Am I just a miserable dog walker? - warning rant!

[Hedwards]

So I love walking Millie, she's great, she can be off lead (when not near roads etc. only in fields and woods) and be totally sensible, great recall etc. It really really REALLY annoys me when i see other dog walkers, with their dogs off lead, and just let them come charging towards me and Millie, they make no effort to call the dog back, and just say 'awww 'rover' just wants to play, he/she wont hurt them' - it really gets my heckles up, I have taken to saying something along the lines of 'your dog may want to play, but what if mine bites?!' they then generally cant get their dog away and have very little control and find the whole thing very 'sweet' or amusing because Millie is like a real live toy (great!)

Now Millie is really very small, so a lab or even a spaniel can be over powering if she doesnt know them, generally i have her back on lead and can block any advances, however i can tell Millie isnt keen. dont get me wrong, Millie is brilliantly socialised and loves other dogs, but is not at all impressed when they jump all over her! if we're out walking and come across another dog who isnt interested in her, she isnt interested in them, if we meet someone and they have control over their dog, and are happy for their dog and Millie to meet, they do, and generally end up playing in a controlled manner

On more than one occasion i have said 'if you cant control your dog dont let it off its lead'. Now one case in point was a walker with a young lab (beautiful dog by the way!) - i said this to her after it jumped all over Millie and me (when i had to pick Millie up as she was not impressed cowering behind me and yelping everytime a lab paw landed on her!)- and her reply was 'he;s a baby and just wants to play' i rolled my eyes and carried on after using the phrase 'if you cant control it, put it on a lead'. we came across same woman later on, approaching a family (looked lilke 3 generations grandparents, parents and a young girl about 6 years old max) walking a giant schnauzer. Young lab proceeded to gallop up to the family and the little girl, jumped all over her. The little girl was screaming and literally climbing up her mum to try and get away. again the owner used the phrase 'he just wants to play, he's a baby' - i was so angry, she didnt apologise, or actually try and call the dog back. The parents were horrified, the little girl was petrified, but obviously alright with dogs generally as was with the Schnauzer, and once she had calmed down, thought Millie was brilliant - unfortunatley i couldnt hold my tounge and did say to the woman with the lab 'I told you so - please put it on a lead until you have recall'.

Sorry for the rambling rant, it just sometimes can ruin a really nice walk! phew feel better now getting that off my chest!

 

[Spudlet]

Must be great to be perfect

 

[ThePinkPony]

Must be great to be perfect

Its easy to say that, but for people with dogs who arent that keen on other dogs jumping all over them it can be a huge issue.

We have a young, quite badly socialised large cross breed at the moment that im really trying to turn around (shes doing really well) and it can be quite frightening when irresponsible owners allow their dogs to charge up to her. She is part mastiff and there would be uproar if she crushed a dogs throat in her jaws, which is entirely possible.

Luckily she isnt aggressive, just nervous. But i do have a spaniel which is a nasty nasty peice of work when she wants to be, and i have had to literally sit on her with my hands around her muzzle whilst some completely ignorant dog walker lets their (another) labrador crawl all over her.

They call out ''oh dont worry-he's fine with other dogs''.... well ine isnt and if you still want a dog in two minutes you best call it back!!!

 

[Spudlet]

I am fully aware of that and am working very hard on this issue with my own dog. What I do not need is smart-arses making life even more difficult while I'm already struggling. Sorry, but I get sick and tired of the Peter Perfect brigade with their little holier than thou comments and this has touched a raw nerve for me

 

[Toffee44]

I think what's rude is when people allow dog to do it. It's rude behaviour. However if the owner is trying to call dog back then I'm sorry these things happen. I always say sorry when Teal goes a bit nuts.

 

[Toffee44]

Spudlet wish you were closer we could go for a walk. Henry and Teal could cause trouble together!

 

[sharman&apollo]

It doesn't worry me - my spaniel Bonnie can be a bit nervous about dogs that come bounding up to her but thats life!

I think that all dogs need time off the lead, being socialable animals, and if you are so offended by a friendly dog approaching you then thats a very high standard you have!

