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.

[Peace43]

My dog is totally disinterested in humans he doesn’t know. He’d be a lot happier if other people would stop their kids mauling him. He is white and fluffy so seems to be a magnet for idiots who don’t know not to approach a dog you don’t know (or haven’t asked the owner). He used to be off lead most of the time because we walk where there are generally no other people than other dog walkers. Nowadays he is spending more and more time on a short lead so I can stop people handling him (it makes him nervous which is not a good thing). I can’t wait until everyone can get back to spending their free time down the shops and DDog and I get our walks back!

[giddyasakipper]

@Alymcnabs

Now I have found the exact opposite.

I have always had a dog, or two, and walk them three times a day, locally. Our walks have mostly been pleasant, stress free experiences.

Now our local walking places are full of out of control children, taking up the paths as they run around, cycle wobbly, race around on scooters with no clear direction or just hang around eating their “essential” picnics, and uptight parents who scream at their children to “There’s a dog coming.... Watch that it doesn’t bite you!” Parents would be better off doing their exercise and going home. Then we will all have a chance to socially distance without the hysterics!

Bring on the rain when we can get our spaces back

Absolutely agree. We have a puppy we are trying to train and it's near on impossible.

There was a family of 6 taking it in turns to run sprints along the only thin path round our (usually quiet) local park.

Another time parents with two young children watching as their children wobbled along on their bicycles dangerously along a 5 metre stretch - up and down relentlessly with no instructions to let us past.

We haven't been able to let our dog off the lead once during lockdown for fear of getting nasty looks.

[FTM91]

I'm being forced to mix with non-dog people. That's annoying me.

Honestly what a stupid post

[countrygirl99]

I'm noticing so much more litter now. It's not the dogs dropping burger packaging and coffee cups etc all over the place. My poor dog cut his paw on a broken beer bottle in the long grass a good 200m from the road and I daren't put my horse on the verge out of the way of cars as there is so much crap dumped there.

[unchienandalusia]

I wish all the families with small children now walking all over MY dog walking hills would fuck off tbh.

[Frickssake]

We can all walk where we want. whenever we want.

As long as we social distance

The owners may do, some dog owners have their retractable leads not retracted so the dogs can still ( in some cases ) approach other people
Another thought - why do people have dogs that are stronger / bigger than them which they struggle to control even on lead?

[Fieldofyellowflowers]

My dog doesn't go up to runners or kids and has excellent recall. That is why I am going to carry on letting her off the lead in places where I am allowed. And no, dog free hours should not have been implemented. Dog owners have as much right to be in these areas as you. Why should the times people are allowed to walk their dogs be restricted just because some people don't like them.

In my experience, I've been the one stepping off the pavement into the road to make way for joggers. So I guess that there is some selfish dog owners and some selfish joggers.

[NuniaBeeswax]

We have this thread every day.

[PumpkinPie2016]

Unfortunately, if you are out and about you have to accept there will be dogs (amongst other things). I appreciate you don't like them much but that isn't anyone's fault.

I'm a runner and always go in the road if there are others on the path. Just easier all round.

I find that 99% of dogs are absolutely fine - some come up but they are just being friendly. If I am running, I always take care - I don't run up behind a dog in case I frighten it and I leave plenty of room if I am passing. Mostly, they don't seem to pay me much attention.

I've only had a problem with one dog on our lane when I was walking past and it dived out through the hedge barking aggressively and showing it's teeth (I was on the public lane). I remained calm and stood still because it's a German shepherd and having had one, I know they are quite unlikely to bite if you do this. The problem there though is the owner not the dog. They have never bothered to train him/socialise him and so he is quite territorial.

[swithers]

Hi a question about dog insurance from a beginner/new owner.
Our little Beefie (a pug puppy) had an overnight stay at the vets last weekend due to her licking or swallowing some drugs left in the park. We were devastated but thankfully she's pulled through and is now back at home eating our shoes again.
The vets bill came to £450 (could have been worse). My question is how do you make the decision to claim on insurance or just swallow the costs knowing you can keep your premium low for the future. How do you make an informed decision on this. We're with petplan and our policy is £40 a month (not the highest or lowest cover).
Any advice appreciated MNetters x

[herecomesgeralt]

The thing is OP by your own admission you don't normally frequent the area, so you are technically invading the dog walkers' space.

People have dogs, shock horror. There are places (less open spaces) where it isn't appropriate to have dogs off-lead, so there will be less of them. Why don't you walk there instead?

I'm sure you're thinking 'why should I' but the world doesn't stop and adjust just because you can't do what you normally do!

[bruce43mydog]

We all have to tolerate each other the world is everybody's animals humans etc

So no we should not have set boundaries or rules for people with dogs.

Unless the dog is dangerous

We can all walk where we want. whenever we want.

As long as we social distance.

[Alsohuman]

Also human, surely a dog owner failing to pick up dog shit is more 'goady'

It’s not remotely goady, it’s filthy and disgusting. Which is why my pocket is stuffed with poo bags and I pick up after other dogs as well as my own. I use a retractable lead too.

[winetime89]

Our dog walked past a child today he must have being around 6. 7 and he was absolutely hysterical. we could still hear him screaming a few minutes later even though we were going in different ways. my dog just walked past him, didn't even look at him, i really find it odd how kids can be so scared of dogs, obviously there might have being a reason behind it but there were so many dogs about I don't know how they managed the rest of their walk.
I've seen so many kids scared of dogs over the years wouldn't it make sense to try get them used to them so they can go out without worrying.

