Aibu to get a big scary looking dog so i can walk without fear

[Thatsmycupoftea]

I have a soft as anything golden retriever. I love walking and I have breaks in my work at various times of the day and evening and I like to take her to different areas for walks.

There have been a few times when I have felt uneasy for various reasons, but today I'm pretty sure a man was following me in the woods, I was genuinely terrified. I rang dh pretending he was 2 minutes away meeting me at an agreed location. The man then walked away but hung around so I quickly went back to my car.

I'm an experienced dog owner and have owned a big meat head looking bully breed. He was soft as s#*t really but looked like a thug. I never felt uneasy when I walked him.

I love the peace of walking my dog. Its my only down time. I feel like I can't enjoy it. Why can't I do that without fear. Maybe I'm irrational. Maybe I need to stay away from stories in the media, but then I have experienced these incidents myself so I dunno.

Do other women feel this way?

Yes. I no longer have any dogs. As a result I don’t walk anymore. I did have a van delivery driver pull up and offer me a lift - country road, no one about and I was clearly walking - he had passed me earlier as I closed my gate. and not just lost. I didn’t have a dog and it unnerved me.

I have 3 chihuahuas and have felt uneasy walking them on my own sometimes it’s so sad really that we can’t do something as simple as a dog walk in peace.

Self defence classes might be cheaper

I had a Rottweiler as a teenager and absolutely loved walking her. I wandered the streets whenever and where ever I wanted and always felt safe. She was lovely but if she thought I was in danger nothing would have got in her way. Highly recommend it.

I must admit I feel less worried if im walking my dps staffie than when im walking my own derpy dog

I used to have a big scary looking (impeccably trained) dog. Almost every time I walked him by myself, random men (it was already men) shouted at me that I was irresponsible for having a dog I "couldn't control". As he walked perfectly to heal. It was horrible and it's put me off getting the breed again, although I'd love one in all other ways. Could have been the area though.

I don’t have a dog and the last time I waked on my own (not in a residential area- down a bridle path/country lanes) I was stopped twice by men in land rovers who offered me a lift/wanted to make conversation. It’s hard because although i’m sure they were harmless I was on my own away from populated areas and it really made me feel really really uneasy.

I have a soft as shit Huskie who has quite a large fan club among all the local school kids but when I walk her at night (especially during the summer) I have never felt scared or worried about my safety as she apparently looks scary to men especially the drunk ones who scream WOLF (literally scream the word wolf) and run away I would definitely recommend 1. This is my girl

It depends. Lots of big dog breeds could potentially put you more at risk of being targeted for dog theft.

I always felt safe when I had my lakeland terrier bitch. She was very people savvy and used to growl at my vile ex if he shouted at me, and lunge and snarl if he got near me when he was in a temper. She definitely would have bitten someone who tried to harm me.

They're a small breed though, so don't have the deterrent effect of a big dog, even though big dogs are often softer imo.

I have had one German shepherd dog, I also helped walk and train a friend’s huge GSD. I felt safer walking those dogs than my usual x breeds, spaniels and doodles. I’ve been flashed at and one memorable occasion, a naked man followed me in our local park. I rang 999, they were good. Stayed on the phone with me till he went away, there was a,police officer waiting at my house later. It’s just sport and a hobby to some creeps to frighten women and children

I live semi rurally and personally feel safer walking alone without a dog, there have been a few dog thefts around here.

@Passingahat

It depends. Lots of big dog breeds could potentially put you more at risk of being targeted for dog theft.

I agree depends on the breed.

But I totally understand your sentiment. Perhaps a taser would be better.

It's not about the size of the dog in the fight

My little JRT cross has seen off a few dodgy characters in his time - we live in a bit of a rough area. He's a sensitive chap who picks up on things that are abnormal, and things I don't feel comfortable with, and barks at them. A dog of almost any size who's lunging and barking at the end of a lead will see off almost anyone - you're no longer the easiest of targets.

He also had a crack at my neighbour's twatty builders this morning - I think he knew I was fuming that they'd woken me up

I definitely go out to places I wouldn't go without him, and at times I wouldn't go out without him, and feel much safer for his presence.

I used to have a German Shepherd, bred essentially as a "caring dog".

He was great. I felt very safe, he could run for miles, far further than me, and the only time anyone bothered me, he stood calmly beside me, no barking or fuss, just rumble-growled in his throat. The man who had blocked my path backed off immediately.

Its not dog napping im most worried about (although that's a thing) its creepy men as I'm a woman alone.

I changed paths a few times, even walking back on myself so im sure he was following me.

Its sad that other have also felt this way. Sorry to hear that. Women should be able to walk without fear and without being stopped by random men.

A man was put off by my lab, I think he read his excitement as protection. The bloke was harmless enough, just wanted some change but ended up running away shouting “woah🤣🤣keep him away from me”.

@Cabinfever10 beautiful dog

@Thatsmycupoftea
I meant that at times I feel far more vulnerable with my dogs because of the fear someone might take them. I walk a couple of different dogs and feel more vulnerable walking the staff, mastiff etc than walking my mixed medium dog . Sometimes people look at them for a bit too long, they attract interest, and it makes me worried about peoples intent. That rarely happens with my own

Pressed post too fast, I’ve got to say I wouldn’t be put off by a dog if I wanted to attack someone (not that I do!)

It feels akin to walking around with my laptop, or other valuable goods in dodgy areas when I walk recognizable high value dogs

Would happily walk with you. But my pair of wolfhounds are quite likely to use us as human shields.
I’ve been tempted to walk with a stick. But that’s because of the aggressive dogs and useless owners we have met recently.

We have leonbergers @Thatsmycupoftea. Very much similar to yours only bigger but I’m not sure they would deter someone. Maybe due to the sheer size but I think the fluffiness makes people automatically feel like they aren’t a threat (which they aren’t to be fair)

However my German shepherd who is half of the size has grown men crossing the road.

I wouldn’t walk alone, I wouldn’t enjoy it!

I had border collies and always felt safe walking them. The bitch in particular was very protective and convinced a couple of men trying to approach me in deserted areas that it was a bad idea.
I now have a small cross breed. I dont often walk him in the dark and I miss the freedom of going to totally deserted places. I do often miss my collie girl for that reason.

I have a Doberman. She’s as soft as muck but I’d walk anywhere with her. Definitely had the being scared feeling when out waking on my own.