... to avoid walking in countryside because I'm scared of cows and dogs?

[LilacWine7]

(NC to protect identity as this is embarrassing!)

I have a fear of dogs, I'm fine with them on leads but i hate it when people let them off leads. In fields and woods they seem to run at me out of nowhere, sometimes on narrow path, and owners look bewildered if i ask them to control their dogs. I just don't like being jumped, sniffed at or approached esp if dog is big. AIBU to shout 'please control your dog' when one comes at me? Owners seem to take offence.
Recently I was walking in fells with friend and we stopped outside farm at dusk to check map (standing in a lane) when 3 sheepdogs raced out of farm gates and surrounded us, barking and snarling with teeth bared and hackles raised. We were terrified! We shouted for help but no-one came so we sidled along fence until we got away from farm and dogs didn't follow us after a certain point (this was after about 10 mins standing still as to move in any direction we had to make dogs move out of way). I kept thinking they were going to attack us. My friend was scared too and she's normally good with dogs.

I'm also scared of cows or entering any field of cattle in case they charge or in case there's a bull hidden amongst them. If I see cows i won't go in and if I don't see cows I keep next to fence ready to climb over if I see one. When I was a child I remember getting cornered by bullocks and having a panic attack. My dad (who used to work on a farm) says carry a big stick and wave it at them if they approach, or hit them with it if they get aggressive. He says the same works with dogs.

I haven't walked on farmland since last year, when I fell out with DH because I wouldn't cross a field with cattle and made him walk back the same way. We used to walk in fells instead (no cows) but now I'm scared of another incident with farm-dogs! He thinks I'm 'being ridiculous' and says cows and dogs are harmless. What do you think... AIBU? How do I get over this fear?

Why would you get into a field with cattle in it?

If that's the field the footpath runs through, then that's the field you have to go through.

Before I had a baby I was a massive walker. Met DH through a walking group. Out every weekend. Hate cows. I felt safer in the midst of a walking group though, is that an option for you? I also found that at the end of a long walk I was so shattered I didn't have the energy to be as scared! The only thing I can say of help is that if you stick to national trails etc then cows tend to be more used to people and leave you alone. Farmers tend to use the area less as its always being walked on. the worst places are remote footpaths.

I absolutely love the cow free walking in the Lake District etc. And abroad. So much more enjoyable when you know you won't be encountering cows round the corner!

Didn't we have a funny goadyfucker- thread recently about cows or am I dreaming that?

Goady cows? Goady sheep wasn't it?

I wouldn't goad a cow. Arsey bastards.

Walking in the countryside doesn't mean you're going to actually bump into cows. They're in the fields, you are on the country lanes. I'm a bit frightened of cows myself so I'd never go in a field where there were cows. I'm fine with dogs, the best thing to do if a dog runs at you is turn your back to it and let your arms drop down by your sides. Avoid eye contact basically.

It frequently means bumping into cows round here, MadgeFinn. Paths run through open farmland. You're more likely to be diverted round livestock somewhere like The lake District, as a pp says. Apart from the sheep, who are very laid back and untroublesome.

number of people killed by cows every year v number of people killed by cars every year = don't go walking in town - there are dogs there too

Definitely wise to avoid cows where possible. We have paths round here that go through cow fields; you just have to find the best path through the field that avoids getting too close to them, especially if there's a chance they might be spooked (i.e. a lot of other people/dogs about)

As for the dog thing, it's a bit tougher; dog owners have the same right to walk through countryside/woods as you do, and there aren't many places where walkers can go and not expect to see dogs, short of some beaches in the summer season.

My dog is generally not interested in people; he much prefers other dogs or squirrels. That said; he will happily trot right past a person, and I can understand how you, seeing a dog walking in your direction, might not know what it's going to do. I would assume that as someone who doesn't like dogs so much, you're probably not good at reading their body language, (apologies if I'm wrong) and so can't necessarily tell if a dog is mooching about, or is looking for attention, or is anxious/nervous and likely to react.

I would suggest that instead of shouting 'please control your dog' maybe go with something like 'please recall your dog as I'm very nervous' or something like that; that way you're not at risk of coming across aggressively/accusingly.

