Dogs should always be under close control, even if they are just being friendly?

[Model5]

I'm scared of dogs. I know that's my issue and I deal with it as best I can but I don't want dogs I don't know approaching me.

Out running in the woods early this morning, most of the other people about at that time of day are either runners or dog walkers. In my hour, I had two dogs run over and slobber over my legs, one just up and put muddy paw prints all over me and another came over yapping and growling at me. Another (big one) chased & frightened me and I stood stock still praying for it to go away while it's owner called several times without success.

All of the owners, were kind of apologetic, but in aw bless, what can you do, he just wants to say hello/play kind of way.

TBH, even if I wasn't scared I wouldn't be very impressed by the slobber and paw prints.

Lots of other dogs just trotted by without giving me a second glance and several owners took hold of their dogs as they saw me approach (which I always say thank you for) so I know it's possible to stop dogs approaching me. Lots of owners seem to think it's not necessary. Is it them or me? I realise I came to no real harm. Do I just need to accept that if I go out at prime dog walking time, I'm going to get growled at, chased, slobbered over etc?

[Anewmeanewname]

YANBU - and I say that as a dog owner

[muminhants]

YANBU. But the dog lovers will be out in force saying it's their dog's right to roam freely etc.

[Arkkorox]

YANBU. As a dog owner I make sure mine is sat at my side as joggers go past, she can't be arsed to chase them but she is also so dopey she won't get out their way of her own accord!

[pilates]

YANBU

[cailindana]

Yanbu. I never liked dogs but absolutely hate them since I came to the UK and have to deal with them jumping up on me. In Ireland people tend to keep them much more under control. It takes a special kind of arrogant ignorance to expect everyone to be ok with your slobbering mutt harassing them.

[Sparklingbrook]

YANBU. I got grabbed around the ankle by a dog whilst out walking, there was blood.

I don't like them around me now. I do a lot of canal walking where dogs get to me before the owners do. I really don't like it.

[AnyRailway]

Yanbu.

[Queenofknickers]

Yanbu - I say that as a dog owner and as someone who was previously v scared of dogs. No-one should let their dog run up to another person. If I see anyone coming I always call my dog and put her on a lead. She is big and although I know she is soft other people don't know and shouldn't have to guess. Unfortunately my DH does not agree and was quite rude to a lady today in this situation - I was mortified.

[samithesausage]

Yanbu. My son is afraid of dogs, the amount of times I've had to say call your dog away as they've come bounding up to him trying to sniff slobber him. He's climbing up me trying to sit on my shoulders very distressed and I get a "don't worry e's friendly" and I even got a lecture about how he should get used to dogs!

[sparechange]

As a running dog owner, YANBU
Jumping up and slobbering isn't just bad manners, it is bad (or total lack of) training. Even when I go out running with my dog, I get annoyed when people can't control their dogs enough to stop them running over to see us, and if a dog jumps up on me, it gets kneed back down again.

[Blarblarblar]

YANBU I love dogs but hate when they run up and jump all over me with muddy paws or worse jump up at DC1 right at face height. I know people love their dogs but I wish people would keep them under control. You know your own dog my sisters has no interest in strangers so no problem my old dog was terrible so always on the lead.

[Sparklingbrook]

I tend to freeze until they go away.

[mousmous]

yanbu
imo (unpopular with dog owners, I know) all dogs should be on the lead in public spaces.

[MTBMummy]

YANBU - said as a dog owner, thankfully MTB dog isn't really interested in anyone else, if we're holding the ball thrower, and his recall is great, but if we're ever somewhere with lots of people he goes on the lead, because you never know how other people react to dogs. Just because we know he's not going to bother people, it doesn't mean they know that, especially as he's a large-ish dog that often gets mistaken for a doberman.

I felt absolutely mortified this weekend, when at a National Trust property we were standing in line to get entrance and a family walked close by just as MTBDog yawned, terrifying their poor little boy. Dog was on a short lead but I felt awful that he'd caused such upset.

[AnyRailway]

The "don't worry he's friendly " annoys me a bit. People should call their dogs away, not let them jump all over my kids.

One bloke who said this to me had a mean -looking bull terrier which did not seem at all friendly! He took offence because I pulled my buggy to the side of the pavement, trying to keep my two year old out of reach of his dog. Apparently, I should have had the confidence to let my two year old within ear-or-tail-grabbing distance of this unknown, surly looking thing with powerful teeth.

[JohnCusacksWife]

YANBU. As a dog owner it pisses me off when I see dogs jumping up on people as it gives us all a bad name.

[ender]

Obviously YANBU, dogs should always be under control. Would be worth having a word with dog warden, especially if there are certain dogs that regularly make a nuisance of themselves.
A friend's border collie used to run after, and jump up, at runners. People made complaints and dog warden visited her and said she had to keep it on a lead at all times. If there were further complaints she would have to get rid of the dog.

[Moresmores]

Yanbu - i have a dog and I hold him back for joggers.

My pet hate is small children wandering over to us. I won't let children stroke him unless I'm holding him. He is not aggressive in the slightest, but so many parents don't stop their children (even toddlers) stroking unknown dogs. If they don't ask, I always tell them that they must always ask before they stroke a dog.

[lemonhope]

I have a dog who chases joggers and another one who barks loudly at them. Both really sweet friendly dogs but bloody annoying. I always put them on the lead if I spot a runner and if it's just someone walking I get ready to put them on the lead if necessary. I do get a bit prickly when runners or cyclists swish past seemingly out of nowhere (wooded country footpath) and then get cross with the dogs, sometimes there just isn't time to grab them. But I do if I spot them first.

[lemonhope]

Dogs are part of life though - the way children get over a fear of dogs is by interacting with them so I wouldn't think twice if my dog yawned while on the lead (although I totally agree dogs running up to people can be scary).

[DishwasherDogs]

Yanbu.
I have two dogs, one is very good and comes back immediately when called, the other is an overexcitable puppy who stays on his lead as he would jump on anyone.
It's not fair to inflict dogs on other people.

A lady in my village has an enormous dog who growls and barks at everyone, has very little recall and is very intimidating, yet she never puts the bloody thing on a lead. Every time it approaches anyone (growling and barking menacingly), she calls and calls and says "oh he never does this usually". Except he does, every day!

[maddiehayesfan]

YANBU, I firmly believe that all dogs should be leashed in public places at all times because no matter how well they're trained you never know if they could turn.

That said, if this is known as an area where people let their dogs off the lead (which it does seem to be) and you're afraid of dogs, wouldn't it be simpler to jog elsewhere?

[Uhplistrailer]

Yanbu we live in a forest and many dog owners seem to think this is totally fine.

This is an issue for my pil 's dog who is a nervous rescue who is always keept on a lead. He HATES other dogs bounding up to him and has been known to get very upset (not aggressive, just scared). Then the owners get annoyed when they politely ask them to keep their dogs under control!

[GentlyBenevolent]

YANBU. The worst thing is when they say 'he's just trying to be friendly'. I don't want a dog friend.