To think you don’t hang out in the dog park if you’re scared of dogs

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Ok it’s a dog one - so am prepared...

I walk my 6 month old puppy in a local park. It’s a large park, but has a small gated off section which is spefically for dogs off lead. To point out other areas of the park include two gardens, tennis courts a large area with no dogs allowed, play areas, cafe etc.

The part with the off lead dogs is small and fairly scruffy and not particularly tempting to sit in.

Anyways. I took my pup there this evening walked into doggy area and let him off lead. His recall is sketchy and I’m working hard on training him and, to me, this is the ideal place to do it (many local owners do the same).

Now, to my aibu- there were a group of five teenagers sitting hanging out on a bench in the doggy area. My pup went toddling towards them (not really paying attention to be honest) and two of them jump up screaming and running away- at which point, he did start to pick up a bit of a run! I obviously put him back on the lead before he reached them, but aibu to say- don’t hang out in the dog area if you are scared of dogs.

(Ps dog is small-ish and fluffy, think King Charles cavalier) - not that this makes a difference , if you’re scared you’re scared, but he’s not a particularly threatening looking dog iyswim l)

What did they expect to find there ffs? Bunny rabbits?

Yanbu. The one area they can run free and dog hating idiots sit in there. Are there signs up clearly stating it’s a dog area?

Christ have just realised that there’s a thread running about dogs on leads - I’m donning my tin hat!

@aged - yes everywhere! Particularly on the gates where you enter etc as it’s all about keeping them shut as it’s an off lead area.

More fool them. If you let him loose in a tennis court then fine, but it was a gated dog area. Idiots

If it's a gated area specifically for off-lead dog exercise, I can't see how even the most ardent anti-dog person could possibly object to your dog being off-lead there.

They're teenagers. They sit in stupid places and then squeal theatrically when entirely predictable things happen. Par for the course around here

Oh, but, no, YANBU.

Tbf they were teenagers (maybe 17ish) but this isn’t actually the first time I’ve experienced this in this area (with actual adults).

@hosta crossed post! Yes I sort of agree but have seen this behaviour here from adults as well, well minus the squealing of course

Adults have absolutely no excuse, you are correct.

If it's a dogs off lead area, what were they expecting?
I'm not being daft, but some teens like to make a huge drama if they see a pigeon. They aren't scared. They just love the drama and the fuss.

YANBU.

You sound like you're describing the same park we take ours to...is it Manor House Gardens?!

I had this exact conversation with another dog owner when we were there the other day - why go there if you don't like dogs?! We've got a pretty well-behaved but energetic 9 month old labrador pup and I love taking him to the dog area so he can just tear around with doggy friends without me worrying. I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone who goes into that area if they don't like dogs. It's clearly marked, you don't have to pass through it to get to anywhere and there's the option of about 90% of the rest of the park where you can be on the other side of a fence from any/all dogs if you want to be.

Zero sympathy. I wouldn't have even put mine on the lead under those circumstances, so you're already kinder than me!

You were in the right, being a responsible dog owner. Honestly, I agree with a pp that they're just teenagers being dramatic and silly - I wouldn't give it another thought. Good luck with the pup!

@SK yes!!! It is!!!

YANBU at all
We had the same last week in the area of our local park where dogs are allowed of the leads with a mum and her toddler, Dog would have walked straight past them if they did the same but because she was practically screaming, picking her toddler up making them cry and trying to move out of the way the dog panicked and thought something was wrong so tried rushed over to her, I called him back and he stopped so didnt get anywhere near but she still did some more screaming about how he should be on a lead and somepeople are scared of dogs.
Honeslty I've met so many more people unable to controll themselves properly around dogs than I have met dogs unable to controll themselves around people.

@Sk adults do it too don’t they? It’s crazy. It’s the crappest part of the park yet those who seem dog adverse choose to sit there.

@MyKingdom - knew it! There is absolutely NOWHERE else in the area that's designated for dogs off leads and fenced off like that so I'm completely uncompromising in my enjoyment of the opportunity to be there! We only discovered it recently and being almost 9 months pregnant now, it's a godsend for me as I just can't run him around enough to get him tired at the moment. I love just sitting on the bench and watching him have a whale of a time with all the other pups. Have met some lovely owners too!

Agree with the others who have said those teenagers were probably just being dramatic and putting on a show anyway.

I’m not keen on dogs, and I agree that sitting in the most doggy area of a park is stupid unless you want to interact with them.

YANBU! Did you not consider asking them what the fuck their problem was? I have limited patience with this kind of bollocks.

@Titzilla I was tempted but then did think it would lead to some teenage long winded dramatical explanation. Tbf the adults I have less patience with and tend to say “did you not realise it’s an off lead area”

@sk it’s great isn’t it - like soft play for puppies or something (feel free to dm me for my other dog friendly tips in the loca area - there are a few hidden gems)

@upside That’s awful. While I’ve not quite experienced the same I have seen similar - tbh for people with toddlers an area where dogs are all off lead and given free reign probably isn’t the place to be. I don’t take my dog to roam around the play area, so why bring a toddler into an area that is potentially dangerous (getting knocked over etc)

Yanbu

what breed? To be fair I know people who have a dog but are afraid of strange ones.