Viscious dog and I'd be annoyed, but if Bonnie is a little cowardy towards a playful dog then that is something that she and I need to work on, its not the fault of the other dog or owner who are just allowing their pup to enjoy life!

 

[ThePinkPony]

I am fully aware of that and am working very hard on this issue with my own dog. What I do not need is smart-arses making life even more difficult while I'm already struggling. Sorry, but I get sick and tired of the Peter Perfect brigade with their little holier than thou comments and this has touched a raw nerve for me

It may have touched a nerve, But take my spaniel for instance.

when we rescued her she had recall issues (among other things) so we worked long and hard in a private feild and our garden untill she was workable, but she is still vicious and we cant work her in the garden now because of people with their badly behaved dogs off of the lead. For their safety!

She has bitten one collie whilst we have had her. The collie had just run through a feild full of ewes in lamb, and the owner (having thought that was acceptable) then decided sod putting it back on the lead but allowed it to come into our garden. typically it emerged through the hedge the same time G had just been sent out for a dummy, and the collie got to her before I did.

G had a grip on the collies neck and then crunched his leg. I separated them and by then OH had grabbed G and was checking her over. I had to hold the (bleeding) collie for about 5 minutes whilst his owners were still getting to us. Then they had the audacity to have a go at me for my dangerous dog, when his uncontrolled animal had ''attacked'' G in her own garden. !!!

Now they were all full of ''you'll pay for the vets bills'' blah blah blah! (never heard anything funnily enough).

If your dog wont recall properly then dont let it off the lead unless he is safely contained away from other dogs. Spare a thought for the people who do all they can to keep their dogs from incidents like this.

 

[Hedwards]

Woah spudlet thats really not fair, maybe i didnt make it clear enough - i dont have a problem with people who cant control theire dogs when they have issues that they are trying to resolve - I have an issue with people who make no effort to try and call their dog and/or come over to move it away, get control and actually acknowledge that Millie was frightened and find the whole thing funny.

I am not perfect, however this is an issue for me, Millie is tiny, having any dog jump all over her (and me - i dont appreciate strange dogs jumping up me - what if they bite and react if i put a hand out - would that be my fault?) while their owner stands back saying how cute it is, is just not on - and I'm sure that if Henry did this you would be there straight away to get him back (having read and thoroughly enjoyed you're blog, eg. picnic incident - you're first reaction was to grab him and pull him away - these dog owners dont and think its absolutely fine to let their dogs carry on), I'm sure you always apologise if you have issues too.

I dont have high standards, and the dogs arent the issue, its the owners that dont seem to be aware that their dog is invading space and find it funny. Its one thing a dog running up and the owner comming over straight away to sort things out, and like i say, quite happy for Millie to play when an owner has some control and/or i'm comfortable that its not going to get out of hand - thats just self preservation - I'm just not happy about strange dogs (whose temperament i have no idea about) being left to invade mine and Millie's space.

would you be happy for a large dog to jump all over Henry and frighten him, making no effort to call it away? (I dont mean to target you/Henry, but found your reply really very harsh)

 

[MurphysMinder]

Spudlet, you I am sure call Henry back if he goes to say hello to other dogs (or picnics). I am kind of with hedwards here in that some people don't seem to have any control over their dogs and don't seem to realise their dogs are a problem. My dogs all love children and given the chance would go and say hello to them, but I realise that a dirty great GSD charging up can be a bit daunting for a little person who is at their face level. On the other end of the scale, my friends dog IS dog aggressive, she has worked wonders with him to the extent that he has qualfied up to TD working trials and will do a 10 minute out of sight stay surrounded by other dogs, but if another dog dashes up to him and starts trying bouncing at him when he is being walked on lead he is not impressed.
I have to say I don't tend to have a go at people, just ask them to please put their dog on lead if it is really being a nuisance to mine.

 

[noodle_]

i keep my dog on a lead for this reason..

