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Original poster

Have you ever been pleased/relieved to be told a dog “is friendly”?

179 replies

lingle · 08/04/2023 18:52

Or to hear more about the dog’s age, training, “people who don’t like dogs” or that said dog is “just having fun”

I personally haven’t - it’s very annoying because I’m often thinking about work/solving a work problem, or getting away from the stresses/conflicts of everyday life when on a walk and if a dog needs to be called away I prefer the owner to just say “sorry” so I can say “no problem” and then we can each get on with our day.

of course the dog owner can curse my failure to embrace the chance to praise their dog/ask what breed it is afterwards - not on my time.

OP posts:
Original poster
lingle · 08/04/2023 21:17

I usually look at dogs if I suspect they may run up/put paws on me and suspect owner cluelessness. Like I would look at an erratic driver on the motorway

OP posts:
MYSTERIOUSGIRLONLINE · 08/04/2023 21:19

I personally don't get the "My dog won't bite you" speech. How do they know it won't bite? Anything with teeth has the potential to bite. I do get annoyed at dogs jumping up suddenly on my daughter as she's Autistic and is frightened of them. Its forever on the news people treat their dogs as their fur babies and children and adults getting attacked or worse.

familyissues12345 · 08/04/2023 21:22

SquashPenguin · 08/04/2023 19:07

I’m weary of people who say their dog is friendly. If it’s friendly it should be obvious. I’ve never felt the need to say it to anyone, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove.

Exactly this!

My parents and I were walking our dogs this morning. Mine has a nervous lead as she isn't keen on other dogs so most owners get their dogs to leave her alone. My parents dog has a standard lead.

Walking along and two dogs, both barking loudly, walk towards us with their owner. They both start really going for it at my parents dog. My Mum asked the owner to take his dogs away, to which he replied "but their friendly!"

Oh woopdy do! Honestly, drives me nuts. These dogs were bigger and there was more of them. My parents dog was cowering in the middle, didn't look like he was too happy with his "friendly" mates. What would he have done if my parents dog had turned on his in fear?

So no, I really don't feel confident hearing the " they're friendly" spiel!

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Dogs
Namechangenoidea · 08/04/2023 21:24

I like it when people say it to me.
My dog was attacked by another dog and now I get scared whenever a new dog comes bounding over to mine

mozzierella · 08/04/2023 21:26

Im not friendly. Not to dogs. Not
When they're jumping up at me or my child

Put it on a lead

XenoBitch · 08/04/2023 21:27

MYSTERIOUSGIRLONLINE · 08/04/2023 21:19

I personally don't get the "My dog won't bite you" speech. How do they know it won't bite? Anything with teeth has the potential to bite. I do get annoyed at dogs jumping up suddenly on my daughter as she's Autistic and is frightened of them. Its forever on the news people treat their dogs as their fur babies and children and adults getting attacked or worse.

You have teeth. How can we guarantee you wont bite someone?

MYSTERIOUSGIRLONLINE · 08/04/2023 21:30

XenoBitch · 08/04/2023 21:27

You have teeth. How can we guarantee you wont bite someone?

Show quote history

There clearly is a difference between humans and animals!

Namechangenoidea · 08/04/2023 21:31

I do wish the UK had dog parks I think it would solve this problem. Some dogs like to go on walks to socialise with other dogs. Obviously that’s the problem only some dogs want to socialise! I would love to take my dog to a dog park without aggressive or nervous dogs and then I could relax on a dog walk without worrying to put my dog on a lead if I see another dog on a lead etc.

Ashia · 08/04/2023 21:41

Well I’ve had a dog run at me with its owner chasing behind shouting “Don’t touch her, she bites!” So I do prefer hearing that the dog is friendly to hearing nothing at all, but what I would really love is if dog walkers would not walk off lead dogs next to a children’s playground in an area where there are plenty of dog-parks, woods and fields available.

And if they’d teach their dog simple recall commands like “heel!” Instead of saying “Brutus that’s not very nice who’s a silly billy won’t you come back Brutus” that’d be great too.

Man I hate dog owners who don’t train their dogs, I really do.

Ashia · 08/04/2023 21:42

Namechangenoidea · 08/04/2023 21:31

I do wish the UK had dog parks I think it would solve this problem. Some dogs like to go on walks to socialise with other dogs. Obviously that’s the problem only some dogs want to socialise! I would love to take my dog to a dog park without aggressive or nervous dogs and then I could relax on a dog walk without worrying to put my dog on a lead if I see another dog on a lead etc.

There are 3 paid dog parks within 20 min drive of my house.

