AIBU to argue with guy who threatened to kick my dog

[LRA170]

AIBU to argue...my young sprocker was off his lead and bounded over to a guy and his dog barking and play bowing...obviously wanting to play. His dog was on a long retractable leash. I called my dog back but he was not listening so I ran over and yelled at him and he did stop but carried on barking. The guy said ``I'll kick him I'll kick him" I said hes not being aggressive and he said Hes tried to bite my dog twice....untrue...he was asking to play...He said I should keep the dog on a lead if I can't control him. By this time I had put his lead on him then as he walked away I said "have a nice day a**hole" Im so upset....yes maybe I should keep him on a lead but hes normally very good and is a friendly pup. 20 months old and still in training. AIBU to be trying to train my dog without a lead. We go to obedience classes and start agility this week.

He was being unreasonable to threaten to kick your dog yes but you were also BU to have yours off the lead when their recall isn't good. But I see you've accepted that.

I adore dogs and often see this happen on part of the school run. (cut through park thing where most dog walkers go). I've seen this sort of thing so many times. Dog goes bounding over playfully. Owners recall isn't working because the dog ignores them and then the other dog it wanted to be friends with turns out they dont want to play and it doesn't always end well.

Hope the training goes well OP .

Thanks AWTPixies. I`m determined and we will get there.

The bloke wasn't been unreasonable at all. If he had kicked your dog it would have been to protect his dog which rightly or wrongly he believed needed doing. I would do the same to protect my dog.

My dog by the way has a total fear of strange dogs which was caused by an idiot dog racing up to mine and bowling her over. My dog has perfect recall unless a strange dog runs up to her and then she bolts in fear. Once so badly that she fell in a river trying to get away. I'm sure that idiot dog just wanted to play.

Dogs are great company. If I could I'd have ten of them but I have a 7yo who is absolutely petrified of them. We'd just got him over the whole scared of dogs thing when two things happened. One bloke sitting on the bench with a big Alsatian type dog on his lead. Lurched forward towards my DS for no reason whatsoever. Then another was off it's lead and nipped my son (thankfully didn't break any skin as he was wrapped up to the nines). When we eventually found the dogowner. He looked down his nose at me and went "my dog dont bite" and walked off.

I try ever so hard with DS to help him keep calm with dogs as he goes hysterical and I know that sets the dogs off as the dogs then start to get frightened and panic and it's a vicious circle.

I have a friend who has a rescue dog, she's the only dog my DS will go within a few feet of. She's as 'soft as muck' as the phrase goes. Hardly barks. Lets everyone fuss her etc. She still went hell for leather to a dog in the park who was off their lead and also 'just wanted to play' though. Thankfully my friend had her on the lead or goodness knows what would have happened. So it's important just in case. Enjoy your dog. They're wonderful companions.

soubriquet the finger up the bum trick apparently works to stop a dog attacking. Sorry for the grossness this early!

Yes ive heard that the finger thing works too....thanks for all your insights and advice. Am off out soon for our early walk....on leash....and more training on the walk. Obviously not ready to be trusted yet....the dog....not me ..although.......???

In the area where I walk, the majority of the dogs have good recall the majority of the time. Owners see a dog on lead and usually successfully get their dogs back and on lead. So the majority of dogs have a great off lead romp most of the time. Occasionally the odd dog decides to play silly buggers because dogs have personalities too, and it's a windy day or some other reason that dogs misbehave. I think it's unfair that dogs miss out on off lead fun because they get it wrong once a month. Dogs need to learn to socialise.

Personally I think we need on lead parks and off lead parks. That way everyone's needs are met.

My exh's eldest dd had her nose ripped off by a dog when she was a toddler. He was told by the dog's owner that the dog was friendly. He would react in the same way to an off leash dog bounding toward him, particularly when he was with the kids when they were small. Personally I am fairly allergic to many dogs and would not appreciate a strange dog, friendly or not bounding towards me, although I probably would not threaten to kick it.

And this is why my 5 year old is terrified of dogs. Means every time we go for a walk she has to be picked up if a dog passes. And we live on a lane that is a dog walking route. Unless your dog has perfect recall they should be on a lead. And I speak as someone who grew up with dogs.

the finger up the bum trick apparently works to stop a dog attacking

There is no way i would have attempted to stick my finger up the arse of the dog that was attached to my spaniel with his teeth. No way at all.

LRA170 Our girl isn't treat responsive at all, it's a pain in the arse isn't it. We just went right back to basics every few days (we use Uh-Oh's and Puppy parties if needed too) outside and the only thing she responds to, if she runs off on one through excitement or sees a squirrel is the kong tennis balls. Expensive habit though as she loses one of three every other day when she goes sniffing in the woodland

soubriquet the finger up the bum trick apparently works to stop a dog attacking. Sorry for the grossness this early

Are you sure you mean me?

And yes no way would I go near an attacking dog and stick my finger up it's bum.

