Irresponsible Owners

[Kunoichi73]

Just a positive dog owner story to show they are out there.

I went for a run last week and came round a corner to see a chap with a dog (can't remember the type but it was medium sized) walking in front of me. He was walking by the fence with the dog closer to the road. He turned around and saw me coming, moved the dog to the fence side of him, putting himself between me and the dog and shortened the lead. I moved onto the road (it was a quiet side street) to give them plenty of room and thanked him as I passed.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

'It was quite extreme': Boy, five, saves 8-week old puppy who swallowed large stick

Five-year-old Max came to whippet River's rescue after noticing he was struggling after swallowing a large stick.

www.eveshamjournal.co.uk

Whippet puppy interest story! But why was a baby (ok, 5 year old) outside alone with a brand new puppy? When ours were that age, we supervised very closely in the garden, they weren’t allowed in the garden without us. Zak and Bear were particularly keen on stones, we were forever taking things out of mouths. Good lad going to tell his parents, tho.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Sorry, another rant. Met a dog ours used to socialise with when puppies, we see him occasionally and always get on well.

The dog is now 13. He has odd conformation, basset x collie, very odd looking fores. He’s always been overweight and I’d say he’s at double the size he could be. He was doing a little trot, all excited to see my two, but then was clearly shattered. My OH said his quality of life would have been far better had he been kept slim. I think it’s such a shame.

 

[splashgirl45]

Just a positive dog owner story to show they are out there.

I went for a run last week and came round a corner to see a chap with a dog (can't remember the type but it was medium sized) walking in front of me. He was walking by the fence with the dog closer to the road. He turned around and saw me coming, moved the dog to the fence side of him, putting himself between me and the dog and shortened the lead. I moved onto the road (it was a quiet side street) to give them plenty of room and thanked him as I passed.

While he was responsible and put himself between the dog and you I don’t understand why some people have their dog on the side next to the traffic , I worry that the dog might see a cat or similar and dart into the road before the owner can pull it back, if the owner was next to the traffic surely it’s safer for the dog..

 

[Kunoichi73]

While he was responsible and put himself between the dog and you I don’t understand why some people have their dog on the side next to the traffic , I worry that the dog might see a cat or similar and dart into the road before the owner can pull it back, if the owner was next to the traffic surely it’s safer for the dog..

I do agree with you on that. It was just nice to see someone at least think about other road users for once!

 

[Jenko109]

Post on local fb group.

Picture of a mans leg which was bleeding with scratches from someones dog who had ran up to him and jumped all over him.

The comments. I just can't. There is no hope.

'It's just a scratch'

'You should wear a Tshirt that says you dont like dogs so people know'

'It might have been a young dog. How else are people meant to train them?'

 

[Titchy Pony]

I took the dogs to a riding competition today. I had Monster out (I only take one out of the car at once in busy places, safer for everyone) on a lead and minding our own business on a large empty patch of grass in the car park. Two young teenage girls started running towards us, letting their dogs drag them along. One had a pointy eared cross of some sort I think, the other had two largeish Aussies. They just kept on running right towards me, laughing , not a thought that my dog may not like to be approached at speed in such a manner and they were no longer really in control because of the momentum. I had shout twice at them to swerve away from me as I tried to remove monster from the situation. To his credit, not a peep out of him, and only minimal resistance to been lead away.
The annoying thing is there was plenty of other space around for them to go. I think their dogs were heading towards mine and the teens just followed. I'm not sure if theirs were friendly but I'd seen the pointy eated one growl at another dog earlier in the day. Mine is not friendly when on lead, approached head on and outnumbered. Give him a bit of space and he will now mostly ignore.

 

[skinnydipper]

Sunny and very warm here today. A woman out for a run dragging her struggling pug behind her.

 

[smolmaus]

While he was responsible and put himself between the dog and you I don’t understand why some people have their dog on the side next to the traffic , I worry that the dog might see a cat or similar and dart into the road before the owner can pull it back, if the owner was next to the traffic surely it’s safer for the dog..

I was always told that it's so when/ if they do dart they don't trip you and a human ends up in the road. Better the dog squished than you, basically. Old family advice, don't know how widespread that is.

 

[splashgirl45]

I was always told that it's so when/ if they do dart they don't trip you and a human ends up in the road. Better the dog squished than you, basically. Old family advice, don't know how widespread that is.

I prefer to keep my dogs safe and if on a short lead shouldn’t trip me up

 

[rabatsa]

My dog usually walks on my left side. I was taught to always walk facing oncoming traffic.

 

[MurphysMinder]

While he was responsible and put himself between the dog and you I don’t understand why some people have their dog on the side next to the traffic , I worry that the dog might see a cat or similar and dart into the road before the owner can pull it back, if the owner was next to the traffic surely it’s safer for the dog..

