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!

The wrong thing being blamed here obviously.

Why are runners a nuisance? They take up less space than dog walkers and are looking after their health.

Why do people overuse the term ‘goady’?! Someone has started a thread because they want to vent about an issue and seek opinions. Are you saying that every thread on here is ‘goady’ then?!

OP, of course you are not wrong to expect owners to keep the dogs on leads. Decent owners do this. Decent owners do not let their dogs jump up at others. Decent owners don’t say ‘oh he’s just being friendly’.

Sadly, the number of shit owners is growing exponentially. many are on threads like these.

Your language and phrases are very irrational

This is an old thread and pre-Covid, when people started getting a dog for the first time if they could wfh some or all of the time.

My experience since then is not the same as the OP, indeed most dog owners in my area are considerate. Dogs do seem to know I prefer cats though.

I don't honestly see why someone who simply wants to go for a run has to contemplate or worry about possible upsets or dangers etc. The truth of it is that if someone choses to own a dog they need to be responsible for it and not blame or dictate to others what to do. Some people like dogs, cats, children, pigs, reptiles etc etc but don't expect everyone to feel the same and shirk that responsibility.
In short, why should the world revolve around making allowances for sadly ever increasing numbers of irrational dog owners?

Probably because an increasing number of owners are shit, selfish and inconsiderate maybe?

Idiotic sweeping statement.
There are far more annoying things than runners.

I totally agree. I do have to plan my routes to avoid off-lead dogs, and I shouldn't have to.

I am sure some owners will moan about runners, but actually they'd moan about me if I were walking or cycling too.

My area isn't that bad, but if I cross the boundary into the next town, there's a park there where dog owners will shout at you and say it's a dog walker's park (it isn't) and you shouldn't be there without one!

The extendable leads are awful. I agree they are worse than being off-lead. I do wish people would stop using them except for training purposes with very young dogs.

I don’t like some runners, whether I am with a dog or not.

If you are hell bent on “timings” and monitoring yourself with a shedload of tech, go to a running track.

Last week I was shoulder-barged off a footpath. I did not hear the idiot coming up behind me (and I don’t wear earphones) and was just shoved as they maintained their pace.

Another time I was with Dog on the far side of the park, no footpaths. Some prat was training for one of those muddy challenge things and was running up and down right through the mushiest part. People go down there to be considerate to other park users, so this bloke glaring and flapping at dogs off lead is the other side of the coin.

Narcissist dog owners will do anything to shirk responsibility. Retractable leads seem to be an excuse to show their perceived superiority so that they can then say that they're doing the right thing by using a lead. Anyone with half a brain would know that the whole point of a lead is to keep the dog at heel. I've seen people with 10ft ropes around dogs necks. I've seen people trying to avoid dogs and the owners letting out the leads deliberately, even to the extent of causing others to walk into the road. It's just sadistic power tripping. Then you get cyclists on the road with dogs on a retractable lead... REALLY!!

But guys, NEVER say that you have a dislike or have had a bad experience with dogs. The narcissist dog owners will use every excuse under the sun to blame others or absolve responsibility. That's what narcissists do.
All my dogs are well trained, respond to instructions and I am mindful that not everyone appreciates them. Saying that, I do not see my dogs as an extension of my ego.

I’m a lifelong dog owner and can’t stand other dog owners. Literally despise them with a passion. I won’t be getting another after my current one goes not because I don’t love dogs, but can’t bear dealing with other dog owners and their off lead dogs. So not worth the stress.