Dog running over to me, toddler and pram

[OliviaH2]

I was out walking this morning with my toddler and I also had my baby in the pram, when I saw a very large German Shepherd spot us and bolt over to us. I immediately panicked because of the way it was running over, I knew it was coming towards us.
I shouted “get your dog on a lead” and grabbed my toddler.
The owner shouted back “no I’m not he’s friendly” I shouted get your dog, by that point it had just reached us and sort of jumped and pound it’s paw on the ground. I again shouted “get your dog and put it on a lead” and the guy refused, I said “you don’t know who has a fear of dogs and it’s so irresponsible” but he continued to argue back not doing anything but walking in the other direction, the dog then followed him but he just continued shouting “you don’t have a fear of dogs do you”

I was so shaken up after this!
I’ve had dogs growing up and always thought you put them on a lead when near people. Isn’t this just common knowledge? He argued back so confidently that it isn’t his problem, just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this? I wish there was a way of reporting him?

He should have put dog on the lead. But I also think your description of your response means you could well end up modelling fearful behaviour and your children will end up being scared witless of dogs.

100% twaddle!

Don’t be ridiculous.

Dog runs around then follows owner. Whoever you're going to report this to will do some serious eye rolls or just laugh at you.

And no, there is no requirement for dogs to be put on leads when people are around unless there are behavioural issues. This one just trotted back to it's owner. That's not a behavioural issue.

We are a nation of dog lovers, you're going to encounter many, many dogs. There are some very irresponsible dog owners but they are in the minority and you cannot restrict all dogs because some dogs misbehave. That would be the same as jailing all men because some men abuse women. If you were so scared by this dog approaching you, I would recommend getting some help with your phobia ASAP because the last thing you want is to pass on this fear to your child.

Hissing? They’re not geese 🤦‍♀️

He should have called the dog back as soon as it headed towards you. He should have put it on a lead when you asked. He sounds very unpleasant.

I do think you'd have had a better response if you'd asked in a more polite way initially. "Could you call your dog please, toddler is frightened" probably would have solved your problem.
"Get your dog on a lead" is unnecessarily rude (at that point you didnt know he was also rude).

Seriously? 🤣🤣🤣 The dog was just out for a walk. It's no wonder our public services are screwed if we have people like you reporting dogs and wasting police time just for running around.

I think the key word is 'reasonable'. It doesn't cover all apprehension, just 'reasonable apprehension'.

My toddler is 12kg. The average GSD is about 30kg and the same height as her.

Absolutely no one would think an adult was being unreasonable worrying about something (relatively) the size of a Shetland pony charging at them, but small kids are meant to be chill with dogs twice their weight running at them?!
It’s an entirely reasonable apprehension for a small child.

In case what happens again?! Nothing happened 😂Dog came over, woman freaked out, dog walked off.

Those Pet Corrector sprays make a hissing noise though and they do stop my dog barking. (I used to use one if we were in a cafe because he'd bark if another dog came in and we'd have to abandon our drinks.)

I don't know why I click on threads sometimes (well I do, I'm bored and scrolling on my lunch 😂).

But no, you can't ring the police to report someone who has done absolutely nothing wrong. His dog came over, did absolutely nothing (apart from "pounding his paw on the ground"?!), then walked off after his owner.

And as someone who lives in a rural village where every man and his.... dog (?) has a dog, you don't put them on leads near people if they're well behaved with good recall. I walk mine twice a day every day and the majority of dogs are off lead on canal / riverside paths, country lanes etc.

The general rule is that you put them on leads when there are other dogs on leads approaching.

I don't think you can expect dogs to be on leads in an open space although I would also be worried if a GSD ran up to us because I have a little yappy dog who I only walk on-lead. You can always buy a K9 defence spray (cheaper on eBay) to give you more confidence although don't spray it willy nilly! It's a last resort.

I’ve had dogs growing up and always thought you put them on a lead when near people. Isn’t this just common knowledge?

Not really. We walk our dog offlead every day whether there are people there or not.

It sounds like the owner in this case was inconsiderate but the dog itself didn't actually do anything wrong. And your rudeness obviously did nothing to encourage him to be accommodating either, so that's probably something for you to remember for next time.

The key word there is 'charging'.

I agree a dog 'charging AT you' would cause apprehension in a reasonable person. A dog on a walk coming over to say hello/running around close to you is a greyer area.

But, by all means call the police. It's not for me to interpret the law. I think you might get short shrift trying to prove a dog coming over to say hello equals being dangerously out of control though.

My dog would flatten you if you use a pet corrector spay near him…as one woman found out.

She was trying to get her dog to stop barking…all I can imagine is my stupid dog thinks it sounds like squirty cream….

The dog did nothing though...? So what behaviour exactly is the spray meant to be stopping in this instance?

You don’t get it. Substitute “charging” for “running”. If you’re staring down a dog twice your weight and you don’t know if the dog will stop short or bowl you over (or worse), there’s nothing irrational about that. Speed is relative based on your size.

Ok.... But it's still not illegal....

I appreciate it must have been scary and no dog whatever the breed and size should be allowed to run at people.
However, nothing bad happened and you were all ok so I suggest you just forget it

As far as you were concerned the dog was out of control, why would you believe some random stranger who says his dog is friendly, people get killed by dogs that the owners say have never done anything like that before. And a big dog can knock over a toddler, older person or even an average adult just by being friendly, with unpredictable consequences, like head injury or broken bones.

“He’s friendly” 🙄

I just knew they would use that line on you before I even opened this post!

I don’t care how friendly your dog is, if you can’t keep control of it, keep it on a lead.

I have a lovely dog ,however would instantly put on a lead when asked. .However many people feel entitled now .I think the bloke was being a prick whether you can report him with any success I dont know though .Police only seem to get involved after the event sadly.Dogs are everywhere though ,maybe try not to let DD feel scared (Although I would at the sight of a GSD charging at me!)

Hate this kind of behaviour. My toddler was knocked over in this situation by a dog charging up and jumping and it was just after a section of the path with a steep drop on one side so could have ended really badly if it had happened a minute or two earlier. Dog owner was super rude about it and tried to excuse it by explaining the dog was encouraged to play roughly by the grandkids. I was really shaken up by it as well so definitely YANBU but sadly not sure how you report it or get through to this type of idiot

As a dog owner OP I blinking hate dogs off the lead too! My dog is nervous and all I ever get when one just bounds over to him (not dog’s fault, it’s the owner’s!) is “It’s ok, he’s friendly!”

I don’t give a flying chuff if their dog comes over and says ‘how’d ya do’ and doffs it’s cap, there’s never any thought to how the dog being ran at feels. I’ve shouted back before ‘well he isn’t!’ then watch the colour drain and the panic set in as they try and scramble their dog back. (My dog wouldn’t hurt a fly but they’re not to know).

Who lets their dogs run into an unknown situation as well, imbeciles!!