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 did care before this thread taught me I was under no obligation to. Always tried to make sure I wasn’t inconveniencing people whatever I was doing. Now it’s every man for themselves. Dogs, kids, buggies, people, belongings - I’ll stop for nothing.

Just ignore their dirty looks op. Your dog is on a lead and not doing any harm.

This. If your dog is on a lead and poses zero risk to the runner, don't overthink the barking or lunge. It's a natural reaction to a fright. I don't think your job as a dog owner is to make sure the dog never reacts in public, but to make sure everyone is safe.

I think YABU . And I do not hate dogs!!! I just think you are being unreasonable in this case. Can you walk him in places with more space?

I hate runners coming up behind or in front of me without much warning.
tall men, often wearing headphones and doing more heavy breathing than they are aware of.
it’s intimidating!
I am not very tall, but at 5ft I’m talking than a dog!!

When we were training our dog as a puppy we had issues with people coming up to her (she's very tiny and cute!) and trying to interact with her without asking while we were trying to teach her that she didn't need to say hello to everyone / jump up... it was really frustrating but improved a lot when we got a bright yellow 'warning sign' that attached to the leash saying 'Dog in Training' with a hand with a cross through it. Something similar might help in this situation? I think we got it from Etsy. I know your situation is a bit different but the sign did help hugely as it made people more aware that we were training the dog, not to approach her (especially without asking!) etc. – so could be useful for you too? I think you can also get signs and dog vests that say 'reactive dog'.

Yes but the men are only being playful. Panting is a natural response from a man with an elevated heart rate. Even if they do look intimidating they’re usually just big softies and great with kids.

I was out with my medium size rescue and a male jogger caught up with us as he rounded the corner, my dog started barking at him not aggressive but letting him know that you don't chase my human, I apologized and the jogger was really good and said my dog was doing his job protecting me if somebody comes running up to you the dog doesn't know if it's a friend or foe.

This. If your dog is on a lead and poses zero risk to the runner, don't overthink the barking or lunge. It's a natural reaction to a fright. I don't think your job as a dog owner is to make sure the dog never reacts in public, but to make sure everyone is safe.
No dog is never going to react because there might be occasional situations where a reaction is appropriate.

HOWEVER, if someone's dog is going to lunge and react at strangers in public who are getting on with their life then it IS a risk to the public. Owners who think it's acceptable to reinforce their dog lunging at runners and other path users are choosing to teach their dog that's acceptable behaviour.

I'm a dog owner and am fed up with the amount of times I see and hear people thinking that their bloody dog should be allowed to run up to people, lunge at people, and jump at people whilst making silly excuses for it.

😂
they’re running past! They’re generally minding their own business. It’s still momentarily intimidating!!

I’d prefer to choose which man was heavy breathing playfully in close proximity to me …… & it wouldn’t be in the street !!

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

You should be able to run next to a dog without it reacting. Dogs can be trained to ignore joggers, it's not hard.
There are always loads of runners and people walking dogs on our daily riverside walk. Runners have to overtake closely on the narrow trail and I've never once seen a dog react or take any notice.
Apart from mine when I first got him from the rescue!
So we avoided the area for a few months until he was trained not to react.

I was running and bit by dog who was not on lead and had no recall. So I give dogs a wide berth. Blind corners are that. Blind so plan for these and cross over so you aren’t surprised.

I'm a jogger (and a dog owner so may think differently) but I always slow down when approaching a dog (or a person or cyclist). For my own protection more than anything as dogs can be unpredictable and running up behind one and startling them is asking for trouble. I wouldn't necessarily cross the road but I appreciate the need to share the pavement. In the word ms of blur.. . 'Its not all about you joggers who go round and round' 😂😂

Yes but the men are only being playful. Panting is a natural response from a man with an elevated heart rate. Even if they do look intimidating they’re usually just big softies and great with kids.