Good way to get yourself badly bitten

You wouldn't let a new driver loose on the road without passing a test, so why would you let a dog loose who doesn't have perfect recall. I don't think the argument about a driver ' oh, but he's usually in control' would wash?

I love dogs, but don't like strange dogs bounding over to me just because 'they want to play'. You may think you know your dog's character - but I don't. And don't get me started on the poop-and-scoop stuff.

You wouldn't let a new driver loose on the road without passing a test, so why would you let a dog loose who doesn't have perfect recall.

The two are not remotely similar though.

A new driver, despite having passed their test, does not have perfect driving skills.

The equivalent would be a dog proving that on one day when being tested, they had perfect recall.

SoupDogg could do that on any given day with a spot of luck and good timing. I know he isn't reliable though.

Sorry soubriquet I meant soupdragon was replying to a post about their dog and I obviously wasn't awake enough yet. Apologies .

I know I was dubious too. But my friends yorkie was getting attacked and she was hysterical trying to get her dog away. The said this random dog walker came up and did the finger thing and the dog stopped.

But it's mainly better to ensure all dogs behave properly I suppose and then no finger thing is needed.

Your dog is barking and jumping at him and his dog. YABU. keep it on a lead if you cant recall it. Its always "oh its only him being friendly" until they bite. Could have been a kid he was jumping about near. Although I have felt like kicking dogs doing this to me, i know the best thing to do is to stand still or either walk away slowly.

I've seen a lab attack a yorkie

Grabbed it by the scruff and shook it.

No way would you finger his arsehole. Too dangerous

As it stood the owner of the lab got hold of the yorkie from underneath and tried to prise her dogs mouth open.

Could have been incredibly dangerous but it worked.

Poor yorkie was very shaken up but he was ok

I can see you've admitted YWBU several times. I am mild mannered and my dog is friendly to most dogs. But I have shouted twice at a man who has allowed his little aggressive dog to run and look like he will attack mine.

However, I can read dog language and would be okay with your dog coming over as long as you were within earshot to check it's not nasty.

You can never tell though...mine is a Cockapoo and very friendly but he has taken a dislike to a young lab we see regularly (who is never on a lead!) and snaps at him. Even though he himself was the world's most annoying pup who would jump on dogs' faces. Ha. I think it's good for pups to be told off by older dogs ( in leads) as it teaches them how to behave.

You need to work on an emergency recall command. The good news is: this is the most fun training session you will have with your dog.

We use "PEEKABOO" as the command with our dog because 1) It's easy to say in the exact same way every time (where the sound of 'come' or their name can get corrupted by your mood, especially if you're scared) 2) When else will my dog get to hear "peekaboo"? This word is special AF

So, we have a game where if we call PEEKABOO, we run off and hide whilst carrying the most amazing treat ever (roast chicken, cut up hotdogs, bits of cheese, something DELICIOUS) and when our dog finds us, she gets a bunch of praise and the aforementioned treat.
IIRC, we scaffolded the game by being visible the first few times we played so she made the association "PEEKABOO means come and get something bloody marvellous" but moved quickly onto hiding from her.
(This is so she gets used to the idea that we're not always visible when she's recalled, and she has to figure out where we are)

We do "refresher" sessions of the game at home with her favourite treats but we don't need to do it so often. This is the one trick where you don't try to wean them off the treats for doing it.

It now means that when we are in the dog park and she's getting into something we'd rather she didn't, we can call her back every time. (Also, if she's hiding in the bushes in our garden) We do sound like idiots, I'm sure, but it's a small price to pay.

thehappypuppysite.com/emergency-recall-for-dogs/

Yes all dogs should be trained to respond to recall. However as my dog's trainer said - if your dog has the scent of a rabbit or fox or whatever once its on the hunt you may as well save your voice! it wont hear you as instinct takes over.

There is never going to be any animal which is 100% at recall 100% of the time. In my view that is where our responsibilities as an owner come in and we need to read the situations right to judge when our dogs can/cant go off the lead and may/may not respond! My two dogs are old now so I dont have the problem of them going off

Is your dog not at all food motivated? That is, if you take him out on an empty stomach will he not be interested in something really tasty like sausage, cheese, etc?

If he is not food motivated training is always more of a challenge. Is he interested in squeaky toys?

Have you tried the recall game? It's worth playing in as many varied environments as possible and if you are worried he might run off leave a long line attached for extra safety. Long lining him in general works very well but is quite hard work.

Wonder....Will try the peekaboo thing...Thank you....And thanks for the link. Gosh...Had so many helpful posts on here...Thanks ....

Yes I will use a long line...He is more responsive when hungry now I come to think of it. Will try this with wonders idea too. 😁

I thought the law was to keep dogs on a lead

The law i think, states under strict control which clearly mine wasn't. But to be fair it was a place where many dogs are exercised off lead....its where they can socialise...obviously in a park or public road he always is on a leash.