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Original poster

"It's ok, he's friendly!"

292 replies

daffodilandtulip · 05/03/2023 11:21

Out walking this morning and I've heard the ultimate ridiculous excuse for not training your dog: an off lead dog jumps up at me, snarling and barking. Owner "we didn't see you there, you scared him."

Over the past week, we've had:

"He just wants to say hello", whilst jumping at a terrified, crying toddler.

"He won't hurt her, there's no need to be scared", whilst face to face with a dog the height of toddler.

"I'm not taking him on the road, he'll be scared", regarding the chiwowa IN THE OWNERS ARMS, whilst trying to make me walk three toddlers on a main road in order to pass.

"You'll have to get off the path, she won't walk in the mud" - large Rottweiler, in a children's park.

"He doesn't bite, he'll just jump up".

"Whatever's the matter with her?" said about toddler who has just been knocked over by a large dog and dog is remaining towered over her.

And obviously, a million and one of the "it's ok, he's friendly."

I've also got scratch marks down the entire side of my leg from trying to drag a "friendly" dog off my own dog's neck.

He's not friendly. It's not ok. Stop looking at me like I have three heads when I ask you to move the dog away from the child. Control your dog or use a damn lead!!

OP posts:
caffelattetogo · 05/03/2023 11:55

Also, more people seem to be choosing powerful dogs they can't walk on a lead. I've seen people being dragged around the park by cane corsos, XL bullies, huskies and other big breeds, to the point where they let their dog off just to get a break from the pulling on their shoulders/backs etc.
Again it's a training issue, but part of it comes from people choosing a cute puppy not realising how strong it will be when fully grown.

Original poster
daffodilandtulip · 05/03/2023 11:58

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 11:50

So many idiots here. If you have a child that's scared of dogs and are regularly having dogs approach them then, yes, you have to be more aware of your surroundings and be conscious that you're clearly spending a lot of time in a regular dog walking location.

That's not excusing the behaviour of the dog walkers. They absolutely need to keep their dogs under control which they are not doing either.

All of these examples have been in the local children's park, or on pavements in the local area. The children aren't scared of dogs, but that doesn't mean it's ok to let them be jumped at!

OP posts:
maddy68 · 05/03/2023 11:59

Well if they say he's friendly they know him better than you do.

Redebs · 05/03/2023 12:00

daffodilandtulip · 05/03/2023 11:21

Out walking this morning and I've heard the ultimate ridiculous excuse for not training your dog: an off lead dog jumps up at me, snarling and barking. Owner "we didn't see you there, you scared him."

Over the past week, we've had:

"He just wants to say hello", whilst jumping at a terrified, crying toddler.

"He won't hurt her, there's no need to be scared", whilst face to face with a dog the height of toddler.

"I'm not taking him on the road, he'll be scared", regarding the chiwowa IN THE OWNERS ARMS, whilst trying to make me walk three toddlers on a main road in order to pass.

"You'll have to get off the path, she won't walk in the mud" - large Rottweiler, in a children's park.

"He doesn't bite, he'll just jump up".

"Whatever's the matter with her?" said about toddler who has just been knocked over by a large dog and dog is remaining towered over her.

And obviously, a million and one of the "it's ok, he's friendly."

I've also got scratch marks down the entire side of my leg from trying to drag a "friendly" dog off my own dog's neck.

He's not friendly. It's not ok. Stop looking at me like I have three heads when I ask you to move the dog away from the child. Control your dog or use a damn lead!!

Totally agree
Dog owners need to manage their animals better. There needs to be a big change so that humans are given priority.

I often have to remind grandchildren to avoid brushing against walls while in town too. Sick of urine streams across pavements and up walls and the faeces they leave in parks, countryside and paths is disgraceful. Just too many dogs.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 12:00

Ok in children's parks is complete inappropriate and their dogs shouldn't be there if they're not on a lead.

Is it a council play area? If so, could you speak to the council?

On a footpath they should stand to the side and let you past.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 12:01

maddy68 · 05/03/2023 11:59

Well if they say he's friendly they know him better than you do.

That's not how it works though, is it. They might be friendly until a child screams or touches them the wrong way.

They might be over friendly as OP did say a child has been knocked down.

SoupDragon · 05/03/2023 12:02

maddy68 · 05/03/2023 11:59

Well if they say he's friendly they know him better than you do.

How is that relevant?

it doesn't matter whether the dog is usually friendly, they shouldn't be jumping up at people or other dogs.

Redebs · 05/03/2023 12:02

caffelattetogo · 05/03/2023 11:55

Also, more people seem to be choosing powerful dogs they can't walk on a lead. I've seen people being dragged around the park by cane corsos, XL bullies, huskies and other big breeds, to the point where they let their dog off just to get a break from the pulling on their shoulders/backs etc.
Again it's a training issue, but part of it comes from people choosing a cute puppy not realising how strong it will be when fully grown.

Some people like the reaction they get from walking dogs like this. They take them past schools and playgrounds at the end of the school day.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 05/03/2023 12:04

Not long ago I was about to cross a road to a cycle path to push the double buggy on my way home. As I was about to cross there were two women chatting, both had a dog. One dog had a really defensive stance whilst watching the buggy and then it started to growl. So I hesitated to cross wondering whether I should go or not. Then the second dog started to growl and walk towards the buggy. The owner called its name but the dog didn't listen and ran onto the road so I turned the buggy and started to walk along the other side of the road and the dog started following me whilst growling and I made a sort of "tsk" noise and the woman was calling and calling the dog and is tarted walking faster and she's like "it's ok he's just friendly!" Ffs it doesn't look that way to me! I have two dogs growling and not being recalled. I shouted that they should have them on leads if they don't recall properly and sped walked away.
Yeh I'd rather not hang around to find out if your dog will tear my babies face off, thanks.

