Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed about other dogs

221 replies

Anewhope · 26/04/2018 11:11

Every day we go on a walk to some nearby fields. My dog is a small spaniel and is obsessed with her ball. If another dog comes over she doesn't even glance at them, all she's bothered about is us and the ball.

Every day she gets mobbed by other, (usually bigger) dogs. It's not too bad if there's just one of them because she generally runs off and the owner can shout them back but recently there have been groups of 3 or 4 big dogs that come bounding over to us, so the owner isn't close enough to stop them. It happens every time, different owners and dogs.

My dog tries to get away, she isn't interested. But they end up all crowding around and jumping all over her. It's awful. She gets stressed and barks if there isn't any space for her to get away and I worry they might hurt her. I don't know how to stop it, I imagine it would be worse if my dog was on her lead cause she couldn't even get away.

Any advice? Would you say anything? Or do I just suck it up and let it go? Or change dog walk location? It's perfect for us other than that, she's a spaniel so needs that free, off lead time really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anewhope · 26/04/2018 11:54

Merrykegs but what would putting her on the lead achieve? The dogs would still be surrounding her and jumping all over her.

OP posts:
goose1964 · 26/04/2018 11:57

I came on to mention yellow dogs too. I've started to see more dogs with the yellow coat which says something like I don't play nicely with other dogs please keep yours away

Merrykegs · 26/04/2018 13:28

Glad I live in the countryside where dogs can be dogs! I think it's sad that your dog doesn't enjoy the company of other dogs.

FairfaxAikman · 26/04/2018 13:29

@Merrykegs I live in the country but it's thanks to ill-trained Dogs that my dog doesn't like other dogs. There's only so many times a puppy can be jump d on before they get fed up.

Merrykegs · 26/04/2018 13:30

Tbf, if I saw a dog on the lead or an owner put the dog on the lead, I would realise that meant they didn't want other dogs romping up to them. If they are off the lead how the hell are other owners supposed to know they don't like other dogs? I wouldn't have a clue what a yellow ribbon meant.

Strugglingtodomybest · 26/04/2018 13:37

I agree, you need to put her on a lead. Other dog owners will get the message and call their dogs back. If it's that bad, and she's getting really stressed, you could pick her up? If you're walking her in the same place every day then over time you'll see the same people/dogs and they will probably (!) learn to call their dogs back as soon as they see you.

FairfaxAikman · 26/04/2018 13:37

Well just off the top of my head you could always try the polite course of action and not let your dog approach strange dogs without asking the owner first Hmm

Merrykegs · 26/04/2018 13:41

Just put her on the lead! It's a well known but unspoken sign. What's the point of being stubborn about it?

FairfaxAikman · 26/04/2018 13:45

No, because as I have explained she is under close control and is less likely to react if she is able to move away from a situation.
But why should my well-behaved dog have to be the one to suffer because you refuse to recall your dog? Why should the onus be on those who don't want interaction rather than those who don't care?
There are more reasons than just nervousness/reactivity as to why an owner might not want another dog approaching- they could be in training or recovering from injury.

Strugglingtodomybest · 26/04/2018 13:48

Just re read what I wrote, and I mean, put her on a lead when you see the other dogs coming, not for the whole walk. This is what I do.

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 26/04/2018 13:53

I own a dog reactive dog and the onus is on me to keep her safe. This means she is only walked on lead, we aim to stick to dog free areas, if I see a dog and owner I communicate with them to keep the dog away from mine, my dog wears a lead and harness saying "no dogs"...

If you have a skittish dog it is your responsibility to keep her safe.

FairfaxAikman · 26/04/2018 13:55

Maybe you should take your own advice and reread what I wrote - she is less likely to react if she can move away from a situation. Ie of your rude dog barrels up to her and relentlessly pesters her it will take her far longer to reach the point where she feels snapping is necessary.
She does not run up to other dogs. She does not react at all unless they charge up and won't listen to her body language (well before snap stage). She ignores them completely. Therefore other dogs who refuse to leave her alone are the problem. In most area of life we address the problem, not the end result.

DeepfriedPizza · 26/04/2018 13:55

Merrykegs my dog is always on a lead as she’s a rescue and will run away otherwise.

Today we were at the park, we encountered a number of dogs some ignored us, some came over for a quick sniff then went on their way, no problem.

Then a dog appears from nowhere off lead, circling my dog on lead, jumping around her and being aggressive. I told my dog to sit which she did but this dog kept going so my dog got a bit anxious. Then the owner comes strolling over the hill, sees what’s going on does nothing. I pull the dog away from my dog, it goes back to it’s owner then comes charging back. The owner does nothing so I shout at him to control his dog. My dog was on lead and is friendly to other dogs. Still gets accosted by untrained shit bags.

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 26/04/2018 13:57

No one with a reactive dog wants a dog charging at their dog, it's horrible. However most reasonable owners will not let their dogs do that to an on lead dog.

By all means drop the lead if you have no choice.

