Not a nice walk.. v frustrating.

Fiona

Fiona

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We headed off for a nice family walk this afternoon to local lake with pup, child and bike.. Hoping to work on pups recall and manners and get her used to bikes.

However it was completely spoiled by a huge black dog who followed us most of the way. It must be from a local housing estate and certainly wasn't lost as it headed off then with another couple as we came back into the carpark.

It was huge and black with a scarred face :(

Am I wrong to be feeling quite scared, frustrated and annoyed in equal measures? As I posted earlier about it on a fb dog behaviour/training group and it was fairly instantly deleted, though to be fair I did refer to the stray as a horrid thing, I think with a small pup and a 4yo child in tow I was justified in feeling the way I did.....

Won't be going back there in a hurry anyway even though I used to love it.

We have lovely footpaths which can be walked from home but its catch 22, as you never meet anyone up there ...

Hopefully I can find somewhere nicer to walk tomorrow. .

Fiona
 
It certainly wouldn't have scared me but it would have annoyed me - I personally would have turned round on the dog and sent it away until it got the message and left me alone! Walking 4 dogs at a time I quite often get other dogs coming up to bother them, it is drives me up the wall.
 
If he wasn't aggressive or intimidating, what was there to fear? Being big, black and scarred probably wasn't his fault. Perhaps he's a bit neglected and wanted some company. Perhaps after you he found another couple to walk with. In your shoes, I'd go back again and if he turns up, invite him to join you, you may even find that he's your local tour guide!

Alec.
 
It depends what it was doing - if it was just mooching along behind you then I'm not sure that it's any different to someone walking their dog near yours and your reaction's a bit OTT. Did it interact with your pup?
 
But if you catch up with someone possum you have the choice to overtake them or to wait and let them get ahead or even to take a different path, we were absolutely stuck with this dog. It would not leave.

And we were miles from the car with no one else about if it did get nasty..

I've walked a dog every day for years in lots of different places, and never been in this situation.

Fiona
 
There is a big black lab who lives near me. One of my spaniels was neglected before he came to us and had no socialisation at all. He was terrible to take near other dogs. This dog used to follow us every time we walked past, she would bark at first, but always kept her distance, following behind. It made me mad at first as it made walking my 2 spaniels and a 3 year old child, a nightmare and I couldn't let him off lead. Now a year later, my naughty dog is transformed thanks to this Labrador! She is the sweetest thing and really transformed his behaviour. They are best of friends and she has also helped to socialise our newest pup. If the dog wasn't doing anything untoward or being aggressive then I don't think it's a problem. We spoke with our 'doggy followers' owner and she was more than happy for her dog to tag along with us. We now look after her when her owner is on holiday and she is always waiting at the end of her driveway for us to take her out, she also comes swimming with us and comes out with my daughters pony! If she's had enough she just toddles off home again. Maybe the dog is just lonely and wants some companions to play with?
 
I sympathise. I have about half sight in one eye right now, am wearing a bright green eye patch and walking with a stick. In spite of that, in the space of two walks in three days, I've met some horrible dog owners. Two days ago I had a dog on a lead allowed to enter my space (which is VERY threatening when you can't see). I quietly explained to the young woman with the dog how I felt, to be told I was on a public footpath and what did I expect.

Today I was called a 'nasty bitch' for tapping a brown labrador with my stick to keep it out of my space after TWICE begging the owner to keep it under control and stop it running under my feet. And in spite of watching this debacle, the owner of a springer then allowed her dog to do exactly the same thing. I lost it and screamed at the dog to stay away from me,, which it did.

What is it with some dog owners, who simply don't understand how threatening a dog can be to a disabled or dog fearing person?, They really mess things up for the good owners.
 
I would have caught it and seen if I could contact the owners/drop it at the local vet.

It may well have been lost even if he appeared quite happy. Let's hope he wasn't lost, or somebody else took the time to find his owners. Would hate to think of the poor buggar still wondering around now...
 
