Irresponsible Owners

[CrunchieBoi]

Had to make a visit to the vets yesterday and was unfortunate enough to be in at the same time as a chap with a small froo-froo dog. Not entirely sure what breed it was (shitzu maybe).

Quickly realised it was growing at everyone that walked past it so gave it a wide berth with no eye contact etc, and stood further along the front desk to pay our bill.

This little sod marched to within a couple of feet of me on its flexible lead and stood there growling and air snapping the entire time I was chatting to the receptionist. At no point did I pay it any heed, but was about ready to volley it across the waiting room if it came any closer. Meanwhile the owner was telling the other receptionist all about how this sort of thing is a regular occurance.

I wonder how acceptable it'd be if my big dogs behaved like this in public. I don't claim to be a behaviour expert but surely to goodness you would do what you could to prevent a dog, any dog, from practicing that sort of behaviour.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Had to make a visit to the vets yesterday and was unfortunate enough to be in at the same time as a chap with a small froo-froo dog. Not entirely sure what breed it was (shitzu maybe).

Quickly realised it was growing at everyone that walked past it so gave it a wide berth with no eye contact etc, and stood further along the front desk to pay our bill.

This little sod marched to within a couple of feet of me on its flexible lead and stood there growling and air snapping the entire time I was chatting to the receptionist. At no point did I pay it any heed, but was about ready to volley it across the waiting room if it came any closer. Meanwhile the owner was telling the other receptionist all about how this sort of thing is a regular occurance.

I wonder how acceptable it'd be if my big dogs behaved like this in public. I don't claim to be a behaviour expert but surely to goodness you would do what you could to prevent a dog, any dog, from practicing that sort of behaviour.

And at the very least haul the lead in to the shortest extent possible

 

[CorvusCorax]

Or just keep it in the car/outside until it's your turn.

 

[splashgirl45]

It seems that people with small grumpy dogs just accept that is how they behave.. a flexi lead has its place but not in a vets waiting room. Mine are always on short leads anywhere indoors and I only used the flexi while my pup was young on walks round the fields .he is 5 months now but even as a small puppy he was on a short lead in the vets..

 

[CrunchieBoi]

Or just keep it in the car/outside until it's your turn.

That would have my choice ahd I been the owner. Reduce the stress for the dog a bit.

It seems that people with small grumpy dogs just accept that is how they behave.. a flexi lead has its place but not in a vets waiting room. Mine are always on short leads anywhere indoors and I only used the flexi while my pup was young on walks round the fields .he is 5 months now but even as a small puppy he was on a short lead in the vets..

Aye, we quite often get something along the lines of "oh don't mind him, he just has wee dug syndrome" from the owners when we run into these types.

 

[splashgirl45]

I’ve got 2 tiny terriers and they would never growl at anyone, I wouldn’t allow it if they did, they would be corrected

 

[AmyMay]

That would have my choice ahd I been the owner. Reduce the stress for the dog a bit.


Aye, we quite often get something along the lines of "oh don't mind him, he just has wee dug syndrome" from the owners when we run into these types.

That would be me then… ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yes but if a large dog behaved that way the owners would soon get a knock at the door and rightly so.

It's upsetting for a dog of any size, or a human who dislikes dogs, to have other dogs behave like this towards them.

It's also not fair on the small dog left in a situation where they feel they've got to behave in this way in order to protect themselves or their space.

 

[fiwen30]

I’ve written before about the Jack Russell type that moved in to the semi next door - the one who is allowed to race up and down the shared fence line barking, or who stands by their front door window barking. The one whose owner just shouts ‘Fido!’ at it, with no follow up command, and seemingly no knowledge or inclination to train it.

Well we came home from our own walk, sat in the garden for a little bit, and the Jack Russell came out to bark at us. Heard the owner holler at it to ‘come in and get your collar on’, and I thought happy days, they’ve at least started to walk the thing, and to use distraction to minimise the barking.

The dog didn’t come to call, owner dragged it in, and then it came back out again…wearing an anti-bark collar.

