To think if you don’t like dogs, don’t walk this route?

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

I’ve just been told off, aggressively, for having my dogs off lead.

We walk to school down a woodland path that is used by literally dozens of dog walkers, I counted fifteen other dog owners just on this walk, the vast majority off lead. There is nowhere on the length of the path that can’t be easily reached by a faster route, the path runs a winding way alongside a quiet road with a wide path.

Anyway, dogs, joggers and the odd cyclist all usually use the route along with pedestrians and it’s generally accepted that you’ll meet several dogs on the way. This woman, who I’ve not seen before, got right in my face and said ‘put your dogs on a lead, I don’t like dogs’.

I’m terrible at confrontation so just apologised and moved on.

But it’s really rattled me. Am I being unreasonable? One of mine is a bouncy 4month old lab, he’s well trained and doesn’t approach people or dogs unless I let him, but he is, as I say, bouncy and large so that might be why she picked on me and not the other dozen people she must have passed.

If I see her again (and have the nerve) wibu to suggest that she walks the other way round?

I wouldn't suggest anything other than ignoring her unless she actually tries to engage you in a conversation.

I do not like dogs and am very nervous around the bouncy ones (and I don't care how friendly they are, that's not the issue) but I wouldn't expect someone who has just as much right to be there as me to change their behaviour due to my personal issues.

If I walked that route and regularly found it difficult because of the dogs, I would find an alternative route. You could suggest that but as you're doing nothing wrong I'd acknowledge her comment and nothing further. No need to fuel the fire. Just walk on knowing that you're not wrong.

If it is a footpath it is open to the public.
You are responsible for your animals.
Both of you can use it!

She has as much right to walk there as you do. I'm not sure I would have a 'bouncy' 4 month old off the lead though.

I’m terrible at confrontation so just apologised and moved on.

Sensible.

YABU. Dog walkers don't have priority over other users (unless obviously it's a specific dog park).

However, if your dogs genuinely weren't approaching people then she was being unreasonable and rude to speak to you like that.

Bouncy 4 month old off lead in an area like that doesn’t sound very wise!

But yabu to expect other people not to use the path just to suit you and you should always be ready to bring dogs right back next to you. However Bouncy or well trained you can’t expect everyone to love your dog?

Presume he wasn’t bouncing near her or bothering her? In which case ignore!

He didn’t go anywhere near her, I should clarify that. She approached us.

He’s not perfect, of course, but he comes from a long line of working dogs and as such has been a doddle to train. By bouncy I mean that as we walk he bounds around and takes detours off into the bushes and generally looks quite hyperactive, so I do get that.

But honestly, if you don’t like dogs this is the wrong route to take. It’s probably the wrong village to live in tbf, there’s at least fifty percent dog owners here, but that’s by the by and I’m not suggesting she move .

Urgh though I HATE being told off and it’s made me feel all uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Yabu. the rights of a person to use a pathway free from fear trumps your dogs right to be off lead.

I don’t think you should be walking a bouncy four month old lab off lead on a public path.

And I think she is as entotled as every one else to use it.

though I HATE being told off and it’s made me feel all uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Don’t be. Just learn from it and keep the bouncy dog on a lead.

You don't have to have them on the lead just under control - in this instance you have done nothing wrong. Shrug and move on.

Yes YABU. I like dogs but am sick and tired of ‘bouncy’ dogs running up to my preschoolers and scaring them. Some dog owners have no comprehension that their dogs are the same size as little children so are scary.

My youngest has never had an experience with an aggressive dog but is terrified of them due to ‘friendly’ dogs running up to say hello.

That said if your dog never approached me or my children I wouldn’t care if they are off lead. But here I’m thinking of the ‘pootling’ type dogs. If your bouncy dog did enough to scare this woman then it should be on a lead.

If the dogs are under control and not approaching others then they are under control - fear is that persons issue not the dog owners.

The ONLY reason I would say it was unreasonable to have the dogs off lead is if there are many other "small users" as its a route to school at school time.

Keep your dog on a lead regardless.

A dog needs to be under control when in a public space, if you are 100% confident he will come to you when called, then he doesn't need to be on a lead as he is under control.

OP you will not get any kind of reasonable outcome from this thread. I would hide it and move on!

Despite saying clearly that your pup was no-where near this woman and you were singled out despite many other dogs being off lead, that is not what the dog haters of MN will read. They read 'bouncy dog off lead' and will tell you you are being irresponsible and you should never ever let your dog off the lead.

This type of thread is always so divisive.

YABU. Unless the path is signposted 'dog walk path' then everyone can have the pleasure of using it and you should keep your dog under control.

I wouldn't let my children come and bounce all over you in a park despite lots of families using parks, because it's rude and invasive.

Despite saying clearly that your pup was no-where near this woman and you were singled out despite many other dogs being off lead, that is not what the dog haters of MN will read.

Because it’s not logical, is it. When you actually think about it for a minute.

YABU for posting about a 4 month old lab and not including a picture!

If your dogs are trained, don’t approach people (other than me because I demand puppy cuddles!) and have good recall then there is no reason not to have them off lead. She can either accept that or choose a route with fewer dogs.

But on MN dogs are the devil so many people won’t agree

If your dog didn't approach her and there aren't signs saying to keep dogs on leads then you are absolutely fine. If she approaches you again then put her straight.

Just because the "vast majority" of dogs are off leads, doesn't mean that yours should be or that they all should be. If it's a designated footpath, especially one with high traffic, dogs should be on a lead IMO. Dogs on a lead = fine, dogs off lead messing about = not okay.

I use a shared footpath/cyclepath on my way to work and the dog owners make it hazardous with their dogs off leads. and don't get me started on those that have their dogs off lead and earphones in...

It was school time. I am sure it is busy with lots of people. Is there another route for pedestrians. Personally I hate all the dogs on the school run, looking at them pooping is not a morning sight, the little nipper ones that take up the footpath. The large friendly ones that are just saying hello even if DC are frightened.
Can you walk your bouncy dog later in the morning. Maybe let any future property buyers know it is a dog owner only area.

YANBU. If the woman has an irrational fear of dogs she should avoid areas known to have a high concentration of dogs. Your dog was under control. You and your dog did nothing wrong.

I mean that as we walk he bounds around and takes detours off into the bushes

If he's running off out of your sight then how do you know he's not approaching people?

On a public footpath I'd expect a dog like this to be kept in a lead. A dog that sticks with you would be fine off a lead.

No pedestrian should have to walk round another route just because you live in a village with lots of dogs, that doesn't give you special rights.