I always walk facing traffic (no pavements) with my dogs on my right so I’m nearest traffic . I also wear high viz .

 

[blackcob]

Walk of contrasts this evening. Man with two cockapoos on the road, as we approach he drops a lead over the head of one and hooks his finger in the collar of the other, "cheers pal, appreciate it," "no worries, you're welcome."

Two minutes later we are pursued across a field by a lurcher and a terrier-y/dachshund type thing, the woman is completely unable to recall the dogs, so far so normal but this is the fourth time it's happened. I remind her of this and suggest that she keep the bloody things on a lead ready for the fifth time we meet. She did not get a cheers pal.

I mean, the first guy was a champ but he still had his dogs loose on the road; second woman is especially stupid, given proximity of road, proximity of me () and that both neighbouring fields are full of ewes and lambs.

 

[Caol Ila]

Walk of contrasts this evening. Man with two cockapoos on the road, as we approach he drops a lead over the head of one and hooks his finger in the collar of the other, "cheers pal, appreciate it," "no worries, you're welcome."

Two minutes later we are pursued across a field by a lurcher and a terrier-y/dachshund type thing, the woman is completely unable to recall the dogs, so far so normal but this is the fourth time it's happened. I remind her of this and suggest that she keep the bloody things on a lead ready for the fifth time we meet. She did not get a cheers pal.

I mean, the first guy was a champ but he still had his dogs loose on the road; second woman is especially stupid, given proximity of road, proximity of me () and that both neighbouring fields are full of ewes and lambs.

The repeat offenders annoy me. Last week, my friend and I met Ema (sp), who often runs ahead of her owner and has okay recall unless she sees something she's interested in, like horses. I know her name, because when she focuses on the horses, the owner starts screaming, "Ema! Ema! Ema!"

If owner has a long sightline and sees you at a distance, she puts the dog on a lead. Fine. But this park has many trees and hills and twisty trails, so your line of sight is often rubbish. Last week, Ema popped out of a blind corner and started running around the horses, bowing and barking, and it was a total ballache for the owner to catch her. We must have stood there for five minutes waiting for the dog to be caught. Owner was apologetic, of course, saying, "When I see the horses, I put her on a lead, but you came out of nowhere." We had only been walking. It's not like we came hurtling around the corner. There is only so much I can do about the laws of physics. Unless you have sonar, you have no idea what's around the bend, so maybe keep your dog on a lead? The owner is a regular dog walker there, who knows the park is frequently used by horse riders, and like I said, a repeat offender with the learning curve of a potted plant.

 

[blackcob]

Yep, it's the repeat offender bit that has me frustrated. A dog runs up to mine once, annoying but whatever, it happens, I can only control and work on what my dog and I do in return (and it's a lot better than it was!). Repeating the behaviour week in and week out with the same results - why wouldn't you just stop allowing it to happen. In my case it's not one of those that thinks she's in the right either, she's visibly flustered and embarrassed and sprints and lunges after the dogs and apologises each time.

 

[Caol Ila]

Yep, it's the repeat offender bit that has me frustrated. A dog runs up to mine once, annoying but whatever, it happens, I can only control and work on what my dog and I do in return (and it's a lot better than it was!). Repeating the behaviour week in and week out with the same results - why wouldn't you just stop allowing it to happen. In my case it's not one of those that thinks she's in the right either, she's visibly flustered and embarrassed and sprints and lunges after the dogs and apologises each time.

Yes, this owner is the same. She is visibly flustered and embarassed every time the dog blows off her recall and runs around the horses. Why not keep it on a lead in that park, or walk it in places (there are many) where you're unlikely to encounter horses? It's not rocket science.

 

[blackcob]

It's not rocket science.

Apparently it is! I can’t decide if these sort are more or less annoying than the ones who don’t think they’re doing anything wrong.

 

[Jenko109]

Apparently it is! I can’t decide if these sort are more or less annoying than the ones who don’t think they’re doing anything wrong.

I just have an all round dislike for everyone. I hate everyone equally.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Saw an appalling photo on a farming group on FB, 2 black labradors on Salisbury Plain had attacked a pregnant ewe and ripped out her twins. Absolutely horrific. I wish to god the farmer had been around with a shotgun. Apparently lots of people were stopping to try to find the owner of the dogs.

 

[Jenko109]

Oh I'm the worst.

Got a new mattress being delivered so took the old one off the bed this morning and took it downstairs.

