Was I rude/wrong in this situation?

[clankist]

Was out walking my two seven month chihuahuas today. I have treated them like dogs from day one and they are very well trained. They walk off lead absolutely fine and don't bother other dogs at all, however if a dog comes running over to them they will bolt.

Today I was walking them off lead and there were two big golden retriever with two women who were chatting. We were quite a distance away but one of the retrievers started barking and running towards me/my dogs. I put my hand out in a 'stop' motion as it got closer. I said, 'stop' and when that didn't work I said 'no'. That didn't work either and my dogs started to run away.

I moved away from the dogs and began to call for my dogs but the retriever kept following me so my dogs were standing watching at a distance but wouldn't come over due to the dog being next to me. I shouted across to the woman, 'can you please get your dog?' No reply and she continued talking.

I moved away again, calling my dogs and the dog followed me again. I looked at the lady and shouted, 'can you get your dog?' She didn't move.

I moved away again and the dog followed once again, at this point I was exasperated and said a little sternly, 'will You move your dog!?'

She came over and said, 'my dog isn't anywhere near your dogs' rudely.

I said, 'yeah because they ran away terrified due to your dog coming up to them. If your dog is off lead it shouldn't be running up to my dogs'

She went to say something but I just held up my hand and said, 'thank you'.

I then continued my walk with my dogs and the lady met another dog walker who then started pointing to me and shaking their head.

Did I do the right thing to deal with this situation or was I too sensitive? I just think you shouldn't have your dog off the lead unless you know they will not approach any other dogs without permission.

I don't disagree that if the dogs bolt they should be on a lead. I had already said that. But unless you know the owner of another off lead dog you should not let your dog approach it. Especially if there is a great distance.

Your dogs don't have full recall so they shouldn't be offlead. An offlead dog = a dog who is safe to play with other dogs. Your dogs are not. Lead them up!

^This

I'm sick to death of dog owners who allow their 'friendly' dogs to 'just
say hello' to my young children.
As a result of too many bad experiences they are now extremely frightened of ALL dogs.

This! Again.

I'm amazed at the shit owners on this thread.

I don't disagree, but you can't control what other people do - only yourself.

If OP's dogs had bolted into a road, they'd likely be dead. It's her duty to keep them safe and that means on a lead around other dogs if they're nervous.

She should do too.

But her being a poor dog owner as well does not mean you can be one also.

Exactly. Which is why you don't let your dog approach other dogs.

No you weren't rude. It pisses me off when people let their dogs run up to any other dog especially when you asked her several times to get her dog. Bit like parents who let their children run wild.

I put my hand up and said, 'thank you' and walked away. I wasn't near her, so it would have been impossible for me to put my hand in her face. Which I wouldn't have done anyway. I put my hand up to stop the conversation.

Why would you even do this?!

I’m cringing for you.

Just keep your dogs on a lead around other dogs in future and hopefully she will do the same.

But as I say, OP can't control other people - only her own actions. She shouldn't be relying on other people to keep her dogs' safe.

In this scenario, all three dogs were off-lead and none of them were under control. OP's were running off and the other dog wasn't responding to its' owners call. All as bad as each other.

I don't understand why you keep replying to me. I have said the op and the other owner should above had their dogs on a lead.

You don't need to cringe for me

She was in the wrong. If another dog owner asked you to call your dog in it’s because there’s a potential problem and she should have complied. It’s common sense but obviously some people don’t have any.

the Other women should of had her dogs under control and they shouldn’t of come up to you.

I bloody hate dog owners that just let there dog bound over when your dog is staying nicely besides you.

Two wrongs don't make a right op.

You were both in the wrong re dogs off less and you then acted like a rude so and so by putting your hand up to her

I think since your dogs were off lead, the dog did nothing wrong approaching your dogs - that's the 'accepted' etiquette for off-lead dogs. It actually sounds like the dog was respectful of the body language of your dogs, and while he wanted to play, he didn't force himself on your dogs (hence the comment from the woman "my dog is nowhere near your dogs".

But she could have been more helpful in the circumstances.

It's so so not acceptable

I don’t even think raising your hand to end the convo is that bad. She was bloody ignorant when you had to ask 3 times for her to get her pain in the ass dog.

@HollyJollypup I don’t think you understand the meaning of the word “ignorant”.

It seems to me that neither of you had full control of your dogs and therefore both should have kept your dogs on leads.

You were both being UR.

Her dog doesn't have full recall and neither do yours.

I agree - but common sense is also having your nervous dogs on a lead around other dogs when you know they're prone to bolting - which OP didn't bother doing either.

People shouldn't let their dogs run up to other people. Some people of scared of dogs or very allergic, so the other lady was really inconsiderate

@YellowTreeHouse it has a informal meaning of discourteous or rude. Which is what the dog owner was being.

Which is how I was using it. HTH you.

Disagree. A well trained dog should be allowed to
run and sniff and chase a ball (things it can’t do easily on lead) without being followed and jumped on and bowled over by other dogs.

Brief interaction; fine. But keep an eye on your dog and if you see the other dog isn’t interested or happy then move them on.