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Original poster

To have ranted at this professional dog-walker?

222 replies

Collaron · 22/06/2018 17:24

Beautiful day here today, went for a picnic and dog-walk with a friend. We were sitting at the picnic table in the woods, ddog under the table waiting for any crumbs or sneaky titbits. A dog-walker passes on the path with a flock of dogs - 7 in all - and one of them, a young spaniel runs over to our table and starts jumping around at me trying to get my sandwich. Dog walker call to the dog 'come here' but it doesn't come. I tell it sternly to 'get down!' I hate dogs jumping up but I was also worried that ddog might get defensive at it (it was obviously quite a young dog)
Dog then climbs on to the seat next to me and tries to snaffle food from the table. I get hold of the dog's harness and pull it back to the ground again saying sternly 'get down!' while glaring at the walker who is just staying put with his flock and calling out 'come here' in a lame way.

Finally the dog runs back to him and i'm turning back to my friend when the man calls out in a sarcastic tone 'okay now? Panic over is it?'
I turned back to him and said 'you should have your dog under control'.
him: He is under control!
me: You called it and it didn't come so it isn't under control is it? You shouldn't be walking so many when you can't control them.
him: oh for god's sake, i'm sick of people like you telling me my job! Your dog's perfect is it?
me: no he's not perfect but he's under control. When i call him he comes back to me!
him: (walking away, calling out) yeah, you're perfect aren't you
me: (shouting after him) you couldn't even apologise!
him: (turning back) why should I apologise? He didn't do anything you stupid woman!
me: He was jumping all over me you stupid git!
him: (walking away again) oh push off!
me: (shouting after him) I wouldn't let you walk my dog, you're not a responsible person!
him: I wouldn't accept your dog you stupid woman!
He walked away still gobbing off but I couldn't hear him any more

If he hadn't come out with the sarky comment I would have left it but I felt goaded to retaliate. Once he was gone I would have forgotten all about it but friend went very quiet and said she wanted to get back home. I apologised for the shouting and she said she was embarrassed and perhaps I had 'anger issues'.

Actually I do have anger issues but in this case I think I was justified?

OP posts:
tutu112 · 22/06/2018 20:07

I know a dog walker friend that recently had to fold their business due to the 4 dog rule being newly enforced. She has 3 dogs of her own so could only then look after an additional one extra dog from clients, so really not worth it as a business. She was really sad at having to shut up shop. But frankly, I can't see how anyone can really control that many dogs. And when they all start barking - what a racket that must make!

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 22/06/2018 20:09

The only 4 dogs per walker is in force in some parts of the country

It’s in force in parts of the city here but there’s a local dog walker who walks 12 dogs at a time!! Angry

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 22/06/2018 20:10

And she’s always on her bloody phone at the same time too!

daffodillament · 22/06/2018 20:11

A lot of posters on this thread (not all thank god) are a load miserable fucking bastards. I'd take the greedy annoying dog any day over you lot. And the Op is happy to name and shame the dog walker over THIS ! Get a fucking grip ! Didn't you even call him a 'stupid git' ?! Bloody bonkers !

Original poster
Collaron · 22/06/2018 20:12

12 dogs Shock

Surely that counts as a flock??

OP posts:
FlockOfDogs · 22/06/2018 20:14

Definitely.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 22/06/2018 20:15

If they had wings she’d be in flight for sure.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 22/06/2018 20:16

Oh I think we’ve found your “professional” dog walker OP

NotTakenUsername · 22/06/2018 20:19

Definitely an over reaction from you, op, but his behaviour was it good either.

I can relate to your friends embarrassment. I think you used a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

And other cliches!

Original poster
Collaron · 22/06/2018 20:23

Indeed Zibbidoo..just the same charming manner!

OP posts:
InionEile · 22/06/2018 20:23

Ugh, I hate dog-owners or -walkers who get snippy if you don’t react well to their dogs being off-leash or running amok. It’s as if they expect everyone to be delighted to have their dog jump on them and then fawn all over it.

My 3 year old is nervous of dogs for some reason, even tiny ones, and some dog owners seem to get personally affronted by that and try to make her say ‘hi’ to their dog. Not everyone is a fan of dogs or wants to interact with strange ones, even if you have them yourself. Same goes for kids.