Forgot to close the bedroom door and my whippet jumped on the bed and fell in the slats

He now had a little lump on his leg and doesn't want to come upstairs

 

[Bob notacob]

Out riding yesterday ,came across a Lass with a Border collie ,off lead . Alarm bells ringing . This is Epsom , outer london . Is that dog trained ,because I ,as a former sheep farmer do know about collies gone rogue.
She made a hand gesture and a quiet "down" to a dog 70 metres away .It dropped like a stone .I was bloody impressed ! Is your dog sheep trained ,I asked . No just trained ! Well done you!. PS sheep dog still giving Bob notacob the evil eye and saying "I,m watcing you Boyo"

 

[Janique]

• A bit long but i found this very intersting !
• 
  
• 
  
• Letter from a dog.
  
• 
  
• Be cool, always.
  
  
  
  “Dear Human,
  I see you. Not just with my eyes but with my whole being. You may not realise it, but every time your heart beats a little faster, I feel it. When your hands tighten ever so slightly on my lead, I sense it. When you breathe differently, I know.
  You may smile and say, “It’s fine,” but your scent tells me otherwise. Your muscles betray you. I can feel your energy shifting, and I carry it with me.
  You see, I live in a world of sensation. Your voice is only part of what I hear.
  I hear the tension beneath it. Your body language speaks louder than words. I watch your posture, your eyes, and the way you hold yourself. I even catch the subtle chemical changes in your scent when you are nervous or afraid. My nose is built for this—I can detect fear and stress hormones in your sweat and skin. And when I do, it shapes how I feel.
  When you are anxious, I become uncertain. When you are afraid, I may feel the need to protect or flee. And when you are tense, I wonder if there is danger nearby. Your feelings change the way I experience the world. I’m not trying to be difficult when I pull on the lead or bark at something you can’t see. I’m just reacting to what I feel through you.
  I know there have been times when I embarrassed you. Maybe I lunged at another dog, jumped up on a stranger, or barked too much. You held your breath and worried about what others thought. I felt that too. And because I love you, I tried to match your energy—I either got big and bold or small and unsure. Either way, it wasn’t helpful.
  But here’s the thing, dear human: I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be calm. When you breathe slower, so do I. When your shoulders relax, I trust that we are safe. When you move with quiet confidence, I follow.
  Please, when you are nervous, remember that I don’t need you to control me with strength—I need you to lead me with clarity. When you feel unsure, help me by being steady. I look to you for reassurance, not through words but through the energy you carry.
  If you are feeling uncertain, that’s okay. I understand. Just take a moment. Breathe. Stand tall. Move deliberately. Let me see that you are okay, even if you have to fake it at first. With time, I will learn that I don’t need to carry the weight of your worry. You will be my calm. And I will be your calm in return.
  With love and loyalty,
  Your Dog”
  I hope this helps some folks understand a little more about our dogs’ world.
  Best wishes,
  Allan Ritchie MGoDT ( MPDTI)
  
  
  
  
  
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/460573081640208/
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

[I'm Dun]

Oh I'm the worst.

Got a new mattress being delivered so took the old one off the bed this morning and took it downstairs.

Forgot to close the bedroom door and my whippet jumped on the bed and fell in the slats

He now had a little lump on his leg and doesn't want to come upstairs

chicken and lots of it fixes anything in my house

when I got a new mattress a couple of weeks ago I had to take the old one into the front room and make a big nest with the duvet while I got the new one in and the bed made or there would have been a mutiny. Nap time is sacred to mine!

 

[stangs]

• A bit long but i found this very intersting !
• 
  
• 
  
• Letter from a dog.
  
• 
  
• Be cool, always.
  
  
  
  “Dear Human,
  I see you. Not just with my eyes but with my whole being. You may not realise it, but every time your heart beats a little faster, I feel it. When your hands tighten ever so slightly on my lead, I sense it. When you breathe differently, I know.
  You may smile and say, “It’s fine,” but your scent tells me otherwise. Your muscles betray you. I can feel your energy shifting, and I carry it with me.
  You see, I live in a world of sensation. Your voice is only part of what I hear.
  I hear the tension beneath it. Your body language speaks louder than words. I watch your posture, your eyes, and the way you hold yourself. I even catch the subtle chemical changes in your scent when you are nervous or afraid. My nose is built for this—I can detect fear and stress hormones in your sweat and skin. And when I do, it shapes how I feel.
  When you are anxious, I become uncertain. When you are afraid, I may feel the need to protect or flee. And when you are tense, I wonder if there is danger nearby. Your feelings change the way I experience the world. I’m not trying to be difficult when I pull on the lead or bark at something you can’t see. I’m just reacting to what I feel through you.
  I know there have been times when I embarrassed you. Maybe I lunged at another dog, jumped up on a stranger, or barked too much. You held your breath and worried about what others thought. I felt that too. And because I love you, I tried to match your energy—I either got big and bold or small and unsure. Either way, it wasn’t helpful.
  But here’s the thing, dear human: I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be calm. When you breathe slower, so do I. When your shoulders relax, I trust that we are safe. When you move with quiet confidence, I follow.
  Please, when you are nervous, remember that I don’t need you to control me with strength—I need you to lead me with clarity. When you feel unsure, help me by being steady. I look to you for reassurance, not through words but through the energy you carry.
  If you are feeling uncertain, that’s okay. I understand. Just take a moment. Breathe. Stand tall. Move deliberately. Let me see that you are okay, even if you have to fake it at first. With time, I will learn that I don’t need to carry the weight of your worry. You will be my calm. And I will be your calm in return.
  With love and loyalty,
  Your Dog”
  I hope this helps some folks understand a little more about our dogs’ world.
  Best wishes,
  Allan Ritchie MGoDT ( MPDTI)
  
