Or is it ok for off lead dogs to greet other off lead dogs

[FourOfDiamonds]

I'm slightly hesitant to post a dog AIBU as I know they can get a bit heated but I had an experience this week that really shook me and I'd really like to check where dog etiquette currently stands.

For context I only let my dogs off lead in appropriate settings and they are very well trained. I will also recall them when passing most people (I'll put a list below) but I'll let them stay off lead when passing other dogs that are off lead (with no muzzle or warning jackets) and look appropriate as my dogs like socialising and meeting other dogs.

Reasons I recall:

• people without dogs
• children
• bikes
• horses
• dogs on lead or muzzled
• dogs with warning jackets
• dogs who are being recalled
• if the other owner or dog look uncomfortable/ aggressive
• if the other dog looks much bigger and a bit boisterous

I was out walking with my baby in pram, one dog on lead (as injured) and the other dog off lead in the forest on a wide gravel track. Two ladies are walking in the opposite direction with a black cocker spaniel which is slightly bigger than my two dogs.

As we cross paths (maybe 2m apart) my off lead dog walks towards their dog which is between us and off lead. She shouts at me 'can you recall your fucking dog. My dog is nervous', which I immediately do and put both my dogs in sit and on lead.

I say 'excuse me but if your dog is nervous you should really warn other dog walkers by recalling it, having it on lead or in a jacket with a nervous warning'.

She says 'why should my dog be on lead? you shouldn't have an out of control dog off lead'.

I say 'how is my dog out of control? She was calmly greeting you dog, came back as soon as recalled and has sat in silence since then'.

She said 'so you let your dog go up to any other fucking dog'.

To which I say 'yes if they are off lead with no muzzle or warning jacket - it's healthy for dogs to socialise'.

She says 'you don't know the meaning of socialisation. I can't wait for the day your dog meets an aggressive dog and gets killed'.

To which I say 'you're a nasty piece of work, try taking some responsibility for your own dog' and walk on. They shout names after me.

This incident has left me really shaken as I never usually have any problems dog walking. Is there a move towards people not wanting their dogs to mix at all or was this one rogue owner?

YANBU OP… not in my eyes anyway. My dog always pauses for a few seconds before deciding to potter over and say hello or continue on so I always have a quick look to see if the owner or dog looks nervous/uninterested and will recall if so, even if they are off lead.
I go by the same rules as you and it seems to be the unwritten rules where we walk and we’ve never had any problems… to add to the list of reasons to click our lead on is when the cat club visits for an off lead cat walk (absolutely not a joke!). It’s quite amusing watching the literal definition of herding cats…

My dog isn't reactive, he's been well socialised and is good with dogs he knows well. But as he's got older he simply shows less and less interest in other dogs,.
Op your update shows you are a responsible dog owner and its spot on to read the body language of the dog you come into contact with. I'm cringing at the people saying off lead means its fine to approach.

I don't think you are being unreasonable, I think the other dog owner is.

I have a dog who can be reactive, she is a nervous dog and shows this by using fear aggression.
She is never off lead unless she's somewhere that I've paid for (and she's with a dog she knows in a dog field) or we're out in the mountains and there's nobody to be seen for miles (including sheep as she has a high prey drive.
So if the other ladies dog was nervous why was it off lead? If I see a dog off lead I assume they have good recall, are not reactive and are sociable.

What annoys me is dogs off lead trying to greet my on lead dog, because my dog then gets very agitated and upset and she's quite strong and I'm not happy being pulled all over the place.
If the issue persists and the other dog hasn't backed off or the owner is oblivious I then don't reprimand my dog but allow her to give a warning. Usually the other dog fucks off and I'll shout to the owner that my dog is not friendly so can they please put a lead on theirs, to which they usually oblige.

Best is when unleashed dogs run over to my leashed dog and the owner shouts "don't worry my dogs friendly" to which my reply is "oh I'm not worried, mine isn't friendly so can you call yours back!" Usually muttering "bloody arsehole" under my breath.