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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:
SallyWD · 05/03/2023 21:20

I find it very annoying. The other day I saw a huge dog run up to a toddler on a tricycle in the park. The toddler was so terrified it fell off and was crying. The owner said nothing, no apology, didn't call the dog away. Just waited for the dog to come

Lsmummy1 · 05/03/2023 21:24

Couldn't agree more. So many dick head dog owners

Dunnoburt · 05/03/2023 21:31

It's the irresponsible owners who are a pain in the arse.... its not hard to be responsible and train the animal/keep it under control......

Thomasthetankenginedrivemearoundthebend · 05/03/2023 21:33

I hate dog owners who don't train/control their dogs. I won't blame the dogs, for the owners bad behaviour. It's definitely gotten worse over the last 20 odd years. When I had dogs before I had kids, we had 1 or 2 incidents. Now it's too frequent we have dogs running over, jumping up, barking, even nipping. Woe betide you, if you dare ask someone to deal with their dog. Yes, to you your dog is friendly, to my poor child, who your dog is scratching (drawing blood), while jumping up at them and barking in their face, no it isn't.

ThuMuClu · 05/03/2023 21:35

I agree. I have a sighthound breed dog and he has zero recall when something grabs his attention, so he is rarely off lead in general walking areas. He’s reactive so I keep him close, but the amount of dogs that accost him and their owners totally ignore it is unreal (a dog running up then being called back by it’s owner is not the same to me)

there is a small park near my son’s school which is a general grass and wood area, and has a play park within it. It is very popular as a route for secondary school kids walking though. As it is fully enclosed, it has also become popular with a growing group of dog owners who apparently just enjoy getting together to let their untrained dogs run around the park, jump at people, bark and growl, while they do absolutely nothing. The group has grown over the last few months, it’s at least 15 dogs including some large breeds - 2 huskies among them - running riot. Needless to say, we steer clear!

theremaybetulipsahead · 05/03/2023 21:41

I’m seeing more and more threads like this and from speaking to other mums of young kids they are all fed up of dogs too.

I’ve had a few altercations with dog owners when my dd was tiny, picnics invaded
etc. One person actually said I shouldn’t bring my daughter(2) to the park if she is afraid of dogs (the dog ran up to her and was following her, it had no recall at all).

Now in general I just stare silently at dog owners who try to apologise for their dogs invading our space. I’m not going to say ‘it’s ok’ or some other social nicety because I don’t think it is.

Thesharkradar · 05/03/2023 21:41

exampleeleven · 05/03/2023 19:06

You can't go anywhere anymore without dogs. Is everyone supposed to stay at home so shit dog owners can rule the world 🙄

Show quote history

everywhere is contaminated by dogs with accompanying dog shit
many of the owners now see these animals as equal to human children and feel that it's unfair if the animal isnt allowed into children's playgrounds etc

Winter41 · 05/03/2023 21:49

We walk our neighbours corgi who is very friendly and absolutely loves other dogs. Sadly I have started avoiding them though whereas before I would ask if they were friendly and if he could say hi if we were passing. He has been attacked so many times.

He isn't particularly well trained (neighbour not really able to due to health issues) loves everybody but can be a bit bouncy. I keep him on a lead and don't let him go up to anyone. If people ask to pet him i say yes as he loves it but always warn them that he might jump. I am doing my best to teach him some manners but he's not my dog so it's hard.

I really believe dogs should be on a lead in public places and that there should be more regulations on how many and what type of dogs people can own. I've had to usher my kids past huge snarling dogs that the owners were struggling to control when walking along the canal near to where we live. It's really not acceptable.

Stillhatemondays · 05/03/2023 21:55

I agree with lots of the points on this thread and as I’m allergic to animals I can’t deal with them coming close to me either. It’s not just outside that’s the issue though, it seems to be impossible just to visit a cafe now without tripping over umpteen dogs lying on the floor. It’s so unhygienic allowing dogs in places where food is being served but it seems to be everywhere these days.

Tekkentime · 05/03/2023 21:59

Stillhatemondays · 05/03/2023 21:55

I agree with lots of the points on this thread and as I’m allergic to animals I can’t deal with them coming close to me either. It’s not just outside that’s the issue though, it seems to be impossible just to visit a cafe now without tripping over umpteen dogs lying on the floor. It’s so unhygienic allowing dogs in places where food is being served but it seems to be everywhere these days.

Really? That sounds very gross. I would not eat there. 🤮

RandomisedRebel · 05/03/2023 22:14

My 11 year old son has autism, learning disabilities, a genetic disorder and is a wheelchair user. He's petrified of dogs. I cannot tell you the amount of untrained off lead dogs that jump up at him when we take him out for walks. My son is not a gentle child, he has very limited understanding and he may grab the dog and possibly (without meaning to or understanding what he's doing) hurt the dog.
Nobody wants this to happen! I usually throw myself in front of my son and try to coax the dog away from him, but if my son is eating, dogs tend to want to sniff/steal his food.
Please keep your untrained dogs on leads. Please!

GoChasingWaterfalls · 05/03/2023 22:21

You can always spot the arsehole dog owners on these type of threads because they're the ones telling OP it didn't happen, or if it did then OP needs to deal with their fear, etc etc. It's like something from the Narcissist's Prayer.