It’s poor behaviour is hugely annoying, but no animal deserves to have one of those things strapped to it. No wonder it wouldn’t come when called, even if it had been trained to recall. I feel so bad for it, it still stood and stared and trembled, and growled a little, but clearly wasn’t able to bark without the pain of the collar.

Really don’t know if there’s anything I can do.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I’ve written before about the Jack Russell type that moved in to the semi next door - the one who is allowed to race up and down the shared fence line barking, or who stands by their front door window barking. The one whose owner just shouts ‘Fido!’ at it, with no follow up command, and seemingly no knowledge or inclination to train it.

Well we came home from our own walk, sat in the garden for a little bit, and the Jack Russell came out to bark at us. Heard the owner holler at it to ‘come in and get your collar on’, and I thought happy days, they’ve at least started to walk the thing, and to use distraction to minimise the barking.

The dog didn’t come to call, owner dragged it in, and then it came back out again…wearing an anti-bark collar.

It’s poor behaviour is hugely annoying, but no animal deserves to have one of those things strapped to it. No wonder it wouldn’t come when called, even if it had been trained to recall. I feel so bad for it, it still stood and stared and trembled, and growled a little, but clearly wasn’t able to bark without the pain of the collar.

Really don’t know if there’s anything I can do.

I would report that to whatever the NI equivalent of RSPCA is.

 

[SilverLinings]

I’ve just filled in a form on the council website to report it. He is such an odd man, gives off very strange vibes. I pulled my phone out tonight to record him, even though he was quite far away, but I mustn’t have pressed record on my phone ? Still, he looked back and saw me so he thinks he’s been filmed.

If you are ever at the yard on your own and the 'strange vibes' are words or behaviour that you can describe then I would contact the local PCSO/police for advice.

I had problems from a similar type of man a few years ago (no dog though), he would come on to the small yard I was on when I was there alone and make very strange- and slightly threatening- conversation. I started locking the gate so he started to shout for me from behind the gate (this bit is key). I contacted the PCSO for advice as I was starting to get quite concerned about being there in the dark on my own (I was usually there alone), they took it very seriously and sent a police officer round to my house the next day to take a statement.

The police said that because some of the weird behaviour had happened whilst he was on the road side of the gate they were able to get involved, and wanted information about everything he'd done on the property too. It turned out that he had a habit of fixating on lone women and the police were desperate to be able to arrest and charge him, but he seemed to know just how far he could go. A harassment order was served on him which meant he couldn't approach or talk to me, and it did eventually solve the problem (he broke it once and needed to be threatened with arrest).

The man you are having trouble with may already be known to the police, and they won't mind you at least asking for advice on how to deal with him/the situation.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

If you are ever at the yard on your own and the 'strange vibes' are words or behaviour that you can describe then I would contact the local PCSO/police for advice.

I had problems from a similar type of man a few years ago (no dog though), he would come on to the small yard I was on when I was there alone and make very strange- and slightly threatening- conversation. I started locking the gate so he started to shout for me from behind the gate (this bit is key). I contacted the PCSO for advice as I was starting to get quite concerned about being there in the dark on my own (I was usually there alone), they took it very seriously and sent a police officer round to my house the next day to take a statement.

The police said that because some of the weird behaviour had happened whilst he was on the road side of the gate they were able to get involved, and wanted information about everything he'd done on the property too. It turned out that he had a habit of fixating on lone women and the police were desperate to be able to arrest and charge him, but he seemed to know just how far he could go. A harassment order was served on him which meant he couldn't approach or talk to me, and it did eventually solve the problem (he broke it once and needed to be threatened with arrest).

The man you are having trouble with may already be known to the police, and they won't mind you at least asking for advice on how to deal with him/the situation.

Wowza that's really scary. Thank goodness the police took it seriously.

We came across 'small dog syndrome' today. Not much room to pass by where the owner was sitting but I put myself between the dogs thinking we could scoot past but no...the owner let the lead extend to take up the whole path. I didn't fancy squishing past the barking, growling, snarling pug so we turned around and diverted. Owner completely oblivious!

