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.

I don't think you're being unreasonable however would encourage you to work with your children. I have family friends who were scared of dogs and their parents have done nothing to combat it as adults they are ridiculously terrified to the point where they refuse to come into my garden if the dog is in the house (not even in the garden). They also scream if they see one whilst in the park.

*"It works both ways" is just an excuse to not bother changing your behaviour"
What are you on about. I'm teaching my dog correct behaviour but just like with kids, it takes time.

As for kids not bring dangerous? Remember me of that when I end up with a broken ankle running in a park once and a toddler came running towards me, stumbled right in front of me and I had to jump to avoid it. Worse is his mother shouting at me because she thought I'd made him fall.

Most puppies are naturally friendly and are rarely agressive. Teaching being sociable is helping them becoming non aggressive dogs when adults.

I agree that adult dogs shouldn't be running to people or jumping, puppies will and if you are somewhere where they are allowed to be of the lead it is something you should accept just like I didn't blame the toddler, it was an accident.

My younger dog is bouncy and excitable. Especially around other dogs. So when a dog passes by I will either have him sit by me or at a close heel, on lead. He is improving so much. But I get frustrated at the 'but he's friendly!' dog owners who let their dog run up to mine.

I also get angry when dogs run over and jump at my elderly dog. She has bad eyesight and arthritis. Last week she was knocked over by a lab who was far away from his owner.

@JammyGem I'm so sad to read your poor dog's story. Heartbreaking!
I have claw mark bruises in neat matching lines down both thighs currently, after a very friendly dog jumped up at me last week. Was painful at the time.

Haven’t RTFT but OP...ARE YOU ME?!

@dontdisturbmenow Yes because a small toddler has the same power as a fully grown dog.The toddler was just an accident.whereas letting dogs run and trample on people is not.

Especially when the owners are miles away.

@fascinated dunno - do you also keep getting into arguments with people about their dog behaviour? It’s something I need to stop because it will end in tears soon (mine)

Our house faces out onto a common, and I swear, blood is likely to be shed, between dog owners who keep their dogs on a lead, or effective voice and hand signal control, and those who let their dogs bound up to those owners and their dogs - the 'but they just want to be friends' brigade.

I don't know how many altercations I've seen over this since lockdown began.

My puppy was as daft as a brush, and while very playful, she grew quite big. As she he was a German Shepherd, and a lot of people are scared of them, we kept her on a leash unless no one was around.One day we were in the park and she ran through
a gap, then jumped into the middle of a family having a picnic. Everyone jumped up screaming as I dragged her away. I was really embarrassed so we walked back to the car park and came home.

We eventually bought a treadmill as runs had become so miserable. Massive dogs off their leads bounding towards 5’3” me at high speed while the owners watched on with a look of adoration. Boiled my blood!

I have a dog who hates male Labs. He's always on a lead because of this, he's a rescue and we got him when he was three.

Male labs seem so stupid and run at him, normally followed by a screaming woman shouting 'he's friendly!'. Unfortunately by that time, I'm backed into a nettle patch with a snarling hound shouting 'Mines not'.

I know for a fact that I would get the blame if teeth met fur, but he's always on a lead, always walked in remote areas, I always stand to one side when dogs pass.

He's lovely with all other dogs, all children and adults, would never willingly approach either but bloody Labs....

Totally agree OP I was saying this only last week. Narrow country path an alsation came bounding up to 3 year old dd and I. I know they can be as gentle as any and this one was, proceeded to lick us, owner didn't appear for about 30 seconds. He couldn't see until he was near us. My dd was terrified and kept trying to run, when I held her she screamed. In all honestly I was terrified. Got the usual " oh don't worry he's more likely to lick you to death" . I'd rather not be licked or bitten thank you. The previous poster who had the snappy dog off the lead and was blaming parents for allowing toddlers to get near, the dog should have been on a bloody lead. Toddlers can wander off in the blink of an eye no matter how careful parents are.

Yes because a small toddler has the same power as a fully grown dog.The toddler was just an accident
You might to read my posts again. I mention puppies, not fully grown dogs. Just as I wouldn't expect a teenager to throw themselves in front of me when I'm running.

Why must people equate dogs to children? Puppies= toddlers, older dogs= teens. So weird!

YANBU it’s the dickheads treating their pets as babies/their children and being mortally offended if you don’t love them. I’ve seen people on Mumsnet actually state that they love their dogs as much as their children, if not more.

For me, it’s not that I’m scared of dogs, I just don’t like the germs. I don’t want them slobbering on me - they’re dirty and they smell. And I don’t think that’s unreasonable at all.

@Notredamn - Why must people equate dogs to children? Puppies= toddlers, older dogs= teens. So weird!

Because small children and puppies can be an absolute pain but don't know any better whereas older children/teens and older dogs should know better but won't if they're badly reared.

I've encountered small children in our local park on bikes or scooters who are out of control and have either hit someone or had a narrow miss because their target got out of the way. Poor parenting. Same issue with dog owners who don't control their dogs.

God yes so annoying when people let their dogs with wet filthy paws jump up on you and you listen to enfeebled “ down Rover” with pointless laughy smiles and apology.
On a rural walk I often do as a lab came speeding towards me I put on my best head mistress voice and said get your dog under control which they did to be fair

@OchonAgusOchonO sorry I just find it so offensive. People aren't animals, can't compare.

@Notredamn - sorry I just find it so offensive. People aren't animals, can't compare.

People are animals. It's this assumption that we are somehow above nature that has the planet in the mess it's currently in.

Anyway, it's the behaviour of adults that is being compared in both cases - parents and dog owners. Both should ensure that their charges are not a nuisance or a danger to others. Both need to train their charges to behave in a way that is appropriate in social situations.

Many of the socialisation techniques used are the same for dogs and children - extinction and reinforcement (or ignore the bad and reward the good) being the main one.

I'm well aware that humans are technically animals. Yes, not treating people like dogs has messed the planet up. Ok.

I've been bitten by dogs twice in recent years, one off lead and one on lead. Spend half my time crossing streets to avoid dogs whenever I walk anywhere now.

A dog stole my 2 year olds sandwich out of his hand, just bounded over and took it, she offered for my 2year old a stroke of it it say sorry. Very strange.

A dog stole my 2 year olds sandwich out of his hand, just bounded over and took it, she offered for my 2year old a stroke of it it say sorry. Very strange.

@ Notredamn - I'm well aware that humans are technically animals. Yes, not treating people like dogs has messed the planet up. Ok.

That is not what I said. I asuume you know that and are simply being disingenuous.