To think this other dog walker could have been more understanding/helpful?

[SelectAUserName]

We have a rescue dog who has a socialisation issue around some (not all) other dogs, which manifests itself as fear-aggression. He is fine with people, it's just dogs and mainly other spaniels and dark/black dogs. We are actively working with a behaviourist to build his confidence and we try to manage it by walking him in quiet places. Usually my DH and I try to walk him together, so one of us can concentrate on SelectASpaniel and the other be "on point" for other dogs, but my DH is in hospital this weekend so I'm on my own.

I took him out earlier to a spot that is usually relatively quiet - although grassed, it is comparatively close to a road so not many walkers choose to let their dogs off. One of SAS's plus points is that he is 100% off-lead (ex-working dog) so by going to the farthest point from the road I can still give him a little off-lead time to play 'fetch' etc. We were just finishing up when a man appeared with a black LabX-type. I put SAS back on his lead just as the man started to let his dog off. We would have to pass them to get back on the pavement and SAS had now spotted the dog and was starting to get agitated; not barking but right up on his toes and trembling.

I called across and asked the man, politely, if he would mind keeping his dog on the lead until we had got past. He just said "it's alright, he's friendly" (heartsink moment - how many times have I heard that before?) and continued to let his dog off. The dog started to trot towards us and that was enough for SAS to launch towards it - no danger of touching it, there was still a good few feet between them and it's an ordinary lead not an extendable one - but barking and lunging. Unsurprisingly the other dog started to bark back and the man got really cross and started shouting that I shouldn't be out with a dangerous dog and being generally unpleasant. I tried to ignore him while dragging SAS away as far from the other dog as possible; not an easy task as he is a big solid springer. He made no attempt to move his dog away and I called over "look, you can see I'm struggling, can you call your dog to heel so I can get past and leave you in peace".

He did so with very bad grace and continued to have a go at me until eventually, once I'd got past and had SAS's attention back on me, I turned round and shouted back "it's ignorant tossers like you who make rehabilitating a rescue dog a million times harder". I marched off with him still shouting after me, got a couple of streets away and then burst into tears - I think it was the adrenaline wearing off, the shock of him being so aggressive and the worry over my DH's illness all coming together.

But honestly, WIBU to expect him to keep his dog on its lead for the two extra minutes it would have taken us to get past after I asked him?

Brilliant, mothergo - unambiguous and concise. Will adopt that forthwith.

I think ikea's dog gets to approach any dog it chooses
My GSD is now 6, she has been touchy since a pup after a pomeranian attacked her on her very first walk outside :( I take a muzzle with me and she is immediatley put back on lead when we see another dog..still people allow their dogs to approach her even though she is barking and lunging. I can handle her, she generally just wants a cuddle and to be reassured but STILL people do not call their dogs back. My dog is on a lead yours is not, my dog is under control. I totally understand OP.

The idiots who say 'it's alright, s/he's friendly' say the same to joggers, children, etc too.

I jog regularly in my local park. I've been bitten by 'friendly' dogs before. Anyone whose dog rushes up to me and the owner says 'it's alright, s/he's friendly' - I immediately stop jogging and walk away slowly without turning my back. Because those are usually the words of a very irresponsible and thoughtless dog owner.

My dog's muzzled and always on lead...if I see a dog coming I cross the road, move off the path, dive into a bush, just generally get out of the way and hold him by the head and collar so I have him right if he kicks off and tell people he is not ok with other dogs.

At least three times a week I get told it's ok their dog is friendly/ only wants to say hello...once I was even told mine would be ok because theirs was a bitch

Because yep, I've moved away with my muzzled snarling dog and I'm standing here wrestling all six stone of him in case your dog's not friendly?????

If he saw your dog off the lead I can understand why he would have let his dog off (code here is that unleashed dogs are happy to be approached but you keep your dog away from those on a lead). But once you asked him to keep his dog away he should have realised you were putting him back on the lead because of behavioural issues & called him away straight away.

Hi. When you asked "if he would mind keeping his dog on the lead until we had got past", you may have given him the impression that his dog was the 'problem' dog, not yours. So you are both YABU and YANBU - your reaction to his reaction was fair enough, however, next time I'd give the info on your own dog beforehand, tell them he's nervous and has issues - people will understand, I'm sure.