Runner here. Is it my imagination or have dog walkers….

[thanktor]

Become SO much more considerate over last couple of years than ever before?!

I have run for 20 years and until the pandemic…. I was used to being jumped at, chased and generally harassed by dogs when outrunning - with the pens smiling on benevolently whilst making heart hearted attempts to stop the situation.

Recently though, and when I think back probably for last >1 year / very striking change! Dog walkers see me coming and generally put dog on lead or at least make the dog sit or distract the dog - and I am left to run pass in peace.

If ever a dog does chase, the owner is on it immediately. And very apologetic.

It’s so refreshing

Wondering if it’s all the new dog owners remembering how bloody annoying it used to be and determined not to be like that! 😂

Whatever the reason - thank you and I’m over the moon! Any other runners noticed this?

Hopefulprocrastinator that would have given me the rage !!

My dogs have coats when it's wet or muddy because they're quite fluffy so it's just easier than drying them. They also adore rolling in fox shit and all manner of other delightfully smelling things, so it's more manageable to take their coats off and fling in the wash than to bath them by the minutes, not to mention better for their skin.

Equafleeces are the dogs bollocks!

Coming from a runner and a dog owner (who is sick of her dog being attacked and other owners allowing their dogs to chase him) they are still the same around here, there's just even more of them now.

I got my dog last year and I was so stressed out by all the ‘irresponsible lockdown puppy owner’ rhetoric that I always go out of my way to be as considerate as I possibly can! I suspect a lot of owners must feel the same.

I have absolutely noticed this lately, it is much appreciated! I try hard to be a considerate runner too though!

Thank you so much for a positive dog thread @thanktor. It’s good to know all the training not to chase runners is appreciated.

Thankyou for posting,
l had to check what forum l was on then, who would have thought it, a positive post about dogs on here of all places.
Maybe l should start one about cats next !

@TheFlyHalfsMum

I have absolutely noticed this lately, it is much appreciated! I try hard to be a considerate runner too though!

Me too Glad I’m not alone I really appreciate it Makes a real difference

Yes, much less likely to have a dog chasing after me :)

But wayyyyyyyyyy more likely to step in dog shit. Omg nobody seems to pick up the dog poo any more where I live, it's like a bloody obstacle course!

@Blossomtoes

Thank you so much for a positive dog thread *@thanktor*. It’s good to know all the training not to chase runners is appreciated.

But what’s also key that I have noticed is where a dog perhaps isn’t fully trained - the owner will go extra mile to avoid chasing / jumping

Whereas used to be that infuriating benevolent smile and “whoops…. He’s still in training”

I don’t give a fu*k. Get him off me and stop him chasing after me

@Thatsplentyjack

Coming from a runner and a dog owner (who is sick of her dog being attacked and other owners allowing their dogs to chase him) they are still the same around here, there's just even more of them now.

I suspect much of that rhetoric came from dog owners pre covid

@purplesequins

opposite where I am.

lots of bouncy untrained dogs with ineffective/inexperienced handlers. I can't remember my last run where I was no followed or jumped at by offline dogs.

looking forward to bird nesting season where dogs need to be on the lead by law

It's not technically law, it's Open Access Land Regulations only. Sorry. Damaging nests etc is against the law though.

I live in a population dense area with condo towers and low rise buildings. There are many more dogs around now, all shapes and sizes.

I have really noticed that almost no one leaves dog poo. I only saw some around Christmas when we had a lot of snow.

I do pity the poor person who empties the trash bins. Mostly bags of dog mess. Yuck.

I do pity the poor person who empties the trash bins. Mostly bags of dog mess. Yuck.

Dog owners just can’t win, can they?

I’m a new dog owner (lockdown) and having been on the receiving end of some appalling behaviour from poorly trained dogs and their idiot owners in the years preceding lockdown I have been absolutely determined that my pup won’t be a menace to anyone. He’s on a v short lead and kept close into my side as we stop and wait for joggers and cyclists to go by. The vast majority of them thank me, it’s nice.

rince I'm not in the uk and here it is law (and mostly adhered to as fines are big) to keep dogs on a lead during bird nesting season.

I have always found the majority of dog owners to be very responsible and considerate. But those are never the ones I remember. I only started running outdoors during lockdown, so I don't know what it was like before, but I have had a few unpleasant experiences with dogs jumping up on me, chasing me or running round my ankles. There was a woman this morning whose dog headed straight for me, even though she had it on a lead. It was very big and strong and barking like crazy. To be fair, she was very embarrassed and apologetic as she tried to trail the Hound of the Baskervilles dog away.

Overall though, my runs are uneventful.

Yep, I'm also a lockdown puppy owner. We only agreed to get him as our employers have verified we never have to return to our offices full time. We can carry on working from home and sense other more cautious folk have got dogs since 2020, not fickle people as first feared! We only wanted to do the most responsible things at the right time and have had time at home to train him up, listen to podcasts, speak to trainers, etc.

it definitely is a majority of dog owners who do very well. thank you for that

but it only takes one to ruin the experience