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 was brought up on ' take only pictures, leave only footprints'. I do not leave litter, in any shape or form, let alone shit.

I think everyone, dogwalkers, picknickers, the sodding lot, could stand to adhere to that a bit more.

I am equally disgusted by the foodwrapping and drink containers, as I am by the bags of dogshit hanging in the trees (what the hell is that about?!), but I do have to say, the shit smells worse.

@vodkacranberryplease

I was being tongue in cheek really, so many people on this thread have said if picnickers cant cope with dogs they shouldnt go somewhere with dogs (which is everywhere round here), the same can apply to dog owners. If your brother doesnt have a problem with the picnickers then again I dont see why its an issue.

Dog walkers do trash areas, round me lots of dog shit on the paths. Poo bags hanging on trees/gates. I get this isnt the majority of dog owners but to pretend dog owners never leave litter is quite frankly ridiculous

My posts havent been a specific dig at you, as i have repeatedly said dog owners who call their dogs back and apologise are not a problem. But its rare that a dog comes to try and eat my picnic, or jumps up at my disabled mum and the owners actually apologise, or the dog actually seems to return when called. Most of the time I just get a silly little laugh, and actually your disabled mum being knocked over by a massive dog is not fucking funny.

No one is using this thread to have a go at specific owners, I had an incident earlier today and came onto this thread, I am just as justified to post my experience as you are to defend dog owners. Right now im not feeling particularly fond of dogs after several incidents recently.

Could have literally written this post - a “friendly” dog knocked off my 3 year old today whilst trying to get his football in the park. Dog clearly not trained and had no recall. Owner half heartedly shouting him to come back. Child crying and dog punctured football and owner just laughed and said “oh he’s so friendly he just wanted to play”. I went absolutely nuts at him and eventually he had the good grace to look embarrassed and said sorry but only when other people starting backing me up saying dog should be on a lead. Not all dog owners are pricks but unfortunately I’ve come across a lot.

Are there more dogs kept as pets these days, compared to 20/30 years ago? It feels like it. Most dog owners are responsible, but because some are not it sometimes feels like almost every trip to the park/beach/pub is beset by an incident with a dog getting too close to me/my children, with the owners bewildered because I don’t want to coo over their slavering hound. There seems to be some kind of anthromorphisation of the dog as a pet, where many owners see them as almost a ‘human’ member of the family, with the same kind of expectations of their behaviour and responses. I don’t remember families taking dogs into pubs and cafes so much nor taking them in holiday. I was grossed out last week when I saw an owner take their (massive) dog, possibly a Doberman into the toilet with her at the campsite where we were staying. Not just into the building but literally into the cubicle with her - I think the dog was excitable or untrained and she couldn’t trust to leave it tethered outside. Whatever the reason, it was most peculiar behaviour. Dogs are dogs and should be treated as such - and not like children.

I think also, owners are loathe to tie their dogs up outside while they go into a shop/toilet because dog theft is absolutely rife. . .

I was grossed out last week when I saw an owner take their (massive) dog, possibly a Doberman into the toilet with her at the campsite where we were staying. Not just into the building but literally into the cubicle with her - I think the dog was excitable or untrained and she couldn’t trust to leave it tethered outside.

I would consider that to be responsible behaviour. If she couldn't trust it left outside, then the sensible thing to di is bring it in surely?

I don't get what was so gross about bringing it in though?

@mbosnz

I think also, owners are loathe to tie their dogs up outside while they go into a shop/toilet because dog theft is absolutely rife. . .

This. Ours is a very pretty 5kg Jack Russell. Women are always joking about popping her in their handbag. If she was ever left alone, she’d be gone in a flash.

My parents took their dog on holiday 30 years ago and country pubs always had a dog or two stretched out in front of the fire.

Ive started going for a morning walk and Most days have a dog Bounding up to me! I listen to books while walking and this ruins my enjoyment as I’m scared of dogs and end up apologising to the dog owner for not being dog friendly Ffs!!

I was bitten by a dog as a child and am scared of big dogs.
The park is 2 mins from my house so I don’t want to have t get in a car and drive elsewhere so will keep going but just wish I didn’t have to be on my guard and always trying to avoid the dogs!

@mofro - just wish I didn’t have to be on my guard and always trying to avoid the dogs!

Unfortunately, the reality is, if you are walking in a public area, you need to be on guard against inconsiderate users, whether they are dogs, cyclists, scooters etc

Being scared of dogs is hard - there's a lot around. Very very few are dangerous but if you are not confident it's frightening. I know to hold up my finger and say NO to stop most dogs in their tracks.

It might be good to do a course of some sort to get over the fear? It's like being frightened of birds (it's a thing) or heights. There's nothing to be scared of but fear is not rational.

I challenge anyone to be scared of this dog though

I challenge anyone to be scared of this dog though
Cute as he is, there are two westies near me who are utter arseholes!
I give them a very wide berth after I witnessed one go for a young staffy

I often struggle to see how anyone could be scared of my dog too, but they are!
I even had a child shouting they could see a wolf once.
Literally doesn’t look anything like a wolf! 😂

@Alsohuman One of my friends used to own a bulldog and she was always worried about him being dognapped and used as a fighting dog. It has been known to happen. He was a really sweet dog, but he was a bully breed and bully breeds attract fuckwits who think they're hard. And dogs like Frenchies and pugs get dognapped a fair bit too.

Sweet! They are do smart though. Almost too smart.,

My Westie gets constant comments about how well behaved and sweet she is. She's calm, and will sit happily under a table in a pub for ages. She likes people but avoids children (they love her) and will go up to some people (not that close or that fast) but when they try to pat her run away. She makes a lot of people very happy when they see her.

She went up to a group of teens (with BAME heritage - sorry I know that's a rubbish acronym but they were a mix of races) sitting down in a London Park all sitting and I was just about to rush over then one of the girls stood up squealing "she kissed me!" She was thrilled (but surprised). Literally beaming and the rest were giggling. teens love dogs as a rule.

It's also amazing on the train how many outwardly tough young men can't resist surreptitiously giving her a little scratch behind the ears when she's sitting there.

I'm lucky. But I've also done the work socialising and training her. When you have a dog you have a responsibility to not make life uncomfortable for others.

@Vodkacranberryplease - I have one of them too. Total softie. Really gentle with kids.

Vet told me once that the male westies he's encountered tend to be bastards and the females total softies.

@Butterer wouldn't happen now. It would be put down.

@OchonAgusOchonO well they are proper terriers that's for sure, but she is a wimp. Been attacked but hadn't a clue what to do. Has NEVER bitten anyone. Not a lover of children though, but I think that's guardinb me. Apparently she's fine when I'm not there.

I saw a small boy patting her when I had her outside a shop and nearly had a heart attack.. rushed out and they were both fine. Happy as Larry.

Dogs can sense your energy and if you are relaxed and in control they are too.

What's unreasonable is people who don't use the NO DOG area of the park but still complain about dogs in the part of the park they are allowed.

If your kids are scared then show them dogs aren't scary. Let them meet some.