Muddy paws dog jumped on me on walk, WWYD?

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I was walking across a park yesterday and two spaniels bounded towards me about 50 yards away from their owner. I could tell they were going to try and jump up at me so I avoided eye contact with them and told my dd to do the same.

Unfortunately one still did jump up at me multiple times and left mud on my clean trousers.

I shouted at the owner to please keep her dogs under control as one had got mud on my trousers. Not in an aggressive or rude tone though.

In my opinion if you don't have sufficient control over your dog to stop them doing this they need to be kept on a lead in public. The owner didn't seem very bothered and I think there is zero chance of her preventing this happening another time to someone else or possibly even to me again. I feel pretty annoyed about it.

I think there are some owners who either don't think it's a problem when their dogs jump up at strangers or who just don't care.

What would you do if this happened to you?

Take walking poles

Accept the apology graciously and move on with your day.

I don't think they apologised though, tbf. OP suggested they were very nonchalant.

People pay for parks through taxes. Parks are for people; dogs are tolerated there. If they can’t behave in the park they shouldn’t be there. Or they should have dog lanes the way cyclists do – both are a scourge so perhaps they could share?

Would love to see more dog-free parks, and proper dog-free beaches instead of in summer only. Dog-free towns, dog-free country – let’s dream big!

It is the owners that are the problem. With the 'helpful' advice; well I wouldn't walk in a park with work clothes on, to, just pop your clothes in the washing machine, with advice on how to shoo the dog away. It's these entitled owners that are the problem. I expect this level of selfishness is apparent in all areas of their lives. Needless to say, they certainly shouldn't be allowed to have dogs.

It depends on my mood tbh.. I'm recently bereaved so am extra emotional. If id made the effort to go for a walk then this would piss me off no end and id probably have a massive go at the inconsiderate and selfish dog owner behold promptly bursting into tears and then apologising myself (might have recently done similar).

In normal times I'd have just had a bit of a moan like you did and be annoyed.

I'd be really annoyed. This happened to me when I was walking to a job interview. Huge muddy pawprints over my coat. It also happened to my dad but the dog ripped his very expensive jacket. Owner couldn't care less.

I have a springer pup 9mo and I hate dogs jumping on me. It's bad manners. We are teaching ours not to go to strangers never mind jump at them. Teach your dog manners!!

Ours is never off lead in parks but he has a 10m training lead so still has fun. We have plenty of fields and woodlands where he can be off lead.

I find most dogs know 'sit' so just tell a dog running to you to sit. Then maybe 'stay'. Then yell at the owner to get their dog. Then tell them their dog should be taught manners or kept on a lead when in public places. You'd probably get a rude response but dogs without manners usually have owners without manners

Get over it. I'd give the dogs a scratch around the ears.

If they didn't apologise I would probably think to myself that they were awfully rude. Though, whenever this has happened to me the owners have been terribly apologetic. Then I would move on with my day. People who get angry about the small things in life aren't great company.

As a dog owner I agree dogs should be on leads unless they have excellent recall.
Yes I would be annoyed with a dog running over and jumping up so I got mud on me as I don’t let my dog jump up on me so don’t expect other peoples dogs to do that.
But if it happens then it happens, I would tell the owner they should have the dog on lead if they are going to jump up at people but I would not verbally abuse/get aggressive with them as I wouldn’t embarrass myself in such a way.
As for putting their photos on social media I really don’t see what people get out of that, I see it as a form of bullying and makes the person posting worse then the dog owner in my opinion. Our local social media pages daily have people uploading people who were rude to them or parked their car an inch over the white line etc etc I just find it amusing that they have that much time to be bothered about something like that and as I have already said it’s a form of bullying. Have noticed people have been commenting on these peoples post telling them there is no need for their posts so there are other people out there that obviously think the same as I do.

@3WildOnes ahh brilliant, victim blaming!

I would have kicked it off me and been pissed off.

A victim of muddy paws?! 😂I think you may be being a little dramatic!

@Forestwalks are you also the entitled person who blocks my driveway every day for 15 mins (double yellow lines, dropped kerb, to collect their child from school?

@3WildOnes you just personality smeared me so I think the drama is yours

Smeared you?! 😂

This has happened to me. I was very annoyed but in the end you just have to put up with it. There’s not much you can do. Never go for muddy walks in things that can’t be washed.

If you are someone who acts super entitled and doesn't give a shit about other people then of course you won't be happy when people don't let you walk all over them.

As for putting their photos on social media I really don’t see what people get out of that, I see it as a form of bullying and makes the person posting worse then the dog owner in my opinion.

Maybe it would encourage people to control their dogs. And other people will recognise the rubbish dog owner and give them a wide birth. It's a good idea actually. Next time it happens to me the owners photo will be going up in the online wall of shame. If dog owners don't want this to happen, they know what to do...

I'd suggest you get this to the PMs desk, stat. I'm sure he'll put aside the whole Northern Ireland protocol issue and get right on it.

It's funny, OP. You started this thread asking, what would you do if this happened to you? Lots of people have answered and you're incredibly aggressive in response to the replies you don't like. I wonder if you give off those same vibes in person? I've had it happen to me and not been particularly worked up. The owners have always apologised profusely. So maybe it's something to do with you? Maybe some therapy would help?

Surely letting your dog jump on people is more bullying than warning others that this is what you do.

@3WildOnes agree! My dad describes such people as life's losers. Suffer a minor inconvenience, allow it to ruin their day, whinge about it to anyone who will listen (or start a Mumsnet thread 😂) and ultimately not be much fun at parties.

photograph them and put them on Facebook

@unici5 ahh yes of course!
The owner didn't apologise to me and it was my fault because I gave off aggressive vibes that she could read at 50 feet away.
My bad.
I expect I will be attacked soon by a stranger for the same reason and that will also be my fault.