Merrykegs · 26/04/2018 14:01

So she bites other dogs but you don't see why you should put her on a lead. Right.

TemptressofWaikiki · 26/04/2018 14:05

Glad I live in the countryside where dogs can be dogs! I think it's sad that your dog doesn't enjoy the company of other dogs.

This with bells on. I am personally fed up with precious dog owners and their neurotic bullshit. Totally different to the examples given of dogs that have suffered from trauma and are reactive. But normal friendly interaction between dogs is vital part of socialising.

Mummytoaprincess12 · 26/04/2018 14:11

My dog sounds similar to yours in that he's completely oblivious to other dogs when they approach him - he's only interested in playing fetch. He's a lab x border collie and very focused on what he's doing (chasing sticks mainly!) he's very obedient with recall etc and never really thinks to approach other dogs, always too busy!
I encounter the same thing often but tbh I just figure it's part of being a dog he just has to deal with. He's quite fast so can often out-run other dogs even if they're bigger than him but if not he tends to just lie down and wait until they've finished then carry on his stick hunting.
I've never really thought much about it, he's no worse off for it and it gives me a 3 minute break from throwing things for him.
Sorry I know I'm probably not much help!

mustbemad17 · 26/04/2018 14:12

Just because a dog is off lead doesn't mean they want to be stampeded by other rude mutts. Just shows the level of ignorant owners out there imo. You shouldn't have to put your dog on a lead if they aren't engaging; the other owner(s) should be close enough to read the situation & redirect their own pooch. Being ott & getting in another dog's face when they aren't engaging is just as bad mannered as allowing a dog to approach a leashed dog!!!

FairfaxAikman · 26/04/2018 14:12

@Merrykegs ANY dog will bite (and I said snap, which is not the same thing at all) if pushed hard enough and long enough. It takes her a long time to get there though and it's a last resort for her. Mainly she runs in circles.
I'm assuming that if a man was groping you in a pub and you'd just sit there docilely? It's the same thing, just on four legs.

mustbemad17 · 26/04/2018 14:15

I'm a very social person when i want to be. If i was engaged in something else & 4 other people descended, pushing & shoving & generally getting in my face i'd be pissed off. Just because they are dogs doesn't mean they have to be intrinsically willing to play all the time!

Coloursthatweremyjoy · 26/04/2018 14:15

Is it the ball? I get lot of "oh he just likes chasing dogs with balls".

They usually give up because mine is fitter and faster but it's annoying. I just keep walking and dog is only interested in his walk. Hes not aggressive or reactive just not bothered about other do so buggers off.

I think a lot of people imagine you walking your dog means you are out to socialise but I think it means I am out to escape the world, not talk and spend time with my dog.

Secretsquirrel252 · 26/04/2018 14:24

Dogs that are fine to be off lead and are 'just being friendly' tend to be good at reading the body language of other dogs and back off when dogs aren't interested.

The problem is lazy owners who don't call their dogs away when they obviously aren't welcome or let their dogs off lead when they have shit recall.

MrsPMT · 26/04/2018 14:25

YADefNBU really bugs me too.

My dog is friendly and playful but her recall is poor, once had a woman with a dog race at her aggressively and start what seemed to be attacking her (could have been aggressive play, but my dog didn't like it anyway).
I shouted on her to get her dog, she called him and he ignored her, kept going for my dog, I shouted the woman again and she eventually got him, "He just wants to play, he's going for her because she's on the lead".

I said she has to be on the lead as her recall is poor, I said I didn't agree with letting dogs with poor recall off lead (looking at you lady who can't recall your dog Angry). "Oh my dogs recall is great" was her reply, annoying woman, I said it clearly needed work!

Merrykegs · 26/04/2018 14:34

@Merrykegs ANY dog will bite (and I said snap, which is not the same thing at all) if pushed hard enough and long enough. It takes her a long time to get there though and it's a last resort for her. Mainly she runs in circles. 'm assuming that if a man was groping you in a pub and you'd just sit there docilely? It's the same thing, just on four legs

What a ridiculous comment. Do you not believe in dogs socialising with other dogs at all? Or do you think dogs that play with other dogs are the same as women who enjoy being groped?Confused

My dogs (friendly, well socialised) will always say hello to another dog by sniffing their butt, and 'bowing' to see if the other dog wants to play. If the other dog does, they will run around for less than a minute then leave the dog and carry on with their walk. If at that point I see a harassed looking dog owner and a cowering dog I will go and put my dog on the lead and remove him.

Neither of my dogs have ever bitten or snapped however you want to spin it.

If your dog snapped at my perfectly friendly, normal dog I would suggest that you kept it on the lead.

fessmess · 26/04/2018 14:44

Merrykegs I totally disagree. OP is not being precious, for me it's the same as having a quiet drink in a pub with your dh and an idiot comes over, sits down and starts prattling on. OP and her dog should be able to enjoy their walk in peace NO DOG IMO should approach another without permission of the dog owner. It's the height of rudeness.