[Overthinker1988]

@Lockdownowner13 This happens when he's on a lead too. Kids run up to him wanting to pat him, luckily he isn't aggressive and just tries to run away. The parent usually stands there grinning, obviously thinking their child is being really cute. And yes you're right, if my dog did snap he'd be blamed and I'd probably be made to put him down, which would break my heart. That's why I wish people would control their kids and teach them how to be sensible around dogs i.e. don't approach strangers' dogs, don't grab and poke them.

But no, I'm not going to keep my dog on the lead always. He's got to exercise too and the only place I can take him to do that in a city is the park. There's plenty of places people can take their kids, although I appreciate that's harder now. It's actually better for him to be off lead as he can get away if he's approached by an over enthusiastic child. If you don't like dogs I'm sure there are plenty of places you can go where you won't meet any. It's sounds like you're going to places that are hot spots for dog walkers though...I think actually this whole thread is a wind up.

[Macncheeseballs]

Also human, surely a dog owner failing to pick up dog shit is more 'goady'

[Zaphodsotherhead]

I am not dismissive of what my dog is capable of. It's why I ask people not to approach her. Unfortunately she's small and cute looking, and I've lost track of the people who have said 'oh, she'll be all right with me...'

I have no wish to have to have my adored companion pts because you ignored my warning.

[Alsohuman]

I thought retractable leads were for dog owners to be able to stare at their phones whilst pretending they didn't notice fido shitting

No you didn’t. You’re just being goady as you always are on the subject of dogs.

[Macncheeseballs]

I thought retractable leads were for dog owners to be able to stare at their phones whilst pretending they didn't notice fido shitting

[1Morewineplease]

We have had to stop taking our dog to our local park because of the vast numbers of people who have suddenly started to exercise... even today, police were in force to break up the hordes.

Our dog is always on a lead and I’m fed up of having to ask parents to ask their children to not approach my dog and pat it ( toddlers not on a lead!) .. not because of getting a bite as he’s a softie, but because I don’t want transfer of virus . The stroppiness of some parents needs to be seen to be believed!
And why do families feel the need to take up the whole path? In fact... why do two mums , both with pushchairs/prams and numerous young children feel that they are entitled to totally ignore social distancing?

[tinofbeans]

I haven't read the full thread, usually I'm not bothered by dogs out and about but I was thoroughly pissed off by an idiot yesterday who let his smelly wet dog (it had been swimming in the pond) run up and attempt to lick my DC. When I asked him to call his dog back I got 'he's only being friendly!' When I asked if he'd like my children to run up and lick him in return he flicked me the Vs !?

Keep your dogs on lead in public places where there are other people close by, it's not hard!!

[somm]

CherryPavola > "He’d be hanging strangled from a tree if he was on a retractable lead. They are rather silly inventions that suggest control but in reality offer none. They risk whiplash to dogs and rope injuries to walkers. I think our dog would snap it in minutes."

I 100% agree about retractable leads. I hate them. However, they offer a degree of letting the dog run (to an extent) in an open area, whilst being restrained. But why do so many people think this type of lead, which they extend, is suitable for urban areas, streets, etc, unless they've put a lock on it? Even then, I don't like them. I don't think they're great for the dog, and I've been tripped up by them.

As far as sighthounds are concerned, or any dog with a long neck, they are life-threatening, because of the speed they can go from 0 to 40mph.

[AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff]

They’ve got teeth and they bite. Just like some humans... We all know that. I’m one of those types who has taken rescues who have known awful lives and I’m all too aware of the issues with some dogs.

That mother bleated on about her ‘victory’ when the dog was pts a o much she made an enemy of everyone. Her child didn’t have a mark on him after a week acted similarly. It was awful. They crowed over it. They were shunned. Totally. And in my book they deserved it. Everyone in our area was happy to see them eventually move away.

I confess I see my arse with goady posters who generalise about dogs or their owners and react too.

I’m glad your mum helped you with your fear and that you still love dogs. In my experience they are often far nicer than most people.

[Alymcnabs]

This is the most offensive thing I’ve read in a long time. Ignorance at its best. I really hope you have said this just to be antagonistic rather than truly believing this BS

Woah! OP posted about if a dog bites a child because it’s being provoked by the child then the dog will lose its life. She is right. It will.

Surely if parents don’t want their children bitten by dogs they won’t allow them to provoke the dog.

The dog in OP’s scenario was on a lead. The child was free to do what S/he likes. What exactly does OP want - other than a dog free zone for her to walk in. That’s not going to happen so it’s up to parents to keep their children safe - likewise dog owners to keep their dogs under control. We all have to share this world. We will encounter situations we don’t like/agree with. Nobody can make somebody else stay away.

I’m sorry you were bitten. Not all dogs bite. In fact I can honestly say in 40 years of owning dogs and meeting many dogs and owners I do not know one dog that has bitten a person. Plenty of dog on dog attacks and a few people complaining about puppy nips.

If OP really cannot keep her DC from antagonising dogs she should find a dog free zone to walk in. I guess she wants dog owners to walk the streets so she can have the green space. Similarly she could walk the streets and allow dog owners to have the green space they have always walked in.

[WeveGottaGetTherouxThis]

Yes, I absolutely agree that dogs can and have been provoked; it was the sweeping generalisation from the PP I took issue with. I really like dogs - my mother made sure I was surrounded with them after the attack as she didn’t want me to have a lifelong issue with them (and fortunately, I don’t). I’m just realistic about what they’re capable of and some dog owners are so dismissive of this that it is worrying.

I’m sorry to hear of your neighbours’ situation - no winners there unfortunately.