To expect people to stop their dog jumping up at me?

[NevertooearlyforGin]

I enjoy walking at our local beauty spot which is a very large forest and heath area, it’s very popular with dog walkers. The problem is I really don’t like large dogs running up to me and jumping up at me which seems to happen most times I go, usually the dog owner is some distance behind so they can’t see their dog jumping up at me.

This happened again today, and a large dog and two smaller ones ran up to me and jumped up, the big ones paws reached my armpits. For context I was attacked by an Alsatian at the age of 9 in our local park, I don’t assume all dogs are aggressive but I am nervous around large dogs.

Today I plucked up the courage to say something to the owner, I asked him to stop his dog jumping up at me because I am scared of large dogs. He was very arrogant and laughed at me and said then I’d ‘come to the wrong place.’ As if the countryside exists for dog owners and nobody else and I was being ridiculous expecting him to control his pets.

The area is managed through grazing by the local forestry commission (usually hardy breeds of ponies, sheep and cows), there are frequent incidents of animals being worried and often mauled by dogs, I’ve seen this happen and there are signs saying that animals that don’t have a string recall should be kept on leads.

AIBU?

This "my dog would never..." attitude reminds me of "not all men..." 🤔

There are enough dogs (and owners) that are twats that it adds up to being a serious problem

I only go to a specific dog park at the moment if I let my puppy off lead as hes a large breed and just going into his teenage phase, his recall is generally good but I wouldn't say 100% so he's only on a long line in a park or open area where there might be people walking or children. He has never jumped up at anyone outside the house before (he's 8 months) but did for the first time a couple of days ago at the dog park. Luckily they were understanding nd i aplogised of course, but its generally accepted in that park that it is somewhere people are working on training etc. I may have thought he wouldn't do something like that as he never had before but I would have been extremely apologetic and he would have been on a lead immediately.

Some peoples attitudes stink, ny nephew was jumped up at by 3 large out of control dogs at age 3 and he is terrified now, the owner said she cant control them so it wasnt her fault 😱when he comes to ours he panics and flaps his arms around which obv makes the dogs think he is playing so we have to keep them on lead indoors as its only fair on him!

Or the 'my dog wouldn't hurt a fly' brigade, until it rips a baby's face off

I think part of the problem is that responsible dog owners tend to be out and about in larger spaces so you don't see them as much. If your idea of exercising your dog is letting it run around a small local playground while your kids are playing during the busy after school period, then you are more visible to non dog owners who then find that most of their interactions with dogs are with poorly trained/managed ones.

As the owner of a large and (over) friendly dog, YANBU. I always recall my dog when I see someone walking near to him especially if they don’t have a dog of their own.

It drives my up the wall, I go out running around a lake and get dogs jumping up at me all the time. Don't get me started on the dog owners who use the extendable leads and will stand on one side of the path and extend it across, creating an almost invisible trip wire.

YANBU but the dog and dog-owner bashing on this thread feels unnecessary (not your fault OP!).

So many dog owners these days are ignorant types who no doubt think they are in complete control of their stupid mutt, so of course they don't need leads, being so superior. Except of course they're just idle twats with animals that are untrained and in some cases dangerous. I'm disabled and there are many occasions where I'm afraid of being jumped at/knocked over by loose dogs as I'm on crutches and a bit wobbly. İf you dare to say anything you get a mouthful of abuse from said ignorant twats.

A friend of mine got told the other week that he shouldn't be running along the canal if he can't deal with out of control dogs. Er no, they shouldn't be out of control!

Some owners really need to change though. And you might say "nobody ever changed the way they do things because of MN" but people do learn things. I have learnt a lot about hidden disabilities, for example. So if one person keeps their dog under control in future as a result of this thread, that's good.

I agree OP and I love dogs. They are allowed everywhere these days, it must be horrible for anyone scared of them.

A friend of mine got told the other week that he shouldn't be running along the canal if he can't deal with out of control dogs.

I can, and do deal with out if control dogs with zero recall. Unfortunately the owner does not usually appreciate how I do this 🤷‍♀️

That's probably a bit unfair. I mean it's not as if they're cyclists.

It's just a joke! 😂😂 😂

Thanks. I’m fine with dogs that leave me alone and fine with dog owners who respect others and make an effort.

