I was walking my puppy in the park just there and doing a bit of off-leash training. On the whole he's very good at coming when called and not charging people. Other dogs not so much, but I keep a lookout for dogs and put him straight back on the leash or don't let him off if there are dogs in the park. Most of the dogs round here are old snappy types and he would just barrel right in and get himself hurt.

Anyway, he ran at this couple about 50m away, near the park exit on to the street. I don't know why he did it. It isn't like him. He'd entirely ignored several other people on this walk. I shouted for him, and shouted to the couple, "sorry! Stay there and I'll come put him on the leash" and they just carried on walking, even though he was following them and I was having to run after them all...they kept on walking, right into the road outside the park, with him still following them and me now sprinting to catch up because there is a car coming right at my puppy and this couple have stopped at the other side of the road just gawping at him and he's standing there frozen, caught in the headlights.

The car stopped and I caught the dog. I still haven't fully stopped shaking. I know there are very mixed feelings on DS about dogs off the leash but there it is. I think off-leash time is really important for dogs and I'm trying my damndest to train Alice to be safe and calm off-leash, but he's only five months old and it would help really rather a lot if people didn't lead him into traffic. For the next little while I will be keeping off-leash training much, much further from the road. I cannot deal with the tableau of my wee baby frozen the headlights again. So, so scary.

You shouldn't let him off the lead at all until you have recall mastered.

It's not the strangers' fault that he ran into the road. They're not responsible for your dog.

I'm sure you're shaken up Goonst but it really wasn't the couple's responsibility but yours.

I'm not scared of dogs per se but I'm very wary of them and if I saw a puppy/dog bounding my way, I would shit myself.

Perhaps you should just unleash your pup in your garden and not in public spaces.

You need to keep him in confinded areas like tennis courts etc while you don't have full control. But I am guessing you know that now from your post. It must have benn very scary I am glad all were OK and I would suggest a nice calmy cup of tea and cuddle with your doggy now just to get over it all.

Maybe the couple didn't speak English, or in a park with a lot of shouting and noise they may not have realised they were being shouted at. Have you anywhere you can do your puppy training that is completely enclosed and safe, puppies are so easy distracted and you must have complete control if there's any chance of them getting on a road. One of my most frightening moments came when my pup did the same and chasing her made her think it was a game, I had to turn my back on her and walk away and she came chasing after me..Thank God..

I agree with that, its definitely not their fault. When doing recall training its always best to do it in an enclosed area, away from roads.

You named a male dog Alice

I'm guessing its called Alice as in Alice Cooper?

i have a female bearded dragon called Oscar and a male cat called Bella...but thisa isnt the point. yeah as has been said, you need to master the call back, i can understand you were shaken but its something you need to take responsibility over. just be glad you still have your wee puppy

I thought the same.

Glad the car stopped and Alice is ok.