  
  
  
  
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/460573081640208/
  
  
  
  
  

I wish more people knew Bill Campbell's jolly routine - knew and practiced regularly, because if you don't get used to using it in lower stress situations, you're never going to remember it when you need it.

One of the dogs who comes to classes got 'attacked by a bull breed' in a local park recently (read as: a Staffie snapped at it, which, knowing this dog, was probably well-deserved - certainly not an attack given that not a single hair on the dog's body is missing). Owner comes to class the next week saying he's so reactive now, so anxious about other dogs. But what's really happening is she's tensing up as other dogs come near him, he's then kicking off, and she's trying to de-escalate by stroking him and very worriedly saying "it's okay" which he's hearing as "OMG I'm terrified too." Dog chilled out the minute he was taken off her and given a bit of the jolly routine.

I'd bet serious money that if, after every such "attack", owners used the jolly routine instead of freaking out about the incident, we'd see far less fear reactive dogs.

 

[Smitty]

This evening I witnessed a lab pup being pulled by a lead attached to a collar. It didn't want to walk so was dragged. And I mean dragged. I had a rather heated exchange with the young couple with it, apparently the pup was being "guided", not yanked around by it's neck, and it was dragged away.

Then I heard a friend’s small rescue dog who was their life, had been attacked by another dog and has died due to head injuries.

 

[P3LH]

We’ve had dogs start on us every day this week. I really am at my wits end with it all tbh.

This morning there were a few people who’d clearly met for a group walk - that’s great, but if you can’t control 11 dogs off lead then perhaps don’t let that happen.

I want to move to an island.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

We’ve had dogs start on us every day this week. I really am at my wits end with it all tbh.

This morning there were a few people who’d clearly met for a group walk - that’s great, but if you can’t control 11 dogs off lead then perhaps don’t let that happen.

I want to move to an island.

Start carrying a water pistol. My friend carries a pet corrector spray, just compressed air but it works. Do have to make sure your own dogs aren't upset by it though.

 

[blackcob]

Every week I have to make a note of the local group walk's time and location so I can avoid it (they do at least post it on the community FB page). Video from last week of 18 off lead dogs, well off the footpath and running over crops.

 

[P3LH]

Every week I have to make a note of the local group walk's time and location so I can avoid it (they do at least post it on the community FB page). Video from last week of 18 off lead dogs, well off the footpath and running over crops.

yes, I’m starting to note it know. How ridiculous to get to this point.

 

[P3LH]

Start carrying a water pistol. My friend carries a pet corrector spray, just compressed air but it works. Do have to make sure your own dogs aren't upset by it though.

I’ve concluded the youngest is so neurotic and full of fizz on walks because I don’t think he’s actually known a walk without being hassled/there being a problem with another dog. He’s the perfect, calmest and most mild mannered hound indoors! As mentioned, he’s the first puppy since we moved here so walks/life is quite different to what the other two had (those walks are still reachable, but not on doorstep like before so not the routine every day walks - we try to get out there at weekends).

As a result I no longer judge when I see fizzy and/or reactive dogs in the neighbourhood, I genuinely think it’s near impossible if you live in the suburbs (I dread to think of what it’s like in the city) to not end up this way unless you literally pack the dogs up and drive out for a walk twice a day every day (as one of our neighbours does for this reason). Said as an experienced and I’d like to think, fairly competent, dog owner - if I was a first timer I think it would put me off having another dog ever again.

I was so relieved to meet an owner with a very old malamute and a very lovely Visla today. Their dogs interacted with mine sensibly, everyone had manners, nobody batted an eyelid at telling off young spitz and young visla when getting too rough, after the owners asked if it was ok, and I forgot how pleasant dogs playing and speaking to someone on a walk could be. They encounter the same nonsense most days too sadly.