Also went to a park the other day (not our usual green space) at peak dog walking time. Why folks, why did I do this to myself?! Fended off French bulldog pelting it's way at us although at least the owner was somewhat apologetic and actually put it back on its lead. Then someone telling my dog to 'tell' their dog who wouldn't leave her alone and I very firmly said no actually I don't like them to do that.

I probably looked like the irresponsible owner today because Ivy, who has been to horse events before and been the perfect hound, decided cross country was very exciting and let out some of the loudest, most high pitched barks (if you can even call them that) I've heard her do. Thankfully only a couple and we swiftly moved on to a quieter spot to do some 'watch' and then she settled down very nicely.

 

[scats]

If you are ever at the yard on your own and the 'strange vibes' are words or behaviour that you can describe then I would contact the local PCSO/police for advice.

I had problems from a similar type of man a few years ago (no dog though), he would come on to the small yard I was on when I was there alone and make very strange- and slightly threatening- conversation. I started locking the gate so he started to shout for me from behind the gate (this bit is key). I contacted the PCSO for advice as I was starting to get quite concerned about being there in the dark on my own (I was usually there alone), they took it very seriously and sent a police officer round to my house the next day to take a statement.

The police said that because some of the weird behaviour had happened whilst he was on the road side of the gate they were able to get involved, and wanted information about everything he'd done on the property too. It turned out that he had a habit of fixating on lone women and the police were desperate to be able to arrest and charge him, but he seemed to know just how far he could go. A harassment order was served on him which meant he couldn't approach or talk to me, and it did eventually solve the problem (he broke it once and needed to be threatened with arrest).

The man you are having trouble with may already be known to the police, and they won't mind you at least asking for advice on how to deal with him/the situation.

Gosh how scary!

I will admit that our yard is quite spooky at night in winter. The yard part is lit but the walk to the muck heap and my fields is in pitch blackness and the public footpath heads that way so I often encounter random people in the dark on my own.
I first met this strange man with the sharpei last winter, as it was going dark, by my field gateway. He was letting his dog circle and bark at my horses while I was trying to get them in and when I asked him to move them, he gave me the “she’s going to die one day” party line that he still uses today. I remember thinking he was odd then…

The dog is actually really sweet and I don’t think it would harm a horse, it’s just curious, but its curiosity could cause an accident and I just can’t get that through to the man at all.

Annoyingly it has made me a bit wary of hacking Polly out that way now, because I can’t trust her as much as I can Millie. Millie will stand solid while this thing is under her legs, but I can’t say the same for Polly, she’d try to kill it and then god knows what would happen. Fortunately we have paths the other way to ride, but it is frustrating.

 

[fiwen30]

I would report that to whatever the NI equivalent of RSPCA is.

I’ve put in a report with the USPCA, but given that shocks collars aren’t illegal here, I doubt it’ll come to much. I just feel so sad for the poor dog, it spends all it’s days being ignored, and then gets a shock collar slapped on it because its self-amusement behaviour is ‘annoying’.

 

[cauda equina]

Makes you wonder why some people have a dog at all

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Glad to say we did not meet any irresponsible owners today, just the biggest gsd I have ever seen, all black, very friendly ’here is my bum’ type and the owners wanted to chat. Goose is just not very interested in other dogs, Mitch was intimidated by its size, but it was totally calm and reassured him, basically. Bear had a sniff, I’m ecstatic he’s gone back to being neutral/unbothered.

 

[Caol Ila]

Tonight's award goes to.....

The proud owner of two cockapoodle things who saw our horses and raced towards them, barking like mad barky things. Owner stood back shouting uselessly. One of the dogs nipped at Fin's heel, and he threw a kick. Not a panicked kick, but very much a "get tae f**ck, mate" kick. How would you say that in Doric? Can anyone from Aberdeenshire answer? Anyway, owner somehow got his dogs back and went off ahead of us. Did he put them on a lead? Of course not! Why would he do that?

