Anti-social dog owners?!

[Fabuloo]

Anyone else have experiences of dog owners who don't like their dogs playing with other dogs? I don't mean because the dog is aggressive or ill, just very pampered.

My 8 month old dog started playing with another dog today, they were chasing the other dog's ball together, when my dog got it (he didn't really want it, just wanted to play with the other dog) the owner got really annoyed. I got my dog to drop it, the owner picked it up and took her dog off to play ball elsewhere....

[25catsnameSam]

I think it depends, perhaps she was trying to teach her dog to fetch and drop, or maybe she knows her dog can get a bit aggressive if another dog takes his ball. Did you ask her if she minded your dog join in?

[Floralnomad]

Oops that sounds like me ! I'm not antisocial but when my dog is off lead and playing with his ball he doesn't like playing with other dogs he just wants to play ball and if another dog takes his ball he just stands with me until I either get it back or get out another one . Hence if I stay and chat my dog gets no exercise as he just stands there. So it's not me that's anti social it's my dog!

[saintlyjimjams]

Maybe her dog gets possessive of his ball.

I had no problems with my dog guarding balls until a dog took his ball from him and would not let him have it back. It was a PITA tbh, I have managed now to get him back to being chilled about other dogs having them, but I do keep him away from dogs I know who will not let him have his ball back because I don't want to have him guarding his ball again.

[Fabuloo]

I've never had a problem with another dog joining in when I play ball with my dog, my dog enjoys it and they both get a good run around, I guess I just assumed most people felt that way... It did feel the owner was possessive of th eball rather her dog, but yes I will be more careful from now

[saintlyjimjams]

My dog is 2, and didn't care at all until recently. It sort of depends on the dog joining in, if the dog is just chasing him and not the ball he's not bothered. And he's not fussed if they take the ball for a bit. Actually there's a puppy who runs off with it and won't give it back and in that case he isn't fussed particularly either. I think it's when dogs that he is wary of take it that he gets upset.

There is one dog in particular that bothers him, but that dog is quite dog aggressive (have seen her pin a spaniel against a tree, and imo shouldn't be off the lead, and I tend to leave if I see her). My dog really really doesn't like her getting his ball as he's too scared to get it back and if he encounters her will get a bit guarding afterwards. I just prefer him not to be obviously, and it was an encounter with a particular dog which made him go from not giving a stuff, to being grumpy about it. I don't want that to get any worse.

It may be that the dog you came across really doesn't like other dogs with his ball.

[25catsnameSam]

Some dogs are not so keen to join in and if the owner was trying to teach it fetch then she wouldn't be keen either! Flatdog will join in any game but as he is now very large, boisterous and not as well trained as I'd like I always ask if people are ok with him joining in. Also at 8 months other dogs are probably still quite patient with your puppy but mine is now 9 months and I've noticed a bit of a change in attitude with some dogs.
Or maybe it was just a really really amazing ball

[Cuebill]

Why people may appear antisocial here

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

I'm antisocial because my dog is fear aggressive and I'm training him to ignore other dogs rather than behave aggressively. I would have picked up the ball and walked off, too. I might have explained why if I'd had opportunity, but if the other dog is crowding mine and making him anxious I tend to just move off at a trot all the while keeping my dog's attention on me. This prevents any confrontation and teaches my dog that if he's uncomfortable, we leave and he doesn't need to react.

[Inthepotty]

Another antisocial here I'm afraid. My dog doesn't want pe

[Inthepotty]

Whoops!

I don't want dogs joining in when I'm playing ball with my dog. Because I use it to train him, that's all. I would try and explain, by tbh

[Inthepotty]

Oh for fucks sake I give up- stupid phone and will leave it at that!!

[NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems]

Purely depends on you and your dog:

If your dog wanted to jump all over mine suggesting that it is unsocialised and rude I'd remove mine from the situation before yours got hurt - Mine are fairly large breeds and have very good dog manners.

We have a set order for which dog fetches the ball on each throw so another dog running up and trying to join in leads to a very confused dog who has been told to fetch the ball that is now in your dogs mouth... Can also lead to said dog demanding the return of the ball does depend on the dog though . Then of course when my dog forcefully removes the ball from your dog it becomes my fault that you couldn't stop your dog chasing my dogs ball...

Do you ask to join in or just assume that all dog walkers with some form of doggy entertainment are fair game? There is a dog owner who walks near us who lets his dog mug you for dog treats and steal your dogs toys - Toys are not returned nor are any apologies given after his mutt jumped you for treats...

As others have said balls are a great training aid so sharing with a random dog is not always wanted.

Our dogs are quite happy to have a break from fetching the ball for a sniff and chase. We frequently meet other dog walkers who have ball throwers - ball throwing stops, dogs and humans interact, ball throwing resumes with each dog chasing its own ball.