The out of control, off-lead dog happens to me all the time OP and I absolutely hate it. I live in a rural area with a walking track shared with cyclists and horse riders. Just about every day, often more, while I am walking a dog will appear ahead, off-lead with its owners a long way behind them. More often than not the dog will run towards me. I stop and put my hands up in front of me to deter the dog, and if it keeps on running at me I put up a foot in its direction, or make a 'whooshing' sound which usually works. But the amount of abuse I get - as well as "hes only being friendly, hes only a puppy, he won't hurt you" rubbish. The other day I was told not to use a footpath if I am afraid of dogs. I replied I am not afraid of them but don't want them running up to me or jumping at my clothes. More abuse, as usual. I have also been told when a dog actually went for me while I was standing still that it was my fault because of the colour of the coat I was wearing - seriously the owner blamed me! So many dog owners seem to lose all rationality and become aggressive when it comes to their pets, as though other people's feelings don't matter at all.

If I see a dog running towards me I will shout very loudly before it gets to me "please can you call your dog back". If they ignore me or the dog keeps coming my tone and words will be a lot ruder and yes I will push the dog down using a bag/stick whatever I've got to hand. It's such irresponsible dog ownership and shouldn't be brushed off. Most people are apologetic but some get arsey. If they seem apologetic I will explain I was attacked as a child and still have very visible scars on my body so no matter how friendly their dog is,I don't want him/her near me unleashed and if they don't have good recall they need to be on a lead in public.

Who on earth is voting YABU? Of course you’re not. A dog jumping up is not under control and it’s not acceptable.
Mine are not allowed to approach anyone unless they know the person or are invited in. Otherwise I expect them to walk past and give space to the walker.

It happens on my residential area. I bloody hate their fur touching me or just generally them getting in my personal space. I dont like dogs which is why I dont want one or to have one touch me.

Sorry to hear what happened to you lechatnoir - do you usually get abused for asking people to recall their dogs?

I've been a dog owner all my life. My dog has a very strong startle reflex and I'd never trust him to be loose around strangers.A child coming screaming around a corner would totally psyche him out.Keeping him on a lead protects him as well as the walkers.

Honestly most people are very apologetic which is why I like to explain myself as I'm really not some crazy loom who hates all dogs. Many owners (particularly the many new lockdown owners!) just don't consider that their dog could ever be a threat or quite how scared some people are of approaching unleashed dogs. If my story helps them understand and either train their dog better or be more responsible then it's worth the conversation. The arrogant arseholes won't care and I won't waste my breath trying to explain.

Glad both my dogs prefer not to meet people and rather carry on with their walk. Got 1 lab who rather play fetch with her ball, than run to people.

I've stopped walking on our local green space because of inconsiderate asshole owners. Which is a real shame as I'm on mat leave, it would be nice to get out of the house more and I could do with losing a few pounds. But I've lost count of the amount of times dogs have jumped up at the pram. Last occasion involved me asking an owner (sharply, but politely) to call her dog back. When it came back to the pram a second time I'm afraid I lost my cool and told her to "call her f'in dog back". She then had the cheek to ask what her dog was doing wrong. I told her if she didnt know, she shouldn't own a dog. Sometimes I wonder if I've landed in a parallel universe or something.

Ironically I actually really liked dogs and considered getting one, but the post-lockdown "I cba to control the dog I thought it would be a good idea to get when we were all stuck at home all day" owners have turned me right off. And yes I know it's the owner's fault, not the dogs, but I'm so so sick of the problem. It's turned me off dogs full stop.

I think there is a good case for all dogs to be on leads when out of the home. I only let mine off when there is no one around, I watch for people constantly and the dogs are well trained.

Don’t lump all dog owners together please, I dislike out of control dogs as much as many of you do.
Dogs should be licensed and basic training mandatory

What is this thing with dog owners telling people with children that the park, field countryside etc is for dogs not kids?? Happened when I was with my friend & her 4 yr old twins. He had a go at us as one of the 4yr olds was nervous of his dogs bounding up to us. Ende up with him saying the country park was for people with dogs and we should keep the kids in the garden and called us a pair of Karens. Delightful man !