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AIBU?

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AIBU to wait rather than squeeze past a big dog taking up pavement while defecating?

53 replies

SummerIsComing26 · 19/05/2026 12:13

Really confused by something that just happened so wanted to ask if I was unreasonable, and to help me understand why if so. I’m autistic, so may have acted differently to others and would appreciate some help understanding if/where I went wrong as I’m really looping on this.

I was just out walking and there was lady coming towards me with a large dog. I moved over to make room and then when I looked up again, the dog was turning and she was infront of me.

The dog then stopped to poo in the middle of the pavement. The dog was width ways across pavement. There was a very narrow gap infront of the dog but I would have to go sideways and brush past the dog’s face. I was nervous to do that while it was toileting as I don’t like getting too close to dogs, especially if they may not appreciate contact while defecating? The fact it was a big dog did impact my decision. Lady was about 2-3m away from dog which also impacted my decision to wait.

So I just quietly waited. I didn’t have a problem waiting although I may have felt anxious as it was a situation I wasn’t sure what to do in. But I was really careful to not look inpatient or anything as it wasn’t the lady’s fault etc. The road was busy so I couldn’t walk into it to go round, and there was no pavement on the other side of road.

Lady gave me a really funny look. So I just smiled and said I didn’t like getting too close to dogs so was happy to wait. I was very friendly. She didn’t look impressed?

As soon as dog finished and came back to owner, I then had room to pass and carried on. I smiled and said thank you as I passed as she had the dog on shorter lead then.

Lady was quite funny with me. She was on phone at the time, and then started to be really unpleasant about me as I walked away (so couldn’t hear why she had problem but the “this stupid woman was just stood….” gave it away)

I found her unpleasantness quite upsetting but wasn’t sure where I went wrong?

Thank you so much for helping me.

OP posts:
TheWildZebra · 19/05/2026 12:18

It sounds like you were polite but it also sounds very awkward just standing there waiting for someone’s dog to finish pooping. Could you have side stepped into the road while there was a gap in the traffic? Appreciate you shouldn’t need to walk in the road but unfortunately it’s hard to control where and how a dog poops exactly!

SummerIsComing26 · 19/05/2026 12:18

Zov · 19/05/2026 12:16

Could you not have just crossed to the other side?

That's what I do when someone has a dog on the pavement with them, (shitting or not!)

I am not a dog hater, but I don't fully trust any dog that I don't know/have never seen before, and do give them a wide berth.

I have no idea why you have been upset at what happened. This woman was a random who you didn't even know, and will very likely not see again....

.

Edited

There was no pavement on the other side of the road sadly. Otherwise I would have done that (and normally do)

OP posts:
Zov · 19/05/2026 12:16

Could you not have just crossed to the other side?

That's what I do when someone has a dog on the pavement with them, (shitting or not!)

I am not a dog hater, but I don't fully trust any dog that I don't know/have never seen before, and do give them a wide berth.

I have no idea why you have been upset at what happened. This woman was a random who you didn't even know, and will very likely not see again....

.

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