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

[unicornleather]

I also have an issue with uncontrollable dogs rushing over and chasing and attacking my dogs.
Most of the owners I have a problem with round here have little or no control over them, most of the owners I encounter don't seem to bother to even try to stop their dogs, it's like they have some perverse pleasure in seeing their dogs terrify my dogs.
There are plenty of nice playful dogs mine enjoy a good romp with, it's just a few owners who couldn't give a stuff about what their dog is up to.
One of mine (a longdog) broke her leg badly 2 months ago, when she was given the all clear and allowed on lead walks only we went out for a nice slow walk over the Downs, a lab came running up and bounced all over her, as she has been attacked by everything from jack russells to GSD's she was scared, she was screaming in fear. I shouted at the dog, nothing I shouted at the man walking it, he wasn't bothered and carried on, I lifted my dog up over my head and still the lab jumped up me to try to bite her, so I booted it with steel toe caps on, it got the message.It's not the dog that's to blame, it's what should be on the end of the lead but wasn't as it couldn't be bothered.
IF I had not had been able to get her away the dog would have bitten her as that was what it was trying to do before I picked her up.
The owner took offence to me swearing at him, he got off lightly!
I have had another man who has a uncontrollable GSD that has chased 2 of my 3 dogs (the JRT and the Longdog) pinning the longdog down to attack it whilst she was on the lead, he did not come and get his but merely called it, it took no notice and when I had a go at him he said "she's a typical female, doesn't do as it's told" like it was some sort of joke.I notice his GSD doesn't try it on with my staffy x lab as he is a very strong powerful dog.

My JRT was attacked by a off the lead lurcher and the owner had removed it's muzzle as he was carrying it in his hand and yes we had more excuses for badly behaved Rover, I've heard it all and I am sick to the back teeth of it, they CAN'T control them so put the damn things on a lead, muzzle it and get it trained.
Mine do have selective hearing sometimes, they are not perfect either and I instantly go and get them if they are being a nuisance, they aren't aggressive but playful but I know not everyone like other dogs round theirs, mostly mine ignore other dogs or come back when called but people who deliberately ignore their badly behaved dog is well out of order.
I hope to move to Wales soon and have land of my own they can play in away from aggressive dogs.

 

[Hedwards]

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.

I know you're replying to PP's post, however I'm not sure (and happy to accept if i have this wrong) that you've understood my issue here.

I am a totally relaxed dog owner, and i definitely do not overreact - however i cannot abide rudeness, if a dog approaches in a calm sensible manner and the owner is within a reasonable distance I am more than happy for Millie to play, in fact i will always check with the owner they are happy for Millie to be released for play - this is not an issue. When a dog is climbing all over Millie and/or me - or as with the example in my OP, a small frightened child - and the owner stands back and lets it happen, makes an excuse about play, being a baby and/or encourages it I will react differently - it is rude, thoughtless and in the case of the little girl, dangerous.

 

[ThePinkPony]

I dont ovvereact either. I make sure i have a good hold of the dog and try to distract them. but that said it is extremely difficult when you have a strange dog running around your legs, his owner half a feild away, and an incredibly strong and terrified bull cross not knowing wether to run in fear or rip the other dogs head off.

Like i said, im working with her and she is fab.

We do have more opportunities with our dogs because they work and we have lots of private land to train them. And i will stress none of our home grown dogs have issues, its the rescues that have the problems and i can only hazard a guess as to what they have put up with.

But the point im trying to make is that although your dogs may be perfect (whoever you may be) other peoples dogs may not be. Its obviously not an uncommon problem by the accounts on this post and saying that tolerance is needed isnt really the way to react. A human wouldnt find another human getting in their face so why should that be correct etiquette when it comes to canines.

 

[jsr]

Yes of course you are right its rude but is it really the end of the world and something to get so upset about? If you don't want your dog approached don't walk it in busy areas. If you worry about other owners not being responsible then take it up with them,or your local dog warden it's so unconstructive to come moaning about it on a forum of quiet obviously dog minded people because obviously we are not the one's upsetting you. All you've achieved is to annoy those of us who admit openly are dogs are not perfect, and neither are we and sometimes we make mistakes and allow our dogs to behave in a non-perfect manner. So shot me cos obviously it's a crime against all things good and wholesome.

