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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Muddy paws dog jumped on me on walk, WWYD?

768 replies

Blip · 18/02/2023 11:36

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:44

@maximist I like this plan

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 18/02/2023 11:45

Blip · 18/02/2023 11:42

I'm tempted to get more aggressive with people who simply don't give a shit about their dog smearing you with mud

Lets us know how you get on next time it happens.

Lavender14 · 18/02/2023 11:45

It's happened me multiple times, personally would find it mildly irritating but it wouldn't ruin my day. I have a dog now and I'd never let him do that but I did need to train him to that point.

TeenLifeMum · 18/02/2023 11:45

This happened to me and after park I had to go to town to pick up a birthday cake so had to walk around with mud up my trousers. It was annoying. I got home, changed my trousers and put a wash on. It happens and it’s very annoying. Grateful I didn’t stand in dog poop though.

LolaSmiles · 18/02/2023 11:45

I've told other dog owners to get their dog on a lead before.

I have larger dogs and a small off lead dog jumped at DC once, when I had mine with me. I was annoyed and pointed out that people would rightly be annoyed if my dogs behaved that way, and I'm fed up of owners with small dogs thinking a small dog means they don't need to have them on lead or under control.

Bluevelvetsofa · 18/02/2023 11:46

But there is nowhere that you can go for a walk these days, without encountering dogs. Round here, there are notices that dogs must be on leads, but those notices are regularly ignored, especially along the seafront. I don’t want to be tripped up by dogs chasing balls and running in and out of the sea. The dog free areas are ignored too.

MirabelMax · 18/02/2023 11:47

An apology would have gone a long way here. I'd have been more annoyed by the lack of one than the dogs jumping.

Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:48

I'm tempted to unleash verbally to try to incentivise owners not to do this.

OP posts:
TulipCat · 18/02/2023 11:48

Life is full of minor irritants. People accidentally spill drinks, dogs jump up, cars splash you with dirty puddle water. It's just life. Expect an apology from the owner and put your clothes in the washing machine.

SeulementUneFois · 18/02/2023 11:48

OP

More pragmatically I would immediately take a photo of the owner and the dog - if possible together.

Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:48

Ahh taking a photo is an excellent idea

OP posts:
shockthemonkey · 18/02/2023 11:49

Blip · 18/02/2023 11:42

I'm tempted to get more aggressive with people who simply don't give a shit about their dog smearing you with mud

I don't see how that will get you anywhere.

As PPs have said, it us U of owners not to have their dogs under control... but coming on here complaining about it won't solve the issue. There will always be owners who allow their dogs to do this.

Getting aggressive would be a bad idea and wouldn't make you feel any better about it.

Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:50

Maybe I'll put some posters up saying this owner will let their dog jump up at you

OP posts:
FacingTheChallenge · 18/02/2023 11:51

I would shout and then chalk it up as yet another of the increasing number of dreadful selfish dog owners out there.

And fantasise about rubbing their faces in dog shit.

Seeline · 18/02/2023 11:51

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/02/2023 11:39

Day in day out, many of these posts appear.

Shows how many inconsiderate dog owners there are.

Redebs · 18/02/2023 11:51

PortiasBiscuit · 18/02/2023 11:41

Dogs can’t be kept on the lead all the time, poor things!

Of course they can

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/02/2023 11:51

Blip · Today 11:48
Ahh taking a photo is an excellent idea“

For what purpose?

Please don’t respond aggressively. You or your child may be bitten if a dog tries to defend its owner. Very bad idea all round.

Ostryga · 18/02/2023 11:52

I’d bet these were a poodle cross of some description. They’re all a frigging nightmare (yes even the ones owner’s think are well behaved - they aren’t!)

If your dog can’t recall it doesn’t go off the lead. Or you pay to hire a proper dog walking field. It’s really that simple.

Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:52

Or maybe spray with anti dog fight spray

OP posts:
CherLloydbyCherLloyd · 18/02/2023 11:52

Redebs · 18/02/2023 11:51

Of course they can

Show quote history

They absolutely cannot. They can, however, be under control at all times through proper training, and be put back on lead when people are approaching.

Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:53

Although I don't blame the dog I blame the owner

OP posts:
Original poster
Blip · 18/02/2023 11:53

Would be good to publicly shame the owners as a way to stop them being so antisocial

OP posts:
faffadoodledo · 18/02/2023 11:54

Just got back from a walk with my (beautifully controlled and well behaved dog) and got jumped on by a slightly muddy spaniel. Such a light little thing I barely felt him tbh. But he left some muddy paw prints on my tracks. Oh well. Gave him a cheery hello, smiled at the owner and carried on. It was a walk in the countryside. The weather was lovely, the views stunning. There was mud. I wouldn't have expected to come back clean anyway.

unici5 · 18/02/2023 11:54

Blip · 18/02/2023 11:50

Maybe I'll put some posters up saying this owner will let their dog jump up at you

If you want to waste that much energy - paper, ink, and time on this, go for it. You sound like someone who could use a hobby.

Redebs · 18/02/2023 11:54

maximist · 18/02/2023 11:43

Carry a water pistol full of muddy water and squirt the owners in revenge?

Actually, I might do this, I hate dogs jumping up at me.

Neat idea
Probably more reasonable than my plan to carry an aerosol paint can 🤣