love this

Runner and a dog owner. I slow down for dogs or walk if the dog looks a bit ‘playful’. I’ve been bitten twice. I slow
down for kids learning bikes and scooters, elderly people or anyone really who hasn’t spotted me or isn’t themselves moving quickly. You often can’t win whatever you do. If you are running up behind someone, they’re just as startled if you overtake unannounced as if you call out from 20 metres behind - the latter ends up in a big song and dance while they dramatically decide which side of the path to pull into while getting tangled up in the dog or their friend. Sometimes it’s better just to sneak past! A short sharp shock is surely better than some of the absurdity I’ve been embroiled in - I’m a calm and considerate person, not a big huffing and puffing bloke trying to beat his Strava segment record and NOBODY WILL GET IN MY WAY! You absolutely do get those runners and they should probably chill a bit in public shared spaces. However, don’t always imagine a ‘look’ is a ‘dirty look’ as it’s often quite hard to look friendly when running - also, many runners will spend many hours a week running and will get into these situations regularly, in their mind, it might not warrant any sort of acknowledgment or pleasantries, just not an event at all.

Oh fgs the amount of posters saying they're scared of "the big scary running man" .
99% of them are just exercising without any other motive. If you're that scared of others exercising then it sounds like a you problem and should probably look into counselling.

I was a runner (quit due to knee issues) and in the end in order to get a good run ie not stopping for everyone who refused to move by pavement hogging etc I had to get up at 4 in the morning. Those saying they shouldn't have to look over their shoulders when walking... I do this when I'm walking to allow room for faster walkers or anyone else who needs to pass. What irritates me are those who walk their dog walking on one side of the pavement and have a long lead with the dog on the other side. Sorry but as you think your dog is your baby and more important than me,I'm trying to walk mine and think he's more important than your dog.

Honestly, I thought it was common sense not to run up close to a dog you don't know.

Having a dangerous dog destroyed and the owners prosecuted can't replace calf muscle, restore full hand function, or remove facial scarring.

It's a bit like the old gag about road users saying "But I had right of way" with their dying breath.

Having a dangerous dog destroyed and the owners prosecuted can't replace calf muscle, restore full hand function, or remove facial scarring
I agree but on the other hand is it right that creatures capable of inflicting such damage are casually walking around the streets?
Answer= no it ducking🦆 well isn't🤬

Ignore the runners & do your thing.
Their reaction is valid as their stride is being interrupted but so is your feeling bad for disturbing their run. Your dog is on a lead, under control & no one got hurt. Runners should really slow down, give a wide berth to others on the pathway & even walk when passing dogs/kids/prams etc like people in cars do when passing cyclists/horses/big puddles of water.
If these incidents are happening at similar points on your dog walks consider placing a little pile of treat bits down on the ground to entice your dog to look away from the big scary man/bright thing running towards him/her.

Or maybe runners cyclists and walkers should wear 'KEEP YOUR DOG AWAY FROM ME' signs?

Sorry this just makes it sound like no one is allowed to live their lives because you have a nervous dog, if your dog is that bad maybe you should only take it for walks in remote areas where the chances of it being spooked and reacting are a lot less, otherwise then I’m afraid you will just have to steel yourself for runners and skateboarders and cyclists as that’s life 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Thesharkradar , depends what you mean by capable. Many breeds not generally associated with attacks are capable in the same way that you or I are capable of pushing someone into a busy road - we sure could, but we don't want to. Same with some individual members of breeds that are associated with attacks.

All I know is that as someone who likes dogs, I am amazed by some people's lack of self preservation around them. My own dog is tiny and adult strangers have picked her up and held her to their faces - are they fucking nuts?!

Many breeds not generally associated with attacks are capable in the same way that you or I are capable of pushing someone into a busy road - we sure could, but we don't want to. Same with some individual members of breeds that are associated with attacks
@LuvSmallDogs
You seem to be implying that the animal is capable of making a moral choice?

am I so unreasonable to think that you don't run right past a dog who's looking intently at you

YABU

I don’t care enough about other peoples dogs to know where it’s looking. It’s your job to control your own dog.
If you can’t you need to take it somewhere even quieter.

@Thesharkradar are wants (or drives, or urges, if you prefer) always based on moral decisions? Do you not want to push people under cars because you know it would be immoral, or do you just...not want to?