All in all, definitely sounds best to keep your countryside walking to a minimum until you find a way to get past your fears.

On the sheep thread I made it quite clear that cows are malevolent creatures with a hive mind.
Geese are even scarier.
Sometimes I'm nervous of dogs off the lead,dependant on the signals I'm getting from them.
Going near bees or wasps nests is scary.
And hornets are terrifying.

Op,try to let your dh and friends help you through these things so walking in the countryside isn't spoilt for you.

Cows are very dangerous and never get between a cow and a calf. They also very noisy and tend to come and see you. Id treat them with respect and give them the distance they need and if needed will quickly cross a field by the path. As for the sheepdogs they were defended their property. I grow up in the country. Both dogs and cows and in fact all animals should be treated with respect. Your dh is being silly that they harmless.

What about people who love animals but don't like walking in the countryside, squoosh?

Nosey not noisy....

Why would you get into a field with cattle in it?

OfaFrenchMind,
I know in some countries people can go their whole lives without seeing a cow in a field (lots of countries keep them in huge factory farms - out of sight, out of mind).
But in the UK it's quite usual to go for a walk in the countryside and come across herds of cows.

I remember some Americans friends of ours were fascinated that we had ''livestock in the fields next to the motorways!''
They couldn't get over all the sheep and cows. Their livestock is less visible

What about people who love animals but don't like walking in the countryside, squoosh?

City slicker animals like pigeons, mice, rats - they need love too!

I remember some Americans friends of ours were fascinated that we had ''livestock in the fields next to the motorways!''

You should show them sheep on common land.

Poor old American cows spend their lives indoors eating grains instead of grass, I'd hate to see that happen here. I'd avoid cows with calves in the field regardless of any right of way. Face your fears gradually OP and make sure DH is between you and the cows.

Take your american friends to the new forest and dartmoor to see the ponies....

I agree with PP that shouting 'Please control your dog!' is liable to irritate a dog walker whose dog IS under control (i.e. running free but would come when called).

'I'm scared of dogs, could you call him back!' would go down much better.

My big dog, if startled, barks at strangers in the woods (from a distance, about 15 feet), but comes back to me when called. If someone explained that they were afraid of dogs I'd put him on the lead and offer the person a chance to say hi to him (i.e. perhaps get to know a dog a little and be less scared). If they just bawled at me to 'control your dog' I'd call him back and walk off.

You were unlucky with the collies. Would it help you to meet a few dogs and get to know them, and start to understand dog body language (for example, that a dog who has seen you, but has its nose down, sniffing, couldn't be less interested in you if it tried?)

As for cows: depends. I tend to divert around them. If bullocks start wandering up behind me, I turn round and shout at them to back off, which they always do... But they are big, and they can be dangerous: YANBU to find them scary.

Poor old American cows spend their lives indoors eating grains instead of grass
Not all of them... plenty of cows out in the open if you know where to look!

I remember some Americans friends of ours were fascinated that we had livestock in the fields next to the motorways! They couldn't get over all the sheep and cows. Their livestock is less visible

There are lots of places where you can see cows from freeways in the US. Mooing at them from the car is a popular game for kids here (or at least it was when I was a kid). I grew up in the Washington DC suburbs. I still sometimes moo at cows when I see them from the car, but mature is something that very few people have ever accused me of being.

The village I stay in when visiting the Lake District is most definitely NOT a cow free zone. In fact, the milking parlour is right across the road from our holiday cottage.
the dog love watching the twice-daily cow parade. he also likes trying to roll in the country pancakes...

If you don't like dogs, then I'd avoid the Lake District totally - it's one of the most dog friendly places I've ever been too. One of the many reasons I love the place so much.

takemeuptheeiffeltower the livestock in large countries is less visable. You can probably fit three UK farms into one American cattle ranch, maybe more but the herd sizes are often not proportionally bigger.

As a dog owner i would be a bit pissed off if you shouted to me to control my dog if we met on a path because i know she would run right past you without a second glance (unless you also had a dog with you in which case your dog might get a quick sniff).

I am with you on the issue of cows though. Big scary smelly creatures.