To expect dog walkers to keep their giant dogs on leash around other peiple

[Thewithesarehere]

I am still quite sick after seeing a dog, nearly my DC’s size, running after my DC knocking them to the ground and running over them.
DC is covered in mud. I was taking a picture of them running to me and it happened in a flash. I shouted at the dog owner who something like put your own children on leash.
Why the hell people don’t keep such huge dogs and then let them off leash in a public park around children? DV is covered in mud, shivering and complaining that their leg hurts where it hit a rock and that they are scared of dogs. I wish I had done more but don’t know what else I could have done.
AIBU in feeling bloody furious?

@unchienandalusia

Hope you're not one of the townie twits who's been deluging our local walks over the past few weeks with inappropriate clothes, buggies and kids running around unsupervised in a very rural off lead dog walking area. We've had enough.

Oh do give over! You and your precious walks! If you had bothered to read the thread, you would have found that I am a villager myself. I can proudly say that my local streets/areas are quite safe and I have not seen many dogs off lead in all the years since we moved here. It’s the local park that is the problem. Your village doesn’t sound friendly at all if you expect people to wear dog-appropriate clothing so your off lead dogs don’t get offended. How do buggies offend dogs anyway?

@Blackitty
I didn’t take the photo. I was simply taking pictures of my own children running towards me and the dog cam in the view. It literally happened when I clicked so you can see it behind them half a feet away. This is why I keep saying that, short of wearing a body camera (why should I when I have as much right to the park as the dog owner?), you don’t stand a chance of doing much else than kicking an offending dog in the Hope that it turns it’s attention to you rather than your children. There is no time to judge, no time to try and understand body language and no time to take any pictures at all.

[quote Thewithesarehere]@Blackitty
I didn’t take the photo. I was simply taking pictures of my own children running towards me and the dog cam in the view. It literally happened when I clicked so you can see it behind them half a feet away. This is why I keep saying that, short of wearing a body camera (why should I when I have as much right to the park as the dog owner?), you don’t stand a chance of doing much else than kicking an offending dog in the Hope that it turns it’s attention to you rather than your children. There is no time to judge, no time to try and understand body language and no time to take any pictures at all.[/quote]
You start kicking every dog that runs up to your and your child, and I can guarantee that you will be bitten and it will be a lot worse than what happened today. You will also not have a legal case as they could argue you provoked the offending dog. Why don’t you try the throwing dog treats trick as a form of distraction instead?

Why don’t you try the throwing dog treats trick as a form of distraction instead?
Sorry I though I answered this point earlier and I haven’t.
Throwing treats sounds like a good idea but they can film this and then come back and say I made their dog ill or something. We have a few farms around our village and we never feed or give anything to any horses/dogs/cats because I don’t think it is not appropriate. We also don’t feed the ducks in the local pond or park.
Also, what if the dog chooses to ignore the treat?
Or are you talking about toys, not dog food? In that case, I think it is best to keep both stick and treats so you know you at least tried.

That ‘not appropriate’ should be ‘appropriate’.

The rspca won’t be interested at all unless it involves a camera and the tv. Plus you have no clues who these folks are.

You may find that there is no dog warden in your area that’ll be down to funding as in lack of

Police not a chance they’ll do anything as the dog didn’t bite and even then nope they won’t be interested as they are also underfunded.

I’d be chalking it up as one of those things you'll be more vigilant over.

my area of walking the dogs is covered with others that never ventured before and by gum do they Bitch about my large breed dog. I smile and walk on with my dogs and I’ve been told they are to big to walk in the forest. I still continue to walk them there.

Plus I don’t think a poster meant appropriate dog clothing but appropriate clothing for the person as it’s bloody freezing out.

We’re not a nation of dog lovers that’s for sure these days

I just wish every owner, no matter the size of their dog, trained them properly.

I have a giant breed. I (obviously) knew how she was going to end up size-wise. So made sure she had manners - no barging people out the way to get through a door, no slamming her paw up on people etc (bit long-winded, but “4 on the floor policy”)

Please don’t slam all giant breeds - they can be blooming amazing if they have the right owner.

@nannyogg have you read their ridiculous conclusion to dog ownership? I wasn't giving dog owners a bad name. I was laughing at pure foolishness

A person should be able to walk places with being attacked though. I was walking a few months ago on a footpath with sheep in the field and two dogs came hurtling towards me, owners not even visible as behind a hill. Not in control of them at all. Good owners exist but unfortunately bad owners are increasing year on year. There wasn’t this problem to this extent when I was younger. People see dogs as their children not animals to be controlled, they are blind to the distress and anxiety that they cause.

Should definitely be kept on a lead, if they run up to people.
Dogs do need time off lead, I take mine to a dog park. Everyone stand with their backs to the perimeter fencing! My lab has knocked over men, especially if he has a good run up to them before jumping. I can’t let him off lead, he just loves everyone and thinks everyone loves him.

Throwing treats sounds like a good idea but they can film this and then come back and say I made their dog ill or something

Why would “they”? If my dog was distracted from jumping up in this way (she’s not allowed to do it) I’d just think how sensible the person was. I leave my phone at home when I walk the dog so zero chance of videoing anything. It’s a far better strategy than kicking.

