To be utterly exasperated with the ‘but she’s really friendly’ dog owners out there

[Flamingolingo]

You know the kind - the ones who holler after their bounding dog who barks and bows and jumps at you about how friendly they are.

I feel like since lockdown I’ve had multiple altercations with people and their marauding dogs. Especially either while out running or out with my small children who are terrified.

That’s not to say there aren’t loads of really responsible dog owners out there who do try and call their dog back/put it on the lead, but the few who make no attempt other than shout about their friendliness really get my goat. For clarity: we are mostly using city centre green space, that is quite busy, I think in a rural location it’s a little different.

So I guess my Aibu is about my being annoyed at people who assume everyone wants their ‘friendly’ dog to bound into their social space, and who make no attempt to call their dog back unless specifically asked to.

As a dog owner yanbu. This is why I keep my dog on a lead around other people.

Or the worst ‘oh but he just really loves small children’ as their enormous dog bounds over and my (ridiculous) children run screaming away

Yanbu
My children are a little scared of dogs as we don’t have any. They always step back when dogs run at them and people always say that!! It’s so annoying just keep your dog back. I don’t like dogs jumping at me but it must be worse if you’re 3 or 4 and the dog is the same height as you.

YANBU happened to me a few days ago. Took the kids to the park and this giant dog comes bounding at me. Now my kids love dogs and aren’t scared of them at all. I am. Big dogs frighten me, always have. Owner from across the field shouts ‘oh she’s ok’. I couldn’t give 2 shits if your dog is ‘OK’ I’m scared and I don’t want a strange dog running up to me.

YANBU. I often have my dog off-lead (in appropriate places) unless I see someone approaching with their dog on a lead. But my dog isn't interested in other people- he would bound past you and completely ignore you.
Dog-owners who don't understand that some people don't like dogs approaching them,however friendly they might be, are idiots.

Yes! And that’s what started today’s argument. Owner shouts she’s friendly (as dog is barking at us on approach, off lead), I reply ‘it doesn’t matter how friendly she is, they’re terrified’ he says ‘well what am I meant to do about that’ I say ‘you need to control the dog and keep her still’ and then he accuses me of setting a bad example to them by causing an argument

My knee jerk reaction is to respond ‘Well I’m not!’

@lazylinguist I know that most dogs aren’t interested in the kids (and I keep telling them this) but it’s really helpful if the dog people can manage the dog so that I can manage the kids. The kids are always asked to thank the dog owner when the dog has been well handled

@Flamingolingo - Or the worst ‘oh but he just really loves small children’ as their enormous dog bounds over and my (ridiculous) children run screaming away

As a dog owner I completely agree with you. If your dog isn't under total control, keep it on a lead.

However, from a dog owner's perspective, I get really exasperated with the parents who let their kids annoy dogs. Neither of my dogs will approach people. However, they're relatively small and extremely cute (not that I'm biased). The number of parents who just let their kids start petting them uninvited is astonishing. Obviously not all parents. I had a small child of about 3 or 4 ask me politely today if she could rub my dog and she waited until I said she could.

YANBU in my opinion. One came up to us and tried to grab our picnic food yesterday.
And to add, I'm getting fed up of the volume of dog mess on paths and pavements around here. I'm expecting the dog lovers to tell me 'not all dog owners', or that it's nothing to get upset about etc but it's highly antisocial. My (least) favourite are the people who bag it up then hang the bag on a fence or off a bench.

@lazylinguist - even this is problematic. When you see a dog bounding in your direction, you have no idea he's going to bound past you.

YANBU. And what about the opposite? I don’t have a dog so like to make a fuss of other people’s dogs. I usually ask first but often a dog comes right up to me, sniffing me or climbing my legs. Do I need to ask permission then?

YANBU I hate it. And also, we didn't know the dog's friendly and actually you can't be 100% sure it won't hurt. A dog came right through our picnic this week, slobbered over our food and the owner barely apologised 'oh what's he like...someone fed him once so he thinks it ok'. If our children did this to people they'd have something to say about it!

Yanbu and this drives me to distraction.

I am not afraid of dogs, I grew up with dogs, I still walk my mother's - but I don't want to interact with other people's dogs.

Some owners seem to take it personally if you don't relish a bit of dog spit on you.

I now just get very stern as I am sick of being patronised by tossers.

@OchonAgusOchonO I get that, but it won’t be my kids, they’re too busy running away

I loathe these people.

And they're always so fucking indignant too.
Mate, if you're that irresponsibly shite as a dog owner, why the fuck would I place any trust in your assessment of your "friendly" dog.

Now get your dog off my child.

YANBU I feel exactly the same, even if you are not scared of them, it's completely fine to not want a strange dog jumping all over you!

In rural areas you get sheep worried and gutted, aborted lambs and recently a cow with aborted twins.
In addition to dogs chasing you on cycle paths, bouncing up at strangers, destroying picnics and behaving like hooligans.
With owners either laughing at the larks, or squeaking ‘Fenton, no, bad baby’ in an ineffectual attempt to seem like they are in control.

They are always always always indignant!

@Flamingolingo -I get that, but it won’t be my kids, they’re too busy running away

Whether it's dog owners or parents, it all boils down to a lack of consideration for other people coupled with a lack of cop on.

I HEAR you OP!!!! As a grown adult woman I avoid parks bc of dogs and their thoughtless owners. I wish I could walk through a park relaxed.

And by contrast I get pissed off with children wanting to stroke my very cute friends Beagle who is then liable.to try and jump.up,it works both ways..

I hate, hate, hate this.

Keep your dog on a lead around people. I couldn't give a shit how friendly he is, I don't want other dog slobber and shite all over me. Mine is on a lead so yours can too.

@labyrinthloafer

They are always always always indignant!

One man called me a cunt. In front of each of our kids. That was nice.