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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have carried on running?

718 replies

OdettySpaghetti · 02/10/2021 08:06

Went for a run this morning. Ran past a couple of women with offlead dogs (cockapoo and a frenchie) which chased me as I passed them. They were not aggressive, more like running alongside me. The owners shouted of them but the dogs ignored them and carried on following me. I kept on running - before long we (me and dogs!) we’re quite a distance from the owners who were miles behind shouting and running (in a fashion) after us. I ran my usual route, off this path and into a wooded cut through, dogs still by my side. I’m getting pissed off at this point as I know I’m coming to a road and will need to stop so the owners can get their dogs. Sure enough I come to the road and stop. The dogs stop too and just start sniffing around but because we’re now close to a road I feel I have to take the dogs back before they dart across it so I head back the way I came, fuming that this has messed my run up. When the owners catch up one says “if you’d just stopped running we could have got them ages ago!” I replied that their dogs are not my responsibility to which they replied “no need to take them close to a main road though is there? Where is your common sense?” So livid now I say “get your fucking dogs under control, next time I don’t stop at the road”.

AIbU to have not wanted to mess my run up?

OP posts:
Cloudyzebra · 02/10/2021 08:08

If they can't control their dogs they should be on a lead. Not your responsibility. They were lucky you were a reasonable person, who didn't carry on onto the road.

MangoBiscuit · 02/10/2021 08:09

If they don't have solid recall, you either don't let them off lead, or you put the lead back on when a distraction is approaching. Irresponsible dog owners really tick me off.

IndigoHexagon · 02/10/2021 08:09

Well, they shouldn’t have had dogs off-lead if they didn’t have bomb proof recall…

sirfredfredgeorge · 02/10/2021 08:09

No, of course you don't have to stop running, you didn't even have to stop at the road - although it was probably right to - but only for the dogs, not for their useless owners.

LaurieFairyCake · 02/10/2021 08:09

"Next time I don't stop at the road" sounds horribly aggressive

You're basically saying your dogs are getting run over because my run is more important

It just sounds arsey 🤷‍♀️

No, your run shouldn't be messed up - they're twats who shouldn't have uncontrollable off-lead dogs

So yep, they're massively entitled twats

LongDissidence · 02/10/2021 08:10

I wish dog owners would actually control their dogs. I'd say about 10% of dog owners do, and the other 90% let them run all over, poo everywhere, jump all over people, chase other dogs/ animals whilst they ineffectively call the dogs back.

You're kinder than me, I'd have kept on running.

SW1amp · 02/10/2021 08:11

Their lack of control is not your responsibility

I’ve been told the same by idiot dog owners while walking my dogs
Their dogs come over and play, and then keep following my dogs
Apparently I should stop my walk, wait for them to notice their dog is missing, come and find us and put their dog back on a lead, all because they are too lazy to train some recall

sunflowerdaisies · 02/10/2021 08:11

I think you were being unreasonable all along. I'd have stopped as soon as I realised they were staying with me so the owners could get them back.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 02/10/2021 08:11

As a dog owner you were not in the wrong. They should have them under control, which they weren't. Either bullet proof recall or on a lead.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 02/10/2021 08:12

Plus they should have apologised.

Haveyoubrushedyourteethtoday · 02/10/2021 08:12

It sounds arsey because it is arsey. Which is entirely reasonable!

EarringsandLipstick · 02/10/2021 08:12

They were completely UR.

I would not have stopped, and while I'm not exactly scared of dogs, I'm nervous about ones I don't know, and wouldn't like them running alongside me.

I agree you probably had to stop had the road but I wouldn't have liked doing it & having to bring the dogs back.

Such entitled owners. 😡

EarringsandLipstick · 02/10/2021 08:13

@sunflowerdaisies

I think you were being unreasonable all along. I'd have stopped as soon as I realised they were staying with me so the owners could get them back.
Why? It's not her job to manage dogs she doesn't own.
BrutusMcDogface · 02/10/2021 08:17

Bloody dogs and their bloody owners!! You were definitely not in the wrong for trying to continue your run. The owners should have better control. I have a friend who has naughty dogs and she’s one of those who thinks people shouldn’t mind if her dogs are “only saying hello”. I’ve stopped going out on dog walks with her.

sunflowerdaisies · 02/10/2021 08:17

@EarringsandLipstick lots of things aren't our responsibility but we do because we are decent people.

WaltzingBetty · 02/10/2021 08:18

@LaurieFairyCake

"Next time I don't stop at the road" sounds horribly aggressive

You're basically saying your dogs are getting run over because my run is more important

It just sounds arsey 🤷‍♀️

No, your run shouldn't be messed up - they're twats who shouldn't have uncontrollable off-lead dogs

So yep, they're massively entitled twats

So where is the dog owner's responsibility?

Why do you think the OP is the one that has to safeguard strangers' dogs because they can't be arsed to train or control them?

crumble82 · 02/10/2021 08:18

You weren’t technically being unreasonable, however the kinder (and easiest) thing to do would have been to stop when it was obvious they were following you. You wouldn’t have had to go back so far then either.

You’re right, dogs should have better recall if they’re going to be off the lead but you we’re so busy proving your point that you ruined your run yourself.

CaptainMerica · 02/10/2021 08:18

When I'm out for a run I always slow down and walk when passing dogs off leads. You just don't know how they are going to react.

I don't think you were being unreasonable not to though.

crumble82 · 02/10/2021 08:20

I’ll also add I’m not overly keen on dogs running up to me either so I’d be annoyed too

Sunshineandflipflops · 02/10/2021 08:20

I’m a runner and have stopped in this scenario before. Annoying but usually only for a few seconds. Most owners do seem to put their dogs on a lead when I approach or at least grab their collars until I have passed though.

Skyla2005 · 02/10/2021 08:20

But you didn't need to stop running you could have just run back ? Not your responsibility or you fault they have no recal but sometimes we should be kind and do the right thing !!

MoreAloneTime · 02/10/2021 08:20

They need to control their dogs. You can't just assume a random stranger is going to look after your dog or know what to do with them.

StormyTeacups · 02/10/2021 08:20

I would have run back towards them. You keep running, they get their dogs.

Nellle · 02/10/2021 08:21

No, not your responsibility how their dogs behave.

Saying that if it happens again you'll run their dogs into the road might make you sound cold and psychotic, but that's not what you asked about.

Skyla2005 · 02/10/2021 08:21

[quote sunflowerdaisies]@EarringsandLipstick lots of things aren't our responsibility but we do because we are decent people. [/quote]
Exactly