Man dragging slow old dog along, should I have spoken up?

[ycbm]

I'm looking for advice whether I should have spoken up for a dog I saw today and if so what the best thing to have said would have been.

Old dog (greying out) was being walked by a young man (20?) glued to his mobile phone. The dog was being pulled along faster than he wanted to walk. He was visibly struggling with his hind legs, an old dog who simply could not walk comfortably at the speed the young man was going.

What should I have done? I wish I'd said something, the poor dog is still on my mind this evening.
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[Sandstone1]

I would have spoken up and said something like Excuse me but your dog is really struggling. Quite likely to get a mouthful back but I would have had to say something.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

Yep I would most definitely have spoken up along the lines that Sandstone has suggested

 

[nikicb]

I think that's a very hard thing to address. I think I might have made a passing comment if I was able to do so without being overly confrontational. Maybe asking if he/she was old (probably obvious, but it's a conversation starter anyway). I did read your post though and felt it was blaming the owner/dog walker because he was a young man in his 20s. I'm not sure the age (or the fact he was male) is relevant here. I'm probably just a touchy mum of two young men in their 20s, and I know they wouldn't be dragging a dog along out of its comfort zone.

ETA my point about not being overly confrontational, was more about my own security, but where I walk, I rarely see anyone, let alone someone walking an elderly dog. If you were in a busy place, then you probably would be able to comment more freely.

 

[ycbm]

I think that's a very hard thing to address. I think I might have made a passing comment if I was able to do so without being overly confrontational. Maybe asking if he/she was old (probably obvious, but it's a conversation starter anyway). I did read your post though and felt it was blaming the owner/dog walker because he was a young man in his 20s. I'm not sure the age (or the fact he was male) is relevant here. I'm probably just a touchy mum of two young men in their 20s, and I know they wouldn't be dragging a dog along out of its comfort zone.

ETA my point about not being overly confrontational, was more about my own security, but where I walk, I rarely see anyone, let alone someone walking an elderly dog. If you were in a busy place, then you probably would be able to comment more freely.

I was trying to give the information that the person leading the dog did not look likely to attack me for saying something. I thought his age was relevant in that respect and his use of the phone definitely was as he was focusing entirely on that screen while his poor dog was being literally dragged along behind him.
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[ycbm]

Yep I would most definitely have spoken up along the lines that Sandstone has suggested

I would have spoken up and said something like Excuse me but your dog is really struggling. Quite likely to get a mouthful back but I would have had to say something.

One problem is that I live on an estate and really need not to make enemies of my neighbours.

Can anyone suggest what unconfrontational things I could have said? I would have had to drag his attention off his phone to say anything, and that feels quite confrontational to start with.
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[nikicb]

I was trying to give the information that the person dealing the dog did not look likely to attack me for saying something. I thought his age was relevant in that respect and his use of the phone definitely was as he was focusing entirely on that screen while his poor dog was being literally dragged along behind him.
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That's fair enough. I read it differently, which is often the problem with the written word. My point still stands though - I would probably try to engage in conversation, rather than go in heavy handed to start with, but then I hate confrontation. If you will be encountering this dog and various family members walking it, then I think that might be a better way to go about it.

ETA just saw your latest comment, perhaps ask for directions somewhere? Maybe? Not sure, it might work.

 

[Sandstone1]

I get your point but you would have to get his attention somehow. Maybe stop him and get in to conversation about the dogs age/breed etc. Say he reminds you of a dog you used to have and how you had to slow his walks down as he struggled... White lies maybe but possibly get your point away that way?

 

[ycbm]

That's fair enough. I read it differently, which is often the problem with the written word. My point still stands though - I would probably try to engage in conversation, rather than go in heavy handed to start with, but then I hate confrontation. If you will be encountering this dog and various family members walking it, then I think that might be a better way to go about it.

ETA just saw your latest comment, perhaps ask for directions somewhere? Maybe? Not sure, it might work.

We live on the same estate, I couldn't think of any way to attract his attention that wouldn't be seen as confrontational, otherwise I'd have spoken up. I'll speak of I see him again but I'd love some guidance what to say. I'm not a dog owner myself.
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[nikicb]

We live on the same estate, I couldn't think of any way to attract his attention that wouldn't be seen as confrontational, otherwise I'd have spoken up. I'll speak of I see him again but I'd love some guidance what to say. I'm not a dog owner myself.
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Ask what time it is? I do understand it's hard. Any bus stops near by that you might want to catch a bus from? Grasping at straws here, but I think you need to have a question that you can ask of him, and start with, excuse me, I am really sorry to bother you. but.....

 

[SkylarkAscending]

I’d have just said “evening, is your dog all right it seems to be struggling a bit” but then I’m all for the direct approach

 

[Time for Tea]

I would have said something like “hang on mate, your dogs in trouble, dont know if I’m seeing things but I think he is limping, he is struggling a bit” and hope to divert his attention off his phone

 

[Clodagh]

I’d have said ‘Is your dog ok?’. I’d had to have said something. It is hard though, don’t dwell in it but maybe prep something for if you see him again.

