That dogs off lead don't = roam free?

[autumnalwishing]

We spent this morning walking round a country park type place where I would expect dogs off leads etc but close to owners. We were walking around an area when a dog came flying up to us circling and bearing its teeth (although I don't think he was angry - looked a bit odd actually, cross between excited and frustrated).

Ds8 is autistic and terrified of dogs (so this may cloud my judgement) he's been taught to always stand still, hands by his side, not say anything and not look at any dog around him if this happens. Normally the dog runs away as it gets no attention. (I hate that this happens regularly at all tbh)

This dog was circling him, teeth gnashing and slobbered all over his arm and shorts. Dh shouted out a few times 'who owns this dog?' And eventually an older couple sat nearby called him over and glared at us for quite a long time.

Ds then had a massive meltdown and we had to leave because the sensory overload of having the dog around him and the slobber all over his arm/shorts was too much. He's saying he'll never go back there now and the day is ruined 🤦🏼‍♀️.

Aibu to expect dogs off leads should be watched by owners and not let them get all up to other people? (And maybe an apology....)

YANBU, but as an aside,one of our farm collies bares her teeth and it's her way of grinning at you and saying hello, it still shouldn't have happened though.
I'm sorry your son has been through this, such a shame. People don't seem to realise that not everybody loves their dog! As a multiple dog owner it annoys me when dogs come bounding up with no recall and make a nuisance of themselves, ignorant and selfish owners I'm afraid.

YANBU. I remember DS being chased by a puppy once on the beach. DS was hysterical and the owners were laughing. They stopped laughing pretty quick when I picked up the puppy.

I had no intention of hurting it, but as I pointed out, how they felt when they were anxious about what I might do , is how my DS felt and it definitely wasn't funny.

Sounds like your son did excellently and the owners are morons.

Our dog is a stubborn breed (Lhasa) and she's not great at recall so we tend to go to places like this later in the day when there are less people around or keep her on a lead. She's friendly and sociable and most likely would not hurt anyone but you never know and she won't reliably come back when called. If a kid was scared of her I would be so upset if I couldn't control her so I don't get into that situation.

People can treat their dogs like babies in that if you don't love them they are outraged. Sounds like it could be the situation.

Hope your son recovered ok x

As a dog owner this annoys me, if your dog is not good with recall they must be on a lead when people are about. Ds has hf autism so I know how easy it is for them to become overwhelmed.

Why, oh why does this happen again and again. My DS is now terrified of dogs after multiple occasions when exuberant, out of control, off lead dogs have given us hassle. So sorry for your day out OP.

Thanks all. I feel much better about it all knowing you are all in agreement!

Also, he had to take his slobbered shorts off the minute we got to the car and we drove home with him in his pants - he won't put shorts on now 🤦🏼‍♀️😂. Tomorrow is another day and I'm sure all will be forgotten....until the next dog comes hurtling up to us.

Some dog owners are complete twats. I hate random dogs coming up to me slobbering.

Not unreasonable at all. I’m nervous around big dogs and it really annoys me when dog owners say: ‘oh it’s ok, he won’t hurt you’, erm it’s a German Shepard he could rip my face off if he wanted to!!

The more this happens the more places are going to ban dogs. It’s shame for the considerate dog owners. We were at the beach earlier today and most of the dog owners were great just 2 let the side down. One by not picking up theirs dogs business and one ran up to a family having a picnic jumped up at the little girl and urinated on the basket. Thought the dad was going to blow. The owners just called the dog back and walked off with a shout back he was friendly

Also my friend owns a cafe which started off as dog friendly. Thanks to a small minority of shit owners she has now banned dogs. It really upset her to do it as she loves dogs

Dogs should not be let off leads in public

YANBU. DS is also autistic and afraid of dogs. With the help of our friends' bonkers 1-year-old dog he's gradually building up his confidence around them, but this would have destroyed 6 months' of his hard work in seconds and all but guaranteed he'd never go within 10 yards of a dog again.

I was once told by a dog owner I shouldn’t take my son to the park if he doesn’t like dogs. We were walking along the footpath to the play area (gated, fenced off) dog comes up. Shouts of “ok he’s friendly”. My son was screaming and climbing up me and sitting on my shoulders. Owners wouldn’t / couldn’t call the dog away. At this point dog thought it was a great game! My son didn’t. He loves dogs now.

This topic has been on here often! Many, many dog owners are irresponsible and or thick twats who can't be arsed to train or control their animals. Nothing you or I can do about it sadly, just avoid those areas which seems to be most outdoor spaces these days. Should have dog wardens patrolling with tranquilliser gun, paid for by dog license fees.

This topic has been on here often! Many, many dog owners are irresponsible and or thick twats who can't be arsed to train or control their animals. Nothing you or I can do about it sadly, just avoid those areas which seems to be most outdoor spaces these days. Should have dog wardens patrolling with tranquilliser gun, paid for by dog license fees. totally agree with this! There’s dog shit everywhere we’re I live too, so many selfish dog owners out there, there should be mandatory dog licences.

The owners were idiots!

They would soon change their tune if their dog bounced up to a dog who is not dog friendly! I walk a GS who is lovely with people but hates other dogs. He chases dogs away if they approach him/me. If they keep bothering him or jump up at me he knocks them over and pins them down by the throat until their owners come and retrieve them. He hasn't hurt another dog (yet!) but it gives owners a shock to see their space-invading dog pinned down by a growling GS. Funny how fast they put them on the lead after that!!

Maybe carry pepper spray and use it on any unleashed dog that threatens you or your children?

@GeorgiaGirl52 that is a terrible idea
pepper spray, when used or owned in the UK is considered an offensive weapon, which makes it illegal to own and carry.
You will be arrested for doing this.

@GeorgiaGirl52 pepper spray is considered an offensive weapon in the UK, best not carry that around or you could be arrested!

Pumpkinspice and Hanraa I plead ignorance. In the US it is legal and encouraged. Every woman I know has a canister of pepper spray. We carry it while jogging and when shopping alone or crossing parking lots.
police actually advise women to carry it. Pepper spray is not the same as tear gas which is banned in some states.

Tear gas would also be banned. You are allowed screeching alarms but they aren't going to help with the dog.
I'm now living in the states and suppose I could get some now but I'd probably end up spraying myself somehow!

Nope.

Accidents happen, dogs are their own creatures and even the best trained dog can one day decide 'actually I can't hear you' and bugger off..

Those incidents are fairly obvious as dog is tailed by an apologetic person desperately trying to get idiot dog back under control.

Making NO effort at all once its obvious dog is causing concern, and not watching dog to ensure dog doesnt do that in the first place... thats twatty dog owner territory.

They would have had a gobful of abuse off me had they allowed their dog to do that to me and anyone with me, including my own dogs.