The trails go in loops in the park, so we encountered cockapoo man again. Were the dogs on a lead? Obviously not. They ran up to us, barking, and I waved my dressage whip in an angry manner to keep them away from Fin's back end. Maybe I should have been less aggressive and let fate play out. If the pony had booted the dog into next week, its owner might have learned to put his bloody animals on a lead. Surely you don't need to be bloody Monty Roberts to see that the horse has tried kicking your dog once that day.

 

[CorvusCorax]

We had a poo type run at us tonight while owner screeched at it (NAME, COME HERE - one useless command and an ignored double command ), her friend's one was throttling itself on a leash. Was able to nip through a gap in the hedge, I had the old boy and he won't do much these days apart from growl.
The young one would have gone straight into bitey-face mode.

 

[YorksG]

We had a poo type run at us tonight while owner screeched at it (NAME, COME HERE - one useless command and an ignored double command ), her friend's one was throttling itself on a leash. Was able to nip through a gap in the hedge, I had the old boy and he won't do much these days apart from growl.
The young one would have gone straight into bitey-face mode.

Is it that the poo things are innately difficult to train, or that their owners are more likely to be numpties, does anyone know?

 

[Caol Ila]

Is it that the poo things are innately difficult to train, or that their owners are more likely to be numpties, does anyone know?

No clue, but my last whinging post on this thread was about a different poo thing. There is clearly a pattern.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Combination of drives, genetics/breeding and (this is a generalisation!) their popularity with first time or novice dog owners, IME.

 

[Caol Ila]

Combination of drives, genetics/breeding and (this is a generalisation!) their popularity with first time or novice dog owners, IME.

What’s in the genetics/breeding that makes them awkward?

 

[CorvusCorax]

What’s in the genetics/breeding that makes them awkward?

Not awkward per se but just both breed traits can lend themselves to being high in hunt/chase drive and a bit of independence/working away from the handler, these things don't make for lightning recall without good training.

 

[asmp]

Tonight's award goes to.....

The proud owner of two cockapoodle things who saw our horses and raced towards them, barking like mad barky things. Owner stood back shouting uselessly. One of the dogs nipped at Fin's heel, and he threw a kick. Not a panicked kick, but very much a "get tae f**ck, mate" kick. How would you say that in Doric? Can anyone from Aberdeenshire answer? Anyway, owner somehow got his dogs back and went off ahead of us. Did he put them on a lead? Of course not! Why would he do that?

The trails go in loops in the park, so we encountered cockapoo man again. Were the dogs on a lead? Obviously not. They ran up to us, barking, and I waved my dressage whip in an angry manner to keep them away from Fin's back end. Maybe I should have been less aggressive and let fate play out. If the pony had booted the dog into next week, its owner might have learned to put his bloody animals on a lead. Surely you don't need to be bloody Monty Roberts to see that the horse has tried kicking your dog once that day.

I just shout loudly that my horse will kick your dog (he will). He surprised me the other day by striking out with his fore leg at a rabbit that ran in front of him while out hacking.

I assume I’m not allowed to post pics from someone else’s FB site but have just seen on a local site a photo of a horse that has stitches all down its side with two drainage tubes after a dog attack in its field. ?

 

[rabatsa]

Here it is the poo dog that keeps getting attacked by the neighbours muts. Both times the fluffy one has been on lead. The first attack was by the two ridgebacks, the one this week was by the jack russell. Neighbours dogs do not even wear collars and have zilch recal to the lady owner but do not put a toe out of line with the man.

In both cases the neighbours dogs have gone a couple of hundred yards from their yard where they have been out unsupervised and with no gates shut.

 

[AmyMay]

@rabatsa ??

Have you reported the attacks?

 

[Arzada]

Is it that the poo things are innately difficult to train, or that their owners are more likely to be numpties, does anyone know?

We have an 'oodle' as a neighbour. He arrived during lockdown as a puppy. I didn't enjoy his puppyhood when we didn't need our alarm clocks thanks to him waking the neighbourhood. Though thinking back he had a rather cute puppy high pitched 'oof' before he learned to increase the volume. He is now a very well behaved dog both at home and out and about and we rarely hear him nowadays. His sane sensible owners are both teachers and have spent time training him.