Shes friendly - LOVES other dogs - but shes too much - she will throw herself over people (she loves people too) so for their safety i keep her on the lead


We had one little terrier a while ago that kept bothering my dog.... for once she was offlead and behaving very well... owner kept shouting but had NO control over it - terrier kept jumping up in my dogs face and mine was soo annoyed.... i kept walking away and telling the owner to put her dog on a lead etc.....

anyhow.... my dog eventually turned on this terrier and pinned it down.... (owner is still accross the field)..... so i had to separate both of them - luckily the terrier finally ran off

So yes OP - i feel for you - no-ones perfect but some people really do take the p*55

My last dog would have ripped heads off dogs within 4 foot of her... she picked many a fight (hence again left on lead)... but people let their dogs run upto her even though we were way away and wondered when we shouted get your dog on an effing lead - i refused to muzzle her as we always awvoided everyone... if people controlled their dogs we wouldnt have an issue

My current dog is a star - but her recall is crap when theres birds and people about (chases birds - loves people).... so for my reputation as a dog walker i keep her on lead unless im in a totaly secluded and enclosed area and she can go off lead

 

[Hedwards]

Maybe I do over-react, and maybe if Millie were bigger i wouldnt be quite so bothered, but she is really very small.

I dont tend to react/have a go unless i get a comment like 'awww how cute, rover thinks your dog is a toy' - if there's no comment I'll normally just scoop Millie up (if its safe to do so) and carry on walking until we 'lose' the other dog. I suppose i should also add that the majority of the time there are no problems, but last night was a situation like this while i took Millie for a quick walk before we went off to our agility class, a bloke on his mobile made absolutely no attempt to call, grab, whistle anything to get the attention of his large labrador dog who was literally standing all over Millie - it frightens her (and me to a certain extent) and is just totally rude. If he had put his phone down, called and/or grabbed his dog, i would have thanked him and carried on without a second thought,

 

[JVB]

Agree, it is frustrating - we have a rescue dog that is quite timid and there is a woman we sometimes see who has 3 big dogs who everytime we see them are aggressive and what do they get told - nothing, they are just allowed to do what they want with the owner does nothing.

We now pick our dog up and carry her past them, or turn round and avoid if we can!

I've no problem with friendly dogs coming to say hello, but if they even show a hint of being aggressive and don't have good recall they should be on a lead

 

[Luci07]

My gripe is people who let their dogs run over to mine when mine are on a lead and don't try to recall. Mine are on leads in public places as they are not 100% with dogs jumping on them. Younger one has a permanantly damaged tear duct thanks to a dog attack when he was 4 months old so he is unpredictable when strange (big) dogs rush up. Luckily most people around me are pretty sensible and if they see mine are on leads, they put theirs back on.

 

[jsr]

I have a pack of 6 'imperfect' mutts. Sometimes they are perfectly controlled, others they are evil sods from hell....but that's because they are dogs not machines and unfortunately we all have off days so a little tolerance and understanding from other dog lovers wouldn't go a miss.

Yes I understand it's very annoying and sometimes disruptive for an off lead dog to bounce your dog but I'm betting we've been on both ends of the lead (so to speak) on occasions and your little precious has done something to upset or annoy someone else?

I have 2 of mine who would attack dogs given half the chance...I pop a muzzle on them for that very reason if I'm walking somewhere I know will have lots of dog walkers. I know very well 2 of mine other dogs will run over and say hello to other dogs/people/kids/cats/rabbits...whatever but they are friendly, well socialised and adjusted dogs so I don't bother calling them back unless the object of their affection shows it's a problem. And then there is the lurcher who will run at, run to, bounce, rugby tackle and annoy anything he fancies..yes I let him off lead and yes sometimes he doesn't come back at my first call but he's a work in progress and if I just gave up and kept him on lead all the time he'd never over come his demons and I'd be no better than the person who kept him locked up for the first 8 months of his life.

Understanding and tolerance is something sadly lacking in todays society. I'm sure that some of small majority of dog owners you've experienced who don't attempt to recall their dogs are just in life rude awful people but think sometimes that others might be struggling owners who are trying their best with dogs that have issues forced on them other humans. Relax and smile and the situation will seem so much better...with the added bonus of the dogs not feeling your tension by transferance and cooling the whole thing down. You never know unruly naughty dog might actually become a playful fun friend for your pet to enjoy!

