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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I say something now after being at a loss for words

67 replies

MrsCrabbyTree · 14/04/2020 12:46

My apartment block has a secure glass front door. I could see a young neighbour and her 6 monthish puppy standing on the outer side of the door so after pushing the button that opens this door I stood back to wait for them to move to the side so I could exit while keeping social distancing. Neighbour sees me then unexpectedly commands the puppy to sit and stay in the middle of the exit. I was about to ask if she would move a few feet when puppy runs to me and starts jumping up so neighbour then has no option but to get very close to me to grab the excited pup.

I was so taken back that I didn't say anything. Now I'm in two minds whether or not to write a note mentioning 1) that Body Corp rules state that dogs must be either on a lead in communal areas or carried and 2) blocking the front door was inconsiderate especially now with SD guidelines.

It's unlikely this situation will happen again but her thoughtlessness has upset me a little. Stressful times atm aren't they?

OP posts:
slartibarti · 14/04/2020 14:22

If it happens again and you still find yourself unable to speak just turn your back on the puppy and keep still.
owner and pup will get the message.

lemontreebird · 14/04/2020 14:24

What's Body Corp?

littlemeitslyn · 14/04/2020 14:26

I don't know what 'take a shit' means . Where are You supposed to take it ?

Sonichu · 14/04/2020 14:28

"Stressful times atm aren't they?"

They are, which is probably why you're totally over reacting.

amusedbush · 14/04/2020 14:30

In the kindest way possible, you need to get a grip. This is a massive overreaction to a single incident.

The person didn’t mean it and writing a note would be shitty.

Seeitsortit · 14/04/2020 14:31

Put a note on the door re entry/exit?

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 14/04/2020 14:32

Your note will probably upset her a little too.
If that is what you want to happen, write your note quoting 'body corp' rules.
Or, just let it go and if the situation arises again, perhaps wait before opening the door until she gets the dog under control.

ravenmum · 14/04/2020 14:35

The woman did not mean to block the entry. She told the dog to sit in an attempt to stop it running up to OP. It just happened to be in the doorway at that point.

Trying2310 · 14/04/2020 14:38

Over reaction. She clearly didn't do it on purpose. Write your note if it makes you feel better.

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 14/04/2020 14:40

Slartbarti. I have heard that and it is usually what I do. Today I didnt have time to turn away as I was caught by surprise as I hadn't seen the lack of lead. It's night time where I am therefore shadowy lighting rather than daylight. I did try to do the right thing by the dog and not confuse it by giving attention. Hard not to as I love dogs and miss having one.

OP posts:
Krong · 14/04/2020 14:42

If you have boundaries then you need to state them upfront e.g. "I'm giving you 2m space, please can you move to the side so i can pass".. practice this so you can say it next time.

Macncheeseballs · 14/04/2020 14:44

Surely its not about being a dog lover or not, pets from other households jumping all over you kinda defeats the point of social distancing

ErickBroch · 14/04/2020 14:45

This is going to be a thread where the poster just argues back at everyone that she's right when she asked for advice lol

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 14/04/2020 14:47

Body Corp is a building management company. They organise communal things like bin collection, repairs in communal areas etc. A property manager for the building as a whole, keeping in mind that renters in the building also have a property manager hired by their apartment owner.

OP posts:
lizzzyyliveson · 14/04/2020 14:50

Ah, do you think she is a renter and should know better than to allow her puppy near an owner?

diddl · 14/04/2020 14:52

I agree it's too late to say anything now.

There's a time & place for training & her wanting to do that doesn't take precedence over others being able to walk about without a free roaming dog jumping at them.

Why wouldn't she just have put it on the lead & kept it under control?

Nonnymum · 14/04/2020 14:55

You are not being unreasonable to be annoyed and upset. She was though less but I think you should let it go now. If it happens again say something at the time. It's too late now.

ravenmum · 14/04/2020 14:56

Why wouldn't she just have put it on the lead & kept it under control?
I should imagine that she took it off to train it, as she was on her own outside, and was caught off guard when OP suddenly opened the door. If the puppy is only 6 months old, it will not have been going out very long yet. Owners have to learn to deal with dogs just as dogs have to learn the commands.

Cocobean30 · 14/04/2020 14:57

I don’t think she was trying to get puppy to deliberately block you, if she did it’s an extremely smart dog Hmm I think it was just an awkward encounter she was trying to get the dog to stay out your way. Forget about it and stop ruminating..

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 14/04/2020 14:58

Lizzie. Or she could be an owner who believes she has more rights than a renter? I really don't know which she is.

OP posts:
Beautiful3 · 14/04/2020 15:01

It's a puppy, just let it go.

littleeasterbonnet · 14/04/2020 15:02

Some people who own dogs believe that their dogs have more rights than humans, or so it appears. If the dog is still being trained, it should have been on a lead, so it could be stopped from jumping all over someone.

diddl · 14/04/2020 15:03

"was caught off guard when OP suddenly opened the door."

Is it that though or that she decided not to bother to get hold of the puppy & tell it to sit instead?Hmm

ravenmum · 14/04/2020 15:05

Well, we don't know what she was thinking any better than OP, but personally I'd give her the benefit of the doubt as long as it's a one-off...
Plus I can't imagine why she'd tell the puppy to sit in the way.
How would she have got hold of the puppy without getting it to stop moving?

ravenmum · 14/04/2020 15:08

There are some exercises which require the dog to be separated from the owner and come towards them. You'd do those when alone, as this woman was until OP opened the door.
Usually, if you go to puppy school, you're told to put a loose lead round their neck anyway, even if you are not holding it, so that at a pinch you can grab the lead or put your foot on it. But this woman won't be able to go to a puppy school right now, so might not realise that.