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?

@GloriousGlory no, of course not all dogs, owners, lockdown etc - but unfortunately fellow (irresponsible) owners are giving all a bad name. Hard to accept if you are a responsible owner and I feel your pain as I have a similar problem with my job! But honestly, the issue affects my life in quite a significant way and I am bloody fed up with it. It's not okay.

@GloriousGlory my objective was to get the dog to stop barking if possible. As it happens, the owner WAS at home and my complaint resulted in the barking finally stopping, so it definitely WAS worth knocking!

But your obtuse determination actually to engage with the reason I might (totally reasonably) have been annoyed about an entitled, inconsiderate dog owner marks you out as, I expect, an entitled, inconsiderate dog owner.

Foe the record, I quite like dogs - well behaved ones. But the rest of the world is at best indifferent to your pooch, as long as it doesn’t interfere detrimentally with our lives.

What would you suggest i do - just tolerate the incessant, nuisance noise barking without intervening, because of the possible risk of upsetting the dog more? Wise up.

Having said YANBU, which I think you aren't, I've only once or twice in my life had a dog jump up at me, and I see plenty on regular walks. So I think it isn't that common.

YANBU - it is very hard to hold reasonable conversations with some dog owners. I have a bone condition which means that if I am knocked over I could break several bones; so it is not just a matter of personal taste - it is downright dangerous.

The sheer arrogance that says that I should adapt my behaviour for their dogs (e.g. walk somewhere else) beggars belief. It is down to them to keep their dogs under control.

Interestingly the same people would probably not allow their children to make a nuisance of themselves - so why is it OK with dogs? It is a national obsession and makes me really mad.

Not RTFT as it's a bit samey all the way through - but, it is NOT hard to train a dog! (Previous multiple German Shep / Border collie owner.)
It's the dogs that need training, not the people who get jumped on because they are walking / breathing / have the wrong colour coats on..
Totally agree with a PP who suggested licensing again.

Your right it's not hard to train Shepard's or collies. It's significantly harder to train other breeds. Some people just shouldn't have dogs

Many people clearly don’t train their dogs. One guy let his dog off lead on the opposite side of a huge park, I put mine on lead and started to make for the exit, but the thing could obviously move a lot faster than me. One of mine was very scared of other dogs running up but wouldn’t leave my side so was safe to take out (and fine with people). I was fuming, he didn’t even try to recall it and told me he needed to work on recall. How about actually trying?! My dog was terrified and turned on this dog who went under him!

I’ve taught my youngsters to not approach people/dogs and I don’t take them anywhere near where they might encounter horse riders. I avoid the park where there is a group of lockdown dogs whose owners stand chatting and let their dogs do whatever they want. We did use the group-at a distance-to teach recall and to avoid distractions.

I love dogs and used to have one, I can’t now because I have young children. I kept them on lead around others and trained them to recall.

It’s not just lockdown dogs, my 3 year old was jumped on in a park the other week by an older dog. The owner had no control of it and said it was because my son had a ball and the dog can’t resist a ball. Then put the dog on a lead!

YANBU. When I was out for a walk in a local park this morning, a dog approached me and jumped up, leaving muddy paw prints on my jeans. I suggested to the owner that it should be on a lead if he couldn't control it. He told me I was being unreasonable as the dog was 'only a puppy' and he was training it. Most of the dogs that were out and about were absolutely fine, running around and playing with other dogs, it's just some of the owners that really annoy me.

You don't need to use passive aggressive upper case letters, I'm perfectly able to READ without those.

If noise disturbs you get sone NOISE cancelling heads phones?

To be honest I think every owner and/or dog could be issued with a hi-vis jacket which is registered on a database with a code on it, like a numberplate. Then, if a dog is not under proper control, the owner can be reported easily, and have their licence removed if repeat offenders.

Oh, so you can read? It’s just writing with which you struggle, judging from your original post.

Seriously, how can someone be so entitled that they think it’s perfectly acceptable for them and their dog to disturb others’ environment and it’s up to the rest of us to solve the problems caused by the fact they’ve failed to train their dog?

