“Don’t worry, he’s friendly”

[BigJean]

This should probably be in The Doghouse, but I’d really like to hear from people who probably don’t go there.

I know on MN that everyone is a perfect dog owner with their dogs properly under control, but I also know that in real life there are far too many people who don’t. If you are one of those people I’d love to hear your reasoning. Namechange for anonymity if you want.

My dog is reactive, for lots of reasons, and I am successfully working on it and every month is better than the last. She is a large dog, and as such could easily kill another dog if provoked enough to do so (she’s not a bully breed, she’s walked with a muzzle but could still damage another dog). I am a responsible owner, I have her under control.

Every week I come across at least two other dog walkers who don’t have any control over their dogs. They run up to people, dogs, horses, children and leap around whilst the owner calls it pointlessly, and cries out “it’s ok he’s friendly”. It’s not ok.

This behaviour enhances my dogs reactivity, it sets her back every time. I have a yellow “nervous dog” coat and collar, they don’t give a shit.

I put my phone on to film every time, because I’m very aware that if anything happened to another dog mine would be blamed, even though I’m doing everything I can possibly do to manage it, and it’s the friendly dog’s owner who is being irresponsible.

Please, come and tell me why you do this, and tell me what you would do if your dog was killed by a reactive dog because you haven’t kept your dog on a lead or taught it effective recall.

I’m not a dog owner and am quite nervous around them. I hate it when dog owners say “Don’t worry, he’s friendly” because a friendly dog can scare you, damage your clothes or knock you over. I prefer unfriendly dogs who leave me alone to be honest!

Same. My dog was a rescue Staffie. He didn't like other dogs and would get really anxious. He was attacked three times. Each time by an off lead (different) Labrador with no recall. The owner running behind shouting "don't worry, they're friendly". Of course they didn't understand why their friendly dog lunged at mine as they'd 'never done it before'. Maybe not, but an off lead, out of control dog is always going to be a threat. Fucking idiots.

Please keep your dog on a lead.

Why is it up to humans to make concessions to dogs?!
I may walk in an area where dogs are allowed to be off lead, but I would still appreciate them not jumping up at me and growling.

Guess what. Most 9 year old children are friendly, but I wouldn't want a large, slobbering one bounding over to me, chasing me and jumping up my legs.
Keep YOUR pet on a lead. Hth

Dont tell human beings where they can and can’t go.

This. I do think many dog owners are a bit blinded by their love for their fur babies and genuinely don't get it.

@PurBal

not saying the dog shouldn't be on a lead
But most dogs that have a muzzle on are not vicious.'

lots of dogs are muzzled because they eat anything! & owners do not want them eating junk food/dog or fox shit or badgering kids for their ice creams.

Not because they think they'll eat you.

My brother has a muzzle on his dog because he doesn't want it being blamed for anything!! He's a strong looking dog. He's big. But he's daft & soft, incredibly friendly etc. he's not as well trained as I'd have him, but he's muzzled & on a lead for HIS benefit, not because he's a danger.

I used to love walking in the countryside or along the beach.

I don't do it now because over the years so many big dogs have come hurtling up to me and there have been so many incidents that I just hate doing it now.

Dog owners think other people are going to love their dogs. Newsflash: we don't.
Keep the fucker away from me.

Some dog owners.

@fluffyfurryfeatherythings , that's my problem in my local woodland, where I've walked for many years. You want to walk your dog there? Fine. Just train it to leave me alone.

My dog pretty much wants to play with anyone and everything, he is however a fair size, has minimal recall and selective hearing, therefore he is never off lead in public and we are working on ignoring everything. He is getting better ( now 20 months) but he is far from reliable, not sure he ever will be fully reliable, we hire secure fields so he can be off lead safely. However I see lots of owners who see it as my fault when he reacts despite me trying to create space, distract him and just walk past them!

Utter entitled tosser. I’ve had a dog make a beeline for me and as I’m standing stock still, terrified, the arsehole with it said “sorry. Sorry he’s in the park” in a sarcastic manner. Fuck off and take the dog with you. Cunt

In my ideal world I want a dog registration, mandatory classes and when the trainer is not signing the dog off as being able to be recalled by the owner, the dog has to be on lead.

Any issues, go back to classes and only on lead.

That's brilliant, I'd vote for that.

How awful. There's nothing like being terrified while an out of control dog comes after you. What a vile person.

My two year old used to love dogs until one ran up to him and barked. Pissed me right off

"Dont worry, i havent made any effort to train him because im too fucking lazy, thank fuck he isnt a biter though eh!"

(Im a dog owner - mine is on a lead in public, except on our early morning beach walks where he chases his ball and there isnt another soul on a large and empty beach)

My response used to be 'well, my dog isn't friendly so I suggest you recall yours before it gets bitten'
I didn't make any new friends but it was quite effective!

Where we lived in France, all dogs had to be muzzled in a public place. All dogs, including the little fluff balls so beloved of very thin heavily tanned ladies with their sunglasses on top of their heads. The local town police patrolled the market every Sunday and could hand out instant fines for unmuzzled dogs.

Oddly, the wearing of the muzzle seemed to calm most of them down.

( you could still trip,over the bloody leads, though😡).

People do it because it makes their dog happy, and ultimately that is more important to them than these considerations.

Dogs should be allowed to be off lead but yes dogs should also be able to be recalled for any reason. It takes a lot of hard work, time and effort to achieve 100% recall.

Too many people have dogs and do not make the effort to train them, in addition too many people also think it is up to everyone else to act or behave in a certain way so their dog, child etc is not upset or bothered. If you have a reactive dog then you need to be careful where you walk it, the other side of the coin is those walking their own dogs should be able to recall it. Each owner is responsible for their own circumstances.

I once had a row with a woman who had the audacity to yell at me about my 'out of control' dog that lunged at hers.

Hers was running around ignoring her calling it, and the closer it got, the tenser mine became. She lunged at him.

She was wearing a muzzle, harnessed at my side.

I won't pretend that I was polite to her!

i used to live in france and have NEVER seen this.

Banned breeds, yes, but if France had to muzzle little mimi when shes at the cafe then they'd be setting fire to lorries before you could blink.

I had that too. My dog was medium reactive in certain situations and occasionally I would call ahead on a narrow path round a large pond with a steep drop on one side - to please leash their dog or stand to the side so we could go past.

I either got ignored with ' my dog is friendly' ( yes but I am trying to tell you mine might not be!) or on one bizarre occasion, an invective of abuse. I wasn't blaming their dog- I was trying to keep everyone safe!

My vet recommended I tell them all the vet bills are on you then....

This

There are several irresponsible dog owners in our local woods. Their "friendly" dog reacts badly to me because "you startled him, that's all, he didn't expect you" - that is, I was walking around a corner on the designated path. If your dog cannot cope with encountering strangers on a public footpath please keep it on a lead. So many people are self-excluding from public places because of selfish dog owners.