To be upset at peoples reaction to the muzzle?

[Doggydoggydoggy]

Just that really.

Dog wears one because she has nipped a few people.

She is not people aggressive.

I had a woman today clearly frightened because she ran near her buggy.
Near as in running past it.
Not barking/lunging/acting aggressive/approaching the child etc.

The woman got really scared at the sight of my dog, recoiled pulling the buggy so my dog did what most dogs will do in response and looked at her and went to approach.

So I called her back to me immediately and put her lead on.
That didn’t stop the woman constantly looking back angrily at me as she was walking ahead.

I really don’t think my dog had done anything that would reasonably make anyone feel frightened.

I can only assume it is the muzzle making the mum think she must be some child mauling demon.

And I find it really upsetting.

I wanted to talk to her and explain that she has the muzzle for nipping dogs and that I was sorry she frightened her but she honestly poses no risk to her child and has no interest in her child.
But her constant looking back and glaring at me made me feel really uncomfortable so I didn’t.

Would most people expect a human friendly dog that comes back when called and that doesn’t approach people or dogs to be on lead all the time?
No.
No they wouldn’t.

Mine has nipped dogs that have approached her.
She hasn’t ‘attacked’ another dog.
She hasn’t chased another dog aggressively or pinned/rolled them or drawn blood or broken skin.
With the muzzle on she cannot nip.
So any danger with other dogs is removed.
Other dogs are no longer at any risk from her.

She has never shown any aggressive behaviour around people.

So why does she need to be on lead?
The recall and ignoring and non human aggression still stand so what makes her any different from any other dog off lead?

Nothing.

And these posts saying you can’t guarantee 100% she will never bite someone.
Well no of course you can’t but do you think that about other dogs who have never shown human aggression?

Do you look at a guide dog or a therapy dog and think ooh, you can’t guarantee 100% they won’t get aggressive and feel fearful?
Probably not.

Or is the fact that people think she should be on lead purely down to the fact that she is wearing a muzzle?
Because she LOOKS intimidating.
Despite the muzzle being a protective tool to stop her biting.

Because if that is the case, that she should be leashed because she LOOKS intimidating despite being under verbal control in accordance with the law and not behaving in a way that would make a person reasonably fearful for their safety then do all the German shepherds and Rottweilers and Akita’s and staffies and mastiffs need to be on lead 100% of the time aswell??
Because they LOOK intimidating??

Do what you like,you will anyway. I’m off to bash my head against a wall

I get where you are coming from OP.

I have a rescue greyhound cross who came with a face cage when we adopted her.
People's reactions were pretty terrible despite me trying to explain it makes her feel safe and is to protect small furries (as a rescue dog we weren't sure if this included little fluffy dogs too....)

All people would see is the cage, think it was because she was aggressive and stare at us. A lot of rescue greyhounds will wear them also as a safety blanket. She doesn't require it anymore as she doesn't chase furries.

I would much prefer an owner who recognised issues and did something about it then just ignore it.
Unfortunately people will jump to assumptions when they see a cage, muzzle or mask. My parents used to get people reacting to their dogs face halty! The dog only had it to stop him pulling!

Okay Dita73 I’m off to do the same!

Hmm. Did you read MY post? Essentially this - lots of people don’t like dogs much and don’t know much ABOUT dogs. They see a muzzle and think “oh, a dangerous dog”. Feel a bit protective of small children or babies they’re with.

That’s it really. I’d rather no dog came up to greet me in any way. I’m REALLY keen that dogs who look scary to me in any way don’t come too near me. This means certain breeds or dogs with muzzles. Because even though I understand that a muzzle means it can’t bite me I assume a muzzle means it’s more likely to want to.

Also, I DON’T LIKE DOGS MUCH!

Sorry, not sorry.

I wasn’t responding to your post splashing

I know. That was my point. You’re not seeing the bigger picture which is that most people don’t give a rats ass about why your dog is wearing a muzzle. They’re just not keen on dogs. Especially potentially scary dogs.

And you can explain until the cows gone home how soft and sweet and gentle your dog is. So many people have told me how much their dog likes me because it’s licking me or jumping up at me. I don’t care! I don’t want their dog to touch me! I don’t feel happy to be “liked” by the dog. I don’t like the dog!

A dog should always be on a lead in a public place if not on private property, unless specifically allowed otherwise by signs in the area. Everything else is moot. I would incredibly pissed off at those who do otherwise regardless of a muzzle or not.

And I have said I understand WHY she feels threatened.

But that I don’t think it fair to keep her on lead because someone she thinks she looks scary despite her not actually doing anything and being under control.

If she was approaching people or barking at them or chasing them or generally being unpleasant I absolutely would not have her off lead.
Nor would I have her loose if I did not trust her to return to me straight away.

The original question of this thread was am I being unreasonable for feeling upset that people think my dog is a savage because of her muzzle.
I freely admitted that yes I am being unreasonable!

But somehow that isn’t good enough for people.
My dog needs to be permanently leashed and away from everyone because her muzzle is offensive despite her doing nothing wrong and being under verbal control.
Or, according to three posters, dead.

