Advice needed for dog walk

[CageyBee]

Just a question about how to speak to another dog owner really. I have a very large dog who is placid and well behaved.

The park close to me is where we walk when we are having a short walk usually before work or on my lunch break or if he needs a quick wee. He is on his lead at all times here as it is so close to a main road and I would never forgive myself.

Twice now in the last week a much smaller dog (shi tzu) off the lead has behaved aggressively towards mine. The first time, the dog ran over and snarled in my dog's face for a long time. I kept going with my dog but the other one kept in front and snarled, walking backwards so it was always face to face with my dog even if we changed direction. The owner kept going and casually called it away. It didn't respond for a long time until eventually it scampered off. She did not come to retrieve her dog or offer any apology.

I put it down to 'one of those things'.

Yesterday morning at 6am I was walking him before I went to work and we went around the park- a short walk. We left the park and entered the path on the main road, near my house. Suddenly this little dog appeared again and snarled at my dog. It followed us for a long time, despite the owner calling it and was very vocal to the point where the people starting work across the road in a newsagent stood outside watching. Bear in mind the owner was in the park and we had left the park and the dog was following us on the main road. I have tried keeping my dog moving and standing still. I tried staying still near the main road as I was worried when we crossed, it could follow off lead and get knocked down. I thought the owner would come and get her dog and she didn't.

If roles were reversed and my huge dog ran over off lead and snarled and snapped, he would be judged and deemed aggressive. He is well behaved and two of his walks have been affected by an owner that does not come and retrieve her dog when it is snapping at another (mine).

If there's a third time, which I think there will be, I would like to say something but I don't want to be nasty. Does anyone have any advice for how I can approach this issue?

[JigglyTuff]

You have to get cross I think. 'Please come and get your dog!'

Anyone who doesn't grab their dog immediately if it's bothering another dog on lead and ignoring recall commands isn't going to get subtlety.

And if it gets run over, that's really not your problem.

[jellyshoeswithdiamonds]

If I see another dog nearby is on lead then I clip mine on.

Common courtesy really. I'm not interested in what issue the on lead dog has just clock its clipped on so clip mine.

I've had a confrontation like this (I have a small dog btw) a smaller dog (young Frenchie) air snapping and snarling at mine, told owner to get a lead for her dog (oh he's only young) don't give a stuff, mine is not a training tool for yours, can't see you being very happy should mine react.

Pointed out to her that I wear big solid walking boots and that should there be a next time I'm not afraid to use them.

[CageyBee]

I agree with both of you and part of me wants to say that should her dog present a threat to mine I do this and that but unless it actually happens I'm not going to threaten it.

My particular annoyance is that:

1. He is so good and being annoyed on his walk (when he is actually going to the toilet) and
   
2. He is big and being annoyed by small. If it was roles reversed there would be an issue.
   

I do need to speak up. She is conveniently at least 30 meters away when this is happening so a conversation is impossible. It is definitely not her dog's fault it is hers so it is her that needs to be dealt with, not her dog.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

Carry a walking stick and use it to create a bubble of space around you and your dog?

(I don't know if this is a good idea or not)

[FishChipsAndBeans]

I has a similar issue that I posted on here with and for some good advice:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/2792478-How-to-deal-with-a-dog-thats-hurting-my-dog

[pigsDOfly]

You're being too polite.

Make your voice loud enough to carry the 30 metres, make it sound like you will brook no argument and tell her to call her dog off. If she doesn't respond get more insistent and firmer.

This sort of thing really annoys me. Agree, it's not your responsibility to ensure her dog doesn't get run over, it should be on a lead.

[CageyBee]

Thankyou in advance to everyone. Going to read your linked thread now fish.