Etiquette when dog reacts

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

So was at dog park today (one where dogs can run off lead). A puppy (but large breed so larger than my dog) jumped on mine - first time mine growled, second time, growled again - third time really did “react” didn’t bite or anything like that - but certainly barked and showed teeth.

I did put him on lead after second growl but the other owner just left her dog to jump on mine. I left the park - but am I unreasonable to think she should have put hers I lead. Two other dog owners left the park while the dog was running around.

[ErrolTheDragon]

YANBU, she should have intervened when your dog warned hers. It's a pup which needs training not to jump up and harass other dogs.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@ErrolTheDragon thank you / I was thinking I was being unfair for being a bit pissed off. I remember mine being a bit of a pest as a pup, but I’d always take him away - especially if they got growly.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

YANBU. My younger dog is madly social but she doesn't jump on other dogs and if they jump on her, she tells them to bugger off in very clear terms.

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

After the first reaction I always say’ Your puppy might get told off if she keeps doing that’ And the other owner usually say, oh she has to learn anyway, and that’s the best way, and then we watch and see that happens and if puppy keeps annoying the older dog then the polder dog will growl and puppy owner will smile and do away.

[pigsDOfly]

I've had no hesitation in being very insistent that people get their dog under control when this happens - not rude, just insistent - if that doesn't work, and it often doesn't, I'll call my dog away and walk to the other side of the park.

Having said that, we have had a couple of dogs follow us all the way across a park before now, in which case we just keep walking until the other dogs, usually, get bored and give up.

I really hate this 'oh he needs to learn' attitude of some puppy owners. Yes, he does need to learn, but it's not my dog's job to teach him.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Large pups 'learning' or 'just playing' are unfortunately not ok if they decide to play with smaller, older or reactive dogs. Some interaction is ok but the owner needs to be right there and alert to train their pup at the first sign of overstepping the mark.

Of course, most do so, for which I'm grateful. I've got a dachshund, who is (unusually for the breed) quite submissive. He used to be able to do a good 'ninja roll' but now he's 14, a misplaced large puppy paw could be a problem. Our previous dachshund used to want to attack every boxer he saw after a big pup playfully stood on his head and hurt his eye.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@pigsDOfly i wish I had now! We had to leave the off leash area. The dog got two warnings from mine my dog was running away from him. It seemed crap that we had to cut our walk short (first park walk since lockdown as well).

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@ChardonnaysPetDragon that’s pretty much exactly what happened except she let him do it three time’s - at which point my dog really did “have a go” - I was scared at that point tbh - as we are talking a Maltese (mine) vs a 4 month-ish Doberman!

[pigsDOfly]

Yes, Grumpy, it's not fair that your dog's run should have to be cut short because a stupid person doesn't control their dog.

When we get into these situations, which isn't often tbh, she gives me her 'do something' look.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@pigs haha yes I get that look! Part help part reproachful that you haven’t already

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

See, she got it wrong Grumpy, she should have taken the offending pup away after the second attempt.

Sometimes I place myself next the my dog, very nonchalantly but firmly, so I can get the pup myself before the old sod can get too worked up.

It's a very funny form of social dance, great to observe when someone's else's dog is on the receiving end.

But it's definitely the puppy owner who needs to move to other side of the park. Some first time PPO -precious puppy owners don't always get it, and then you do need the "look".

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

I'm quite relaxed about this, TBH, my dogs are bombproof so I tend to let the puppies have fun with them, but of course I'm only doing it because I know them and I watch all the time.

[pigsDOfly]

My dog won't react in an aggressive way but I know she hates being jumped on so this is why I don't let it continue.

She's small, so a large puppy could hurt her, and she 9 years old and isn't keen on large puppies.

Although she sometimes surprises me and can be quite tolerant and playful with a small one if she's in the mood.

[YouJustDoYou]

I've tried to tell other dog owners to please call back their dog etc and either get the fucking stupid "Oh he's just playing!", or I got abuse.

If people can't control their dog it shouldn't be off the lead. It happens all the fucking time and makes me so mad.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@youjustdoyou - tbf it’s an off leash area, so totally get that it’s a place to let your puppy run around and learn so being off lead isn’t so much the issue. The thing is the puppy didn’t really learn - got warned twice and still carried on while the owner did sweet Fa.

[ErrolTheDragon]

The thing is the puppy didn’t really learn - got warned twice and still carried on while the owner did sweet Fa.

Yup, that's the point.

As I said, most people round here are very good at not letting their dogs stomp on our dachshund but if one approaches too bouncily, DH is liable to call out that our dog has a bad back. Which isn't actually true but very probably would be if he was trodden on.

[pigsDOfly]

Someone on here some time ago said that in situations like this she always shouted to the owner that her dog was infectious, although it wasn't true.

Somehow, they always suddenly managed to get their dog away.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

Haha I wonder how that would go down right now - not sure I’m brave enough to shout out “infectious” in a public place

[pilates]

YANBU. Ignorant puppy owner.

[pigsDOfly]

No, not something I'd be inclined to do, especially at the moment, but if you could just teach the dog to cough in a realistic you'll have the park to yourself

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

Oh he does have a wonderful line in dramatic sneezing!

[LolaSmiles]

It's a fine line socialising a pup. We found letting ours run with other people we saw regularly on our walk was a safe way of them learning boundaries with other dogs and learning how other dogs say "back off".

But at the second "back off" from your dog the owner should have intervened. By not being on top of training and socialisation the other owner is risking their puppy having a negative experience that could have long term effects on their puppy's behaviour.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

@lolasmiles - I get it - mine could be full on (he still is actually as he’s still under three), which is why I posted - wasn’t sure if I was wrong to be annoyed.

Also my dog really isn’t reactive generally so it frightened me a bit to be honest. But I haven’t really ever seen a dog so big just constantly jump on him.

[pilates]

Everyone has sympathy for people with puppies and as long as you are seen to intervene to stop bad behaviour most people are fine.

[Witchgonebad]

I have a large breed pup and he can be boisterous with some dogs. Definitely not your dogs job to teach the pup manners!

I let my pup meet other dogs, but at the moment on a long line. I can’t let him have mad rough play sessions, he’s just too big and could hurt a dog if he jumped on it.

Your dog told the pup to back off. He should have listened and so should the owner, then intervened.

That pup could end up becoming a bully and a general pain the arse if the owner doesn’t reign it in and train it.
One to avoid in future if I were you!