I live in a national park. It's hell during the summer. I can't go for a run or a walk without at least one incident where a dog chases me / jumps at my small children / tries to eat our picnic / ruins my clothes for the day.

My kids have got so used to having to avoid dog poo on the school run they've invented their own game around it.

We urgently need dog licences in this country. Too many kids are getting bitten by poorly trained dogs.

lilmadmel · 05/03/2023 23:40

I used to have a dog that was terrified with other dogs. If they haven’t got
lerfect recall (I ve only actually seen that ONCE I my whole life) then they shouldn’t be off anywhere that there may be others.

MrsMurphyIWish · 06/03/2023 06:33

To the PP who said there were lots of incidents in a week to be genuine, I believe it. If you WFH and mainly stay in, of course you won’t have that many experiences with dogs. I’m a runner and I near my home I have two large parks and a nature reserve. I choose to run there as it’s pretty but I have an encounter on every run where I’m almost tripped over/lunged at. I guess I could run on the pavements but then I have to avoid cars pulling off drives etc. Maybe I shouldn’t run. Or just maybe people should take responsibility for the animals they choose to have.

Manthide · 06/03/2023 08:24

I was a carer during lockdown and had numerous issues with dog owners. I'm not scared of dogs, in fact I'd love a dog of my own but there were a number of homes I hated visiting. One had a young dog which would bark and jump up at you all the time. The son of my client lived in the house and was at home all the time but still expected me to put the dog into its cage. It had an awkward lock which sometimes failed to latch. Once the dog snatched one of my vinyl gloves that were in my pocket. The son then screamed at me that it was my fault and if the dog needed a vet he'd send the bill to the care agency.

Manthide · 06/03/2023 08:28

Another time a house had a very large brutal looking dog who growled continuously and took a defensive stance whilst I was washing its owner. The wife also lived in the house and just kept telling me he won't bite! Even followed me growing when I went for water and stood in my way. Normally I was with another carer who walked dogs and she distracted it but sometimes I went on my own and I hated it.

Longwhiskers · 06/03/2023 08:46

Yes. I don’t have a dog but I do have a nervous 8 yr old who doesn’t like dogs bounding up to him and jumping. All accompanied by the ‘don’t worry he’s friendly.’ When an owner said this the other day I’m afraid I just scowled at her and walked on which is out of the norm for me as I’m normally smiley and say ‘don’t worry, he’s always been nervous of dogs’ or something like that.

DaphneduM · 06/03/2023 09:39

Basically many places are now no-go areas thanks to thick, selfish dog owners who do not have their dogs on a leash in public areas. And that's apart from all the completely untrained dogs out there too. Absolutely disgusting we can't walk freely and without worry any more, particularly when with children. Why should the rights of dogs come before our rights as human beings? - absolute madness. So sick of it actually.

Wolfiefan · 06/03/2023 09:45

They shouldn’t. They really shouldn’t. I have dogs. I love dogs. But they are far from more important than other people. I’m so sorry so many of you are having these issues. It’s completely unacceptable.
I would love to see proper regulation of breeders and owners. A proper license system. Needing to commit to training and maybe even pass a test. The money could then fund enforcement where people have dogs that do behave in unacceptable ways.
Not all dog owners are arseholes. Sorry for all who have met ones who are. 😔

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 06/03/2023 09:45

DaphneduM · 06/03/2023 09:39

Basically many places are now no-go areas thanks to thick, selfish dog owners who do not have their dogs on a leash in public areas. And that's apart from all the completely untrained dogs out there too. Absolutely disgusting we can't walk freely and without worry any more, particularly when with children. Why should the rights of dogs come before our rights as human beings? - absolute madness. So sick of it actually.

I'm not thick or selfish allowing my dog off lead where he is allowed.

He is trained and has never failed to recall in all the years I've had him. I too am sick of of dick head owners who cannot keep their dogs under control

TheChoiceIsYours · 06/03/2023 09:55

I will give dogs equal right to public spaces as me and my family when they’re paying the council tax to fund it.

Thesharkradar · 06/03/2023 10:30

If the needs of an animal make it a nuisance to the public then that animal is not suited to being kept as a pet.

Flev · 06/03/2023 11:00

We have this all the time - there's a big park between our house and the town centre so we walk through lots, as well as going to the playground there. I'd say at least once a week we have an out of control dog sprinting towards us with owner miles away and I end up picking my 4 year old up as she's scared.

To give some balance, last week I was bringing her home poorly from preschool in her buggy and it was fantastic to see one dog owner who was heading towards us call his dog and put them back on the lead until he was past us. I did call out a thank you in acknowledgement - if only more people could do that it would make things so much less stressful.

Thesharkradar · 06/03/2023 11:24

I also make a point of acknowledging and thanking dog owners who are considerate

adulthumanfemalemum · 06/03/2023 12:06

My daughter was scared of dogs for years and years after a massive Alsatian ran up barking in her face when she was 2. Twat owner saying "he won't hurt you, he's only being friendly." Can you not see the terrified toddler screaming her head off because a creature taller than her is making a loud noise with its mouth open wider than her head? FFS.

It's entirely irrelevant that you know that your dog is not aggressive and just wants to play. It changes nothing in the experience of the child in question. I still think this would be unacceptable if the dog was running up to an adult. You have no idea how a stranger feels about dogs. If you have your dog off the lead you need to be sure you have good recall and can control them and keep them away from people. If you can't, don't let them off the lead, simple.