Aww ybcm that must have been scary, and annoying if you explained and it didn't make any difference. ..

Lindsay I can see where you're coming from, and tbh I'd walk a neighbours dog any time, but you knew it wasn't going to do anything to your dog after the first few times I suppose so that would make a big difference. .

Fiona
 
It had no tag on its collar peter unfortunately, or I would definitely have called the owner just in case.

I do suspect that there would not have been a dog warden working today, but it wasn't even my council area that I might have had a central switchboard number to try..

Fiona
 
ycbm said:
What is it with some dog owners, who simply don't understand how threatening a dog can be to a disabled or dog fearing person?, They really mess things up for the good owners.
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I agree that many dog owners are so entitled these days. Last week at work there was a woman I didn't recognise with a very boisterous large staffy/boxer cross type that she could hardly hold on a lead. She was walking towards me with this thing about 6 ft in front of her hauling her up the car park. As it got level with me I sidestepped as I didn't want to be jumped up on. I was then told he was just being friendly, wasn't well trained and that it was a shame that I didn't greet him. How the heck this is anything to do with me is beyond me, I couldn't be less interested in someone else's badly trained dog. I walk my own dogs there and have been jumped up on by others dogs in the park with muddy paws and it does my nut in tbh, teaching a dog to not jump up is not rocket science. I am also a lot warier of strange dogs since being attacked in the street several years ago in Edinburgh. I had the woman I used to share a yard with telling me I wasn't a dog person because I got cross at her not picking up after her collies and one of them jumping up at OH's kids (who are genuinely scared of strange dogs).

But, this dog was on its own. I don't blame the OP for being wary of a strange, large dog with a pup and a small child for company. If the dog wasn't threatening from the outset I'd have probably tried sending it away or just ignore it and carry on briskly until it got bored. I'd have been annoyed too although I get annoyed if I'm unlucky enough to meet another person on my walks at home!
 
I'd quite happily walk on my own too moc, but in the interests of pup socialisation im trying to pick busy but not too heaving spots to go to.....

Certainly backfired today :( I couldn't letmy wee pup off at all once it appeared, as she's only 14 weeks and ifI had attacked her or even decided to go home she would have ran and got lost too..

Fiona
 
yeah, its a different thing when you are trying to socialise them. I am quite lucky where I am as there are a few different places with different activity levels I can choose from. Have you tried the puppy socialisation party thing or dog club puppy training/cluns? Its worth checking out a session before you go (they don't suit all dogs) and have you friends with nice older dogs? (sorry if you've done all these things).
 
MotherOfChickens said:
But, this dog was on its own. I don't blame the OP for being wary of a strange, large dog with a pup and a small child for company. If the dog wasn't threatening from the outset I'd have probably tried sending it away or just ignore it and carry on briskly until it got bored. I'd have been annoyed too although I get annoyed if I'm unlucky enough to meet another person on my walks at home!
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I'm with you, I would hate it. A flatcoat dog keeps turinng up here at the farm and although he is good with my dogs I can't let my chickens out or anything while he is here (although he comes by such a lot he must come when I am not here and I haven't lost a chicken yet). I cannot catch him, he just dances about just out of reach. OH caught him once and phoned the dog warden and she came and picked him but it has made no difference. If I can ever catch him I will find out his owner and go pay a visit. In your shoes I don't think there is anything you could do.
 
Loose dogs drove me potty. One of mine is very dog aggressive and will not run across a space to attack but will attack if another dog gets in his face. I train when out, so I find it very rude that owners allow their loose, bouncy without manners dogs to gallop up to mine and interrupt. As I'm unable to run, I find it very hard to get away from potential idiot dogs (and their painful owners who turn aggressive when asked to please keep their dog away from mine!)

