Muddy paws dog jumped on me on walk, WWYD?

[Blip]

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?

I’d find it mildly annoying but I wouldn’t give it much headspace.

Not at all. As I have said. My dog has impeccable recall. If he didn't he wouldn't be off his lead.

I often imagine kicking the dog but wouldn’t. It would be cruel, it’s the shit owner’s fault and of course the dog could become aggressive and turn on me.

@MrsSkylerWhite You’ve gone on a country holiday (in the UK) in February to a cottage with no washing machine and just two pairs of trousers and would be very annoyed if you got them muddy? Tad unrealistic?

Honestly it’s never been a problem. Anything more than a short break I’d look for a washing machine (although on previous MN threads about holiday facilities most people preferred a dishwasher over a washing machine) and/or take more clothes. On muddy walks I either wear long boots or gaiters and if it’s raining I have overtrousers. I dress for the weather I shouldn’t have to dress for badly trained dogs.

I regularly go on boating holidays and that’s two weeks without a washing machine so take more clothes but still don’t want someone else’s dog jumping at me.

I'd be really pissed off too if a dog jumped at me, especially if it ruined the outfit I was wearing. If you live in a city it is totally reasonable to walk on paths through a park with work clothes on and you shouldn't just have to accept someone's poorly-controlled animal should jump at you. It could knock over a small child if it's like that.

Not sure what I'd actually do about it other than complain loudly. Can you report it to a dog warden? Not sure.

I'm still bitter about the time an off-lead dog came and ate the picnic DD and I were enjoying and ruined our lunch. I think in that instance the owner should have reimbursed us for the lost food.

😂 I like that.

I'd be thrilled that anyone was so happy to see me. But then I live with teenagers.

I would then brush down my trousers and get on with my life. All this dog hate is so boring. ( I am not a dog owner).

I love dogs but I can sympathise with you. I have a cocker that is as trained as she ever will be. She is generally really good but I don't 100% trust her not to forget her manners and jump up at someone she meets on a walk. So she is kept on lead on walks. It's really not difficult. You never know when you are going to meet someone who is terrified of dogs or a child who could end up like that because you can't keep a dog under control.

I would give the dog a fuss and then wash the trousers when I got home.

Not my problem re the dog and bad owners.

I bet those who are saying they'd do nothing etc and just move on are the very people OP are talking about DaffodilHmm

I don't have a dog. Thanks for reminding me of that. 💔

The amount of dog hate is proportional to the increasing number of dogs around (esp in cafes and shops) and their selfish entitled owners.

I think the world is divided into two halves, those who absolutely do mind others making their clothes muddy and those who claim that they do not mind.

Best post I’ve seen on MN. 🤣

niugboo · Today 12:35
I kick dogs who do this“

Why do you think that’s ok?

Why "claim" that we do not mind? I live next to a park. I really don't mind. :)

some of these posts are so entitled. Don’t go where dogs are walked. What- anywhere? Literally can’t move for dogs anywhere these days. Perhaps dog owners could be less selfish?

I would scruffle their ears and talk to them and ask the owner their names and ages I expect

I wouldn't be too bothered, it happened to me too, but if I were dog owner, I would be embarrassed as hell.

I think that poster probably has a genuine phobia. There are some people who are terrified of dogs and should not be mocked.

I detest dogs because they are dirty but I am not scared (unless a hound charges at me). Some people have proper fear and react like that poster would.

I don't think you can shame dog owners.

Check some of the start replies on here.

You can't even go to cafes now without slavering, slobbering, stinky dogs annoying you

YANBU to be annoyed probably very little can be done though.

Carry an airhorn next time and if they come near - press hard.

Dog owners choose to have dogs and they love the, I get that.

I’m not greatly keen on dogs but I accept that I will come across them on rural hikes.

The owner of the dog has the responsibility for the dog’s behaviour but many don’t seem to accept this. A few weeks ago a friend and I were walking on a woodland footpath when a large dog jumped on her from behind. I shoved it off her but it was still trying to jump up until it’s owner came to retrieve it, she didn’t even try to call it off, and threatened to punch me for ‘hitting’ her dog. I’m 68, my fighting days are over 😂😂.

When I checked my friend’s back she had dog drool in her hair and on the back of her coat. According to the owner this was all our fault, not even a hint of an apology. This is why people get annoyed.

Oh-kaaaay....

This is not a big deal.

I’d tell the dog owner to keep the dog on the lead if they randomly jump up at people. If it was a child and the dog was quite big, the child could have been knocked over. Also, why should you be covered in mud by someone else’s pet? No excuses.