Shaken up

[Littlewoo]

We have a rescue lurcher, had her almost a year. Anyway her recall isn’t great so I tend to only let her off lead in open spaces where I can see what’s coming. Also go to a secure field a few times a week with another dog. If I see another dog coming I put her on the lead as her approach to other dogs isn’t great, think full on sprint charging at them. Understandably the other dog owners get alarmed so I don’t allow it.
She’s quite reactive on the lead, she’s ok if the other dog keeps it’s distance but gets very defensive if the other dog approaches.
We have a trainer who says it’s all fear and we have techniques which have improved her dramatically. She’s got 4 dog friends I meet up with for walks weekly, which she has a great time with, it’s only when she’s on the lead she reacts to dogs she doesn’t know.
Anyway I was just out with her, almost home and a large dog cane charging up. She immediately started growling. I shouted out to the owner to keep his dog back as mine was reactive. He called his dog which ran off in a circle then came racing back right into my dogs face. She reacted, snapping and barking and so did his dog. It turned into a horrible scene, both dogs going for each other. Managed to drag my dog away and he yelled at me to get that thing under control. I feel so shaken up by it, he stood and watched me going into my house muttering about my awful dog.
It really annoys me people allowing their dog to approach an on lead dog. In all my years of having dogs I’ve been told if you see a dog on a lead it’s usually for a good reason.
Sorry for the rant but feeling so upset about it as feeling annoyed with myself for not dealing with the situation better.

[BiteyShark]

You did have the dog under control by being on a lead and asking the other owner to recall his dog. The fact that the other dog clearly didn't go back to their owner means they were not under control.

I don't have a reactive dog but fully understand that if my dog ran up to an on lead dog and got in its face then it's my dog that isn't under control.

Sorry this has shaken you up.

[Littlewoo]

Bitey thanks for that reassurance. There’s a lot of owners who don’t feel the same and give me horrible looks when my dog barks at theirs. I always call out but it’s these ones who ignore me. On the other hand there’s some lovely understanding owners out there too. At the start of today’s walk a lady went past with her bouncy dog but she called it back immediately then came over to make a fuss of my dog so I suppose I’ve just got to put it down to experience with this man.

[mirren3]

It's people like him that give good dog owners a bad name. He was the one with the out of control dog.
If you have a dog warden it might be a good idea to report him just in case he tries to report you, given that he knows where you live.

[Littlewoo]

Will look into the dog warden, thanks.
I’d just walked past my neighbours house who have cctv so I’ll ask them if they’ve got me walking past with my dog on the lead, trying to cover all bases in case this guy does report me!

[RandomMess]

Entirely his fault!!! His dog wasn't on a lead.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

His dog was out of control, he knows it and automatically blamed you. It’s probably twofold, he knows he’s in the wrong and he knows a woman on her own isn’t going to argue with him. What a dick.

[Littlewoo]

Thanks for the replies, I know I had my dog under control but began to doubt myself given the dog fight and his shouting reaction!

[MrsBobDylan]

If my dog approached a dog on lead despite being called away by me and a scuffle ensued, I would consider that my fault and would know I needed to do some more recall training and seriously apologise to the other owner.

The guy was being a complete dick.

[Wolfiefan]

He was a twat! Your dog was on lead. His was out of control. Yours was scared and trying to defend herself. Was this all by a road? Glad you're safe now.

[HugMeBringItIn]

This happened to me. My dog was on lead, off lead dog approached and my dog went for it. Bloke went mental, threatened me with all sorts so I rang the dog warden and police just to see who was at fault and they said him 100% as his dog was off the lead and so is the one out of control.
I think same as PP, if you had been a bloke he wouldn’t have shouted at you and was same with me. Just intimidation and bullying IMO.

[Ballora]

You were being the responsible owner here and he was being a twat.

[BeakyPlinder]

He was completely in the wrong. I hate dog owners who let their dogs run around and go running up to other dogs and will usually says "oh he's fine hes friendly etc dont worry" not realising that my dog isn't fine with it and she's on a lead for a reason!!!

[honeyroar]

His dog wasn't under control, that's all there is to it. He caused that situation, not you or your dog. Occasionally these things happen, but he should have been apologising, not shouting.

If it ever bumps into you again and kicks off just reply "get your dog on a lead and nothing can happen" or "don't shout at me to control my dog when yours is the one that ran over here, control yours!"

