Randomly insulted in village about my dog's 'behaviour'

I have a year old golden retriever and he’s also deep in adolescence so can be annoying and is big for a golden so some people don’t realise he’s only a puppy. He’s never off the lead (cos he wouldn’t come back) and he’s very good when we meet people - he either sits (and stares at them ina slightly creepy, stalkerish way) or he stands by me, or I put him on a ,Eva short lead and we walk past. Some people and some dogs do want to stop and say hello, but if someone doesn’t want to speak to him then he doesn’t go near them (just judges them silently). Doesn’t stop some people shouting to keep him away - when they are on the opposite side of the street and we have no intention of going near them. Other people make a point of scooping up kids and walking quickly away - even though he’s no where near. I just work on the assumption that you can’t argue with stupid and my boy isn’t causing a problem so it’s all on them 🤷‍♀️

I do second a halti/gentle leader though as that has been a game changer and walks are now enjoyable as he’s not pulling wildly.

it feels like a long line/flexi is at the end of this story OP 😁 if so, lose it. Not suitable for giant breed (or any dog)

But can she actually reach anyone?

Is the drip feed that ‘restrained’ means the dog is on one of those long leads and is allowed to do what it likes to whoever it likes?

Yes it depends what the dog was doing when it was being boisterous. Are you doing training classes to try to get it under control? They do sound overly rude though. Probably frightened of big dogs.

I’m a dog owner and lover and my current one is nuts (pointer) and can be a total embarrassment. However, you still haven’t said what your dog was actually doing to provoke this comment @madbatarse

I agree about the yelling but if the OP refers to her dog as boisterous and sociable what exactly is the behaviour that causes her to describe it in this way? The dog is displaying some type of behaviour to be described this way otherwise the OP would just say the dog is well behaved and restrained.

I’m not a huge fan of dogs and 15y old DS is really scared of them. He had the misfortune to be chased by one as a 2 year old and again, aged about 12. Both times by off lead dogs, in a park, with owners who could not recall them. The second time, it went on for a good few mins, luckily he’s a decent cross country runner so he could carry on running, but the dog was not giving up.

He would not at all be bothered by a dog (even a big one) on a lead, on the other side of the street. He’d probably cross the road if he saw you coming on his side of the street though!

Sounds like they’re bored and judgey. Pretend you’re deaf. Carry a sign that says “I’m deaf!” and hold it up for them to read. Horrible bast@rds.

I think we can all safely say the women in OPs village is @PrincessofWells

lol. Do enjoy your little odd little thrill from loads of posters thinking you’re a nut job and saying so, won’t you? #cheapthrillsfortrolls101

Thank you @CrownPointSouth 😘

@GreenCandleWax Not OP but same breed. This breed is very good with children, but we would put our hand through the collar anyway to ensure the dog doesn't try to jump.

@Findra A dog being boisterous during adolescence does not mean it is untrained.

@PrincessofWells There is no justification whatsoever for your comment.

@madbatarse Sorry for hijacking your thread but some of these responses are very unjust.

I think if I saw something bred to fight bears and wolves, weighing 6+ stone and wanting to bounce up at people 'because she's a puppy' might make me feel quite annoyed. Especially as it's coincidentally a normal weight for an XL bully bitch of the same age.

Bet most posters were imagining some little fluffy thing.

God I adore giants. I have three big ‘uns. They all go through the excitable teen phase and the joy with giants is they rapidly slow down and calm their jets with maturity.

These people clearly have an issue with your dog’s size. You’re never allowing the dog to rush to anyone and she’s always on the lead. Just wave cheerily with a ‘morning!’ Plus some ludicrous pleasantry. You’re not doing anything wrong.

I think you have had enough Internet for today.

WTF?

People like you should read the thread before posting. Or don’t reply full stop.

People like you shouldn't have dogs.

I’m a large breed owner. They take longer to mature than smaller breeds. You seem to swiftly avoid answering what your dog is actually doing to elicit this reaction. What does ‘boisterous’ look like Op? What does not behaving like she would in the show ring look like? Pulling towards them trying to cross to were they are? Lunging, barking and flapping around on the end of the lead? To me that’s just young large breeds but to other people it might look out of control and be intimidating. There will be something you need to work on here so try to identify what that is and it will make walks far more pleasant.

I recon it's the size. People seem to think it's fine to have a little out of control dog yapping and jumping though which really annoys me. I've only ever been bitten by little dogs and both time the owner denied it even though I had a hole in trousers!
I much prefer big dogs, it's much eaiser to understand there body language!

Assuming the dog was restrained and not barking like a maniac for 20 minutes straight, I’d be telling them to mind their own fucking business. Why are village people always so arsey and in each others business?

Ahhh, if me and Milo were there I'd have had your back! 😂 No one picks on my princess Brie!

They don't meet; these people shout from across the road