I am a dog lover. I see people all the time who insist on their dogs being in public places with other people including joggers kids buggies etc, unleashed. It is ridiculous. Keep your dog on a lead. Btw I never glare at dog owners who do this. I am always friendly and say it’s okay but I do wonder (repeatedly) why the dogs are off leads. I live on a street where we are not allowed garden gates so front gardens are accessible to passing dogs. A number wander in and out of gardens off lead. One day I was emptying the boot of my car driveway fits 6 cars so it wasn’t right next to pavement it was up towards my door. A beautifully Rottweiler bitch ran up to the car and almost jumped into my boot. It seemed friendly I chatted to the dog owner who ran to catch up with it and asked how old his dog was etc. I wasn’t annoyed but I did think the guy should have had his dog on a lead. My next door neighbour is terrified of dogs and had it been her out on her driveway with her 2 young kids the reaction would have been very different. On another occasion I was walking down by a local pond when 2 akitas came running towards me. I was slightly taken aback as there was no owner in sight but I did my best to greet the dogs without appearing nervous. A man rushed towards me on a pushbike. I made chit chat about the dogs. He says they are always running away. He said one was well behaved but he had to watch the other one. I was thinking wtaf!!! I didn’t say anything negative. Wished him and his dogs well and carried on with my walk. He should have had them on a lead. Next time he might meet someone who is not so understanding and I think he would have been in the wrong. Reason I mention breeds is just because of the size of the dogs. None of these dogs had muzzles either not that I would have expected muzzles. If muzzles are on due to nipping rather than eating bad stuff absolutely should be on lead. My dog has been attacked on numerous occasions by other dogs when I have been walking with him on his lead. When he was younger he never “fought” back but he is often uncomfortable when other dogs approach him. I do my best to deal with it each time to cause minimum fuss to my dog and other dog and owner but it is just not acceptable to have your dog off lead. Dogs that have attacked my dog have been small terriers dog owner had to kick it repeatedly to get it off, bulldogs and a yorkie ....

Put your dog on a lead!!

And these posts saying you can’t guarantee 100% she will never bite someone. Well no of course you can’t but do you think that about other dogs who have never shown human aggression

Yes, all dogs, can, in the right circumstances, bite.

Good! Might wake you up a bit or knock some bloody sense into you

Yeah the slavering mutt who knocked over dd when she was 2, owner said he won't hurt her except he already had and I had to get an ambulance because she'd been knocked to the kerb cracking her head. All dogs should be on a lead when in public and kept away from small children, I'm sure you love your dog but I do not and wouldn't want it near me thanks.

And in any case, there is absolutely no law in the UK that says dogs need to be on lead unless it is a road or there are signs specifically stating on leash only.

So all the thousands of off lead dog owners are doing absolutely nothing wrong.

Unless their dog is ‘dangerously out of control’ which mine isn’t or is behaving in a way to make people reasonably fearful for their safety which again, mine isn’t.

She doesn’t approach people or dog’s, she is under control, if anyone does look nervous I immediately call her back.
I am not doing anything wrong in having her off lead.

Apart from offending people who think she looks dangerous.

I think you are wrong to say that most people don't think all dogs should be on leads. It may not be the law but I think going by this thread quite a lot of people think it should be.

Just saying my scowl and aggravation would have been to do with the fact the dog was not on a leash, the muzzle would reassure me.

Why is ‘nipped’ different to bitten. Caused harm end of

No - I'm sure the 'nipping' was nothing like biting - just sort of friendly kissing with teeth

I used to hate this. We used to go walking with our son in parks and woodlands across our patch. My son is petrified of dogs. He is calmer if they are on a leash, as he knows they are being controlled by the owner. But the number of dog owners who would let their bloody big hounds walk up to him and scare him was astounding. When I would glare at them, they would usually retort with the usual "oh dont worry, he is friendly". I don't bloody care if they are friendly. My son has a phobia of dogs not on their leash. Keep your dogs to yourselves or at least on the leash when small children are around. Or if their recall is so good then call them to your selves when you see children around. Not wait till a 5 year old is screaming in terror, for you come up with a weak excuse for your lack of dog control. Hate bloody dog owners that did this. How can you not understand that a lot of people dont want someone else's dog smelling them or even near them? Keep your dog on a leash when there are people around or at least close to you.

Of course, around 1 in 15-20 dog owners were kind enough to keep their dog with them when they noticed a small child with me looking very apprehensive. Thanks to those few kind and considerate dog owners.

All dogs have the ability to bite. For some strange reason you don’t seem to understand that a muzzled dog on the loose would terrify most people, including those with a young child or baby. Try to put yourself in their shoes instead of thinking of yourself and your dog that ‘nips’.
I was attacked by a miniature poodle when I was a teenager ( in my fifties now) and I’ve never forgot it. It was a vicious little thing, and just turned on me.
YABU so don’t just assume that your dog won’t ‘nip’ people, because one day it might just do that - and you will never be able to live with the consequences if that happens.

You are doing something wrong. You are not considering other members of the public and how they might feel.

if your dog is muzzled it shows that you have a reasonable apprehension it may do harm so on that basis not to have it on a lead is completely unreasonable and you may find potentially criminal.

Put it on a lead!

Just don't get annoyed from other people's look, it isn't their fault. Think you just have to suck it up and don't let it gets to you tbh.

I see what you mean and you're being a responsible dog owner by using a muzzle to protect other dogs.

When it comes to small children and septum buggies I always call my dog back to go on the lead as we pass by.

My little boy was cursed by a puppy when he was 2 and ended up falling over. He was scared but the dog owner kept just repeating 'he's only a puppy '
Doesn't matter, DS was still frightened.