To think that people should use their manners when I'm out walking my dog

[politenesspooch]

I've changed name for this due to the dog haters on here.

I walk my dog on lead of an early evening (he has a long off lead walk in the morning). I'm training him to walk properly by my side on a loose leash, but it's a work in progress and will take some time. He's a spaniel and very high energy, so I use lots of treats and encouragement. I've used and paid for a trainer to be able to do this correctly and I'm following her instruction and technique.

So why then do I have to contend with joggers, people on bikes and walkers coming up right behind me and my dog, spooking us both? Why don't they say "Excuse me!" because I would quite happily move to one side and make room for them?

Tonight it was a woman who exclaimed as she walked right up behind me and surprised both me and my dog and so my dog jumped towards her because he was taken by surprise?

AIBU to think people should just use some basic manners?

In all my years of dog walking I've never experienced this as a regular issue. It makes me think that it is where you choose to walk that is causing the problem. You need somewhere with wider paths and less joggers etc. to start with and work up to where you are currently walking.

And some people wonder why everyone seems to hate dogs and dog owners

If you're taking up an entire footpath you have to show some awareness of your surroundings. Look behind you occasionally, keep a listen out. The world doesn't have to excuse themselves just so you'll deign to get out of the way.

@HappiestSleeping
"I have my flame proof helmet on now, so bring on the debate MN"

It's why I changed username. I knew as soon as I mentioned my dog that I'd get jumped on.

Interesting about you saying about sensible approaches. I personally would not be close to other dogs unless I knew their temperament. I have no idea how that dog would react - there are many rescues that need that space. Perhaps it's also my ignorance thinking that others think along the same lines - as this thread shows they clearly don't.

Completely agree. It's a dog- it's not got priority over walkers/ joggers. I love dogs, absolutely love them, but can't stand precious owners.

I walk my dog along a woodland river path.
Walkers, joggers and cyclists are allowed to use this stretch.

It's the cyclists that are the problem.
They cycle hell for leather but seem to forget to use a bell when cycling from behind.
My dog gets spooked.

Why can't they use a bell?

It pisses me off that cyclists seem to think that they own this stretch and the rest of us are obstructions.

I wasn't going to post, until this point...

My assistance dog has absolutely no problem with people / other animals / cycles or anything else walking "right up behind him" because we cracked the whole "walking on a lead in public" by 16 weeks. How old is your dog that it struggles with such a basic thing? And please don't tell me about the whole high energy working dog thing - mine is a border collie from working lines. Walking to the lead is working....

Don't you hear them coming though so you know they're wanting to overtake?

I always hear footsteps or cycles behind me when walking. If not maybe you might like to get your ears checked :)

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't suppose you'll get much sympathy here though, sadly.

Manners work both ways. Always give way to the slower more vulnerable person.

Training a dog does not put you in this category. If your dog is a bit of a dick ( I'm putting my dog and yours in this category) you have to step aside a bit more than your fair share.

Joggers and walkers are not stealth, Pink Panther commandos sneaking up on you, they are normal things to encounter. Most joggers are perfectly polite, I've only bumped into two arses in four years of dog walking (according to Tractive, we walk a lot more than average).

It is your responsibility to be aware of your surroundings. Remember, if it seems everyone else is the problem... you need to look inwards.

OK it in practice most people just walk past a dog and don’t consider how it might react, because, frankly, why should they? I assume people have their dogs under control - and most do. Most dogs don’t bat an eyelid on a walk at others, be it human or animal.

Youre not getting flamed OP because you’ve got a dog. You’re not even getting flamed - people are just pointing out that it’s unnecessary to bellow at every person you pass on a path and it’s fine to ‘overtake’ someone on a path

The cyclists are teens - they shouldn't really be on the path but on the road. If I hear them coming, I move out the way and let them pass and sometimes they've said thanks. Same with any other path users, if I can hear or see you in advance I'll move to one side to let them pass comfortably by. I can then focus on my dog, rewarding him for calm sitting whilst that happens. I can't put any of that into action if people are walking fast, jogging, cycling and I haven't hear them and then are right up behind my personal space and squeezing past.

Yes my dogs are complete twonks but I need the time and space to help YOU. I cannot hear you coming from behind. I can't train them to ignore situations without being in them. Help me to help you and give me a moment.

Sorry but if I’m waking or running I don’t have the time or inclination to worry about if that dog ahead is a scaredy cat (scaredy dog?) and should I sneak/shout/float to make life easier for the dog. That’s someone else’s problem to deal with

I definitely don't use a long leash on a path - that's for fields and practising recall. It's a normal dog lead.

Yep no long leash here bloody retractable leads are the work of a masochist

Genuinely pissing myself at all the dog haters accusing you of wanting the world to stop for you when they expect dog walkers to bend over backwards to appease them all the time. People on here expect people to keep their dogs inside unless they are visiting a specific dog walkers field. I live in Lake District so there is no fucking way that is happening.

Yes, people should use basic manners and say excuse me instead of barging past like many joggers seem to do nowadays, whether or not the person they are passing has a dog or not. Cyclists should use roads instead of whizzing up and down pavements and public footpaths like they are the only person that matters. If they do have to use the same paths as pedestrians, they should either dismount or cycle slowly past. Whether or not the pedestrian has a dog. And say excuse me, not just ring the bloody bell. And dog hating pedestrians should accept that there are going to be dogs in dog friendly places like dog parks, the countryside and cafes with dogs welcome in the window.

So if I were in a wheelchair you would just come bombing towards me knowing I need time to move? @CakeInAJar

I agree with you OP. You should’ve said toddler though if you wanted unbiased views.

I do my best to make sure I don’t impact anyone when I’m out and about because I’m nice like that. I find it easy to slow down/cross the road/say excuse me. Costs me nothing.

they expect dog walkers to bend over backwards to appease them all the time

If this means ‘dog haters’ expect dog owners to not have the dog jump up and bother people I don’t think that asking them to ‘bend over backwards’

It's not wide enough as they are close behind and in my space and squeezing past. If I see/hear them, I'll move to one side with my dog right next to me in order for there to be enough room. I've gone onto driveways to make room if need be. I've crossed over if necessary.

?? Where on Earth have you got that from?!

You realise a dog is not the same as a person in a wheelchair right?

Dog or no dog, people who physically barge past you with saying anything, in any situation, are rude twats.

But personally my judgement is ‘can I get through that space next to them without touching or brushing past them’. If the answer is yes then there’s no need to say excuse me. ‘Excuse me’ is for when you need a person to physically move.

I've never announced that I'm about to walk past someone. Yabu OP.

Also, to people saying that we should be able to hear cyclists coming from behind, sometimes you can't if they are absolutely whizzing along, especially on grass.

Plus joggers physically barging people out the way whether or not they have dogs is self absorbed. Cyclists riding at ridiculous speeds without a care for other pedestrians whether or not they have dogs is self absorbed.

People telling me I shouldn't walk my dog in my local area (the lake district- AKA dog country) and should instead stick to a random field specifically for dogs purely because they don't like dogs and don't want to see them, not because my dog has done anything to them, is self absorbed.