 

[jsr]

I hope to move to Wales soon and have land of my own they can play in away from aggressive dogs.

Lol!!! Wouldn't bother I'm in Wales and it's full of us horrors who allow our uncontrollable beasties to bounce on small unsuspecting dogs.

 

[Lady La La]

The problam I would have if this occured is that said out of control dog might not make it back to its owner alive if it tried bouncing all over my two if it was just me walking them on my own. Sadly thats not an exageration, I think Bryony would eat it. I have a limited amount of control as it is when walking them both one in each hand, and when they start straining at their leads and Tys starts tiggering on the spot that control starts to waver.
Luckily I normally take one dog at a time, or OH takes one with me & I usually avoid dog popular areas if I have them both.
The above situation has happened a few times but on those occasions the owners were trying everything in their power to get their dog back, always apologised and any canine damage was avoided.

Of course training is going to go wrong at times, and if folk started shouting and getting cross everytime a dog stuck two fingers up at its owner and did something naughty I'd be in a mental institute by now.
Yes there are some idiots who have no regard for their dog or other dog owners but in my experience these a few and far between and it is usually normal people experiencing the same hiccups in training that, at some point, we've all experienced.

 

[mollichop]

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.

Really?

I love the fact that my boys are happy, smiley and sociable with others. They have loads of mates (more than me if i'm honest ) who they play with when we encounter them on our walks. It would be no fun for me or them to never be allowed to sniff, play and bundle about with other dogs.

Also, I have met many good friends by our dogs 'introducing us' by initiating play together that has started off with one of them bowling up - and yes, some of those dogs would fit in my pocket So the fact that Millie is small is IMO irrelevant. A well socialised and confident dog is a happy one!

 

[Hedwards]

Yes of course you are right its rude but is it really the end of the world and something to get so upset about? If you don't want your dog approached don't walk it in busy areas. If you worry about other owners not being responsible then take it up with them,or your local dog warden it's so unconstructive to come moaning about it on a forum of quiet obviously dog minded people because obviously we are not the one's upsetting you. All you've achieved is to annoy those of us who admit openly are dogs are not perfect, and neither are we and sometimes we make mistakes and allow our dogs to behave in a non-perfect manner. So shot me cos obviously it's a crime against all things good and wholesome.

JSR - I think you've completely missed the point of the post (and would like to remind you it is an open forum where anyone can view their thoughts/feelings etc) I asked a simple question, and in your opinion the answer is YES. I also added 'warning a rant' if it bothers you when someone wants to get something off their chests in a simple and harmless way i suggest you avoid reading 'rant' posts.

It has been very constructive to me to find that there are plenty of other likeminded dog owners out there and that i am not the only person that this sort of thing happens to, also very interesting to find out it happens to dog owners with all kinds of shapes and sizes of dogs.

As for it not being the end of the world, if that Lab had panicked when the little girl started shrieking and bitten her it would have been for her and her family, and very possibly that dog, or if Millie gets bitten/attacked, or even just so frightened it affects her around any dog - it would be a massive issue for me.

I dont expect dogs to be perfect, Millie certainly isnt, if you'd seen her rolling on her back at agility class when she should have been going through the tunnel and following my directions you'd see that. However an owner oblivious or uncaring enough not to realise that their dog is being a problem is an issue for me multplied by 10 when children are involved (and i dont even have any or particularly like them!), this post was to find out if i was the only person who felt this way, and actually its been interesting to hear how other people deal with it. If you let your dogs charge up to other people without making an attempt to call them off i think your totally out of order - however from your posts i can see thats not the case so dont understand at all what your issue is? if you're annoyed, dont read the post anymore and keep commenting!

 

[Hedwards]

Really?

I love the fact that my boys are happy, smiley and sociable with others. They have loads of mates (more than me if i'm honest ) who they play with when we encounter them on our walks. It would be no fun for me or them to never be allowed to sniff, play and bundle about with other dogs.

Also, I have met many good friends by our dogs 'introducing us' by initiating play together that has started off with one of them bowling up - and yes, some of those dogs would fit in my pocket So the fact that Millie is small is IMO irrelevant. A well socialised and confident dog is a happy one!

