Dogs knocking people over 🦮

[MoreLikeThis]

I go walking in the countryside several times a week and invariably meet people out walking their dogs. AIBU to think that if you can't be certain your dog won't knock people off their feet they should be kept on a lead at all times (unless they are in designated dog walking areas) obviously I don't think I am being unreasonable 🦮
I was knocked over last week and the guy was apologetic but explained the dog was young and was still being trained. 😰 Even after the dog knocked me to the ground he didn't put it on a lead. I don't think it is his choice whether or not to put my safety at risk.
I'm young and fit and I wasn't hurt but if I had fell awkwardly I could have been.
There was a large dog walkers field close by so it's not as though the guy didn't have a choice about where to walk the dog.
Is anyone willing to admit they don't put a lead on their dog when there is a chance it might barge into someone and knock them over?

YANBU.

We are on dog number two. Our first dog was super reliable, had great recall and didn't jump up despite being big.

Dog number two has had all the same love, training etc and is a complete liability on footpaths! She's 18 months and I still only let her off in big, wide open spaces where we can avoid incidents. She's pulled me off my feet twice with exuberance.
We are getting there and she's improving but I'd never let her off in a busy area. Apart from it being unfair on other people, I'd not want the liability if she hurt someone with her exuberance.

Dogs knocking people over all the time is a good example of the disconnect on MN between reality and many posters heads

YABU for even asking if YABU.

My mums leg was broken in 3 places by a golden retriever which ran into her and I knocked her over, YANBU

@ArcherDog

Obviously it’s not unreasonable to not want to be knocked over by a dog so not sure what you are expecting from this thread.

However my dog is large and when he’s running around with his doggy friends they do tend to forget to go around people and can run into the back of your legs.
So he could knock people over. Obviously I would apologise profusely if that happens.

If he is running around with his dog pals then it sounds like he might be in an area designated for dog walking? At least I hope that's the case.

If not then I don't think it's ok. It's nice that you would be willing to apologise but that wouldn't be much comfort to someone if they were injured from a fall caused by your dog. I think it's a bit irresponsible and selfish really and I don't think it's your place to chose to risk other peoples safety so your dog can run off the lead.

The dog that knocked me over wasn't that big and it wasn't being either overly friendly or aggressive - it was playing with another dog when it barged into the back of my legs.

All dogs, regardless of size, should be on a lead at all times, unless in a designated dog area.
People should never approach dogs, other than their own obviously, this way people will stop moaning about dogs knocking them over, jumping up at them, stealing their picnic etc etc.
I like dogs, but don’t like arrogant owners who fail to take responsibility for them and their mess.
This way, everyone can enjoy being outside without worrying about dogs bounding up to them, scaring children, or knocking people over.

@OneTC

Dogs knocking people over all the time is a good example of the disconnect on MN between reality and many posters heads

Did you consider that a thread with the title 'Dogs knocking people over' might attract a disproportionate number of posters who have been knocked over by a dog.
Also, I haven't seen any posters saying that dogs are knocking people over all the time? Did you make that bit up?

I have an 8 month old pup who is very boisterous and not very good at spacial awareness. She needs to run off lead, but I’m fully aware that she can be a menace if you don’t keep your full attention on her.

She’s jumped on a passer by once a few months ago. She’s not big enough to knock someone over, but no one wants muddy paw prints all over them! So she got a good telling off and now if I see her looking as if she might jump, all I have to say is ‘don’t you dare’ and she keeps on walking. Luckily she’s quite bright and doesn’t like to be told off.

Dogs need to learn and young dogs make mistakes, but their owners need to be on it with correcting their Behaviour. Persistent offenders should be kept on a lead.

It's not just dogs big enough to knock someone over. My Dad is 83, still reasonably mobile but can't see well and slightly unsteady on his feet. He was walking in the park with my mum the other day and a small dog ran up and started running in circles around him, yapping and nipping at his ankles, causing him to feel unsteady on his feet. He was totally unnerved - stood stock still and shouted at the dog owner to call her dog. Her response was that his nervousness was upsetting her dog!!! My Dad should be perfectly safe to walk in a public park without a dog running up to him and potentially causing him to fall.

