AIBU - Dogs Off Lead

[PrincessOfChina]

So, in the park this PM. Small terrier type dog off lead with lady and two children. We're walking past (DS in pram and DD on scooter) and the dog leaves it's owner and circles DD on her scooter. I tell her to stay still and assume the owner will remove the dog so we can continue. She slowly ambles over by which time the dog is jumping up at DD (the dog is her height when upright).

Was I unreasonable to yell "Get your dog away from my daughter right now"? She seemed to think I was being unreasonable as the dog "didn't bite her did it?".

How should I react in future? I didn't move to hastily to grab DD as I didn't want to aggrevate the dog which wasn't showing signs of biting imminently.

I don't dislike dogs nor am I especially nervous of them but I don't want them to approach me or jump up at me uninvited anymore than I want other people to run up to me and try and hug me. ?

Christ alive, you really do need that dose of chill out, don't you!

Who'd have thought that some idiot on mumsnet would have the solution to all the fears, phobias, worries, concerns and anxiety in the world.

Haha yes good point Ego!

All dogs should be on leads at all times in public places
agree with this

And I think we need to enforce some sort of dog to person ratio, it seems to be the thing to have a pack of dogs these days, often a pack of huskies, and I am seeing more very large dogs.

How about some dog free zones??

If you hate any animals that can bite around your feet, shall I assume you also clear a path in front of you with a blow torch to get rid of all insects too?

I mean, seriously. Just because animals can bite doesn't mean they will. Humans can bite too, doesn't mean they will.

I imagine the vast majority of animals who dare to come within a metre of you have no interest in you whatsoever.

Suzanne many dogs won't go to the toilet if they're on leads.

Assume what you like. I've explained as simply as I can, given that mumsnet won't let me write it in crayon for you. If it's still too difficult, there's nothing I can do about it. At least you have learned that some people hate dogs, so if you have one you should keep it on a lead, unless the place is a recognised park / beach / walk for dogs.

Yanbu op.

We have just got a puppy and she's not going anywhere unless on a lead. We have an enclosed garden and she can run around that but no way do I think any dog should be off a lead in a public place.

There's too many irresponsible dog owners who can't train their dogs.

I would love to pass a law that all toddlers are restrained too by roads and in busy places as see so many twats letting 2 year olds run ahead and over roads or scooting at stupid speeds along pavements. That would be good too.

Personally I would gladly punch the ones who constantly loose their toddlers in the school playground over and over and then bleat but he won't hold hands or wear reins

Well fucking make him you dick head

Stupid parents and stupid dog owners. Usually go hand in hand.

Suzanne many dogs won't go to the toilet if they're on leads

Good, that means I don't have to see them defecating here there and everywhere.
Let your dog defecate in your garden, and if you don't have a garden I would suggest that you are not in a position to accommodate a dog.
You wouldn't keep a horse unless you had a field to keep it in would you.

Seriously why should I care about the bodily functions of other people's pets???

because you hate them, you hurt them.

It's not because I hate them. It's because I hate them scurrying around my feet and jumping up at me. Some people hate flying, some hate spiders. Some hate hundreds of other things. I hate animals running around my feet and in particular jumping up at me. I don't want to kick any dogs. I want dog owners to keep them away from me. Then everyone's a winner. If I actually wanted to kick dogs, I'd go to places where I knew people walked their dogs off the lead. But I don't want to, so I don't go there.

I knew when I was typing it that a number of mumsnetters wouldn't be clever enough to make the distinction, though.

Seems that we are expected to care about dogs as if they were 'small furry humans' but then expected put up with behavior from them that we would never tolerate from humans.
Ambushing strangers, public defecation.
Selective anthropomorphism! ?

