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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To demand people keep their dogs away from me on the seafront

999 replies

TigerPath · 29/04/2016 07:16

I'm sick of random dogs coming up to sniff me and DS or getting under my feet. All dogs make me nervous even small ones. And I hate it when they cock their leg on my pram wheels Angry

So now when a dog comes up to me or just before it reaches me I shout to the owner (politely but firmly) 'please keep your dog away from me/my pram'
Most oblige but a number are rude! Yesterday a woman retorted crossly 'but it's the sea-front'. I replied 'they should be on leads' and got a mouthful of abuse. There is a bloody great sign saying 'dogs should be on leads on the promenade'!! I wouldn't care if people kept them to heel but I don't want them touching me, my pram or tripping me up Angry

AIBU??

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 16:44

Currently the law isn't on your side OP, so people can do whatever they like, law permitting, and hopefully be responsible and considerate whilst they are doing it.

WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 16:45

You said go ahead so I did Grin

NeedACleverNN · 04/05/2016 16:46

I agree with some of your post tiger

A dog behaving in an agreesive manner such as growling and lunging should be restrained at all times in public and NOT tied to a shop outside on their own.

However you can't say all large breeds should never be off lead or owned unless you have a large garden. Even the largest garden is not enough exercise for a husky.

Original poster
TigerPath · 04/05/2016 16:47

*I meant the dogs chase each other on and off the paths around me

OP posts:
WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 16:47

I've said multiple times that we all agree on dogs that cannot be controlled should be on leads at all times etc etc etc. The rest is just nonsense, so I'm not sure why this thread is going around and around with lots of embellished stories for effect

Lemonade1 · 04/05/2016 16:51

Yep you are one of 'those' dog owners Waitrose.

Of course it's all 'embellishment' and exaggeration and just silly hysterical idiots making things up about your wonderful beasts.

glassgarden · 04/05/2016 16:51

Last week someone was trying to tie a huge mastiff/husky cross up outside Tesco. It was barking, growling and pulling back (presumably didn't want to be tied up). Nobody wanted to pass it to get into the shop! They were all waiting nervously outside for the owner to finish tying it up. Completely selfish and inappropriate to bring a dog of that size and temperament into a public place

I imagine the owner enjoyed the reactions of other people to his muscle dog.

WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 16:55

Yes I am one of those dog owners. Responsible, considerate and kind. Never in my 13 years of owning my little dog have we ever had a negative encounter. So yes, I am definitely doing a good job. Especially having having two young children myself, I can empathise with other parents who don't like unknown dogs near them. So yep, I am one of the good ones, thanks!

WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 16:57

Oh I missed beasts, that's hilarious! This scary beast is just staring at me at the moment. What a weirdo! I think his ears are burning!

To demand people keep their dogs away from me on the seafront
Original poster
TigerPath · 04/05/2016 16:58

Waitrose, we shouldn't need a law for dog owners to be considerate, responsible and avoid scaring people with their dogs! If you have a big powerful dog you need to realise many people will be afraid of it, and take steps to avoid it frightening people in public. A logical step would be a lead!

Need... if you don't have space for a husky to run free, why would you get one? You either have the facilities or you don't.

What sort of person doesn't care that their big powerful dog is intimidating others? Do you just shrug and let it carry on racing around unrestrained, while mums with prams cut across the park to avoid it?

Lemonade that sounds terrifying! I would have climbed the nearest tree Blush

OP posts:
WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 17:06

I don't have a terrifying dog. He's almost blind now so has to be on a lead at all times as he will just walk into the road, poor bugger.

I think common sense just needs to be applied. Dog owners should be responsible and considerate, and I wish there was a way to police it. Maybe there will be a way one day? It spoils it for the genuinely good dog owners. On the other hand, I don't think anyone should be getting their knickers in a twist about a passing sniff or wag of the tail.

Perspective people..

Lemonade1 · 04/05/2016 17:06

Umm a 'beast' is just an animal. You do know that?

kali110 · 04/05/2016 17:06

Ffs not all big dogs are like that. Stop trying to tar them all.

WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 17:07

Ps, just because a dog looks menacing to you, doesn't mean it should be kept of a lead. If it's under control and behaves appropriately, you don't have a leg to stand on I'm afraid.

LyndaNotLinda · 04/05/2016 17:07

Dogs off lead aren't walking to heel. That's the whole point of being off lead.

Today I took my dog to the beach. I walked him down a number of roads, along the prom (with lead on and him trotting alongside), then let him off lead on the dog appropriate part of the beach. During that time, he approached no one except a couple of other dogs (we saw five in total on the beach, two on the way, none on the way back). One small dog did not appreciate my dog's boisterous playing style so I called him back and put him on the lead until they'd walked on a bit further.

As I said earlier in the thread Lemonade. I'm the same age as you. I honestly can't remember any random dogs coming up to me. I've never been licked or sniffed or anything.

Lemonade1 · 04/05/2016 17:08

Tiger honestly I looked like a lunatic! I was half running, whimpering. It was the owners who I had no faith in, as I said. They were completely lacking in confidence that it would come to heel. Which it didn't.

kali110 · 04/05/2016 17:08

Also have no idea why my comment about beaches was deleted Grin

WaitrosePigeon · 04/05/2016 17:08

Of course I know that, I am over 12 years old I promise...

I did laugh a bit at the beast description though Grin

NeedACleverNN · 04/05/2016 17:11

Need... if you don't have space for a husky to run free, why would you get one? You either have the facilities or you don't.

Well I personally wouldn't want one but not having a huge outdoor space wouldn't stop me. Huskies are bred to run for miles. Therefore a good walk twice a day with plenty of off lead running is perfect for a husky. They don't need a huge garden if they have their walks

glassgarden · 04/05/2016 17:11

this reminds me of a debate between vegetarians and meat eaters

Rosebud05 · 04/05/2016 17:15

It reminds me of a debate with meat eaters trying to persuade vegetarians to eat meat and the vegetarians saying 'we just want to be left alone'.

NeedACleverNN · 04/05/2016 17:19

Or vice versa there rose...

Eg vegetarian trying to get meat eaters to stop eating meat because of saving animals.

FarrowandBallAche · 04/05/2016 17:21

Your dog is lovely and if you want to post a photo you can.

Lynda it doesn't matter that we've had non eventful dog walks. These feral dogs don't live near us apparently.

FarrowandBallAche · 04/05/2016 17:23

Give me dog owners ANY day.

Rosebud05 · 04/05/2016 18:24

You keep them farrow. I simply ask that they afford others the same respect.

No one is trying to persuade dog owners to give up their dogs, or dog lovers to hate dogs. I would just like the same courtesy paid to my preferences.

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