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 DO NOT HAVE TO BE CONSIDERATE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES CHOICE TO GET A PET. No other human has to give any consideration to other people’s choice to get a pet. They are a ridiculous, selfish waste of the worlds resources. Get one if you please, but you can fuck off if you think your mind numbing self centred decision means that I am under any obligation to change my actions because of it.

Pets are not human.

Sounds like someone should get a dog!

“Owning a dog promotes the flow of oxytocin, a hormone that decreases our heart rate and fosters feelings of well-being and relaxation”

Sheesh. I thought dogs were supposed to enrich your life, and be enjoyable. Where is the joy in a highly strung dog that goes nuts every time someone passes it?? How can you be bothered with that?!

I can’t speak for others but I’ve found helping a dog who is the way he is having been beaten and starved by previous owners really rewarding. I can definitely forgive him for being a bit jumpy around strangers that are too close. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I like to run and I don't cross the road to avoid dogs. Of course, if everyone's dog lunged at me, I would cross the road, but the fact I don't expect to be lunged at would suggest my experience is that most people do control their dogs. If your dog lunges at me, you deserve my knee jerk dirty look. Sorry.

Runners aren’t under any obligation to stop, put hands by their sides, and smile sweetly at Fido whilst he ignores his owners bleating attempts at control. Owners should have adequate control to stop Fido from running up, bouncing around, an dc tripping up Mr Jogger NaN.

I don't have a dog.

I am, however, not a selfish twat who thinks that that my decision to go for a run on a certain section of path is not more important than anyone else who chooses to use that path at the same time.

No, but equally it's not difficult to behave in such a way that reduces the risk of startling animals and/or other humans.

I seem to manage it. Just have a bit of courtesy.

I always give dogs a wide berth and will stop and stand to one side if the path is narrow. However, some dog owners do get offended by this as they think I am implying their dog is untrained / unfriendly. As a jogger and a cyclist, I have long since learnt I can't win...

OP I have dogs and am a runner too and also work as a dog walker, and I would slow down to pass any dogs when I’m running, if they bark or lunge I would usually stop and walk past them. From the other side if I think a dog I’m walking might react to something I try and warn the person before hand, just call out something like “sorry he might bark a bit when you pass, he’s very nervous” that way the person won’t get a fright and if they are understanding they might slow down. I use this approach when ever I meet a runner, horse, cyclist etc with my walked dogs as It’s not always easy to know how they will react if I’ve not seen them in that situation before and I find people are generally very nice about it. I do live in a ‘friendly’ area though so attitudes might be different here!

pretty sure men have the right to jog without being obligated to cross the road or worry about your dog. Jesus Christ, the world doesn't revolve around you.

The trouble is you want them to slow down for YOUR dog. Does that mean they need to slow down for every dog. If so they wouldn't get very far with the number of dogs in public spaces nowadays

Most people using the pavement expect dog to be trained and under control. If yours is not and you expect others to change their behaviour for you perhaps you need to let them know by getting your dog something like this, so people know to give you space

With your dogs particular problems obviously.

A reactive dog is not the publics problem. Sort your dogs training away from the public until it is safe around others. A dog that lunges is a danger to you, himself and everyone else

I’m going to adopt a similar attitude I think. None of your shit is my problem. I’m under no obligation to be a decent human whilst running. Keep your belongings close, people. I’m running wherever the fuck I want. Hope I don’t scare you although if I do, you should just train yourself to not be startled.

I’m a runner but female so guess I’m less “intimidating”.

Why do I need to cross the road - which would constantly for me in my area - because owners choose to have a dog? I run as I have a disability which means I have to keep my bones strong. Running isn’t a choice for me - it’s staving off me prematurely being in a wheelchair. Dog owners choose to have a dog so I think OP, you need to stop blaming others for your dog’s reaction.

@TootsAtOwls I wouldn't give it too much thought if your dog is on lead. I agree with a pp who said you can't train dogs nor people out of a 'startle' reaction and we shouldn't want to either. We're not robots.

Most joggers we encounter are considerate but some lone men runners can be a pain. Like the ones that hate stopping and don't like waiting for traffic because they want to beat their personal best. Nothing else matters to them.

You sound exactly the sort of runner who doesn't give a shit about cars and people. I've seen lots of near misses caused by selfish joggers.

People come before dogs

it really is that simple

YABU

You ought to have your dog on a very short lead so it can’t lunge at people. It’s annoying when people run close to you but I think that’s a separate issue to you having close enough physical control of your dog so that it can’t lunge towards people.

I just think if I was running I wouldn't DREAM of running right next to a dog and expecting zero reaction!

where should people run then?

You are encouraging your dog to be nervous. You also appear to be nervous of men and are unconsciously communicating this to your dog. This is terrible and cruel dog ownership. I have no idea why you seem so pleased with yourself and smug about your poor dog skills and poorly trained dog. Your dog would be better off with someone who actually cares about them

Surely good manners means you neither hog the pavement as a dog walker, or expect a totally clear run as a runner.

don't bring common sense into it! 😆

They shouldn’t

running should be banned

just in case they scare some poor dog and it lunges at them

according to some posters on here anyway!!

can’t speak for others but I’ve found helping a dog who is the way he is having been beaten and starved by previous owners really rewarding. I can definitely forgive him for being a bit jumpy around strangers that are too close
I'm sure it is rewarding, but it doesn't mean the general public should have to change their activities to suit a random dog.
Too close is a vague concept.

If it's a little jumpy when someone is up in their face, I'd get it and agree with you.

If sharing a path with people doing perfectly normal things is too close then a reactive dog shouldn't be on a pavement in a public area.

If someone gets great satisfaction out of taking a reactive dog and investing the time and energy to train them effectively then that's brilliant. It's a special interest and skills.

However it's not the job of society to stop doing totally normal activities because some humans choose to take their reactive dogs out in public places and then moan that life is going on.