To think the majority of dog owners where I live are inconsiderate and arrogant.

[AngryRunner]

I am a runner, I have run the marathon and compete regularly in half marathons, 10k's etc.

I like to run in my local park and i normally run about 5 times a week. I do go at speed faster than most joggers.

However I am constantly harassed by dogs. I tell owners to put it on a lead when there dog is clearly chasing me, jumping up on me. I was bitten by a dog as a child so I don't like them and I am very scared of big dogs.

The reaction I get when I say put it on a lead please is met with total anger/ rudeness from owners. Yesterday I was running and a very large almost wolf like dog was off its lead and started running towards me. I normally stop but it was barking and I just sprinted away it began to chase me for around 200 meters before eventually being distracted by a smaller dog. I was crying and visible shaking when I confronted the owner who was 100meters behind. She said the usual oh he's lovely oh he won't hurt you bullshit dog owners spout. I asked for her name and details as I said I'm reporting her to the police. I felt threatened by the dog and that is all that is needed for her to break the law. The police are investigating.

The week before a dog jumped up at me and I feel to floor from behind. Again the same thing from the owner.

I pay my council tax to use the parks but no longer feel like I can use them because dog owners take dogs off leads. Please it is so inconsiderate. I live in an urban area so road running is horrible with the fumes. Aibu to be fed up of dogs being described as lovely in response to scaring an i being unreasonable to think dog owners should no I have no idea about the character of their dog. Am I being unreasonable to be fed up of being blamed for tempting the dog for keeping fit and doing something I love.

And for the record I know there are good owners but majourity as a runner I've encountered aren't!

Yabu in continuing to choose to run in the parks where you know dogs run free.

There's paths/pavements everywhere for goodness sake, why does your running have to be the only place people can let their dog exercise off lead!?

Many dogs are fine with good recall normally but occasionally the sight of a runner or cyclist will trigger a chase response from dogs.

The 'wolf' type dog wanted to chase and play by the sounds of it (he was distracted by another dog) so not exactly wildly intent on ripping you to shreds then!?

Reporting an innocent dog to the police for running in a park is beyond ridiculous and shows you to be completely clueless about dogs.

Maybe you should get counselling to help you get over your childhood attack.

People like you make enjoying walking a dog really difficult.

Use common sense!

I can't quite believe that people think it is acceptable for dogs to chase and jump up at people. People have every right to go about their business and use public spaces without having to fear being chased by dogs. Lots of people are afraid of dogs precisely because inconsiderate owners let their dogs run loose without having any control over them.
However, I totally agree that dogs need an opportunity to be off lead but maybe there should be dog only areas (fenced off sections in parks for dogs to run free) that way everyone can use the space freely.
I think it is ridiculous there are people that think everyone who doesn't want to interact with dogs should just 'suck it up' - when will people understand if someone wanted a dog they would get one - It is YOUR pet no one else's, therefore, it should not be forced upon unsuspecting park goers.
YADNBU - it's simple if your dog is a chaser/jumper/picnic stealer and all the other things unsuspecting people are forced to contend with - YES keep it on a leash and train it better.

Horrid
No that's not was said at all. The comment I was referring to was Angry Runners post at 21.41 when she said 'If your dog poses a potential threat, which all dogs do, then it should be kept on a lead'

LucieLucie I agree, it seems some posters are clueless about dogs. The OP doesn't even know what 'bread' a German Shepherd is.

What dog owners need to understand is that they don't get to set the rules about what is acceptable dog behaviour to other people. It is fine to object to being treated in a way that might be "friendly" but is actually annoying, dirty and inconvenient.

If a human who was a stranger ran up to you in a park, sniffed your crotch, and put muddy footprints on your coat, and then refused to go away despite you indicating clearly that you would like them to - you would quite likely be annoyed. I would be. I am annoyed when dogs do this to me, or my children and their owners tell me it is ok. NO. you do not get to decide what is ok for me. Call your dog off.

Op I mean this in the nicest way possible: have you considered having therapy?

Your dog phobia is clearly affecting your life to a great extent. Cbt would be very effective at addressing this.

These dogs are not attacking you and your reaction (while coming from a very understandable place of fear) seems disproportionate.