I'm sure you will, because unfortunately you can. But you said your dog needs to be off lead which is rubbish - if there was a law passed that said it had to be on a lead in public, I'm sure you'd find a way of giving it extra exercise at home if walking on lead wasn't enough. Dogs don't NEED to be off lead in public places.

I am currently training my dog who isn't really a dedicated jumper, but other dog owners say, Ooh I don't mind. So I say, Well I do as my parents are frail and don't want my dog jumping up. Many of us do train our dogs, but once again it's a significant minority who give us all a bad name.

Carry a stout walking stick and use it to ward off the jumpers. It works.

No worries about that happening is there. So I don't need to even think about it. Like I say, I'll carry on as I am. And you obviously don't have much dog knowledge of you think a collie doesn't need off lead walks

Today I was out walking on lead our two working cockers who love their walks and mind their own business, no pestering people, no jumping up. They just want to enjoy their out and about time. Out of nowhere a huge black dog jumped over a wall and ran at me and dog 1. It was so huge, I admit I was scared. He towered over my dog and began growling, then turned his attention to our other dog until he snapped at him. The owner was calling it and eventually sauntered up but he would not return to her. She told me he was quite entitled to go out of his garden onto the road. I told her not if he was out of control and she needed to get it under control now. She also told me not to speak to her like that (?). Her husband then came out with the line "He wont' do anything, just being friendly". The dog was very intimidating, the owner couldn't care less and there was zero recall.

Im sorry this happened to you op. Ours are allowed off lead in our garden and they can run around. I have to admit there are now areas locally I am afraid to go as a dog owner myself. Just get your bloody dog on a lead today's moronic entitled woman then you won't be offended by those who speak to you less than politely.

I have 3 dogs, and arsehole dog owners bug the shit out of me too. I have a puppy in training in recall ( he's on a longline) and am also teaching him to ignore dogs and people.
Eejit woman decided to let her black lab with zero training run up to him and get in his space. It's perfectly obvious I'm training, plus it was a huge open space where kids don't play. She couldn't get her dog back and it's jumping all over my pup. We had " words"
My 3 are always on leads where people are and I absolutely wouldn't let them jump on people.
A lot of people ARE responsible dog owners, and training should be mandatory.

I put my dog on lead when I see people coming, not everyone wants a dog jumping on them.

It’s got so much worse in the last couple of years. I’ve started talking a hiking stick (is that what they are called?) out with me after some terribly worrying situations with dogs. I have 3 DC under 5 and I feel like I need to be able to protect them with more than my bare hands. Too many thick owners have acquired dogs in the last few years and have not even a semblance of control. So now I carry a stick, I got the idea from a friend who is doing the same after her neighbours daughter was bitten by a dog that literally just roams the street as the neighbour just lets it out to do it’s business in the street. I know it’s not the dogs fault but I won’t hesitate to use the stick to ward off dogs. For years I’ve been polite and bleated ‘it’s ok it won’t hurt you’ as my toddlers are terrorised by enormous mutts. No more. I’m confident licensing and crack downs will be coming though as it’s getting really bad out there. My mums friend was bitten earlier this year.

Dog owners should watch out though because parents of young children have had enough. My DH now isn’t adverse to kicking out with his boot, he would never have done that a couple of years ago but it’s needs must. A lady started crying last summer after he chased her dog with a spade (he wouldn’t really have hurt it but he put on a good show), yes she cried but she was quite happy for her nasty rat dog to chase a two year old!

I hate hate hate it. My dad grew up with shepherding grandparents (and therefore had extremely well trained dogs) and had a brilliant tactic with off-lead dogs with no recall training: when he was out running and dogs came bounding up to him, he'd click his fingers and say, "Come on then!" and get them to run off with him, leaving the hapless owners for dust. 😁

I would rather pay for my dogs to run around an enclosed field. Than take them to a public place.

@PurplePeach83 now that is a great idea!

How am I supposed to know what breed your mutt is? But regardless, if owners were bothered to put in the extra time and effort at home, no dog would NEED off lead walks. It's just easier and less time consuming for you to let them off lead in public, that's all. So yes carry on and sod everybody else, typical dog owner attitude.