 

[ycbm]

I’d have just said “evening, is your dog all right it seems to be struggling a bit” but then I’m all for the direct approach

I think this might have been best. He'd passed me by the time I saw the dog and I'd have needed to double back and get level with him or in front of him, but I do think he just didn't realise the dog was struggling, not being lazy. I wondered if he'd been left with dog walking duties he didn't really want to do. I hope to goodness he wasn't being paid for it. I've only just thought of that and now I really wish I'd spoken.
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[Smitty]

I would probably start with something like, "Oh bless, looks like he's struggling... "

 

[ycbm]

I’d have said ‘Is your dog ok?’. I’d had to have said something. It is hard though, don’t dwell in it but maybe prep something for if you see him again.

If I'd seen the dog before he'd passed that would have been best. If there's a next time I'll look out for him.
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[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would probably have said 'Good morning' and then started a conversation about the dog along the lines of 'What a lovely face! How old is he? Oh yes I thought he must be, he does struggle to keep up doesn't he?' Type of thing, probably talk to the dog a bit as well. If nothing else it would have given the dog time to catch his breath.

 

[ycbm]

I would probably have said 'Good morning' and then started a conversation about the dog along the lines of 'What a lovely face! How old is he? Oh yes I thought he must be, he does struggle to keep up doesn't he?' Type of thing, probably talk to the dog a bit as well. If nothing else it would have given the dog time to catch his breath.

I'll do that next time. It would have looked really odd to turn back and catch him up to stop him to chat about his dog. I'm hoping I see him out again soon.
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[Fjord]

It's difficult if you've gone past before you've realised, especially if you'd have to try and engage his attention. Hopefully you'll see him with another family member next time and you can start a conversation with them.

 

[splashgirl45]

That is one of my pet hates, people seem to think they have to walk old dogs at the same speed as younger ones. I used to take my old collie out with my young terriers and we all walked at her speed and waited while she had a good sniff etc , I then took the terriers out for a proper walk while my old girl snoozed comfortably at home

 

[CorvusCorax]

'Hello, what a lovely old fellow/girl/goodness, what a good dog to keep going, I take it you're talking to your vet about him/her/what has the vet advised?'

 

[dottylottie]

i think i’d probably ask for the time to get his attention, before asking if you can say hello to dog, then say something along the lines of “bless him/her, how old is he/she? those little legs can’t keep up so much anymore can they!” - i would imagine he’s aware of his dog’s shortcomings, and drawing attention to it would make him think about how fast he’s going, i don’t think he’d need outright telling his dog is old and can’t keep up!

 

[CorvusCorax]

i think i’d probably ask for the time to get his attention, before asking if you can say hello to dog, then say something along the lines of “bless him/her, how old is he/she? those little legs can’t keep up so much anymore can they!” - i would imagine he’s aware of his dog’s shortcomings, and drawing attention to it would make him think about how fast he’s going, i don’t think he’d need outright telling his dog is old and can’t keep up!

I wouldn't be so sure he is aware. It actually took a random American that I've never seen before or since to point out how thin a dog was to knock some sense into me (He was always thin, but...) and encourage me to go to the vet. He did not come home with me and I consider that man to be an angel in disguise.

 

[gallopingby]

Have you seen the dog before or was it a one off? Sometimes dogs can become fixated on things which makes them reluctant to go past or in the direction you want to go. I agree entirely that old dogs may need to walk slowly and sometimes you have to just amble along at a pace they find comfortable, equally a few can be very determined not to go the way you want.

 

[Honey08]

I’ve done this a few times. I say something like “aw bless he looks tired. How old is he?” or something along those lines. People are a bit prickly but usually take it in.

It really surprises me how many people drag elderly dogs along.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Tricky one, who knows if he wouldn't just tell you to eff off or smack you in the face? I like Smitty's idea.

I've seen a Shiba inu being towed along, guy was really having to pull, I was in the car, pretty heavy traffic and was worried but the next time, it seemed fine.

 

[CorvusCorax]

There's a difference between a dog fixating on something and being dragged along and an old, obese, lame dog. The former doesn't worry me so much.

 

[Jenko109]

There is a man near me with a smooth collie. It has been visibly lame on a front leg since I moved in, nearly three years ago.

He does walk it very slowly and doesn't pull it along, however it makes me very uncomfortable seeing it.

 

[ycbm]

- i would imagine he’s aware of his dog’s shortcomings,

I got the impression he really wasn't. The overall picture was of a young man out to walk the dog as a duty, which he was doing with his nose stuck in the phone and little awareness of the dog at all. It was late morning and I really hope from the timing that he wasn't a paid dog walker.
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[dottylottie]

I got the impression he really wasn't. The overall picture was of a young man out to walk the dog as a duty, which he was doing with his nose stuck in the phone and little awareness of the dog at all. It was late morning and I really hope from the timing that he wasn't a paid dog walker.
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i meant, assuming it was his dog, he was aware the dog is old and may struggle to keep up with him, and was oblivious in that moment - as opposed to having no idea whatsoever his dog can’t keep up the same it did as a puppy!

possibly giving him more credit than is due on my account, but i was thinking more along the lines of a temporary lapse of judgement whilst he was so distracted