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"Keep your bloody dog under control, mate !!!"
blueblade
Posts: 88,859 Forum Member
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Just been out for a walk as it's a nice bright and breezy morning. Strolling across fields near me, were 2 other guys, one a little way ahead of me, and another, with an unleashed dog, coming in the opposite direction. The dog bounded up to the guy in front of me, and jumped up at him. The owner was shouting at the dog to stay away, but the dog was ignoring. At length, he ran back to the owner ~ that's when guy in front of me shouted "keep your bloody dog under control mate". But the owner never replied, nor made any attempt to apologise. On passing I noticed the guy's sweatshirt had got muddy paw prints all over it. Clearly, he was well pissed off and muttering under his breath.
It got me to wondering whether there is a case for keeping dogs on the lead, at all times, even in open countryside. It doesn't seem to matter where they are, dogs make a nuisance of themselves ~ not just to people, but to farm animals.
Also, why the heck do owners NEVER apologise to the people their dogs make a beeline for ?
ETA obligatory DS disclaimer: not all dogs
It got me to wondering whether there is a case for keeping dogs on the lead, at all times, even in open countryside. It doesn't seem to matter where they are, dogs make a nuisance of themselves ~ not just to people, but to farm animals.
Also, why the heck do owners NEVER apologise to the people their dogs make a beeline for ?
ETA obligatory DS disclaimer: not all dogs
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This just isn't true. I've been apologised to on many occasions. (And done some apologising, too, though it's only really ever been other people with dogs my dog's made a beeline for, and then she tends to just roll over when she gets there...)
At a guess I would say that the owner was embarrassed and was trying to pretend it wasn't happening.
Dogs off the lead are fine in fields and open spaces etc, but owners should be more responsible.
No, there isn't.
This happened to me once. We were going to go to the pub after the walk, but had to go home to get changed first because of the bloody dog. The owner of the dog was on the other side of the field and my OH doesn't like confrontation so I couldn't really do much, but I was fuming!
Most responsible dog owners train their dogs not to bother other people out on walks, but there are always the inconsiderate few, sadly.
Apparently a dog jumping up on someone is a dominance thing. Owners have to remember that dogs are pack animals and need to know their place, not treated as an equal to humans, that's when the real problems start.
spoken commands and even then only if I am somewhere where there is little chance I would bump into other dog walkers.
I have a puppy. He's crazy and hyper friendly, would jump up at anything, person or dog and for this reason he stays on the lead in public, and will until he is fully trained.
What gets me is those owners with big dogs who aren't well trained who let them run around free scaring other dog owners and people.
They're not all like that though, I've had owners apologise even when they haven't really needed to when I've been out on my bike and they've got in my way, I know that dogs are like little kids, if they can get in your way they will so I always cycle really slowly when I'm passing kids or dogs because I fully expect them to suddenly dart in front of me!
But yeah I hate the dogs that do the whole growly snarly thing, I don't shout at the owners though because they are as ugly and snarly as their damn dogs usually. I just get away from them as quickly as I can. Not worth starting a fight with them.
Yes I agree with you stoatie. I have two dogs, 1 rescue Jack Russell/ Staffie cross who is terrified of everyone, as well as every dog, and only ever approaches people she knows. And a very hyper Boxer puppy who thinks she is in fact a small horse and assumes putting her paws on peoples shoulders is an acceptable way to greet anyone.
I always apologise if the Boxer gets too excited and reaches strangers and doggy molests them. I only let her off lead if there is no one in sight, I am aware that she can appear scary to people who are wary of dogs. But in my defence, she really really needs to have that free run. It's cruel not to let a dog of that size and age have a good free run at least twice a day. She would go insane otherwise, and I would be close behind her.
She is 17 months old now and getting much better at obeying commands, but she still has her moments.
I am often apologised too when my cross rescue is approached by other dogs and she has a panic attack [due to being attacked before I had her live with me]
Personally I am always delighted to be approached by any friendly excited dog. I take it as a great compliment.
That's probably true. The other thing many dog owners forget is that small kids have a tendency to recoil from boisterous dogs, and the dog will instinctively feel dominant.
Actually the whole 'dominance' theory is largely discredited these days.
Dogs not responding to recall and jumping up at strangers is most likely due to 'boring' owners who have not invested enough time into their pets and do not occupy them on walks.
And by the same token, some people do the same with their kids. When I wear white, you can bet your bottom dollar some chav-child will be running riot with a melting sloppy icepop or a leaky Fruit Shoot and will go running into me.
I cannot understand why so many people want to live with animals that are so badly trained. Round here the dogs that don't run up to you, bother you, the children, the farm/wildlife are in a minority.
I have also met some very considerate dog owners, who act like normal people.
It's not dominance. we keep ours on leads because my friendly old girl has become senile and forgets her manners but all she wants is a fuss and to be friends. We managed to socialise her too well as a pup consequently she sees all humans as her friend and just wants to say hello. She is the least dominant dog you could meet though.
Is that a fact?
I'd rather they said nothing at all, than give me that BS.