A very sensible person said to me that she does not want to 'socialise' her dog, she wants it 'dog neutral' ie ignoring other dogs. There is little point, I feel, in these socialisation parties, as I want my dog relying on me alone, not off playing with other dogs. I have three, so don't feel the need to have them play with others.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Loose dogs drove me potty. One of mine is very dog aggressive and will not run across a space to attack but will attack if another dog gets in his face. I train when out, so I find it very rude that owners allow their loose, bouncy without manners dogs to gallop up to mine and interrupt. As I'm unable to run, I find it very hard to get away from potential idiot dogs (and their painful owners who turn aggressive when asked to please keep their dog away from mine!)

A very sensible person said to me that she does not want to 'socialise' her dog, she wants it 'dog neutral' ie ignoring other dogs. There is little point, I feel, in these socialisation parties, as I want my dog relying on me alone, not off playing with other dogs. I have three, so don't feel the need to have them play with others.
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I completely agree with you, but this isn't the situation OP described. From the sounds of it the loose dog wasn't boisterous or in her face, didn't approach her or her dog but just followed behind. I know it wasn't the walk you had hoped for OP, but for training purposes an opportunity to teach your pup to ignore a nearby dog that isn't buzzing to interact is a situation to be welcomed - socialization should come easily with a little bit of common sense, teaching them they don't have to socialize with every dog they meet can be far more valuable.

FWIW there are some scary loose dogs about - we meet a dog-aggressive big loose Rottweiler occasionally that scares the bejesus out of us, but equally there's no ambiguity - he's clearly confrontational and not friendly and so we treat him as such.
 
I'm very surprised with people saying the OP or anyone should be happy about a loose dog. It's illegal isn't it? The OP didn't go out for a training exercise, she went out for a relaxing walk with her kiddie and her puppy.

Can anyone tell me my own right to hit a dog to keep it away from me while I am still largely blind, if I've asked the owner to keep it away from me and they don't? Please don't have a go at me for hitting a dog. I don't want to do it, but you have no idea how threatening it is to have a loose dog under your feet until you walk in my shoes a while.
 
cinnamontoast said:
A very sensible person said to me that she does not want to 'socialise' her dog, she wants it 'dog neutral' ie ignoring other dogs. There is little point, I feel, in these socialisation parties, as I want my dog relying on me alone, not off playing with other dogs. I have three, so don't feel the need to have them play with others.
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If you are training then I garee people whoudl give you space on the whole but your dogs maybe benifit at times from the distraction?
I don't want dog neutral dogs, they are highly sociable animals and would miss so much by being dog neutral, I aim for my bond with my dogs to superceed any other bonds by use of training.
 
I've a puppy socialisation class tonight moc and starting puppy classes after easter. .. I can't wait.

Possum her recall is great at home and if not too many distractions when out, but it's a hard ask to get a small pup away from another dog that's basically walking with us in between hubby and I. . I'm sure a fully trained dog could be called away, but she's definitely not that yet unfortunately. .

Clodagh I hope you find out who owns your stray visitor soon...

Fiona
 
I do not want my dogs thinking they can play with every dog they meet .
My pup ( well young dog he's 11 months ) has just got this ,he knows that socialisation with strange dogs is rationed and I am in charge do these interactions .
I realise from reading this thread that I have never thought about the difficulties with training recall when you don't have a lot of outside space of your own to do it .
I do hope poor old scar face has a nice owner who was out looking for him and he's not a semi detached dog with half a home I always think that's so sad.
 
I've got a 14 year old border terrier that isn't keen on strange dogs - we've done lots of socialisation with him over the years; he's been to puppy classes, obedience and lots of outings with other people and dogs. However, I find it REALLY annoying that if I want to take him for a walk to a near by field (where we never see ANYone and he can go off lead) that the route TO the walk is often past a housing estate with dogs off lead - most of which will make a bee line for him. The number of times I've told the owners off because they had no control of their dogs (near a busy road) is countless. My poodles are ok with others, but the border will take the face off others if they get in it.