I might FEEL annoyed when runners come charging up behind me when I'm enjoying a walk, or when one of the London parks I use is completely taken over by a running event which makes it virtually unusable for an entire morning - but the fact I FEEL put out doesn't mean these people are doing anything wrong and I respect their right to enjoy their hobby. (Sometimes I'm one of the people running, so it cuts both ways!)

If you choose to live in a large city such as London, you need to rub along together and share public space. It sounds like you are in an exceptional position as you actively despise dogs - so this is going to make things harder for you. But the rest of the country is not going to bend to your will - however much you wish it would. The only option you're left with is to work on your own response.

If these dogs were biting you, grabbing your clothes, knocking you to the ground and savaging you, that would be very different. But what you describe is a dog running behind you, barking and then running off in a different direction. I'm genuinely sorry if that prompts an anxiety attack - that must be horrific. But the onus is on you to seek help to manage that reaction.

The "I'm more important than a dog" argument is spurious - this is about the rights of different groups of people to enjoy hobbies in public spaces which have the potential to cause (minor) disruption to others - be that running, dog walking, cycling, whatever. You've paid your council tax to SHARE the park.

I'm a dog owner and I agree with the OP. I run along a very safe promenade with no road, which is consequently much valued by parents shepherding wobbly mites on bikes and scooters, runners and dog walkers. Most dogs are walked on leads, an annoying minority with poor recall are not and they are such a pain for the rest of us.
Anyone else vaguely exasperated by the Sainsbury's ad showing a dog in a park tearing it's way through various picnics? The picnickers just laugh or or tousle it. Any dog coming between my DH and a sandwich would get short shrift.

I have this issue and I'm a dog owner!! There is an owner who's dog goes for mine even when across the road, it barks and snarls at my dog and all she does is laugh. I dread to think what it would do off a lead.
It really annoys me!!! And it's arrogant

Thought this post was going to be about running into dog poo! I run,cycle, have dogs, well behaved, are off the lead in open space, Have had people in forests say my dogs shouldnt be there. I have had runners run into me,they expect you to get out of the way, when we used to cycle off road, had dogs, people wander in front of us. I dont cycle thru red lights on pavements, I pick up after my dogs and try to be reasonable. Have had big dogs jump all over me. Had a major stomach op a few years back, you get walking straight away because of blood clots. used to meet this woman in Ashdown Forest who let her big lab jump all over me, feet on my shoulders, told her about my surgery and was told I shouldnt be out, it was my fault for being there! I like to think I try to respect others and their views. A lot of people where I live dont like the fact that dogs are allowed on the beaches. Summer holidays I take them early, they are very friendly, so if i see small children or folk without dogs I put them on the lead.

It certainly should be illegal to have an out of control dog off lead chasing people! Dogs with impeccable recall are different but are also the minority

It is illegal to have a dog not under control but there are plenty of dog owners who think the law does not apply to them.

Dogs with impeccable recall do not really exist except for working dogs.

As for being an entitled runner, I'm not sure how my running inconveniences others in any way at all - if you think I get in the way, well I'd get in the way if I was out walking, too. Being bitten or jumped up at by a dog is way more inconvenient especially if it leads to injury and a hospital visit.

And it's no good saying your dog would not hurt a fly - you simply cannot know that. My mum's friend had a dog for years with no incidents at all and one day it bit her. She had it put down immediately as she was worried about her young grand-daughter.

Dogs should be on leads unless the dogs have the impeccable recall, and as I say above, I don't think many dogs have that, so they should be on leads. Short leads, not the extendable ones which are a danger in themselves.

But Mulledwine1 - This isn't about a dog who bit the OP. If a dog had bitten her, I don't think anyone would be defending it. This is about the police being called out over a dog who ran behind the OP barking, then ran towards another dog before having any contact with the OP!

Not allowing dogs off-lead exercise leads to massive behaviour problems. They should be off lead with good recall in an appropriate place - and a public park is that place.

The attitude that all dogs should be on a lead at all times is ridiculous, I have a rescue dog that gets extremely stressed out on the lead and barks etc but when she's off the lead she is a lot better behaved. She would be really agitated if she didn't get at least an hour off lead running per day and it would be really unfair of me to do that to her, walks are what makes a dog's life worth living really.