You’re obviously in the right right. My young beagle is super-exuberant so if I’m on the beach and want to let him run around and let off a bit of steam I just keep him on a long, 10m leash. Gives him plenty of scope to dash about madly and I can very quickly reel him in and have him under control if I see people or other dogs. It’s so easy there’s no excuse to not do it - and it’s not inhibiting his fun at all.

@winterfruit

It's not just dogs big enough to knock someone over. My Dad is 83, still reasonably mobile but can't see well and slightly unsteady on his feet. He was walking in the park with my mum the other day and a small dog ran up and started running in circles around him, yapping and nipping at his ankles, causing him to feel unsteady on his feet. He was totally unnerved - stood stock still and shouted at the dog owner to call her dog. Her response was that his nervousness was upsetting her dog!!! My Dad should be perfectly safe to walk in a public park without a dog running up to him and potentially causing him to fall.

Of course he does. Any decent owner would be watching their dog and call them back immediately. If they’re not well enough trained to come back when called then they shouldn’t be off the lead.

@Greeneyedminx erm no they shouldn't. HTH

I really like dogs but I have been quite surprised in recent weeks (I think since dogs started being allowed on beaches again? They aren’t allowed here May- September) at the number of dogs who seem to make a beeline for my very small 2 year old and either try to lick her, growl at her or steal whatever she is holding. She always loved seeing ‘doggies’ on outings (although would always look from a distance) but she is now frightened and wants to be picked up as soon as we see a dog off the lead. I don’t want her to be scared but I’m not sure how to achieve this if they keep bothering her?

YANBU

My 3 year old leg had a serial fracture thanks to a dog barrelling into her and literally lifting her into the air.

My dog was a little shit when younger, always wanted to say hello to everyone and everything. That's why she was kept on a lead until she was over 2 until she could be trusted. She had a long lead for open spaces, so could still have a good run around

*spiral

@Moondust001

Of course you are being reasonable, but that isn't why you posted this is it? You just wanted to start another anti-dog thread. Nobody (including every single responsible dog owner) would disagree with you, and you already know that. So the only purpose in posting this question at all is to get people to enter into diatribes against dog owners, responsible or not.

You know what I hate. Irresponsible owners of children who run straight up to my dog to stroke, pat or hit the dog without a care in the world because it will be the dog who gets the blame if he objects to a child hitting him. But I don't see the point in posting too numerous to mention AIBU posts about the irresponsible owners of children. And don't even get me started on the owners of teenagers....

If you're dog can't be trusted around people who may approach it, it should be on a lead.

If it was, you could also tell any child or teenager not to approach it, and you could control the situation.

That is basically the law - if you can't control your dog, it has to be on a lead.

Your dog is your responsibility. As the child is the parents responsibility.

However the child is legally allowed to wander around, and may think 'nice doggy I'll give him a stroke' if your dog can't be trusted in these situations then it is your legal responsibility to ensure it can be controlled.

YANBU, I am beyond sick of badly-controlled dogs. I come from a dog-loving family although not an owner currently. But dogs are getting pushed higher up the pecking order by stroppy owners it seems!

I was told this weekend by a dog owner that I mustn't let their dog jump up at me because it was muddy! I said to the owner it was her job to keep it under control and she looked really surprised .

I used to be really happy to share space with dogs. I'm really not now. I do blame the owners of course.

The thing is dogs aren't robots and young ones are unpredictable. You might think you've cracked it but you haven't.

YADNBU.

I'm petrified of big dogs and will cross the road when I see them. Made the mistake of going for a walk in the woods on Saturday and every dog in SE London was mooching around off its lead. I went home.

(On the flip side, a staffy came running up to.me and I almost wet myself but it just wanted me to pet it).

Ive got 2 labs and they would rather keep away from people, than run to them.

@Vodkaredbullgirl same with my collie. Unless you want to throw his ball for him he will avoid everyone