Op yanbu

Original poster
daffodilandtulip · 05/03/2023 12:05

maddy68 · 05/03/2023 11:59

Well if they say he's friendly they know him better than you do.

So if a bloke is just being friendly if he comes face to face with me or touches my chest in the street, I should just let him...

OP posts:
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 05/03/2023 12:05

What does it matter if your dog is friendly?

I’m generally friendly too, but if I ran up to you in the park, started jumping up at you, slobbered over your clothes and wiped mud on your clean white trainers, I’m sure you wouldn’t greet me which much enthusiasm either.

YOU love your ‘doggo’ and think he/she is the cutest thing on the planet. But no one else does…and if they say it’s cute, they are just being polite.

CornedBeef451 · 05/03/2023 12:07

We had so many issues with dogs on the school since covid we had to come up with a new dog protocol.

DS is now trained to stand behind me and keep behind me no matter what and I put myself in the way of the dog.

I figure I've got more chance of staying upright if one jumps up at me as I have a considerable weight advantage and less chance of being badly injured if they bite. I don't want to have to think this way about dogs and particularly not on the school run!

We were accosted by so many "friendly" off lead dogs he was becoming scared of all dogs, we were both getting covered in mud and I was becoming more and more suspicious of all dog walkers, even though most of them were pleasant.

fajitaaaa · 05/03/2023 12:09

I don't mind so much if they apologise then get their dog under control. It's the ones who think I'm ridiculous for grabbing my toddler and getting them out the way I have a problem with

crackofdoom · 05/03/2023 12:10

I'm the other way around, funnily enough. Always happy to make a fuss of a genuinely friendly dog who runs up to me, but the owners always call them away! (because they're being good, responsible owners). But I live very rurally, so can well believe it's different in urban parks etc.

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 05/03/2023 12:13

The problem is people want you to love and feel impressed by their dog. They look at you waiting in anticipation that you’ll ask to pet it.

It’s like those people who carry tiny puppies or kittens around the supermarket, wanting people’s attention so they can show the animal off.

When their animal pays you attention, you should be grateful. They are genuinely shocked and insulted when people are less than interested or outright disgusted.

Bluevelvetsofa · 05/03/2023 12:15

It’s very difficult, round here, to walk along the seafront these days, because of the number of dogs off lead, coupled with skateboarders, roller skaters and cyclists, all there too. Despite the fact that there are big notices saying that dogs should be on a lead and that pedestrians have priority. Clearly, that’s ignored.

There are so many more dogs than there were three years ago and so many people who feel that they’re entitled to leave any mess where it fell. It’s becoming impossible to use fields and public areas.

furryfrontbottom · 05/03/2023 12:16

maddy68 · 05/03/2023 11:59

Well if they say he's friendly they know him better than you do.

Why on earth would anyone want to be friends with a stranger's dog?

GoldenGorilla · 05/03/2023 12:17

Yep it’s infuriating. I have an autistic 6 year old who is afraid of dogs and the amount of “don’t worry he’s friendly!” is ridiculous. I’m very sharp with owners now. If your dog does not have perfect recall they should only be off lead in your own garden or a dog park. I don’t want your dog anywhere near my child.

Suzi888 · 05/03/2023 12:19

I would agree with you. What a Teri me time you’ve had with dogs lately…

I would also add for children and adults to be respectful and not just waltz up and start fussing your dog without asking or giving it treats. An elderly chap once handed my Labrador a hamburger…

Suzi888 · 05/03/2023 12:19

*Terrible.

SinnerBoy · 05/03/2023 12:20

Sunriseinwonderland · Today 11:45

ABSOLUTELY OP I was bitten multiple times when a district nurse by dogs who were supposedly friendly or he wouldn't harm a fly.

My aunt was a district midwife and she told me that she always told people to shut their dogs away, before she'd go in. One man had an Alsatian, who refused to do it, it jumped out of the front door and bit her hand and wrist.

She got in her car and left, to get treatment, so the expectant mother missed out. The Police went round and it bit one of them and ended up being put down. She went back another time and had to run, because the guy threatened her, as she'd had his dog "murdered."

Viviennemary · 05/03/2023 12:21

Far too many badly behaved dogs around with owners making excuses. It drives me mad.

Ylvamoon · 05/03/2023 12:23

🤷🏽‍♀️ another one!

IglesiasPiggl · 05/03/2023 12:23

Since the start of the pandemic there has been a noticeable rise in dogs living in inappropriate spaces with inappropriate or clueless owners. Drives me mad.

Sshiamreading · 05/03/2023 12:23

It doesn’t matter if a dog is friendly or not. I had to report a so called friendly poodle type for jumping on me and the housing manager did speak to the owners but also said to me it’s a “difficult situation” as it is a friendly dog. I said to her it’s not difficult, it’s very clear cut - the law says your dog must be under control. Period. and if it happens again I’ll escalate things.

I was also scratched during the ‘friendly dog’ encounter, the pain I feel didn’t vanish when she said it was just being friendly.

And this happened to me when I was walking in my flat building, but if people want to be in parks etc they should be allowed. It’s outrageous to suggest people are basically asking for it if they choose to be in parks which are primarily built for people and natural habitat to an extent but definitely not dogs! Sadly I actually do find myself avoiding parks for this reason but I shouldn’t have to.