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AIBU?

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AIBU for losing my temper with a dog owner while out running?

169 replies

GE237 · 25/09/2026 10:11

I was out running in the park today and saw a woman approaching with her Staffy. I could see them coming well in advance, so I deliberately moved over to the right hand side of the path to give them plenty of space. She was on the left hand side.
Her dog was off the lead and, as I ran past, it suddenly ran across towards me and nearly took my legs out. It then went running after/at another dog nearby.
I appreciate that the dog itself isn't at fault and I wasn't annoyed at the dog. I had actually made a conscious effort to give them plenty of room because I could see them coming. What annoyed me was that the owner made no apparent effort to keep the dog out of my path, and when I nearly went flying she didn't seem particularly concerned.
I carried on running but was pretty annoyed, so I turned around and went back to speak to her. I said, “Is that dog on a lead now?” She showed me the lead with a bit of an attitude.
I said, “Good, because he nearly tripped me over and he went for that other dog.”
She then said that the other dog had actually gone for hers and that I hadn't been watching where I was going.
This is where I lost my temper. We ended up having a bit of a shouting match and I did swear, which I accept wasn't my finest moment.
From what I saw, I didn't think the other dog had gone for hers. The other woman actually turned around and went back the other way to leave the park, which made me think she was trying to remove herself and her dog from the situation.
I'm not claiming I handled the confrontation perfectly and I definitely got more angry than I needed to. I'm actually feeling a bit guilty now because I don't like upsetting people.
But at the same time, I feel like I had made plenty of space for them, her dog was off lead and nearly caused me to fall, and rather than just saying “sorry”, she blamed me for not watching where I was going.
AIBU to think she was being unreasonable, or did I overreact by turning around and confronting her? I am a terrible over thinker and I'm sure you're all just going to tell me to forget about it! :)

OP posts:
MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 19:58

SplishSplash123 · 25/09/2026 14:06

Why are your dogs not on a lead in a park?!

Only one dog.
But why would she be?

EmeraldShamrock000 · 25/09/2026 20:02

It happens, humans lose their temper at times.
Runners and unleashed dogs in the park can both be annoying to people who don’t participate.
I am not surprised there was a clash.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 25/09/2026 20:04

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 19:58

Only one dog.
But why would she be?

Isn’t it obvious why your dog should be on a lead?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/09/2026 20:15

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 19:58

Only one dog.
But why would she be?

You said your dog runs up to people and jumps? So your dog should be on a lead because it’s poorly trained. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with well trained dogs being off lead, but you openly admit your dog is badly trained.

Zaza2020 · 25/09/2026 20:34

If my dog almost tripped someone up, i's say sorry straight away. I think manners escape people these days.

SplishSplash123 · 25/09/2026 21:43

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 19:58

Only one dog.
But why would she be?

You have admitted your dog is not well trained enough to understand that someone out running is not a game. Your dog is not well trained enough to be off lead in a public space.

Runners do not have to "tolerate" this.

If your dog jumped up at me while I was out running, I would assume they were in attack mode and act accordingly in self defence. Your dog would suffer because you can't be bothered to train them/pay for off-lead safe space for them. How cruel of you to leave your dog open to injury.

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 21:59

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/09/2026 20:15

You said your dog runs up to people and jumps? So your dog should be on a lead because it’s poorly trained. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with well trained dogs being off lead, but you openly admit your dog is badly trained.

The park behind my house is a huge open green space - we're not talking about a children's playground. Of course the dog should be off the lead and free to run.

I put a lot of effort into training her - but people have far too high expectations in this respect. The dog performance stuff you see on tv is elite; and specific breeds as well. It's unrealistic to expect that degree of recall in real life.

takealettermsjones · 25/09/2026 22:05

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 21:59

The park behind my house is a huge open green space - we're not talking about a children's playground. Of course the dog should be off the lead and free to run.

I put a lot of effort into training her - but people have far too high expectations in this respect. The dog performance stuff you see on tv is elite; and specific breeds as well. It's unrealistic to expect that degree of recall in real life.

Training a dog not to jump up at strangers is not elite dog performance or too high of an expectation. Take her to a dog field if she cannot be trusted not to do this.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 25/09/2026 22:09

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 21:59

The park behind my house is a huge open green space - we're not talking about a children's playground. Of course the dog should be off the lead and free to run.

