Dogs and joggers

[TootsAtOwls]

I'm prepared to be told IABU on this but interested to know what others think...

I have a rescue dog who is mostly fine, always friendly if he meets people in the house etc. However he does sometimes bark at people he doesn't like the look of when we pass them on the street (tall men, people wearing neon colours etc). I am actively working on this with positive reinforcement (I get the treats out before we pass people so he learns that other people are a good thing) and most days pass without incident.

However, I am having trouble with (male) runners. They come out of nowhere, running around corners and hurtling past at full speed. I often don't have time to get the treat into the dog's mouth or he's already too distracted by the runner to take it. So he barks, and lunges (I know he means it in a playful way, but they don't!) They always seem to look back and give me a dirty look as i call out "Sorry!"

But I can't help thinking, if I was running past a dog, I'd either cross the road to avoid them or if that's impossible (say on a canal path) I would bloody well slow down! I get that they don't want to keep interrupting their run with bouts of walking. Bit am I so unreasonable to think that you don't run right past a dog who's looking intently at you (as opposed to a dog showing no interest)? Surely they must see it's going to get them barked at?

I somehow knew you were going to come back with that. But PBs don't count if they are not in a race!

I guess runners are the same. They just don’t realise their behaviour can be triggering for a lot of dogs

Believe me, I am only too aware that my running "triggers" dogs. But it's up to the owners to make sure they don't have a negative impact on other users of paths/roads/fields/parks/cafes/garden centres/shops/offices etc.

Every second person has got a dog round here, if I crossed over every time an entitled dog owner with a cheese-wire dog lead came towards me I’d be zigzagging like a crazy person. I’m hardly Usain Bolt

I actually do zigzag like a crazy person. If someone is approaching with a dog (or path-hogging in some other way) and it's safe for me to cross the road/there is space to deviate, I will. But it's not always possible and that's why dog owners should ensure they hold onto their dogs in narrow spaces.

But PBs don't count if they are not in a race!
Says who?
If I have a personal best in any of my sporting endeavours it's very important and significant to me.
For those who are into exercise and staying fit this can be part of the strategy to keep yourself motivated and engaged in the lifelong pursuit of good health.🧘🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏋️‍♀️🚴‍♀️
How can you possibly say that doesn't count 🤷

There are personal PBs and there are official PBs - usually for running races this means the race has a UK Athletics license which means the race has met certain criteria.

A PB achieved running up the tow path in your town and measured on your Garmin isn't going to hold much sway when it comes to Olympic selection.

I was chuffed when I smashed my PB for getting through the checkout at Aldi.

A PB achieved running up the tow path in your town and measured on your Garmin isn't going to hold much sway when it comes to Olympic selection
Very true but mere mortals like me who are not athletically gifted but still want to be as fit as possible need to have our own system of PBs keep us motivated☝🏻😁

somehow I'm dissapointed that this thread is not about leisure clothing whilst out with the dog.

a sort of counter thread to the school run dress ones...

Says me

if it's not on power of 10 it doesn't count!

although I know that people set great store by Strava crowns

Anyway it's much easier to run fast in a race without cars and dogs in your way.