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Original poster

Control your fucking dogs

343 replies

ThunderSkies · 25/08/2020 19:16

I’m so angry. Yet again someone can’t control their dog and my dc is even more afraid due to some massive dog leaping up at their face and mouthing at them (very young, but big dog).

If they have no recall and keep jumping up at people (and are at the mouthing people stage still) don’t fucking let them be able to get out of control.

Dog ran away from owners, out of the garden and my child ran towards the road. I’m so 😡. Why did I come away feeling like my son was to blame for running and shouting (yes it excites the dog, no I can’t stop him doing it when he’s scared and the dog is chasing him). Yes the dog was playing. No, it makes no difference to my child when the dog can jump higher than he is tall.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 26/08/2020 14:41

I've just taken the land shark for a walk.

2 requests to pet him
3 thank yous for holding him steady whilst they passed
2 prolonged bouts of him sitting/lying down and whining piteously, passers by asking if he was alright and being amused, one person being bothered as they don't like dogs... but thanking me for keeping him at my feet.

He isn't perfect but we are getting there.

Imprecise · 26/08/2020 14:55

It doesn't matter if anyone has a phobia of dogs or not, dogs should not be coming into contact with people in public. This is the owner's responsibility to ensure. No ifs and buts. And as for the comparison with annoying children, when was the last time a child ran up to you and licked you? Really not the same thing at all. (I don't have children or dogs so no vested interest either way.)

Imprecise · 26/08/2020 14:58

And yes, people shouldn't be touching dogs either unsolicited, but that's a separate issue dog owners seem to always bring up in these discussions when we're talking about controlling dogs. The topic of discussion is whether dogs should be properly controlled in public.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 26/08/2020 15:17

Could you add 'some' in there? Just in front of 'dog owners' would be good Smile

amicissimma · 26/08/2020 16:07

Aargh! Just today I've lost a whole lump of skin down my leg as I had to do an emergency swerve/stop when a dog darted across my front wheel. Just missed the dog.

Fortunately I'd been cycling really slowly as the owner was meandering across the track looking at his phone, oblivious of the flourescent yellow figure coming towards him. I managed to avoid him, but the dog just leapt out.

'Oh, sorry', he said vacantly, 'are you alright'. I managed to express my wish that he'd keep his dog under control as I clutched my bashed knee and mopped my bleeding leg. And cycled off. I'd had more than enough of him and his dog.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 26/08/2020 16:32

Ah! A mobile phone Zombie with a dog!

So very irritating in so very many circumstances, not only when in possession of a dog. Should be banned... I detest them for their expectation that the world will accommodate them during their otherwise occupied time!

Are you OK now?

Original poster
ThunderSkies · 26/08/2020 17:00

@amicissimma

Aargh! Just today I've lost a whole lump of skin down my leg as I had to do an emergency swerve/stop when a dog darted across my front wheel. Just missed the dog.

Fortunately I'd been cycling really slowly as the owner was meandering across the track looking at his phone, oblivious of the flourescent yellow figure coming towards him. I managed to avoid him, but the dog just leapt out.

'Oh, sorry', he said vacantly, 'are you alright'. I managed to express my wish that he'd keep his dog under control as I clutched my bashed knee and mopped my bleeding leg. And cycled off. I'd had more than enough of him and his dog.

Goodness! Are you ok now?
OP posts:
tarnishehalo · 26/08/2020 17:29

@SBTLove

I have multiple dogs, well trained etc. The owner is being irresponsible as the dog could run into the road, they need to ensure their garden is secure for everyone’s safety. Reading your OP I thought your son was going to be a toddler not 11! I think you are over reacting and this behaviour doesn’t help your son, 11 is old enough to not run into a road because a dog jumped up and locked him. I never quite understand parents who do little to help alleviate a fear in their child, I imagine he’s heading to high school and I can’t imagine many kids being kind to him if he runs away panicking at a dog. It’s not ideal the dog jumped up, but I think you are causing a drama and encouraging your son to over react too.
Totally agree with you SBTLove and as for those wanting all dogs except Service ones banned thankfully that ain't gonna happen, dogs bring comfort and companionship to many, Many people. And most of us pick up their crap and have trained them to not jump up or chase people. Sadly there ARE irresponsible dog owners, just as there are irresponsible parents who let their kids drop litter, kick balls at windows and generally act like little shits. And don't get me started about parents who throw shitty nappies in parks and on the streets!
Pinkyandthebrainz · 26/08/2020 18:24

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

You dont have to like it but it is true. Picnic = food on floor, easily accessible = tempting to dogs, many of whom will approach if given half the chance. Picnic on a bench instead.

Ohnonononononono · 26/08/2020 18:40

My neighbour is a wanker dog owner - they're got them despite it breaching their SH tenancy . We've had months of barking, shit in our shared garden, and the dogs being left off lead in hallways and stairways. They've only just started putting them on a lead in the garden, but were leaving them unsupervised and going through the hedge to next door for ages. Neighbour has just started picking up their garden crap (yay!) but is just putting all the poo bags in a bucket in the corner of the garden, which is on the verge of overflowing. The dogs're massive and enthusiastically jumpy.

My friend has a dog and thinks my neighbour is an irresponsible dick.

However, she's happy to let her dog off lead with zero recall, even after it's knocked me over and given me bloody scratches in the past jumping up to say hi. It kills squirrels in the park in front of kids, and invades picnics.
It's also nearly knocked an old lady over running up to greet her when I was meeting them - apparently the dog thought it was me and was just excited. According to her, people are just being nasty if they complain, and it was mean to put the dog through training classes because she didn't like them.
I now refuse to meet up with her with the dog around - this has pretty much ended our friendship tbh.