 

[SilverLinings]

Is it that the poo things are innately difficult to train, or that their owners are more likely to be numpties, does anyone know?

Based on the large number of them near where I live (still an admittedly small sample size ) they are commonly bought by novice owners, the sort who don't want a tiny thing like a chi or a french bulldog, but are still heavily influenced by what breeds are 'in fashion' and what their friends own, rather than what breed would suit them/their lifestyle (or indeed whether they can actually provide a good home for a dog).

There are six that I see on a regular basis - all different owners - and five were bought since the start of the pandemic. Only one of them has been taught any manners (she actually appears to be very well trained), the rest of the owners have absolutely no idea, and just aimlessly call the dog's name whilst being ignored by said dog. The two who live on my road I worry about on a regular basis as 90% of the time the owners open their front doors the dogs run straight out onto the road and don't want to come back; funnily enough they don't appear to be taken for walks very often. The road is quiet, but it will only take one car for a disaster, and the owners don't seem to be particularly bothered

A few years ago there were a couple of cockerpoos in my agility training group and they did very well with an aim and an outlet for their energy. They were definitely as high energy as my cockers, so I don't think it's a breed for owners who think a walk every weekend with the family is enough*.

* for the record, I don't think that's enough for any breed, but it turns the more high-energy ones into a bigger nightmare.

 

[rabatsa]

@rabatsa ??

Have you reported the attacks?

No.

The mad prof is very good with words and after the ridgeback incident when asked if he wanted the dogs putting down his reply was no, he wanted the neighbours to be responsible dog owners. Since then things have much improved and the dogs do not wander at will anymore.

Both when they have invaded my yard and this time up the lane they have been under Mrs neighbours control, which is nil. I am sure that the mad prof will have serious things to say to them.

If I personally witnessed the attacks on the small dogs then report I will, I only get told about them afterwards. Two chihuahua, a jack russell and the mad prof's cavapoo have all given the neighbours the vet bills. One of the chihuahuas was several visits for a wound on its back that would not heal. Unfortunately the neighbours believe that they can buy their way out of trouble.

Worse they keep breeding from their bitches, as the ridgebacks have won in the show ring. The jr's mum, which got killed by their other dogs, was the most badly conformed beastie going.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Another classic of the genre.

Met a friend in the park. Their dog was attacked a few weeks ago.
To my mind, first mistake was made when dog was allowed to ride up front and look out window so was already in wrong frame of mind as had seen lots of other strange dogs and was already on his toes.
Not long out, man gets out of car with cocker. It locks on to friend's dog.
Man turns it and POINTS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION THEN LETS IT OFF LEAD.
It of course comes running back over barking and friend's dog gets very stressed so I go at the cocker and say AH-AH! and every time it comes near other dog I go into it's space again.
Owner is as much use as a wet sock and just keeps saying it's name over and over, which is ignored and telling me 'it's OK'. It finally thinks better of barking at me and runs off back to him.
They disappear around corner, we hear more barking. It comes back later on a lead.
Fully expect to turn up on the local town Facebook page as the dog-abusing harridan.

So then I get my dog out. Suddenly there are three tiny white things in coats at the back of my van, barking at my dog. She's not a big fan of this scenario. I'm having to hold her up as she stands on her hind legs like Aleksandr the Meerkat.
My friend and the couple who 'own' them then do a Marx Brothers-style sketch to try and round them up, at no point do they try to, you know, put a lead on any of them. A tennis ball goes ignored. I say FUKKINELL quite a lot while Meerkat Wrangling and they say 'sorry about that'.
On the plus side she then worked really well.

My friend and I watched countless people pull up in a car park, pop their boots and just let their dogs jump out with no leads and no recall before they were even out of the car themselves sometimes, and not even **looking** for any potential moving vehicles, other dogs, young kids etc.
I just....don't think I could do that do a dog I liked?!