 

[galaxy]

Is your dog on a lead when these dog approaches? If not pop her on one, that will prob make the owner think. To me a dog on a lead = not friendly and I wouldn't want H to approach. But if the other dog was off lead, I would let him approach..... Generally tiny dogs around here are kept on those flexi leads anyway, so H isn't allowed to approach them.

H is very friendly and loves to play with other peoples dogs, but does approach slowly and sniff first. It is difficult when peoples dogs approach too fast. Luckily H is big, so I'm no worried about that, but he is sensitive and will run away (usually behind me) with his tail between his legs if a dog scares him. too many dogs have had unprovoked goes at him that he does scare easily.

It is a problem in my area of people with anti-social dogs allowing them to approach your off or on lead dog!! Becuase they don't actually "bite" they think it's fine!! But they are still really quite agressive. Count yourself lucky that the ones that approach yours actually only want to play!!!!!

 

[paisley]

Have literally got back from a walk in the park where the stern warning to my skinny mongrel was " No mugging small children, old ladies or chasing ducks"

He does love other dogs and people, but its not the point, they might not love him. So if there are many toddlers, balls being kicked or the other dogs are on leads, then mine is on a lead

He will recall, but if I'm not quick enough then he's gone at the whippet-chasing-a-rabbit speed, which if a strange dog comes belting up I think looks scary- so I try and avoid, not always succesfully

He did get a taste of his own medicine one day, when three humungous dogs came roaring up to day hello. They had a very nice play but it did surprise him!

I did have to use the fish-wifely tones of "WAIT!!!!!!!" today when I saw him thinking that three small children might like a special slobbery hello-I think the whole park heard us

 

[Hedwards]

JSR - Millie isnt perfect by any means (and certainly would never call her my 'precious' ), however i never ever let her off the lead until i knew she had recall if i was somewhere public, also if she ever did run up to another person/dog i would immediately be there, and make every effort possible to get her away, and perfously apologise, not stand next to or a field away smiling and saying 'he wants to play' or 'its ok she's fine with other dogs'. Like i've said, if owners make every or even any effort to control their dog, i politely say thank you and carry on, so I do understand when people are having 'issues' or a new dog just learning.

My bug bear is with those that do nothing and cannot see that they're doing something completely rude, and in actual fact dangerous. whenever i see another dog my first reaction is to call Millie back, no matter how far away it is, that's me and my way - i dont expect everyone to do that, but i expect them to at least attempt to call their dog away - I honnestly think that if Millie was a GSD, Rottie, or Dobe it wouldnt happen nearly so much (all breeds of dog that i absolutely love by the way and i am in no way suggesting anything other than they I believe would be treated differently). What if Millie did bite and hurt another dog - it would be her that would be classed as dangerous, not the dog that jumped all over her...

Dogs are animals with a mind of their own, and yes i understand that they do get selective deafness sometimes (even Millie - she's a Jack Russell and a strong willed one at that), however standing back and watching your dog, or actually enjoying your dog invading someone else's space i find totally rude.

I think the basic answer to the title of this thread is - Yes, I am a miserable dog walker!

 

[Hedwards]

Galaxy, whenever i see another dog I call Millie to me, if it looks like coming over she goes straight on a lead. with those walkers that dont seem to care/be aware of what their dog is doing it makes very little difference - even if i pick Millie up it doesnt!

 

[Tinkerbee]

It drives me mad as well. Tink is fairly nervous when dogs bumble over and head straight for the bum sniff and when she goes all submissive they tend to get more dominant.

With the local dogs I know which ones she is ok with, and can leave her off lead or put her on lead and usually they do the same and all is fine. There are a few people though (and of course the endless tourists we get!) who think its fine for their mutt to career over and bowl Tink arse over tit

If you see me putting my dog on a lead wouldn't that ring a few bells?! "Oh he just wants to play" great but your Collies version of play is scary for my dog! Grr.

And breathe.

Spudlet- When people are making an effort to call the dog back and its clearly having a deaf moment then I can accept that. As long as they aren't aggressive in which case they should be on lead IMO.