They aren’t very popular because unfortunately most British dog owners prefer to terrorise toddlers in the recreation field than pay a couple of pounds for a dedicated off-lead space.

currahee · 08/04/2023 21:47

If someone feels the need to reassure someone that their dog is friendly, then it's already done something to make the person fearful or inconvenienced. If the dog was actually under control there'd be no need to say anything at all.

RandomUsernameHere · 08/04/2023 21:49

When an owner says a dog is friendly it means literally the exact opposite in my experience. If a dog actually is friendly and behaving itself then there's no need to say anything.

RandomUsernameHere · 08/04/2023 21:49

Cross posted almost exactly the same thing there!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 08/04/2023 21:54

I have the opposite issue, my dog is very wary of people he doesn't know but because he's small and cute random people like to try and stroke him.

I'm forever telling people he's not that friendly so don't touch him.

Namechangenoidea · 08/04/2023 21:58

Ashia · 08/04/2023 21:42

There are 3 paid dog parks within 20 min drive of my house.

They aren’t very popular because unfortunately most British dog owners prefer to terrorise toddlers in the recreation field than pay a couple of pounds for a dedicated off-lead space.

Show quote history

I had no idea!! Going to google dog parks UK now.

Elphame · 08/04/2023 22:02

My dogs are an unusual breed and look like teddy bears. They get loads of attention every time we go out and are very well socialised and friendly. Its just as well as they are invariably grabbed by small children.

It’s rare for anyone to ask first but if they do I’m happy for them to interact as my dogs enjoy it. If it’s a very small child then I’ll keep hold of them just in case they think of jumping up (they haven’t yet). They’ve cured a few children of a fear of dogs though.

Abcdefgh1234 · 08/04/2023 22:05

Uhhhh i hate this. I hate dog! To the bone. I hate hate hate dog!. I got traumatic experience with dog. I was bit by dog and nearly lost my leg!.

u dont understand why people who have dogs really think that all people need to know their dogs ita cute. I often encounter people with dogs and they said the dogs are friendly and ask me if i want to pet them. I just say no i dont like dog. Please get him away from me. And they will look at me as i’m the weird one.

Briocheandbrie · 08/04/2023 22:08

Soubriquet · 08/04/2023 18:56

It depends. I’ve had to tell people my dog is friendly because when they approach her, she smiles.

Now to most people, it looks likes she’s growling but she isn’t. She’s smiling.

So I reassure people that yes, she’s friendly.

I think you're me! It's her snarly smile

SoManyCreepyBears · 08/04/2023 22:11

I tell people my dog is friendly. They tell me their dogs are friendly.
Formalities completed the dogs can then sniff each other, do some play bows, sniff again and then we can be on our way.

It brings me joy to see him happily socialising.

Original poster
lingle · 08/04/2023 22:15

Hmm I guess I should have specified that I’m talking about people walking, not people walking dogs!

still, it does help to know there is an intra-dog-owner “he’s friendly” thing that makes sense!
maybe that gets misapplied?

OP posts:
foxlover47 · 08/04/2023 22:22

Paid for Dog parks are the only place mine are ever off the lead
On walks they're always on lead but I still also have the "it's ok he/ she's friendly " as they run over and they usually almost are , just a shame
One of mine isn't and is reactive ... hence dog parks are our friend

Mossstitch · 08/04/2023 22:24

lingle · 08/04/2023 19:05

Soubriqet I think you are joking!

I don't think she is......I know a staffie that smiles but looks scary. Actually is as soft as butter and loves all humans🐶

hennaoj · 08/04/2023 22:46

I only ever say it if asked by a parent if their child can stroke my dog or if another owner is approaching mine with an off lead dog and mine is on lead for whatever reason so that they know my dog wont react.

I don't like it if another owner has their dog approach mine and tell me it's friendly when it very clearly isn't from the body language and or barking and subsequent snap/growl!

piedbeauty · 08/04/2023 22:48

Soubriquet · 08/04/2023 18:56

It depends. I’ve had to tell people my dog is friendly because when they approach her, she smiles.

Now to most people, it looks likes she’s growling but she isn’t. She’s smiling.

So I reassure people that yes, she’s friendly.

🙄🙄🙄

XenoBitch · 08/04/2023 22:49

Mossstitch · 08/04/2023 22:24

I don't think she is......I know a staffie that smiles but looks scary. Actually is as soft as butter and loves all humans🐶

Show quote history

Some greyhounds (and any dog crossed with one such as lurchers) also smile. It looks like they are bearing their teeth to show aggression, but it is the opposite.