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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 28/04/2018 22:53

And the owner is meant to somehow be able to judge that too.

Well... Yes... It's not rocket science - if the dog is focussed on their owner, and not your animal, why would you let your dog approach it? Keep your own animal under control, and it really doesn't matter if someone brings a leaded rescue dog into the "off-lead" area of your park. "Off-lead" is not synonymous with "feel-free-to-let-your-mutt-run-wild".

JiminyBillyBob · 29/04/2018 00:26

I’m amazed that some people are being so obtuse and trying to make it far more complicated than it is.

Let me try one last time to simplify it.

If a dog is onlead - do not let your dog approach. The other dog is onlead for a reason.

If there is a dog offlead - quick shout to other owner to see if they mind the dogs mixing. Because even if their dog is absolutely fine and friendly to other dogs they may not want their dog “saying hello” to every dog they meet.

If ok - go for it.
If no - call your dog and leave them alone.

Ever so easy. Try it!

bananasplits50 · 29/04/2018 12:30

If your dog is on a lead, don't take it to the off lead area. Simple not rocket science. My dog is on the lead where he needs to be and off where allowed. I have no time for those that think they can have free reign of the park and take there nervous dogs to an off lead area and get annoyed when an off lead runs over to say hello. I know my dog and he can be grumpy which is why i take him to the quieter off lead section. Where you meet off lead dogs.

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 29/04/2018 12:32

We don't have designated on and off lead areas here. Bit screwed really when the "he's friendly brigade" are out and about

BiteyShark · 29/04/2018 12:34

The parks around me don't have an 'off lead' section. They are shared by people, dogs, cyclists, children, footballers, joggers etc. I only took my dog off lead there when I knew he would come back if I called him so he bothered no one (humans or dogs).

Are there really parks (in the uk as I know in the USA they have dog parks) where it says off lead only?

bananasplits50 · 29/04/2018 12:35

Bumpowder I know the brigade you mean! Having an area designated does make it easier so appreciate the issue you have with no space. My dog hates being approached by an off lead dog when he is on the lead and I do get annoyed when I am clearly moving him away that other owners don't see that. My irritation on this thread is having twi dogs off lead having a run another owner is meant to know that the off lead dog doesn't like other dogs!

bananasplits50 · 29/04/2018 12:37

Biteyshark I am in London and our local park has a designated dog walking off lead area. There is an automatic fine for dogs found off lead in the on lead only areas.

Floralnomad · 29/04/2018 12:40

Where I walk we don’t have off lead and on lead areas , it’s a small heath , I’d say it’s a 70/30 split off off lead dogs to on lead dogs and frankly if your dog is off lead it’s your responsibility to keep it away from on lead dogs . They are equally entitled to walk in these areas as their dogs also want to sniff etc . I didn’t think actual dog parks existed in the UK so any ‘off lead areas’ are surely just a historic type of thing , obviously in the US where they have dog parks you’d be a bit stupid to take a on lead dog into an off lead dog park and expect all the other dogs to stay away .

OhWotIsItThisTime · 29/04/2018 12:42

My dog has shit recall so is on a lead - he loves meeting other dogs. My sister’s dog has excellent recall - she dislikes other dogs. When I walk both, it’s a pain in the arse when people don’t call their dog off.

Floralnomad · 29/04/2018 12:48

banana is it an actual designated off lead area or is it more of a this is where dogs can be off lead as there are areas where being offlead is banned .

tabulahrasa · 29/04/2018 12:51

I’ve never been anywhere with a designated off lead area, places that have areas that are marked as on lead only and other areas that aren’t, but never anywhere that’s actually an offlead area.

I’m nowhere near London though.

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 29/04/2018 13:06

I have no time for those that think they can have free reign of the park and take there nervous dogs to an off lead area and get annoyed when an off lead runs over to say hello.

Free rein. But actually, wherever you are, it is YOUR responsibility to stop your animal approaching other people, their pets or their property. Even if you're in an "off-lead" zone - which, in my opinion, you shouldn't be if you're not able, or willing, to control your animal.

I don't take my nervous dog to off-lead zones - not that we have anywhere designated as such. I do take my happy, friendly, trained dog to play off-lead, and do training games with him. It doesn't hugely affect us if people allow their untrained / poorly handled dog approach him - it's an unnecessary but uneventful interruption, but it doesn't mean that they are entitled to do so. It's rude, lazy, and annoying when you have to wait for them to catch their animal before you can continue (otherwise the damn thing follows you halfway home, across roads etc) - and I do judge them for it.

BiteyShark · 29/04/2018 13:09

bananasplits50 the parks here are either on lead only or your dog must be under control at all times (so yes you can be off lead but it must be under control ). I have never seen an off lead dog only place so apologies if you have one specifically where you are. Ours have to be shared by everyone so unfortunately they means some owners think they can leave their dog to run riot.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 29/04/2018 13:12

Or walk her somewhere else?

FreudianSlurp · 29/04/2018 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pigsDOfly · 29/04/2018 13:43

Ah, that's the important bit Bitey the 'under control' bit.

Reading this thread it's clear that a lot of people don't actually know what under control means and we've all seen it so many times. 'Yes, I can be looking at my phone the whole time the dog is running around but as long as I'm somewhere in the vicinity then that's fine', seems to be some people's idea of having their dog under control.

They've no idea if their dog's poo needs picking up or their dog is raiding someone's picnic or generally, as you say, running riot. Frankly I don't think most of them care as long as their dog lets of some steam in a way that doesn't over inconvenience them.

FranticallyPeaceful · 29/04/2018 13:49

Lol what the fuck @Baubletrouble43 . I said “so you’re mad another dog came near your dog” and from that you deducted that my dog has bad manners and jumps all over people? What an absolute weirdo you are.

I have a Saint Bernard and so he obviously can’t jump or approach anybody otherwise he would likely give them a heart attack. Dogs approach him all the time and he just stands there (excitedly) because he knows he’s too big to play back properly. I don’t have a problem with other people’s dogs being excited and he’s WELL TRAINED therefore doesn’t get snappy when his space is invaded by another off lead dog.

If your dog has behavioural problems like getting snappy when approached by another dog, then your dog should be on a leash to protect other dogs and other people. Otherwise you shouldn’t have a dog if you can’t control it.

Nice guess though.

BiteyShark · 29/04/2018 14:29

Yes there should be a clear definition of what 'under control' means for off lead dogs so everyone knows where they stand.

I have seen leaflets by one council which stated that dogs off lead need to be under control otherwise they should be onlead. It also stated that your dog should not be allowed to approach other people or dogs unless invited to do so. If people applied those guidelines then everyone would be able to share parks without any issues, both on and offlead I realise that won't happen so I walk my dog elsewhere

missyB1 · 29/04/2018 17:29

if your dog has behavioural problems like getting snappy when approached by another dog, then your dog should be on a leash to protect other dogs and people.

Yes! This a million times!! Not a popular opinion on here at all though.

SuperLambBananas · 11/11/2018 19:02

I do find the only problem with dog interactions is always Other People's Dogs...and never ones own.

SuperLambBananas · 11/11/2018 19:04

Sorry zombie thread! not sure how it came up on my app!

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