Some random bloke just started an argument with me.

[FeelingMoreFreeWithEveryYear]

I was just out running with my dog in the countryside near my house. I was absolutely minding my own business as I was determined to run 5K without stopping. My dog runs off lead, until I see another dog, which is rare, and I call him to heel or put on lead depending on situation. My dog doesn't like big dogs coming up to him and a while ago he was attacked by a pack of dogs and I thought he was toast! My dog totally minds his own business.

So, we were going along and these 3 dogs come round the corner without anyone with them. 2 large and 1 medium, so I put my dog on the lead and carry on running. No bother. I'm expecting owner to appear and call dogs back, but they don't. All 3 dogs start circling mine and sniffing his butt and one was in his face. I just carried on running. However, as I ran past the man started making comments to me very loudly, not sure for whose benefit in the middle of a field, about how "isn't it funny how people with dogs are the worst, and hate other dogs" and other comments. So, I stopped and said something about his dogs circling mine and he doesn't like it. Then he made some more comments and by this time I was enraged by this guy who I doubt would be saying all this if I was a man. So I told him I didn't think he was setting his DC a very good example making comments to a woman out on her own. Then he made some more comments, I can't even remember what, so I called him a F* Arsehole and jogged on with him shouting something as I left.

I'm not proud of using this language in front of DC, but I am SICK of men who think they can make comments and just carry on without being pulled up on it. I'm SICK OF IT. If I had been with my DH, I doubt very much he would have said anything.

I know IABU for using bad language in front of DC, but AIBU for how I handle my dog when out, or is he?

Good for you.

There’s a fundamental difference between confidence/assertiveness and yapping aggressively like an anxious terrier.

Swearing at people fields is not standing up for yourself it’s just losing control.

He was a dick and you called him out on it, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Nah, she lost her rag and got into a ruck in a field.

The sex of the people involved is a red herring.

Getting aggressive as a means to make a point to another person is not assertive.

This is what I think every time I read something like this. I know OP is expecting us all to cheer her on and tell her this sexist prick deserved the mouthful of abuse she gave him, but all I can think is that you have to be completely brainless to antagonise a strange man with three dogs in the middle of nowhere. This wasn't the time to be waving the flag of feminism OP, this was a time to think about your own safety and getting out of that dangerous situation pronto. Not only did you lower yourself down to this arsehole's level, but you put yourself in a risky situation.

OP was a distance away when she returned fire. She is a runner, she would most likely have left him standing if he decided to get aggressive. And his untrained dogs are hardly going to respond to an attack command. I don't think there is any need for pointy fingers, the OP did nothing wrong.

But you didn't stop him? He probably just felt validated. His first thoughts about you were right, you were a bitch. I'm not saying you are but I would put money on him going home and talking about an awful bitch that was swearing and shouting at him when he was out with the kids. You can't just 'teach' men like that lesson by engaging in a slanging match with them.

You've ruined your day but I bet you didn't ruin his, probs made his day tbh.

@Choopi You criticise OP for swearing and then post about this nasty man telling his wife about an awful bitch.

Nah, she lost her rag and got into a ruck in a field

I agree, and I won't do it again. I know it was actually dangerous. In fact, I think running on my own like this is not safe either. I usually see no one and I am a bit cagey about someone jumping out on me. I like to take my dog out though off lead.

I don't want to lose my rag again, but I don't think I am prepared to let it go when a man makes comments to me again. Like the man at work. There was nothing I could do. You can't even tell a customer that they are out of line in an assertive way.

You’re absolutely a hero, @FeelingMoreFreeWithEveryYear Some men think that all women are their territory. The man was rude as anything and certainly would not have made the same comment if you were a man - he’d have been too scared of a man punching him.

But yes, it’s a shaking experience. But thank you!!

My solution to arsehole dog owners when I'm running with my dog:

• wear headphones. I don't hear any comments
• I don't talk (because I can barely breath when running!)
• my dog runs on a sleigh lead, so I never have to think about other dogs or people
• if other dogs follow me, it's their (idiot) owners fault. I'm not making any effort to slow or stop.

Worth bearing in mind though - most other dog walkers (and their dogs) are lovely. The arseholes are a very tiny minority. And being an arsehole dog owner is defo not sex-dependant. Men and Women can be just as bad. Mostly all dog owners are awesome tho

I criticised the OP for shouting and swearing at someone in public. I swear. I never said I didn't. I didn't call the OP a bitch I said you can bet that the man went home and did though. I'm not sure what point you think you are making tbh