Hmm actually common sense in my view would be putting a dog likely to be spooked by runners on a lead in a public place.

Any dog can turn. A dog chasing somebody is a nuisance and not "innocent". A dog chasing somebody is away from it's owner and out of control. You have no guarantee that it won't get over excited further and bite. Nothing you can do if you are that far apart.

OP ideally you are right and dogs should be socialised not to react to runners. Unfortunately it is a common trigger.

You might find this video useful
m.youtube.com/watch?v=kG3AR1VHPMg

Basically anyone being chased by a dog (whether a runner, Child etc) should 'be a tree' and stand still. You immediately become unchaseable

I tell you what I hate more than loose dogs is dogs on extendable leads on cycle paths. I'll be riding along and the dog will see something on the opposite side of the cycle path and suddenly the lead is stretched the whole width of the cycle path and there's a trip wire set up cm in front of your front wheel. Meanwhile the dozy twat of an owner is stood there oblivious headphones in or talking on their phone or gawping into the middle distance as I perform an emergency stop. Obviously it isn't all dog walkers or even most, but it is far from an isolated incident. Loose dogs are easier to deal with as you can swerve them.

"The "I'm more important than a dog" argument is spurious - this is about the rights of different groups of people to enjoy hobbies in public spaces which have the potential to cause (minor) disruption to others - be that running, dog walking, cycling, whatever. "

this only works if dogs were genuinely regarded as adjuncts to their owners, who could be expected to be effectively and considerately responsible for them.

In fact - and just read the dog threads on mn for example, and you will see it - dogs are increasingly being regarded as having quasi-human status. I strongly disagree with this, partly because dogs do not and cannot behave as considerately or intelligently as most humans do, but mainly just because they are absolutely in a different ontological and ethical category from humans.

Dogs are increasingly a menace because their owners do not think they should be contained from causing inconvenience to others. If a cyclist and a runner want to use a path differently they will work it out. If a dog and a cyclist want to use a path differently, what the dog wants will often absolutely preclude what the human wants and the owner is likely to think that is ok, that the dog gets to win. It is really pissing me off.

This may be a few years old, but these people having a go at the runner beggar belief. If a human was being chased or jumped on another human being this would be assault. Self entitled dog owners should wind their necks in, seriously. Just because you put your dogs on a pedestal doesn't mean everyone else does. I have 5 dogs. They never systematically have caused a nuisance. In addition, jumping should not be excused. As for runners being smug, that is one hell of a sweeping statement.
Sweeping statements do apply to ARROGANT dog owners. Runners are attempting to keep healthy and also they tend not to cause nuisance, maybe perhaps to those who have a grudge about fitness. Telling this runner that she has a problem that needs sorting out, really? Please do get over yourselves.
Not all dog owners are self entitled narcissists, but those dictating that dogs have just as much rights etc, etc surely aren't wired to know the difference between right and wrong. Unfortunately, dog narcism has increased since the pandemic.

Lucielucie, talk about victim blaming! How about people stop owning dogs that scare people?

That in itself is dictating to others not to go there as dogs and owners are more important. Narcistic doesn't even come close, maybe sociopathic is more apt.

You sound bitter, warped and entitled.
Just learn to share.
Runners are a nuisance, but they have to be tolerated.

Have you noticed as well that people with retractable leads let them out while passing people when they should be doing the opposite.
It's those looking at their mobile phones, leaving their untrained dogs to run riot. They grudgingly call the dogs, not looking up, and when they do raise their moronic, senseless heads they blame or tell others off, almost like, 'it's your fault for being there.' This happened today in my busy hometown. Two people let their uncontrollable dog off its lead, they were looking at their phones... talking about Love Island, as I overheard (well say no more), the dog ran into the road into the path of a car with a young family. The driver pulled down his window and one of the dog owners said, quote, 'you shouldn't be driving along here. We've got no time for people like you'
Madness.

Runners do not jump, bite, trip up and scare people though.
They just want to get some exercise, I guess some people would consider this a nuisance if they were bitter about fitness.