Mollichop - Millie's size is part of the issue, if she were larger a lab jumping and playing isnt likely to hurt her, however her size means it does, on more than one occasion she has ended up on her side with a lab literally lying on her, she was screaming - the owner did nothing. She is completely happy to play with any size of dog (including the GSD at the dog club which is probably the largest dog she's played with so far in her life) but i expect the owners to make every effort if the play gets out of hand - and they do. Dogs who 'introduce' in a sensible social way are fine, and as i've said in about 3 separate posts now, I'm more than happy for Millie to play with any dog when we're in a situation that will not put me, her, the other dog or anyone else at risk - its just a matter of manners and common sense...

ETS - sorry Mollichop just re-read this - that may have come across a bit harsh - certainly didnt mean it that way!

 

[ThePinkPony]

JSR hold on a minute, you just accused me of being presumptuous and now you are doing the same.

I dont walk my dogs where people are, But when someone isnt following the footpath or allowing their dog into my garden there isnt much i can do is there?

If you have been annoyed by what I see as replies to the original poster and to your post damning us careful owners, then seriously, dont read them.

Maybe your views will change if you ever have a vunerable dog and you are put in a dangerous position. Either way ordering careful dog owners to 'walk somewhere else' is ridiculous, after all the OP was well within her rights to complain.

 

[jsr]

Obviously I have missed the point and yes of course its an open forum but I'm slightly confused at to why you needed reassurance that your obviously uncontrollable dog issue is rife through the country? Maybe a campaign is in order?

I'm interested to what breed your dog is that she is so delicate and the fact you keep mentioning it (while of course adding the added drama of a child being very close being savaged) flags up to me that while you profess to being a calm and quiet owner that you are actually extreamly nervous of your little dog and her frigility (sp). I have a tiny JRT who lives with 5 larger dogs..plays quiet happily with various staffies, lurchers, greyhounds and other big breeds, not had any injuries yet, maybe it's because he communicates correctly and isn't restricted by my fear?

 

[jsr]

JSR hold on a minute, you just accused me of being presumptuous and now you are doing the same.

I dont walk my dogs where people are, But when someone isnt following the footpath or allowing their dog into my garden there isnt much i can do is there?

If you have been annoyed by what I see as replies to the original poster and to your post damning us careful owners, then seriously, dont read them.

Maybe your views will change if you ever have a vunerable dog and you are put in a dangerous position. Either way ordering careful dog owners to 'walk somewhere else' is ridiculous, after all the OP was well within her rights to complain.

Was the original post about dogs coming onto private property??? Or have we digressed now? Sorry can't keep up with all the dog attacks and related drama's. If you read through I don't 'damn' I suggest that maybe abit of common sense on both sides is required and I once or twice agreed its annoying (obviously I'm quiet as annoyed as you poor people but that's maybe because my 'vunerable' dogs are handled appropriately) if off lead dogs approach in an unsociable manner but I fail to see why me making an obvious suggestion of maybe removing yourself from these awful places where all these irresponsible dog owners are is 'riduculous'? I thought it a fairly sensible solution..guess you'll just have to live with it then.

Or write to your MP about it maybe?

Anyway off home now to walk my slobbing beasties and make the lifes of responsible and caring dog owners a utter misery.

 

[Hedwards]

Obviously I have missed the point and yes of course its an open forum but I'm slightly confused at to why you needed reassurance that your obviously uncontrollable dog issue is rife through the country? Maybe a campaign is in order?

I'm interested to what breed your dog is that she is so delicate and the fact you keep mentioning it (while of course adding the added drama of a child being very close being savaged) flags up to me that while you profess to being a calm and quiet owner that you are actually extreamly nervous of your little dog and her frigility (sp). I have a tiny JRT who lives with 5 larger dogs..plays quiet happily with various staffies, lurchers, greyhounds and other big breeds, not had any injuries yet, maybe it's because he communicates correctly and isn't restricted by my fear?

JSR - I feel i may have hit a nerve with you to come back with such scathing personal remarks! I have said most of the time i have no issues when out walking in a previous post - however my recent 'occurance' of this prompted me to post this, and why on earth shouldnt i start an interesting debate like this - i've learnt an awful lot from other posters!