And telling the dog ‘get down’ doesn’t mean you were scared or panicked, just that you don’t want to deal with another person’s dog. The guy sounded like someone with a chip on his shoulder. Maybe your friend is just a very quiet person who is easily embarrassed.

daffodillament · 22/06/2018 20:26

allegorial I do apologise for being so presumptuous. Of course that experience must have been really frightening for you and your dd. You are absolutely right to approach with caution in any situation. I will shut up now but I can't help losing my shit with the dog slaters on this thread and I really feel the whole drama has been blown up out of proportion thanks to the op and a few others. Grrrr (again)

Marmablade · 22/06/2018 20:27

I don't think you have anger issues. A dog jumped up at you worrying you so you probably had adrenaline pumping to give you the balls to stand up for yourself. Maybe that friend isn't for you.

daffodillament · 22/06/2018 20:28

Collaron .. If you were a bit more charming this prob would not have happened ! Team Dog Walker !

Original poster
Collaron · 22/06/2018 20:28

I can't help losing my shit with the dog slaters on this thread

So it's ok for you to lose your shit but not for me?

OP posts:
Original poster
Collaron · 22/06/2018 20:30

I am a dog walker...sigh..and you're an idiot but I look forward to you shutting up now as promised!

OP posts:
WhiteWalkerWife · 22/06/2018 20:32

He sounds like an idiot, your friend sounds weak like a doormat.

I love dogs but idiots like that ruin it for all of us. Equally twat parents who let their kids accost our dogs do the same.

daffodillament · 22/06/2018 20:33

Why am I an idiot ? Because I don't agree with you ?

IslaBoots · 22/06/2018 20:35

Then surely he should have it on a training lead? It's not his dog, wouldn't he be worried that it might run off after something and get lost? if I was a dog-walker I wouldn't be so casual with someone else's dog.

You realise dogs are pack animals? They dont stray far from the pack. The puppy in your case wandered as he smelt food. He would have returned to his pack.

My dog goes to day care once a week - during my long shift at work.

3 walkers walk 21 dogs between them. Sometimes they split into groups. Sometimes they all meet up. They haven't lost a dog and are unlikely to...

I would not, ever, hire a dog walker who would insist on keeping my dog on a lead all day. We get regular videos of the dogs having fun, off lead, in the woods. Tired dogs are happy dogs..

Anyway I'm sure you are not worried about the walker losing a dog. The obvious thing to do with a stray puppy wearing a harness is hold onto it - to prevent it jumping and harassing you and your dog.

If it had been a stray Rottweiler (or other large, scary looking dog) I would have been supportive of your angst. But a puppy....Hmm

NotTakenUsername · 22/06/2018 20:35

Why am I an idiot ? Because I don't agree with you?

No, because op has anger management issues and lashes out when the world doesn’t operate exactly as they believe it should... Wink

crispysausagerolls · 22/06/2018 20:39

islaboots

Of course puppies/dogs should be on a lead if they aren’t trained! Because they do wander off and can get up to mischief/harass other people

If you don’t want your dog to be on a lead all day at doggy daycare, train it! My dog goes to daycare one day a week because I like him to socialise, and i was very pleased by the fact that he was walked on a lead for a few days until they got to know him and understood he was well-trained.

An untrained dog should be on a lead. And not one of those bullshit extendable leads that trips people up either.

Wolfiefan · 22/06/2018 20:40

Wow. Some strong opinions here.
I love dogs. If I was sitting at a picnic table and a dog started climbing up and trying to steal food then I would be most pissed off.
The dog wasn't under control and the (not at all) professional dog walker should have had it on a longline.
@IslaBoots pack theory is outdated and disproven.
Any chance you can get the details of the dog walker and report to the dog warden (do councils licence these people.)?

Original poster
Collaron · 22/06/2018 20:42

IslaBoots
It wasn't a puppy, I said it was a young dog.
I didn't say it had to be on a lead all the time, I walk my dog off-lead in these woods. I said it should be on a lead if it didn't respond to voice command in the example you gave.
You are talking bollocks about 'pack animals', I meet dog owners all the time looking for their dogs who have run off after something and got lost.

OP posts:
ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 22/06/2018 20:45

You realise dogs are pack animals? They dont stray far from the pack. The puppy in your case wandered as he smelt food. He would have returned to his pack.

Oh dear....

Belindabauer · 22/06/2018 20:47

My dd has an allergy to dogs , she does like them though.
Someone like the dog walker is irresponsible.
I would have battered away and I mean that. He has no right to inflict it on others.