I put a lot of effort into training her - but people have far too high expectations in this respect. The dog performance stuff you see on tv is elite; and specific breeds as well. It's unrealistic to expect that degree of recall in real life.

Bullshit

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 22:15

SplishSplash123 · 25/09/2026 21:43

You have admitted your dog is not well trained enough to understand that someone out running is not a game. Your dog is not well trained enough to be off lead in a public space.

Runners do not have to "tolerate" this.

If your dog jumped up at me while I was out running, I would assume they were in attack mode and act accordingly in self defence. Your dog would suffer because you can't be bothered to train them/pay for off-lead safe space for them. How cruel of you to leave your dog open to injury.

You have admitted your dog is not well trained enough to understand that someone out running is not a game.
Yup. Show me a dog with enough social awareness to understand that

Your dog is not well trained enough to be off lead in a public space.
Nah, don't be daft

Runners do not have to "tolerate" this.
No of course not. But some awareness of tactics to deal with it might be useful

If your dog jumped up at me while I was out running, I would assume they were in attack mode and act accordingly in self defence. Your dog would suffer because you can't be bothered to train them/pay for off-lead safe space for them. How cruel of you to leave your dog open to injury.
Interesting. Out of interest what exactly would you do? As a runner I have experienced problems with other people's dogs - once an Alsatian basically cornered me and wouldn't let me run, I had to wait for the owner to rescue me. I'd be interested to know what you would do in that situation?
Oh and for the record, the dog owner apologised, we had a chat and then I continued my run ... no drama.

Wolfiefan · 25/09/2026 22:21

I hope you’re being goady @MrsJeanLuc

All dogs should have recall if off the lead. I have giant sighthounds. When I see someone running they are called to me. They stand and wait (generally with a treat under their nose as added inventive.)
By law dogs must be under control in public. Any person fearing a dog may injure them (includes knocking them over or tripping them and sending them flying) can report them as a dangerous dog. That has potential disastrous consequences for you and your dog.

ladygindiva · 25/09/2026 22:31

I'm prepared to be flamed but every staffy owner I've ever met has been a dickead. Just saying. Yanbu.

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 22:44

Wolfiefan · 25/09/2026 22:21

I hope you’re being goady @MrsJeanLuc

All dogs should have recall if off the lead. I have giant sighthounds. When I see someone running they are called to me. They stand and wait (generally with a treat under their nose as added inventive.)
By law dogs must be under control in public. Any person fearing a dog may injure them (includes knocking them over or tripping them and sending them flying) can report them as a dangerous dog. That has potential disastrous consequences for you and your dog.

I hope you’re being goody
No of course I wasn't. I was trying to present a balanced view. Dog owners and runners have to occupy the same spaces (sometimes).

I hadn't heard of giant sighthounds, but they look lovely and I'm impressed that you have so much control.

You know, years ago I had a couple of Shelties. They are timid little dogs, wouldn't dream of running away from their "pack". But I wouldn't trust them near a small child - if they got cornered they might bite because they are afraid.

Later I had a terrier. She had a lovely temperament, wouldn't dream of biting anybody - but she was excitable and wanted to be friends with everybody.

The jumping up was occasional - as I said earlier it would be because the runner did something she interpreted as a game (not criticising the runner, just explaining) - and I would always rush over and take control of the situation.

Wolfiefan · 25/09/2026 22:52

The point is you should have control before your dog jumped up. Ensuring your dog doesn’t jump up isn’t impressive. It’s basic. Get control before an issue arises or keep your dog on a lead.

