Dog walking etiquette

[QueenAnnesHat]

We've recently adopted a terrier. Because she has no recall she's walked on the lead at all times. She does seem to be friendly towards most dogs that we encounter, although she seems nervous of larger dogs. Most dog walkers we meet will either put their dogs on the lead to walk past us, or we will have a polite discussion about whether or not they need to do so. Generally I say no and all is well.
However, we have had several encounters with a woman with two large dogs which seem to unnerve my dog. They are big gangly shaggy things that will not leave her alone. She gets growly and so do they - to the extent that I am concerned that there will be a fight. Their owner doesn't seem to be able to call them back: they just ignore her.
I have asked her politely to put her dogs on the lead just to get past us. She refuses, saying it's my fault as my dog is on the lead. I've tried to explain that I can't let her off at the moment. I've also suggested that if she can't control her dogs then they should be on the lead. She clearly doesn't think that this is the case. Now if they come into view I try to walk off in the opposite direction. However this isn't always possible or convenient.
Am I being precious here? I've tried walking elsewhere, but she clearly uses all of the dog routes around our town, so it's hard to get away from her. I'd be really grateful for some advice on how to deal with this.

[TeacupRex]

The owner of the large shaggy dogs is being an asshole, plain and simple. It's just common courtesy and out of respect for other dog owners - if they ask you to put your dog on a lead, or to keep your dogs away for whatever reason, you do it. Sadly there a lot of owners (with completely out of control, rude dogs I might add) that think their dog comes before the enjoyment of anyone else's. "Don't worry, he's friendly!!" is often the bane of many dog walkers' lives..

Sounds like your dog is rightly telling off those poorly mannered dogs. Unfortunately, unless this owner is willing to learn some respect, the only thing you can do is walk the opposite way if you see her dogs in the distance. I have heard that some dog walkers carry a can of pet corrector spray (for emergencies!) in their bags if they are worried about a dog coming over and starting a fight.

[Clymene]

She's a fucking arsehole. You need to start being firm and shouting ' get your dogs away from my dog!' the moment she comes into view. Stop and shout. And if she gets cross, just remind yourself she's an arsehole.

[frostedviolets]

Do they pop up out of nowhere or do you see them in the distance?

If it's the latter I'd pick the dog up and change route the second you see them, before they see you.

If they are always in the sand place or the same time I'd stop using that route and change the time you go out.

People like this are an absolute nightmare, I usually carry on walking and their owners usually end up panicking as they can't get them back as they disappear further and further away...

Not my problem, with big, rude, grisly dogs as you describe, I can't stop moving because my dog will go for them and I don't like to turn around and walk them back in the direction of the owner because the turning often means they are able to get in front of my dog and she will react.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

She's an idiot. I don't always put my dog on leash when another dog is leashed, because this is a small community and I know the dogs that my dog will basically ignore. If I don't know the dog, leash goes on. If I'm asked to leash then of course I leash. A friend's dog has brilliant recall and she'll call him to her and make him sit till leashed dog passes - alas, my boy's recall is sketchy to say the least so we have to leash.

So your walker is an idiot. If you can't recall and you're asked to put your dog on a lead, you put your dog on a lead!

Sadly, you can't make her do it though, so I second the advice to just turn and walk the other way. You shouldn't have to, but there you go. Varying your walking times may help too. Don't pick your dog up when they go past though, that can lead to a whole other situation.

[JayAlfredPrufrock]

Gets my goat nearly every day.

It’s ok he only wants to play.

Well my fucking doesn’t.

I have a walking stick. It comes in handy.

[frostedviolets]

Don't pick your dog up when they go past though, that can lead to a whole other situation

I meant pick it up and walk the other way before before the other dogs have seen you.

Not pick up as they are approaching you as I agree that could cause them to start jumping at you to get to the dog.

Although I think the whole pick up don't pick up debate is a hard dilemma though, OPs dog is small, the other two are big and have shown they don't react at all well to a telling off, the OPs dog wouldn't come off well if they were to fight.

[AvocadoAdvocate]

You're right, they're wrong. I would try and avoid if I were you. I also encountered a twat the other day - I was striding up a long steep embankment on our local common, where there are many dog walkers. I had clocked a walker and dog in the distance coming down but thought nothing of it and was just head-down plodding upwards. All of a sudden there's a large lurcher jumping at me and chasing my dog. No problem really as it wasn't aggressive but I was surprised and said laughing "gave me the fright of my life". His response? If you'd have stayed still he wouldn't have come at you. ??!! I did call him a twat but that was at a safe distance!

[palacegirl77]

Maybe remind her that under the dangerous dogs act legislation that technically her dogs could be taken off her if out of control in public. People think as long as their dogs don't bite there is no issue. Incorrect, Dogs can be removed from owners under this law if a person protests that the dog has upset or traumatised them. Useful to mention when people just wont listen otherwise. You could always get a yellow flag for your lead too - this tells other owners your dog wants space.

[QueenAnnesHat]

Thanks all - from the way she spoke to me at our last encounter, I was starting to think that I was the one in the wrong. DDog, although a terrier, is a little on the large side to be picking up and, with the state of the fields we walk over at the moment, I would end up covered in mud if I did! However, I will continue to swing sharply, and pointedly, away from her if possible and will put on my big girl pants and ask/tell her to put her dogs on the lead if it's not.

[Wolfiefan]

If your dog is on a short lead (not longline) then it’s under control.
She needs to control hers. That means stopping them approaching your on lead dog if it’s nervous of them. If she can’t then they must be on lead.
She’s clearly BU. I would try and avoid her at all costs. If you can’t then stand away and ask her to recall her dogs.

[frostedviolets]

from the way she spoke to me at our last encounter, I was starting to think that I was the one in the wrong

I have encountered very many entitled owners with problem dogs.
It is extremely rare for them to act like a reasonable, sensible person.

If confronted they usually minimise; 'just teaching boundaries' 'just being dogs' etc, occasionally apologise but with a decidedly unbothered unconcerned tone or more rarely, treat you to a delightful show of aggression like the complete and utter twat who swore at me very aggressively demanding to know what I was doing when I recalled my dog (because I could see immediately from the other dogs body language it was about to 'go') then when his dog actually followed my dog and bit her treated me to more swearing, posturing etc

[Stellaris22]

I've experienced this. Recalled my dog when I saw an on lead dog, owner then got aggressive demanding why I recalled her, claiming I was being too precious with my dog and thinking I had a problem with her. Weird.