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Original poster

Why is it OK that my coat is covered in dog slobber and paw prints?

102 replies

Nevertime · 13/12/2021 11:09

I went for a long walk in the woods yesterday.

I don't dislike dogs, I smile I indulgently at owners with cute dogs, but why do so many owners think it's OK to have their dogs come and jump up at me or slobber on me?. It must be awful for anyone scared of dogs. During my day out, I must have had at least 8 dogs make physical contact with me.

I've just gone to put my coat in and it's filthy.

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 13/12/2021 11:51

When I was a district nurse there was this one dog (rat) that started snarling at me as soon as I entered the house.
She would ALWAYS say oh he's just being friendly and he would bite me at some point during this interaction.
I got so sick of having trousers ruined at her house I used to go in my motorbike trousers.
Bite through them you little fucker. He only did it once.

TheOrigRights · 13/12/2021 12:00

It was NOT OK for someone to let their dog claw at my Sweaty Betty leggings.

Jackofallsorts · 13/12/2021 12:04

All dogs of any size (any animal) should be under the control of their owner when out in a public place unless it's in a designated animal area that is clearly signed. That means a lead. Held tight and relatively short.
Dogs in pubs and restaurants / cafes are now the combined responsibility of the dog owner and management of the pub/restaurant.

This is not difficult to understand yet I find myself having to point this out 5/6 times a year.

It's not the animals fault. It's the entitlement of adults who mostly have no consideration for other people. So called "dog people" tend to have a manner closer to actual dogs than people.

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Dogs
paintfairy · 13/12/2021 12:05

I think people maybe need to say? Idiotic owners seem oblivious and clearly see no issue. I have a dog (he doesn't jump up) and it really pisses me off if I'm out walking and someone else's dog comes and jumps up and makes me muddy! Never mind if I didn't even have a dog. Its not on. Neither should dogs be approaching children. If they don't have recall then they should be on a lead. End of.

I think we are too polite though. Owners need it pointing out to them that it's not acceptable.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 13/12/2021 12:06

@Jackofallsorts

All dogs of any size (any animal) should be under the control of their owner when out in a public place unless it's in a designated animal area that is clearly signed. That means a lead. Held tight and relatively short. Dogs in pubs and restaurants / cafes are now the combined responsibility of the dog owner and management of the pub/restaurant.

This is not difficult to understand yet I find myself having to point this out 5/6 times a year.

It's not the animals fault. It's the entitlement of adults who mostly have no consideration for other people. So called "dog people" tend to have a manner closer to actual dogs than people.

Dogs do not need to be on a lead to be under control though. The fields I let my dog off on has no leash rules but it also isn't a designated dog area. Same as beaches etc that don't have lead rules. I'm not keeping my dog on a lead in places he's is allowed off
Starcup · 13/12/2021 12:07

I hear you OP. I can not stand dog slobber and hairs so I would expect to be able to go for a walk without random fogs jumping or licking me. I hate when owners think people should love their dogs as much as them

Starcup · 13/12/2021 12:07

dogs

itwasntaparty · 13/12/2021 12:09

I've never had a dog jump at me. My terrier must scare them off!

Original poster
Nevertime · 13/12/2021 12:13

Maybe other dog owners don't experience it as much because the dogs go to their dog rather than the person?

OP posts:
Readytogogogo · 13/12/2021 12:15

I don't have a dog and get jumped on every single time I go for a walk in the countryside/ park. I am just so sick of hearing how friendly these dogs are.

Iamnotamermaid · 13/12/2021 12:23

Have the same problem as OP - on a 1 hour walk I had 3 jump up...one had just hauled itself out of a river. Owners tried (& failed) to recall it.

I am less polite and tolerant these days & have discovered that dogs will pay more attention when I yell no at them (in a firm non friendly manner) when they jump up at me. Do not expect an apology from the owners (who have failed to recall their dog) - you are now a she devil who has shouted at their fur baby.

However you will get left alone if you it spots another dog. Jumping over other dogs does seem to trump jumping over people. In fact I got bitten by one dog and the owner assured me that if I had had a dog with me there would not have been a problem - go figure.

Corbally · 13/12/2021 12:25

The dogs are turning you into the Mn idea of a toff, covered in canine drool, hair and pawprints. I hope said coat is tweed.

MyDogTails · 13/12/2021 12:26

I believe you. It’s happened to me twice in the past few days and I walk (my dog) in fairly open spaces. I’d say if you walked in more secluded places as you do where they are exuberant puppies and large dogs, it would be more frequent.

