: http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/opinions/letters/x289811550/Letter-Is-there-a-dog-problem-at-Millennium-Park
David- to some degree I do understand why you wrote this article in the first place. This woman was hysterical in her passion to expose the "animal abusers." I can imagine that you just got caught up with her hysteria. However I think it's clear by now that the problem lies with the off-leash owners. I can't wait to read the upcoming article!
Additionally, I want to make it clear that the majority of us are not exclusively "pro-leash" owners. As the trainer stated repeatedly on Saturday, we are "pro responsible dog ownership," which for most dogs requires the use of a leash in most or all situations. Once dogs are properly trained with recall and good manners, off-leash walking becomes possible. Good dogs do not pick fights with other dogs, knock over the elderly, or bark at children. However, most dogs are not properly mannered. If the "victim" had bothered to watch us instead of insult us, I think she would have seen the true nature of our amazing dogs. Check out the pictures for proof!

I am in Millennium Park often with my dog who has been trained by the staff at Pawsitive Dog. I go during the hours in that most of the public is not there as not to offend anyone. Due to the "chap woman's" instruction, he is very well behaved.
My problem there has never been with unleashed dogs or the few instances of neglected feces (which I pick up and is worse in winter). My irritation comes from the unleashed righteous people. Let's do something about the families, individuals who think they know best, sports teams, speeding skaters, and bicyclists (to include a stand up two wheeled motorized scooter) that leave their trash all over the park. I try to clean up after them more than they have to me.
I cannot comprehend why the dog walkers (mostly in the morning) can not be allotted areas in the park for certain hours (when it is only them that are there). And yes, our police do enforce this law occasionally (while they are taking 45 minute breaks drinking coffee and eating donuts). It is comforting to know that they no longer have higher priorities in this city. They are not polite about it either!
I often wonder why this has become such a polarized issue.... sort of like politics, I guess.
I just feel that unless my dog bothers you in some way, you have no right to ask me to put him on a leash (if is is off). I would, however, if you asked me to. I also have no right to harass anybody or to ask them to tie up the kid etc, etc, etc. . "Can't we all just get along"?

The dog who was off leash is a 13 year old blind basset hound.
And yes people do let their dogs run around because dogs need to run and play and socialize. In general, most of us are happy to leash our dogs if someone asks. If anyone seems afraid of dogs I will leash my dog or hold onto her until they've passed. And most of us are very responsible about picking up after our dogs; in fact I always carry extra bags and will pick up all the poop I see on my walk. Unfortunately, a few owners who cannot be bothered to pick after their dogs make us all look bad.
There are lots of different people using the park for lots of different activities. I know each "group" feels that it's their park and wishes that "those other people" would go someplace else to, (Fill in the blank): rollerblade, bike, run, socialize their dogs, etc. But somehow we need to figure out a way to co-exist; the park is big enough for all of us.

Donna,
The problem with what you said is that there is a law in Boston that requires you to keep your dog on a leash. It would be great if there was a dog park where you could socialize your dog, but right now there isn't one at Millennium Park.

Unfortunately, I think the whole situation has been blown out of proportion by all involved. I did not witness the events, but saw the aftermath and it's easy to see how both groups involved with this incident would over-react. These kinds of things tend to take on a life of their own and much like the game of telephone by the time the story is passed through the groups, the reality of the situation is distorted and lost. Additionally, each person at any event will experience and perceive it individually based on his/hers own view; there are many truths to any one story. The victim when I saw her was crying and shaking so clearly she felt something had happened to her dog that was extremely upsetting.

Although it is annoying to read about boiling over emotions…

There are some valid points.
1. People do walk their dogs off leash. Usually these are the same dogs and the same people: they know each other and mostly co-exist peacefully.

2. Dog as a personal property.

However: regardless if my dog is on or off leash, this dog is my property and you may touch it with my consent or you may touch it in any way you need if the dog is a direct threat to you or your property, which is not the case with 13 year old blind dog. Clearly the trainer overreacted or just wanted to show off in front of her clients. I am sure that if it was a German Shepherd (or any other guard dog )that trainer or any other trainer in her/his right mind wouldn’t dare to make any sudden movements.

3. Leash law should be respected.
There are consequencies in having the dog off leash:
Owners of the dogs that are off leash know that if there is the fight with the dog that is on leash, it is their responsibility to pay a vet bill for both dogs.
But in my heart I agree with Donna and Robin.

4. West Roxbury Dog Community does need a dog park. I think that the lower level of Milleniun park from parking lot till the bridge that leads to the woods should be considered off leash area.

5. Park should be clean.
Robin and Kate, who pick up not only after their dogs but after other negligent owner's dogs should be an example to all of us.

With regards to point #2:
The trainer has incredible skills with all dogs. She probably would have made the same movements (first asking the owner to put the dog on leash multiple times, then hitting the ground to make a loud noise to scare off the dog, and upon last resort disciplining the dog physically) to scare off the dog if it had been a shepherd, pit bull, or any of the other large breeds. Staying still would not have helped; in fact it may have encouraged a dog fight. The trainer in question really is a "dog whisperer" in the sense that she knows how to communicate with dogs in a safe but direct way. Anyone who needs a great trainer should check out the website.
I want to make it clear that the trainer did not go on a "leash campaign" by butting her head into other walkers' business. Instead she asked repeatedly for the "victim" to leash her dog so as not to interfere with the training that was happening, which was happening in a secluded, private area of the park.

I think the intent of the trainer was to protect the Basset Hound as well as the other dogs.

When 2 strange dogs meet there is no guarantee that the 2 dogs will get along - regardless of how they behaved with other dogs in the past. If the Basset Hound had gotten too close to one of my dogs, for example, there was a very real possibility that my dog would have gone after it. If the Bassett Hound had triggered a fight with another dog, someone could have gotten hurt trying to break up the fight. Had this happened, the Bassett Hound's owner would have been liable for any damages regardless of whose dog caused it, and she was risking the well being of her dog. Imagine the consquences if the blind Bassett Hound had bit someone trying to break up a dog fight?

The owner of the Bassett Hound should be thanking the trainer for pulling her dog out of a potentially dangerous situation.

Here is how the entire situation could have been avoided. When the trainer asked the "victim" to call and leash her dog, the "victim" should have called and leashed her dog. Had she done so, there would not have been an incident.

People who want to let their dog off leash have my blessing. But if they are asked to leash their dog, they should do so. I don't understand what the big deal is.

I would like to respond this - I visit Millinium Park everyday with my dog.
First of All Jeff Smith - YES thank you to the trainer for pulling 13 year old BLIND BASSET HOUND off and out of harms way - as I can see how a 13 YEAR OLD BLIND BASSET HOUND could be very scarey!!!!
Also - People of Pawistive Dog - so you do admit as to have a Training Class without a permit??? Hmm, but no one is focused on that?? Ok, we will move on
Maybe we should blow this story more out of control.

Sounds like Murphy is in need of some training as well. I am guessing you were part of the mob that harassed the group practicing their positive reinforcement training. If you are the Murphy I am thinking of, your dog should always be on leash.

One year later, I come upon this read. Painting a very ugly picture of the off-leashers, and asking myself about Pawsitive Dog not getting a permit? Is it a money issue?
But my question is "just how capable is a blind dog able to run freely without a leash through a park?" Dog Abuse? Or making a Point? It's uncanny, ridiculous, or perhaps, he's not quite as blind as the "victim" cries out. Listen to what you write, then re-read, and perhaps re-write.