 

[galaxy]

JSR - Millie isnt perfect by any means (and certainly would never call her my 'precious' ), however i never ever let her off the lead until i knew she had recall if i was somewhere public, also if she ever did run up to another person/dog i would immediately be there, and make every effort possible to get her away, and perfously apologise, not stand next to or a field away smiling and saying 'he wants to play' or 'its ok she's fine with other dogs'. Like i've said, if owners make every or even any effort to control their dog, i politely say thank you and carry on, so I do understand when people are having 'issues' or a new dog just learning.

I think the basic answer to the title of this thread is - Yes, I am a miserable dog walker!

Maybe not miserable.... But most dog walkers I come across are more than happy for their dogs to interact and play with other dogs..... and you don't want to. So maybe you need to work out a way of making it very obvious to other people that those are your wishes, people just probably don't know.

 

[galaxy]

Galaxy, whenever i see another dog I call Millie to me, if it looks like coming over she goes straight on a lead. with those walkers that dont seem to care/be aware of what their dog is doing it makes very little difference - even if i pick Millie up it doesnt!

ah well, they're relly quite thick then!! They'll learn when their dog one day gets ripped apart by an agressive dog they have let it approach! They should come and live around by me for a while!! They'd learn fast!!!!!!

 

[Bug2007]

I too get annnoyed by this.

I have a lovely greyhound, perfect off lead, great recall and always looking up to see where i am.
He totally ignores other dogs and if they sniff him he walks away, but some people let there dogs run up and jump over him, he is nervous so this isn't good for him.
I get the he only wants to play thing but at the same time you can see mind doesn't but they don't call them off.
Now what if he was to bite if he couldn't get away. Luckly for him, no one can catch him, but they then let there dogs chase him, i tell them he is scared and running away, not playing chase.

people need to get a grip of there dogs or at least say sorry of make an effort to call them back.

 

[Bug2007]

People also let there dogs jump all over him when he is on the lead.

How do they know he isn't not the lead because he is aggressive.

 

[Hedwards]

Galaxy I'm happy for Millie to play, as i said in my original post, however playing is where she can interact and isnt getting squished by another dog, sat cowering behind me and squealing when she gets hit, like i've said as soon as i know a dog is under some control or at least the owner is aware of what their dog is dowing, and I always always check with the owner they're happy for Millie to be 'set loose' she can play for as long as she likes - sometimes she does, sometimes she doesnt - thats her choice, if it gets too rough she comes to me and we carry on.

 

[Jake10]

I think the basic answer to the title of this thread is - Yes, I am a miserable dog walker!

I don't think your a miserable dog walker at all!

I've met several Lab, Staffy, JRT and GSD owners who think it is perfectly acceptable for their off lead dogs to run up to and display rude and dominant behaviour to my on lead dogs. If you don't have recall or think this type of behaviour is playing/ acceptable perhaps training classes (for both dog and human) are needed before the dog launches itself at both of my dog 'aggressive' (they will not tollerate unsocialised/rude dogs) dogs and gets hurt. It would hardly be me or my dogs fault!

Thankfully since we moved we only meet these types of dog and owner in tourist areas.

 

[Hedwards]

Jake10 - thanks - and actually i should add, it isnt just big dogs, small too, however with a small dog Millie is far more confident if they do jump all over her - guess it doesnt hurt/less likely to hurt if they're similar size.

 

[ThePinkPony]

I have a pack of 6 'imperfect' mutts. Sometimes they are perfectly controlled, others they are evil sods from hell....but that's because they are dogs not machines and unfortunately we all have off days so a little tolerance and understanding from other dog lovers wouldn't go a miss.

thats easy to say again, but when you are the dog walker who is being responsible with their potentially aggressive dog on a lead, (or possibly a young child who may be unsure of strange dogs) trying desperately to keep it away from other animals, it wouldnt be much to ask for others to think before they allow a dog to charge over.

Yes I understand it's very annoying and sometimes disruptive for an off lead dog to bounce your dog but I'm betting we've been on both ends of the lead (so to speak) on occasions and your little precious has done something to upset or annoy someone else?

you wouldnt be saying that though if your dog bounded over to someones dog and ended up with its throat torn out. a terrier is more than capable of inflicting that in an instant.