I think it’s unacceptable. Many people don’t like dogs and others like me want to stay clean!

Jackofallsorts · 13/12/2021 12:28

If the beach is deserted than no lead is appropriate. If people (and children) are using the beach than a lead should be used. That's being responsible. You have control of an animal. It's up to other people to avoid interacting with your dog. That's on you. Otherwise get a hamster.

Jackofallsorts · 13/12/2021 12:28

*not up to other people

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 13/12/2021 12:32

@Jackofallsorts

If the beach is deserted than no lead is appropriate. If people (and children) are using the beach than a lead should be used. That's being responsible. You have control of an animal. It's up to other people to avoid interacting with your dog. That's on you. Otherwise get a hamster.
I 100% disagree with you. My dog has never once gone up to another dog or person without me saying so. We keep away from people but I don't leash him when the law doesn't require me to. We trained him and he has recall and is correctly socialised.

I agree if your dog has no recall it should be leashed

HerbertChops · 13/12/2021 12:32

No, it’s not ok, no dog owner should have their dog off lead if they jump up. When my dog was young he would attempt to jump on everyone, especially children (part-poodle, they like jumping up) but I always kept him on a lead until he was trained not to. And as a dog owner I don’t like other peoples dogs jumping on me either, it takes a lot of time to train dogs not to do this but it’s worth it, people who don’t bother are just lazy owners.

Bollocknays · 13/12/2021 12:33

This happens all the time on the beaches in Cornwall. Dogs all over the place, no lead and no owner nearby either.

Worst still - no lead near a cliff edge. Dogs are always dying around here after a cliff fall.

Just stick it on a lead ffs!!

FTEngineerM · 13/12/2021 12:37

It’s definitely shitty owners; I love a good old dog cuddle so I invite them up usually and the owners cringe at me being covered in mud but I reassured THATS WHAT I ASKED FOR when I invited the dog up.

I still hate random dogs running over and jumping at my legs uninvited, owners nuts like meh he’s friendly.. sometimes I shout IM NOT

Kookookachuu · 13/12/2021 12:39

I have the opposite problem, I’m teaching my puppy not to jump up and you can guarantee everywhere you go that someone will make a fuss of her and encourage her to jump up. She’s a high energy breed that I'm teaching to stay calm in appropriate situations, we were looking at Christmas lights a few days ago and she was sat on a short lead being good, enter random stranger who made a big fuss in a high pitched voice which sent Dpup bonkers so we had to walk away to start again. If a dog is approaching you and looks as though it will jump up just stand still and turn away, hopefully dog will think you’re boring and will leave you alone.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 13/12/2021 12:41

Why is it so very hard for people to train their dogs? My new cat had me perfectly trained within 3 months.

Jackofallsorts · 13/12/2021 12:43

No dog has a 100% response rate to recall. This is especially true when the dog is startled or afraid. A lead is a must when other people are about.
Stop being irresponsible.

traka · 13/12/2021 12:52

The ppl who allow their dogs to harass other ppl think that because they're comfortable around dogs then therefore everybody else is

I don't want any dog anywhere near me. I had a run in with a guy with a dog off the lead recently. It looked very powerful and dangerous. A muscular staffy type thing

The first thing he said was It's okay, he's friendly. Bare in mind I had DD2 on her trike. I got between the two and told him that I don't know if it's friendly or not

I saw him yesterday and it was on a lead. My mum was bitten as a child and I was chased by alsations once in a wood

I don't like dogs and I don't want them in my personal space

Quickchangeartiste · 13/12/2021 12:55

Totally agree with you, it’s utterly irresponsible and I say that as an owner of 2 friendly labs. I am done with having other dogs claw at my Sweaty Bettys too, and jumping up to leave paw prints on my jacket. I may dress like a bag lady when out with my dogs but I am a clean bag lady.
I once had some ghastly woman’s equally ghastly dog pee on my leg. She laughed a particularly tinkly laugh and told me he was just ‘claiming’ me from my labs.
I mean I adore my dogs but get real people!

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 13/12/2021 12:57

@Jackofallsorts

No dog has a 100% response rate to recall. This is especially true when the dog is startled or afraid. A lead is a must when other people are about. Stop being irresponsible.
He has had 100% recall in the past though. He's never failed. He is a highly trained collie who lives to please me and DP. I will continue to be responsible collie owner and allow him the exercise he needs. Thanks for your concern though.
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