You seem to think evil dog owners are going out of their way to upset you and there’s some kind of vendetta going on.

Dog owner here, we have a smallish dog, a border terrier. Had it out for a walk one day (on the lead), this huge dog comes bounding up the path towards us, not aggressive but still quite intimidating due to its size.
We were trying to avoid its every bounce as the owner did nowt, our dog was very unsure and hiding behind us.
Best part was, our dog got a bit sick of bouncy big dog eventually jumped up in to the air and with its paw tried to take the head off this big dog, the big dog crapped itself and ran off, with its owner and us standing shell shocked at what our little dog did.
Found it quite funny after, no harm done but was so proud of my little dog on a leash trying to hid putting big bouncy dog in its place.

Also, all the dogs that bite must jump first. It’s far too dangerous for parents to take a chance and see what is happening. Especially with a large dog. Like I said, I couldn’t handle this dog myself

OP whilst I get that your upset at your child being knocked over, some of your statements are completely incorrect and actually more likely to end badly. No a dog jumping is not a precursor of aggression usually it's related to play behaviour.

If you kick a dog that is showing no aggression you are likely to be bitten and actually risk your child more as they are lower to the ground ergo closer to a dog.

If you're that uncomfortable with any dogs being anywhere near your child then there are plenty of places where dogs are not allowed even within parks such as the playground.
All users of recreational spaces need to share, yes you need to keep an eye on children but this perception that all large dogs are aggressive and out of control is wrong.

I get that you have had several incidents but is that always a dog knocking your child over or is it a case of if a dog barks do you consider this to be behaviour towards you?!

The only resolution to this issue is for you to be aware of your surroundings and if not comfortable for whatever reason find another location where you are

I am a dog lover, I have two, but harmless or not, the dog should not have been able to knock the child over. One of my dogs is good as gold, will walk to heel and is able to be off lead. The other is great 99% of the time, but will very occasionally shoot off after a hare, pheasant or cyclist. We keep him on the lead except on our own property. It’s not difficult, keep your dog under control.

Unfortunately thats the way it is there are LOADS of arsehole dog owners who just let there dogs run everywhere out of control.
They say things like it only wants to say hello and it's ok it doesn't bite.

@cantdothisnow1

*Dogs need to be on leads if they can't be trusted off them.

If people are walking in known dog walking areas then they should expect that there will be some dogs off the lead, they should not expect to be attacked or jumped up by the dogs*.

No dog can be trusted totally. Even little ones. Why is it that the rights of the dog takes precedent over the rights of the general public to be able to walk in open public places without being harassed or attacked by a dog.

If it is a private field then that's different

No a dog jumping is not a precursor of aggression usually it's related to play behaviour
So what?
I have no interest in dog psychology dog behaviour blah blah blah ....I just want it kept away from me!

For walking the best solution is probably to have an extended walking pole in your pocket, upon being harassed by a dog you can then just poke it away with the stick
If you're running or cycling things are more complex
I am heartily sick of having my leisure time impinged upon by dogs🤬
Is there a campaign I can join to have something done about this nuisance?

@Yohoheaveho

No a dog jumping is not a precursor of aggression usually it's related to play behaviour So what? I have no interest in dog psychology dog behaviour blah blah blah ....I just want it kept away from me!

If you understand a bit of it and how to react to behaviours then your a lot less likely to have issues with it.

Yes dogs should be under control but their is a difference between a dog playing and running towards a ball etc and a dog going to attack.
If you hit the dog (as some have suggested in their posts..... 🙄) at non aggressive behaviour then you are far more likely to be bitten by the dog as it then goes into defence mode.

Just like people learn to read body language of strangers it's worth knowing the body language of a dog!

@Yohoheaveho

For walking the best solution is probably to have an extended walking pole in your pocket, upon being harassed by a dog you can then just poke it away with the stick If you're running or cycling things are more complex I am heartily sick of having my leisure time impinged upon by dogs🤬 Is there a campaign I can join to have something done about this nuisance?

Or you can just go to places where dogs are not allowed?! just a thought if you have so many issues with them.

Outdoor space isn't the right of one user above another of anyone bar the land owner (and even these have right of ways across the land). If you don't want to be near any dogs then buy a national trust membership and go to the numerous properties and Gardens which don't allow dogs!

It's not the size it's the poor training! Personally I wish parents would train their kids not to run after random dogs and pull their tails! (Mine know both voice and hand commands including directions so I can send him away from the kids running towards him, but if courtesy both ways and they can coexist in parks

The National Trust have started letting in dogs though - and encouraging them. No dog beaches - always full of dogs. There is no escape any more.

I have never seen any children randomly running after dogs and pulling their tails - Stop trying to deflect blame onto children - it’s manipulative and gas lighting behaviour, the kind of behaviour that abusers use to deflect from their actions. This thread is about an unprovoked attack in a park.

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

The National trust have allowed dogs for years, mine is registered as a support dog so can even go inside, he had to pass stringent exams to get his status

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

Do you own a dog? Well mine had his tail pulled yesterday by a 5-6 year old at a guess, old enough to know better. My dog is very highly trained and non reactive, it annoys me so much. Poorly trained dogs should not be in public parks off lead, but we can coexist if everyone is sensitive to others