Dog walkers

[Lockdowner13]

I’ve noticed that since the places we can visit are restricted at the moment due to virus, just how many dog walkers there are.

I’m finding it impossible to take kids out without seeing dog off it’s lead. I really don’t like dogs much.

I’m finding that dog owners round here are selfish. Taking up the whole of the path so I need to run in the road, off lead when kids are walking, taking over the local green space.

AIBU to think that during lockdown some better rules should have been implemented. Eg dog free hours for exercise. We usually go to dog free places for our fun. Eg kids parks, cafes, national trust. Now I’m being forced to mix with dogs and it’s annoying me.

I can't imagine they're enjoying mixing much with you either.

You sound incredibly uptight.

Planet-occupied-by-creatures-that-aren't-me shocker!

I understand you don't like dogs, and that's fine. But if they're not bothering you then they're doing nothing wrong by being there and being off-lead.

If you’re there one running - you’re the one who goes into the road - that’s the etiquette- lockdown or not.

YANBU. 3 year old is now petrified of dogs after 3 owners let their dogs pile in on her in a park and didn’t recall their dogs. All they could say was “they’re being friendly!” Left me furious and now 3yr old is terrified of the on every walk we go on.

dogs should be on leads... that’s the etiquette I’d like

We’re finding the same this week. Are usually child free walks are being overrun with families coming out to the sticks in groups to run around and picnic on private land. Dog gets upset as he doesn’t like children much because, in his first home, they were unkind to him.

Seriously, life’s a little bit harder and we all need to be more tolerant and more understanding of each other.

There has also been some shocking incidents round here. Dogs attacking smaller dogs. And recently a dog (not on lead) attacking and killing a family pet (not dog) on private land

"Dogs should be on leads if they don't have good recall and in areas where the landowner demands it; the rest is none of my business".

Fixed that for you OP.

Oh dear. You may have to tolerate something you don’t like. Heaven forbid.

FFS. Still, the Mumsnet dog loathers will be along in a minute to back you up with claims a chihuahua can bring you down and savage you in seconds.

I keep my dogs on a lead as they are greyhounds and have zero recall and I don’t fancy chasing the fast little fuckers.

However it’s unrealistic to keep all dogs on leads at all times.

Though if your dog is offlead it should be controlled. If you can’t recall them they should be on a lead.

@Lockdowner13 am now imagining you running down the road with a pack of dogs following after like a canine pied piper.

Seriously though - if you jog, you’re the one who gets out of the way not the other way around.

My dogs and I feel exactly the same about you and your kids quite honestly.

‘Dogs should be on leads, that’s the etiquette I’d like’, yep deny them proper exercise so you don’t have to put up with something you don’t like for piss all reason.

I’m glad I’ve got my own land.

Children should be on leads.

Oh but my dog has good recall... he’s usually sooo friendly. Excuses you hear all the time after dogs do something unexpected... you know, because they are animals with their own mind

Being forced to mix with dogs! Good God how horrible for you.

I’m finding that dog owners round here are selfish. Taking up the whole of the path so I need to run in the road

Funnily enough, I'm finding the paths taken up by runners/cyclists/families who expect to go straight through me or make me walk on the verge with my dog 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just move across, remember that everyone is finding it tricky and don't make a fuss. Maybe you should try that.

Perhaps we need to have dog zones. If you want to let your dog go wild, chase others, and shit all over the place... you go to a specific place.

In the first few weeks there was a lot of trauma as people got to grips with the new etiquette but I think it's mostly settled down now.

I agree runners go in the road, if anyone has to. While the roads have been quiet I've stayed in the road for most of my run to avoid constant up and down the kerb (and a tired/clumsy trip hazard) but that's changing now.

Dogs I have mixed feelings about. I find a lot of people are being very good about keeping themselves to the edge of the path but not paying attention to where their dogs are, especially in the woods where there's no road to step into. If you are on one side of the path and your dog is on the other, am I supposed to run/walk between you, i.e. much closer than 2m? Even on most pavements, if you and you dog walk in single file, no one needs to step into the road.

Excuses you hear all the time after dogs do something unexpected... you know, because they are animals with their own mind

I take it your kids are under your complete and utter control at all times because they are not animals with their own mind.

I don't have a dog but I have a child. Still YABU.

Dogs always get walked and have gone to parks since they were puppies.
I think you'll find the dogs are more annoyed that humans are taking over their parks.

My dog is off lead regularly

No-one forces you into the verge, just wait for them to pass

No my kids certainly are not under control all the time. But if I put a lead on my kids I think the police would want a word. Dogs however, if your dog does something bad, and it wasn’t on a lead, you could find yourself in trouble.