However the other day I was taking him to work with me to see the vet, a wee old terrier was wandering around the park with no sign of an owner. He wasn't intimidated by her and more or less ignored so wasn't concerned apart from the fact that she was wandering by herself. I shouted over a stone wall and sure enough the owner was a workie who hadn't seen her wander off. It could have been a nasty encounter for her had she decided to get up in his face as often a young dog will do.

I'm generally ok with other dogs on or off lead, but with him on lead with me it does change things significantly.
 
twiggy2 said:
If you are training then I garee people whoudl give you space on the whole but your dogs maybe benifit at times from the distraction?
I don't want dog neutral dogs, they are highly sociable animals and would miss so much by being dog neutral, I aim for my bond with my dogs to superceed any other bonds by use of training.
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My three socialise with each other. It is not safe for Zak to associate with other dogs and would be unfair as he would simply attack. There are plenty of distractions, lots of dogs round here and Zak will ignore them if training.

Being followed by a dog would ruin my walk. I'm paranoid about Zak attacking another dog, I can't escape quickly and dogs can run a lot faster than I can get away. I would spend the whole time worried that a strange dog would approach.

There was a Samoyed which used to do this a lot before I had Zak. It was a known runner, so I don't know why the owner repeatedly let him off, but I used to catch it and ring her to say where it was. It was very annoying.
 
ycbm said:
I'm very surprised with people saying the OP or anyone should be happy about a loose dog. It's illegal isn't it? The OP didn't go out for a training exercise, she went out for a relaxing walk with her kiddie and her puppy.

Can anyone tell me my own right to hit a dog to keep it away from me while I am still largely blind, if I've asked the owner to keep it away from me and they don't? Please don't have a go at me for hitting a dog. I don't want to do it, but you have no idea how threatening it is to have a loose dog under your feet until you walk in my shoes a while.
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I am not sure about the legality of hitting a dog but I would worry that some dogs might react aggressively if hit, or the owner might get nasty? Would it make you feel safer if you could make the dog leave you alone by using some kind of dog scaring device like a compressed air spray. It is harmless to the dogs but appears effective in discouraging unwanted approaches. Quite a few places sell the 'Pet corrector".
 
planete said:
I am not sure about the legality of hitting a dog but I would worry that some dogs might react aggressively if hit, or the owner might get nasty? Would it make you feel safer if you could make the dog leave you alone by using some kind of dog scaring device like a compressed air spray. It is harmless to the dogs but appears effective in discouraging unwanted approaches. Quite a few places sell the 'Pet corrector".
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I have one. It doesn't work with all dogs and the owners get very angry. i carry it all the time when I can see and am not using a stick because of the number of owners who think it's quite ok for their dog to put its muddy paws on my clothes, or get out of the reservoir and shake themself dry all over me. The aggression from those owners if you screech it at their dog is beyond belief. The water company which owns the land put up notices to say all dogs must be on leads. They lasted a day or so before they were removed. They were replaced with signs saying dogs must be under control and they lasted a week. I don't really know what the answer is with these bad owners.
 
ycbm said:
I have one. It doesn't work with all dogs and the owners get very angry. i carry it all the time when I can see and am not using a stick because of the number of owners who think it's quite ok for their dog to put its muddy paws on my clothes, or get out of the reservoir and shake themself dry all over me. The aggression from those owners if you screech it at their dog is beyond belief. The water company which owns the land put up notices to say all dogs must be on leads. They lasted a day or so before they were removed. They were replaced with signs saying dogs must be under control and they lasted a week. I don't really know what the answer is with these bad owners.
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One of my clients has a young schnauzer bitch - was off lead at a beach and the schnauzer ran up to an elderly couple and jumped up at them. The man hit the bitch and my client, the owner, an older lady herself just about went off her head shouting at the man who shouted back. My client took the dog home, suffered chest pains and suspected a heart attack so ended up in hospital. Yes, people DO get upset if you hit their dog. I would too, but then I wouldn't allow my dogs off lead around people because I KNOW they would jump up which isn't fair on people just out for a stroll.
 
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