It's as if people use their dogs to vicariously express things which they don't feel able to personally express. You don't feel able to personally express your contempt for other ?people so you let your dog do the dirty work for you by shitting everywhere and generally pissing people off.

similarly when a person kicks your dog they really want to kick you, the dog is just a proxy

suzanneyeswecan

Just a small point about dogs on leads at all times - I have a nervous (but not aggressive) dog & because he looks so fluffy, people constantly try to touch him (even though he's on a lead) & without checking with me first. I find this really bloody annoying & offensive. Some people have no idea about dogs.
Clearly ignorant people just exist, dog owners, not dog owners but I am always polite and just calming and clearly inform them why what they did was inappropriate.
Tolerance towards others, is best way forward.
Must say I absolutely hate dog poo in public places. My dog is very bright & has learnt appropriate places to go and not go.

I tend to take my dog to places where I don't bump into others without dogs anyway.

As for dogs running up to children and jumping up, I think that's really not on. This has happened to my kids and actually they are more frightened of small dogs jumping up and yapping at them. I've taught them how to handle it.

A dog should be allowed to run around in a park, they need exercise and the opportunity to sniff and explore, but they should be trained not to jump up. DS is just getting used to dogs and that scenario would have freaked him out.

Plasticine you sound like a totally reasonable and responsible dog owner:)

I am not anti dog, I understand that there is a special bond between dogs and the people who like dogs but those who choose to stay dog free ought not to be inconvenienced by dogs.

Very large dogs and / or numerous dogs seem especially problematic.
?It just looks like a way of making yourself feel special or important,
'look at meee with my pack of giant dogs that could rip your throat out'

Plasticine you sound like a totally reasonable and responsible dog owner

I couldn't agree more.

My views will probably get given a lot of grief.

Dogs are unpredictable.

Unless in a safe area, enclosed park for dogs etc. I am all in favour of parks having fenced off areas specifically for dogs complete with bins to run about, play games etc. It keeps them, their owners and other people safer.

They should be on leads. That means on footpaths, in towns, in parks where kids and other people are. They make long leads for the very purpose of letting your pooch run about but leaving you in ultimate control. Use it. I hate seeing dogs run about off the lead. They are not street smart, they run into roads. Not all have good recall.

I also think responsible owners should use a muzzle. Again, dogs are unpredictable and I'd rather muzzle my dog than risk a bite. I had a dog one who would nip whenever his tail was touched. He was muzzled when out for my peace of mind because humans are also stupid and unpredictable and try to pet your dog before asking. ASK! I can tell you how to do it so you don't startle/upset my dog. This also covers the dog and others if my dog slips his lead. It happens. Why I switched to harnesses.

Its not difficult to be a responsible dog owner. Just a shame people don't do it!

I'm also very much in favour of the traffic light system I have seen some dog owners used. These leads are ace dogspired.com/color-coded-system-for-dog-collars-and-leashes/ and I've seen dog owners team them up with coloured coats too just to make it more visible. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PDL5ZYM?psc=1

"many dogs won't go to the toilet if they're on leads"

^^ That alone is a good enough reason for dogs to be kept on leads at all times when out in public!

I also hate it when owners allow their dogs to run up to me, jump up at me etc. I have sometimes come back from a walk covered in mud, daubed onto my clothes by some idiot's ill-trained dog!

The problem I have with those "traffic lights" collars bettyberry is that they are of course entirely subjective.
An owner may think that their dog is "friendly" but dogs are animals, not humans. They can't be reasoned with; they have no ethics. Your dog may be wonderfully friendly around you and your family, but may perceive a threat when out in public and behave in ways that you couldn't predict.

80sMum I agree but for a dog you know really doesn't like people or other dogs I think they are great way to pre warn -stupid- people who insist on petting every single dog.

yes, All dogs are unpredictable. I don't care how well trained a dog is they are still animals. Its why I get so angry when they are off leads and I really hate seeing the ones that constantly bark at people when out. Not because they are barking but because its obvious that dog has major anxiety about being out and its just way to stressful for it.

Granted not everyone knows or can read dog body language or pre-empt behaviour you can only put precautions in place to prevent it.

A dog is a small furry covert extension of it's owner's ego?.
Your dog is your emissary ?