Millie is a JRT - she was born on a farm with 5 other JRTs who act as a 'pack' which she regularly 'joins' and 3 spaniels, she still sees 3 of the other 4 of her litter mates and is definitely 'the boss', at our dog club she socialises with spaniels, labs, GSD's, various sized x-breeds etc. with no problem at all and actually is right in there with them when we throw the ball for them at the end of a class - regularly coming out as the dog with the ball - she is probably one of the best socialised dogs around - she just doesnt appreciate being jumped on -and why shouldnt she! She is a very bold little dog, and actually if i was that worried about her i wouldnt walk her where other people are or indeed let of off the lead at all, the dogs arent the issue, the owners are - what is so worng for having self preservation as a priority. As for bringing up the little girl - that was something that made me angry - and i really hope it doesnt affect her in the future, it would be incredibly sad for one ignorant dog owner to affect her in the future - i think all kids should be able to enjoy dogs.

Are you honestly telling me if a large dog, you'd never met before was jumping up you, and the owner stood smiling and laughing about how cute it was it wouldnt bother you? maybe you wouldnt post about it, but how boring would the world be if we were all the same? Its obviously kept your attention for some time for someone who thinks this whole post is a waste of time...

As for small and large dogs being together - I'm currently in the process of looking for a Greyhound/lurcher/whippet type - please dont assume I have an issue with large dogs and small dogs together - if you re-read all my posts in this threat I've made that very clear!

 

[Hedwards]

Oh, and one last note JSR - I notice you too use this forum to rant, your post about haylage in your field...? Pot, Kettle and black?

For what its worth I too agree that I would be very annoyed if someone had put crappy haylage in my horses field too (although whether i would have posted about it i'm not sure ) - she is also a Cob and would have eaten the lot! Well done for dealing with it in such a calm and controlled way!

 

[ThePinkPony]

backing up Hedwards, we are all aware just how diverse JRTs personalities are.
My two are poles apart. And backing her up one of the spaniels bowled into my old one this morning and rolled her about 10 feet, it was purely accidental, just a hyper young spaniel tearing about the garden, but it obviously it pee'd her off and she went and had a bit of a snap at him. Big boisterous dogs can cause harm, tears in bellies from misjudges dogpiling and the like.

But more to the point, What is wrong with not wanting someone else dog to bother yours??? You wouldnt let your kid go upto another kid and start roughhousing would you?

 

[soloabe]

Ahhh thank doG for dog parks.

 

[Sanolly]

If my dog is off the lead and I see another, I call out to the owner "Is he/she friendly?" If the answer is yes I allow them to meet and play, if the answer is no I recall my dog and put him on a lead until we are past each other. I think it's irresponsible to assume that just because your dog is friendly that the dog he/she is bouncing all over is too. Would you allow your children to just run over to a dog walker and jump all over them? Probably not so why allow your dog to?

 

[MurphysMinder]

If my dog is off the lead and I see another, I call out to the owner "Is he/she friendly?" If the answer is yes I allow them to meet and play, if the answer is no I recall my dog and put him on a lead until we are past each other. I think it's irresponsible to assume that just because your dog is friendly that the dog he/she is bouncing all over is too. Would you allow your children to just run over to a dog walker and jump all over them? Probably not so why allow your dog to?

Think you've got it in a nutshell there.
Mollichops, having met your 2 I do know they are big friendly lumps, but the fact remains if they bounded up to the dog I mention in the post above he would probably have a go at them, your boys aren't small but he probably weighs twice as much as them and I wouldn't want to try and get involved to sort things out.
The uncontrollable dog issue may not be "rife through the country", but from speaking to fellow breeders throughout the UK it certainly is very common.

 

[Sanolly]

Just to add, I know it's not quite along these lines but this article I think is a very good read.

 

[littlemisslauren]

We keep B on a long line because she LOVES people and dogs and I just dont want her to harass everyone. If in an enclosed space I am always happy for her to play with new dogs, regardless of size.

Betsy is usually petrified of other dogs if they approach her. She used to drop to her back and scream (before they even made contact), IMO picking her up made her 100 times worse, it just reinforced her fear.

She now stays on the ground at all times and deals with the situation herself (within reason!) and she is so much better with approaching dogs.

Betsy is a small border terrier and isn't much bigger than most JRTs and she gives as good as she gets when she is playfighting with the ridgeback or one of her many lab friends. I never worry about her size when she is playing The ridgeback often sits on her and no harm has been done.

