Dogs! Who was at fault?

[TheSpottedDog]

I was walking my dog in the park early this morning. She’s reactive and not friendly with other dogs so I keep her on a long line and stay in open areas where there are no people/dogs. So, we’re happily exploring a large grassy area when a dog comes running up off lead ... face to face ... ok for a few seconds but then my dog starts to get arsey. The other dog ran off. I get my dogs attention back and we carry on but this off lead dog comes running back ... this time my dog reacts straight away and tries to run after it barking ... poo bag goes flying, I nearly end up on my arse ... the owner unsuccessfully trying to call his dog back ... in the end I say loudly “Right! Let’s go!” And walk away with Cujo/my dog. I hear the man mutter something to his dog about “come on mate, it’s not a nice dog” 🤬

So I’m trying to look at it objectively- his dog was clearly friendly (and bloody cute! A young SharPei) and mine is the reactive one. BUT mine was on a lead, his wasn’t and he clearly had shit recall. So, was I at fault for being in a park with a reactive dog or was he at fault for not having control of his dog?

(We are in intensive training for her issues and have been for over a year, she’s much better than she was)

YABU - I’m at fault
YANBU - he was at fault

At my local park, the duck pond froze up recently. A large dog went onto it, and grabbed a swan by the wing! Poor, poor creature Of course the dog owner had absolutely no control over the dog.
I am a dog owner, and am aware of my dog's shortcomings, so keep him on the lead. It's a shame (some) other dog owners don't do the same.
YANBU.

I don't even have a dog but YANBU. Lots of dogs hate being frolicked by 'friendly' dogs, my brothers Springer couldn't tolerate it as he aged and he'd get really panicky and defensive. People should always have their dogs under control, whether that's on a lead or immediately responsive to their command and dogs shouldn't be allowed to menace other dogs (or humans!) that aren't interested. Your pooch has every right to a walk in peace.

Both.

Yours should be on a short lead, (with a harness/muzzle if you can't control its reaction without.)

His should be on lead if it doesn't have decent recall.

Both of you were in the wrong.

A long lead gave you no more control than his not so perfect recall!

It's just one of those things! Mine gets threatened... "I'll bloody thump you" one man said as my dog lept around him without touching, barking etc.

I would have called mine off but his own dog was leaping at my face, landing all 4 paws in my chest! I was a bit pre occupied.

I gave him a bit of a mouthful once I had his dog by its collar. Lovely dog, just very excited!

The other dog owner was MORE at fault. But you kept a reactive dog on a long lead, when you knew there was another interested dog offlead nearby - so there was definitely scope for you to have handled it better.

YANBU. The man could see your dog wasn't up for socialising and he had the opportunity to call his dog off after he was rebuffed the first time. If his dog doesn't have good recall he shouldn't be off the lead.

His fault totally. His dog might be friendly but if it has no re-call and runs up to other dogs then it really should be on a lead. Dogs that are nervous etc are on leads for a reason and other dog owners should respect that. My dog is very similar to yours too. She’s nervous of other dogs but thankfully haven’t had many issues as we tend to avoid areas with lots of dog walkers and go early etc. We live near the beach but don’t take her as there’s so many dogs there.

Also, it’s dogs that run up to adults and children off lead too. My kids are animal lovers and are not phased by dogs at all so I don’t have the issue as such BUT a little while ago I went to the beach with a relative. They let their dog off lead and it kept running up to people and she can come across annoying ie she’s been known to jump up at people. A parent had a go at relative who was defensive saying her dog was just being friendly towards her kids. I felt awkward as I agreed with the parent but didn’t want to fall out with my relative.

Dogs that are nervous etc are on leads for a reason and other dog owners should respect that. OPs dog was on a long line! I know from experience how sharp eyed you have to be using one and, in this instance, OP was a bit off her game.. the second meeting shouldn't have taken place. OP should have taken her dog in hand and waited to see that the other dog was gone.

OP will know that, she said she is getting some good training. She also acknowledged that theo other dog asn't really doing anything wrong. Most of her angst is, I suspect, aimed at herself because this may have set her own dog back a bit!

@TheSpottedDog don't worry about it. You need to train your dog, give him as much 'almost off lead' experience as he can take. You slipped a little. From what you said no harm was done, you'll just need to adjust your traning, go back a step or two, keep that long line a little shorter for a while!

I'm 2 years in with an over friendly bouncing dig that is fine off lead but gets to anxious, crazy to play on lead. It can be draining, but very rewearding when it works well.

Good luck!

No one is at fault it's just one of them things dogs will be dogs Move on

I have learned to have a thick skin as a dog owner. I have a protective GSD very Alpha with other dogs until she meets one her size and able to put her in her place. She is walked very early or late, she needs to run but shes not great with other dogs. I lead her as soon as I see another dog. Other dogs do come come over, I do find it annoying when their owner doesn't even try to recall because they think their dog should be able to do what ever it wants however I have the same approach every time, I put my dog on a short leash, heel her to me use my body as a block and soothe my dog whilst also instructing her to leave. Owners often spot that their lack of management isn't appreciated and do usually call their dog back or apologize. You can only manage your end so find the strategies that work for you in that situation.

Off lead dog with no recall = menace.