AmateurDad · 25/09/2026 22:55

GE237 · 25/09/2026 10:11

I was out running in the park today and saw a woman approaching with her Staffy. I could see them coming well in advance, so I deliberately moved over to the right hand side of the path to give them plenty of space. She was on the left hand side.
Her dog was off the lead and, as I ran past, it suddenly ran across towards me and nearly took my legs out. It then went running after/at another dog nearby.
I appreciate that the dog itself isn't at fault and I wasn't annoyed at the dog. I had actually made a conscious effort to give them plenty of room because I could see them coming. What annoyed me was that the owner made no apparent effort to keep the dog out of my path, and when I nearly went flying she didn't seem particularly concerned.
I carried on running but was pretty annoyed, so I turned around and went back to speak to her. I said, “Is that dog on a lead now?” She showed me the lead with a bit of an attitude.
I said, “Good, because he nearly tripped me over and he went for that other dog.”
She then said that the other dog had actually gone for hers and that I hadn't been watching where I was going.
This is where I lost my temper. We ended up having a bit of a shouting match and I did swear, which I accept wasn't my finest moment.
From what I saw, I didn't think the other dog had gone for hers. The other woman actually turned around and went back the other way to leave the park, which made me think she was trying to remove herself and her dog from the situation.
I'm not claiming I handled the confrontation perfectly and I definitely got more angry than I needed to. I'm actually feeling a bit guilty now because I don't like upsetting people.
But at the same time, I feel like I had made plenty of space for them, her dog was off lead and nearly caused me to fall, and rather than just saying “sorry”, she blamed me for not watching where I was going.
AIBU to think she was being unreasonable, or did I overreact by turning around and confronting her? I am a terrible over thinker and I'm sure you're all just going to tell me to forget about it! :)

In my experience, dog walkers and joggers are all as bad as each other, so...

SplishSplash123 · Yesterday 07:46

MrsJeanLuc · 25/09/2026 22:15

You have admitted your dog is not well trained enough to understand that someone out running is not a game.
Yup. Show me a dog with enough social awareness to understand that

Your dog is not well trained enough to be off lead in a public space.
Nah, don't be daft

Runners do not have to "tolerate" this.
No of course not. But some awareness of tactics to deal with it might be useful

If your dog jumped up at me while I was out running, I would assume they were in attack mode and act accordingly in self defence. Your dog would suffer because you can't be bothered to train them/pay for off-lead safe space for them. How cruel of you to leave your dog open to injury.
Interesting. Out of interest what exactly would you do? As a runner I have experienced problems with other people's dogs - once an Alsatian basically cornered me and wouldn't let me run, I had to wait for the owner to rescue me. I'd be interested to know what you would do in that situation?
Oh and for the record, the dog owner apologised, we had a chat and then I continued my run ... no drama.

So by your rules, it's fine to have no social awareness in the park? Cool, I'll let my toddler run amok next time I take her. If she pinches another child's toy, or runs across someone's blanket and tramples on their picnic food, I'll just shrug and say everyone should be tolerant of her...

I know a few friends whose dogs have been trained well enough that they would never jump up at anyone. Everyone else uses a lead because their dogs aren't trained in that way, and if they want off lead exercise they hire a private space to do so.

I can't say what decision I would make in a split second encounter where I was scared and being physically attacked. I assume I'd probably kick and/or throw my water bottle. My point is, its not my job to go out for a run expecting to have to deal with being attacked - whether playfully or aggressively, I don't care, I'm entitled not to be assaulted in a park. The law would be on my side regardless; you're responsible for the dog and it's actions, not me.

Assume you're fine with the possibility of your dog being hurt and/or potentially losing its life if the incident was such that the dog caused an injury and the police deemed it necessary to put your dog down? Such a shame for your poor dog that you're exposing it to that risk.

MrsJeanLuc · Yesterday 10:40

@SplishSplash123
Everyone else uses a lead because their dogs aren't trained in that way, and if they want off lead exercise they hire a private space to do so.

I hope you enjoy all the clouds and cuckoos in your world 🤣🤣🤣

SplishSplash123 · Yesterday 11:26

MrsJeanLuc · Yesterday 10:40

@SplishSplash123
Everyone else uses a lead because their dogs aren't trained in that way, and if they want off lead exercise they hire a private space to do so.

I hope you enjoy all the clouds and cuckoos in your world 🤣🤣🤣

If "clouds and cuckoos" is surrounding myself with lovely friends who are responsible dog owners and respectful of other people, I'll take it and keep people like you out of my life

gamerchick · Yesterday 11:32

Just let it go OP. We all have a moment. Dogs off leads dog walkers and runners are both irritating in their own way. Today they just clashed.

We always get annoyed with our selves for losing our temper, but it happens.

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