[Littlewoo]

Thanks everyone, I will be ready for him next time. Yes it was on a road, a very quiet residential street wolfie ,which leads to fields. Really bugs me that I’ve worked so hard with our dog to help her with her fears and take responsible steps to ensure I have her under control, only to have her be put in that situation where she has to defend herself. It makes it so much harder as we have to really work with her almost back to square one next time we pass a dog due to this set back. After the incident she was highly stressed following me around the house.

[Littlewoo]

Thanks for telling me that Hugme, good to know

[SomeKnobend]

Twat was just mouthing off trying to convince you that his lack of control was your fault. It wasn't.

[Wolfiefan]

If it's a "designated road" he's actually breaking the law by not having his dog on a lead.
If my off lead dog runs up to an on lead dog and creates a problem then I am at fault. My dog isn't under control in public. If she gets bitten or I am as I try and retrieve her? Still me at fault.
I'm sorry OP. Hope your dog feels more relaxed soon.

[HandbagCrazy]

I have a reactive terrier. She suddenly went for a dog when she was a few years old and did some damage to the poor dog that set her off. It was bloody awful to witness and I was terrified for a long time after.
Just as you have though, we learned and didn't take risks. She is always now on a lead or muzzled, even with training that improved her massively (until now as she's old, partially deaf and blind).
Anyway, my neighbours dog was off lead as we were leaving for a walk. My dog was on a lead. I shouted to ask neighbour to call his dog in, he flat out refused. His dog approached mine, snarled at her and snapped at her bum, she spun and bit it which set off a bit of a fight.
Neighbour went nuts, screaming and shouting at me and later that day I had police at my door because he said my dog had bitten him (she didn't).
I told police what happened - they then went next door and told him if anyone was in trouble, it was him for having his dog off lead on a public street and reassured me my dog was under control as I had her on a short lead, despite the fact she had bitten back.

It's scary but try not to worry. Just perfect your death stare and a very cold "I don't think so" if anyone tells you your dog is out of control in future.

[Ballora]

You sound like a brilliant dog owner

[Wolfiefan]

Handbag how terrifying. And if you are attached to a dog on a lead in the middle of a dog fight you too could get hurt.

[Littlewoo]

That’s interesting about a designated road wolfie I didn’t know that.
What nightmare that sounds handbag very glad the police backed you up. It’s so hard having a reactive dog, she’s a complete sweetheart with people and our family. Makes it harder as we don’t know her history, she was found abandoned. She a lot of hard work but definitely worth it.
Thanksballora I certainly didn’t feel brilliant this morning but have just arranged to meet my friend at the secure field tomorrow with her lovely dog so my girl can have a big play with her pal and I don’t have to stress about watching for other dogs! It definitely helps her confidence the more I have her out socialising with other dogs.
My dh has taken her out this afternoon and fortunately didn’t see any other dogs.

[Wolfiefan]

So awful to have to worry. Have a lovely time in the field.

[Nesssie]

Happens to me all the time unfortunately. My dog is reactive when on lead and you always get some idiot owner letting their dog come up. I shout a warning but it doesn’t make any difference. I know it’s not my fault, and I’m being responsible by keeping him on a lead, but as you say, it sets back all the work you put in. Very frustrating!!
I’m so grateful to those owners that instantly call their dog when they see mine on a lead.

[Littlewoo]

It’s very frustrating isn’t it Nesssie
Last year I had a woman allow her puppy to come bounding up to us, I changed direction and shouted to her to get her dog as my dog wasn’t good with dogs approaching her. She called her dog but it didn’t pay a blind bit of notice. At one point I had my girl up on her hind legs as I was so worried what she would do to this pup, the puppy was bowling round and round my dogs legs. The woman got really huffy with me saying her dog was only a puppy and wasn’t aggressive. I kept saying yes, but I don’t want my dog to hurt yours. She went off not looking happy and made me feel awful.
Anyway a few weeks later I heard her pup had been killed by another on lead dog. The whole thing is horrendous and I feel so sorry for everyone involved , I heard she had tried to call the pup back but he didn’t respond. Don’t know all the details but it’s an incredibly sad ending.

[rupertpenryswife]

I don't have a dog but this seems to happen quite a lot, my DM has a dog who is always on a lead as is quite timid and she has been attacked twice in the last week by dogs off the lead, the second time an elderly man managed to grab the other dog by the collar as the owner could not recall her dog, my DM and her dog were shaken up, my DM wondered if it was something her dog was doing to antagonise the other dog.