 

[ThePinkPony]

An amazing article sanolly. I think everyone on this thread should give it a go.

Typically today exactly the same thing happened, We are looking after MILs flatcoat who is lovely with other dogs. OH is cleaning out the kennels and all manner of unruly hyperactive dogs (bar the nasty spaniel and the bolshy one) are tearing around the garden at breakneck speed. M is having a nice little pee when up bound behind (and under) him but our young spaniels. Obviously M displays the solid, ears up, tail wagging slowly stance and growls. /it would be easy for me to go mental at him, but instead M gets a very kind ''come here M' and the puppies dart off somewhere else finding something else to terrorise.

 

[marmalade76]

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!!!

If this is the case then surely your dogs should be muzzeled in public.

 

[ThePinkPony]

If this is the case then surely your dogs should be muzzeled in public.

They dont go out in public for exactly that reason (i did say)

But if they are on a lead under my strict control then No, i wouldnt mussle them. theres no need. If some twonk lets their dog get up in their faces then its a harsh lesson to learn but it wouldnt be my fault. Any dog is capable of biting or becoming aggressive.

 

[marmalade76]

They dont go out in public for exactly that reason (i did say)

But if they are on a lead under my strict control then No, i wouldnt mussle them. theres no need. If some twonk lets their dog get up in their faces then its a harsh lesson to learn but it wouldnt be my fault. Any dog is capable of biting or becoming aggressive.

Sorry, but I disagree. If you have a dog you know to be aggressive, it should be muzzeled in public whether on a lead or not.

 

[soloabe]

Sorry, but I disagree. If you have a dog you know to be aggressive, it should be muzzeled in public whether on a lead or not.

Have to say i agree 100%

 

[Kaylum]

I have a dog and let her off when others arent around, if another one comes up to her I put her on the lead fair enough. What I cannot stand is when your walking with young children (without the dog) and three great danes come bouding up knocking one of the kids to floor and then sodding off as the owner cannot see them or see whats happend. Why do people let the dogs out of their sight? They have no idea whats round the corner or up the footpath? I could not find the owner as they were no where in sight.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Ah, this old chestnut.

My dog has never bitten another dog, but he is an arse and he does not have 100% recall so he stays on a lead in open areas where we are likely to meet people.
I have a huge problem with rude dogs bounding up to us - he is fine with proper introductions.
And I am sorry, in this area, NO ONE wants an off leash GSD bounding up to them and their dogs offlead and I have the reputation of the breed to think about, not just about what is at the end of my nose.
I'd rather people thought 'oh, there goes that GSD walking to heel on lead, not 'there's that big scary Allasayshun running about scaring people'.

 

[gunnergundog]

Sorry, but I disagree. If you have a dog you know to be aggressive, it should be muzzeled in public whether on a lead or not.

Agreed 100%+ AND there was a recent court case where one dog was on lead and the other not....historically, the on leash dog was always deemed to be under control BUT in this case it was found AGAINST the owner of this dog. I will try and find the link.........

 

[DragonSlayer]

The last time a dog came bounding up to my dog to play...it ripped her shoulder open and she had to have 7 staples....so I do take issue with people not in control of dogs, and this 'he/she only wants to play!'....attitude...

Same goes with horse about....

'....my dog won't hurt your horse!'...as it's snapping and growling at the fetlocks....

'not the horse I'm worried about, it's....oh dear...there goes your dog....flying through the air, with it's ribcage crunched in from the shoes my horse is wearing....'....

 

[Kaylum]

The last time a dog came bounding up to my dog to play...it ripped her shoulder open and she had to have 7 staples....so I do take issue with people not in control of dogs, and this 'he/she only wants to play!'....attitude...

Same goes with horse about....

'....my dog won't hurt your horse!'...as it's snapping and growling at the fetlocks....

'not the horse I'm worried about, it's....oh dear...there goes your dog....flying through the air, with it's ribcage crunched in from the shoes my horse is wearing....'....

My old horse hated dogs chasing him and once nearly gave one a boot when we were riding out.

I think dog owners who let their dogs bound up to others dont seem to see what might happen. If it wants to play with another dog go get yourself another dog.