AIBU or did this guy overreact to our dog approaching him?

536 replies

MrsH1992 · 05/10/2023 21:04

So we were walking our doodle on the beach who's about a year old and 4kg. Most the beach is no-dogs allowed in summer but this is the only bit they are allowed on. She's usually really good but sometimes has bad recall if she sees someone she knows. There was a guy in a red coat who I think she mistook for my dad as he has a similar coat/ build and she ran over to him and put her front paws up on his knees. We were running after her apologising when the guy tries to repeatedly stomp and kick her. She ran back to me terrified. This guy is now screaming at us and swearing really badly. He has a little kid with him (maybe three) so we say sorry but he needs to calm down. He then threatened us and was trying to square up to my husband. We're just trying to get round him but he's blocking our way (we need to continue along the shore line to get back to our car). In the end we get past but I was on the verge of calling the police.

So I know some people really don't like dogs and we should have her under control but it was the dog section of the beach plus she's tiny. I think he massively overreacted and shouldn't come to the dog beach if he feels that strongly and is liable to loose his temper like that. AIBU?

OP posts:

Norbi · 11/10/2023 21:12

He completely over reacted but this is the risk you run when you don’t have 100% recall of your dog. I have had situations with owners when walking my dog (always on a lead) and they come bounding with their owner running after them saying “oh he’s friendly and he won’t do anything” This has including a German Shepherd who have I seen being aggressive . It pisses me off and I will have a go at people for this but obviously without the violence !

A dog trainer who I follow on SM says that “if someone has a problem with your dog then it is your problem and you need to solve it”

Lilyburnspotts · 11/10/2023 21:45

I have a doodle. They are friendly dogs but this is exactly how the majority of these dogs act. I absolutely wouldn't have her off the lead at a beach where anyone else may be, esp kids. Her recall is great but like yours, she is prone to getting over excited thinking someone is a friend! There are people terrified of dogs though and as a responsible owner, I make sure my dog isn't running up to people.

Boomboom22 · 12/10/2023 18:07

emmafenella · 11/10/2023 21:04

@Boomboom22 I typed and retyped so many replies to you but ultimately it’s futile because you’re clearly blinded by some kind of past trauma and/or prejudice. Your opinion is totally valid and you’re entitled to it but the negative language you’re using, like “just ew” and “beasts” are what is getting people’s backs up. Others being respectful in their discussion(s) and you’re being the opposite. You’re tarring all with the same brush when in reality all you’re doing is creating negativity for yourself. In fact, from what I’ve read, the only thing I’d use the words “just ew“ and “beastly” for is your sucky attitude.

You are unbelievable. How nasty.
They are beasts it's a word for large animals. This is exactly the problem, wanting to be respectful of dogs when they are in the papers killing people every single week. And apparently I have to hide my terror as a human because some strange dog owners can't handle the truth about they way they are.
Humans trump dogs. Morally, legally, always.

Boomboom22 · 12/10/2023 18:14

Also get a grip, how dare you use the word prejudice? A serious word that applies to human groups.
As I said, an excuse to be nasty to people who don't want dogs touching them so you can feel better about yourself and don't have to reflect on how selfish you are, making it the victims problem.

Lostcotter · 12/10/2023 19:47

Jaxhog · 11/10/2023 17:32

The thing is, you have no idea what a stranger's experience with dogs is. For all you know, he may have just lost a child to a dog attack. So please, if your dog doesn't have perfect recall, keep it on a leash - if only for the dog's sake.

This.

emmafenella · 13/10/2023 07:51

emmafenella · 13/10/2023 07:52

(In case it wasn’t obvious, that ‘thanks’ was sarcastic). Have the day you deserve ❤️

NorthernSarcasticandDownrightFantastic · 13/10/2023 11:42

Actually... a friends dog was seized and threatened to be put down, because it sat next to someone and placed it's paw on their knee...

TurquoiseMermaid · 13/10/2023 15:25

Obviously it's never acceptable to kick a dog but it's hard to imagine how a dog big enough to rest its paws on the knees of a grown man could possibly be as tiny as the OP makes it out to be?

K4tM · 13/10/2023 19:44

‘Rest it’s paw on his knee’. Yeah, that’s pretty tiny. Even my Dads elderly fat Yorkie (8kg) couldn’t have managed that. Anyway, she had no teeth so couldn’t have done harm, bless. But she was his loved pet. She meant the world to him. As we did when we were kids. As all children and animals did to him. He loved living creatures and had compassion. Which I think is lacking here.

nocoolnamesleft · 14/10/2023 00:40

Yes, there appears to be little compassion for people who are (justifiably) scared of dogs.

Flip

1 2 ··· 17 18 19 20 21 22