Thank you to the decent owners who realise not everyone's delighted by being jumped at etc.

mbosnz · 26/08/2020 18:50

I don't let my cat out to shit in people's yards, and to decimate wildlife.

Perhaps dog-owners ought to similarly seek to limit their dog's impact on anyone other than themselves? I'm getting tired of the altercations between dog owners with the ones that have good recall, or their dogs on the lead, and those that let their dogs run riot! And no, people aren't obliged to just accept and tolerate your ill trained pets jumping up on them, running riot through their socially distanced picnics, mouthing them and licking their faces. That's just disgusting, and anyone who allows their dog to impact on others in such a fashion ought to be ashamed of themselves. Just as you ought if your children do it. (Unless there are SEN issues. With the children, I mean.)

Marble2302 · 26/08/2020 18:54

I run 4-5 times a week and most days I get jumped on or chased by someones dog. I don't like dogs I think they are dirty and I don't want their filthy paws on me. The owners are the types who treat their dogs as a baby and they don't control them.

pinguwings · 26/08/2020 19:00

Absolutely agree! We walk on our local common a lot with a two year old and baby in the sling. The amount of "friendly" dogs that bound over to us with bloody useless owners is getting more and more.

I've taught my two year old how to cross her arms and turn her back when dogs jump up at her.

It makes me feel sick watching a strange dog jumping at her but I know if I panic and try and grab her/ shoo the dog she will become fearful and the dog is more likely to become aggressive. I'll give the owners an earful but most don't give a shit, or are completely oblivious to what a danger and pest there dog is being. I've heard " oh but he loves children" so many times, well good for you... teach him not to bloody jump up and scratch them then.

IHateCoronavirus · 26/08/2020 19:35

YANBU op. I love dogs myself but dislike irresponsible dog owners. My DS1 is petrified after being bitten by a collie as a little boy. He is 14 now and tries hard to control his reaction to the fear but I hate that he is put in that situation.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when we were stood on a green space park quietly watching a little rabbit nibbling the grass. My youngest (3 at the time) delighted by the “bunny” when a whippet sped by us and killed it right in front of our eyes! The dog’s owner said it was his natural instinct which is why I argued if the kill instinct is known to be so strong it should never have been left off the lead!

Ohnonononononono · 26/08/2020 19:38

^ yep, I've said similar to my friend and had the same response. Their dog's a whippet too.

coaleo · 26/08/2020 19:47

I have a large, quite scary looking dog really, and twice It has got away from me and jumped at someone. It is completely unacceptable, I can totally understand how intimidating it would be for anyone, I feel aweful that it has ever happened! You are not in the wrong, I wish I was a better dog owner than I am, and am trying so hard! Any unknown dog jumping at you I think is unacceptable.

Original poster
ThunderSkies · 26/08/2020 19:57

@coaleo

I have a large, quite scary looking dog really, and twice It has got away from me and jumped at someone. It is completely unacceptable, I can totally understand how intimidating it would be for anyone, I feel aweful that it has ever happened! You are not in the wrong, I wish I was a better dog owner than I am, and am trying so hard! Any unknown dog jumping at you I think is unacceptable.
But it’s clear from your post that you’d be going out of your way to put things right and get your dog under control again. That makes a big difference.
OP posts:
IHateCoronavirus · 26/08/2020 19:59

@Ohnonononononono

^ yep, I've said similar to my friend and had the same response. Their dog's a whippet too.
Shock How is she happy with subjecting other people’s children to that? What if it goes for a small dog?

Incidentally would A dog killing wildlife be classed as out of control?

Initforthecake1980 · 26/08/2020 20:01

Couldn’t agree more op.

Ohnonononononono · 26/08/2020 20:06

The sole issue she has with it is that she finds it a bit embarrassing, but reckons kids need to learn about nature one way or another.

It's not gone for any small dogs (yet); I'd imagine if it happened she'd blame anyone but herself.

I've also wondered about the wildlife killing/out of control thing, along with the jumping at people.

I really wish our park had a dog-free space. I actually avoid going there these days in case my friend and dog are around and I get jumped at again.

IHateCoronavirus · 26/08/2020 20:27

I found this from The Met’s website:

“It is an offence to:
engage or participate in the pursuit of a wild animal
use or allow a dog or dogs to pursue a wild animal”

IHateCoronavirus · 26/08/2020 20:28

Link: www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ac/animal-crime/

Heffalooomia · 26/08/2020 20:32

I wish I was a better dog owner than I am
you knowingly keep a dog which is not properly controlled?

Ohnonononononono · 26/08/2020 20:35

@IHateCoronavirus

I found this from The Met’s website:

“It is an offence to:
engage or participate in the pursuit of a wild animal
use or allow a dog or dogs to pursue a wild animal”

Thank you for that - I've found and bookmarked the info for our local police force.
RideaCockHorseOfCourse · 26/08/2020 20:41

Exactly op, your dc was not born afraid of dogs. If pisses me off so much that some owners will pathetically 'ask' the dog not to do whatever in a weak voice (like it's really going to take notice Angry) I have a ds with learning difficulties who hates dogs, and will physically retch in fear if he comes into contact with one. The times we've been on walks, a dog comes bounding up, only for the owner to call out "it's okay he won't hurt you!" Wff !!! Oh really?