I have 2 of mine who would attack dogs given half the chance...I pop a muzzle on them for that very reason if I'm walking somewhere I know will have lots of dog walkers. I know very well 2 of mine other dogs will run over and say hello to other dogs/people/kids/cats/rabbits...whatever but they are friendly, well socialised and adjusted dogs so I don't bother calling them back unless the object of their affection shows it's a problem.

yes but if a 'problem' did present itself, what use are you going to be half way across a feild-from first hand experience dogs fighting will rarely pay attention to you. And more so, by doing that you do leave the other owner in the position where if somethig did happen they are left to control not one but potentially six other dogs if there was an issue and everyone decided to pitch in

And then there is the lurcher who will run at, run to, bounce, rugby tackle and annoy anything he fancies..yes I let him off lead and yes sometimes he doesn't come back at my first call but he's a work in progress and if I just gave up and kept him on lead all the time he'd never over come his demons and I'd be no better than the person who kept him locked up for the first 8 months of his life.

Understanding and tolerance is something sadly lacking in todays society. I'm sure that some of small majority of dog owners you've experienced who don't attempt to recall their dogs are just in life rude awful people but think sometimes that others might be struggling owners who are trying their best with dogs that have issues forced on them other humans. Relax and smile and the situation will seem so much better...with the added bonus of the dogs not feeling your tension by transferance and cooling the whole thing down. You never know unruly naughty dog might actually become a playful fun friend for your pet to enjoy!

its very hard to relax when you do have a bunch of dogs storming up to you and you arent used to it. I also have a large pack of dogs, and no way in hell would they all be let off together somewhere where other people and dogs were just through pure common sense. I'd personally rather prevent a potentially dangerous situation completely.

sorry im not trying to pick or anything, but it feels like you are pointing the blame with owners like us who dont appreciate dogs bundling around their own, for whatever reason (realistically there shouldnt be a reason needed anyway). Dogs can be unpredictable and dangerous and a strange dog should never be taken for granted just because it isnt muzzled.

 

[jsr]

its very hard to relax when you do have a bunch of dogs storming up to you and you arent used to it. I also have a large pack of dogs, and no way in hell would they all be let off together somewhere where other people and dogs were just through pure common sense. I'd personally rather prevent a potentially dangerous situation completely.

sorry im not trying to pick or anything, but it feels like you are pointing the blame with owners like us who dont appreciate dogs bundling around their own, for whatever reason (realistically there shouldnt be a reason needed anyway). Dogs can be unpredictable and dangerous and a strange dog should never be taken for granted just because it isnt muzzled.

Did I say in my post my pack was allowed to 'storm' over? I said my 2 friendly dogs are allowed to approach as I know they will not react or start anything and they approach calmly, quietly and friendly. PLUS they have instant recall and will go down and retreat if commanded. I certainly do not allow all my pack to approach anyone or thing unless they know them or they are invited to do so. I also said I muzzle the 2 who may react to a situation when walking where there could be other people or dogs (very very rare as I hate dealing with the issues of other people) all other times I walk my pack where there are no other dogs so you are assuming alot.

I too have dogs that would react to other dogs running at them but that's why I've worked with them, encouraged unsociable behaviour from dogs outside of their pack and taught them that it's not something to react to, that's the point of taking on dogs with behavioural issues to work with them rather than avoid the issue.

I've been working with behavourial issues in rescue dogs for a very long time and know very well how to handle them and also how to read other dogs body language without risking my dogs or anyone elses. I can spot the panicked owner a mile off and will avoid them and their dog easily, in the same way I can happily spot the chilled out relaxed owner and dog who will enjoy and appreciate some fun.

As I said if all dog owners relaxed, smiled and stopped over reacting to situations then the dogs themselves would learn from it. 99% of the time a situation with dogs is increased by the over reaction by the people involved, left to their own devices canines are perfectly capable of handling social situations, it's the panicked human who makes things worse.

 

[millitiger]

I think it is bad manners to let your dog approach any other person/dog they don't know.

Yes, some dogs have deaf moments but that doesn't make it acceptable and an apology is needed imo.

We very rarely see other people/animals when out walking but if we do, our dogs are called straight back and put on their leads.