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?

Lmao

I think what some dog owners don’t understand is that a large dog running straight at small children is what can give them a fear of dogs (it was in my case).
He just sounds like an entitled dog owner, I keep encountering this with my child from people who are very keen for my child not to have a fear.
Im always saying, I’m happy for him to meet dogs in a controlled way just not being randomly jumped on by very large dogs.

I don't let my dog run up to anyone. I trained her to ignore everyone and she gives nary a glance at them. This actually upsets more people than you'd believe.

Sorry you had a fright OP but nothing but happened. The dog didn't touch you and was recalled away. Put it out of your mind.

Nurse! Gustavo’s out of bed again!

I think you've over reacted here OP essentially the dog ran up to you without making any contact then went back to its owner when called. Be careful of making your children overly afraid of dogs.

I understand GSDs look intimidating but they're generally very well behaved and trained dogs. Also the owner may have been slightly more receptive if you hadnt demanded he put a lead on the dog, which he doesnt have to do just because you want it.

I don't walk my dog with a lead either but I've zero concerns about walking him like that. In fact hes much easier to control off lead.

Bloody hate German Shepherds and they’re one of the few breeds that really make me tense. One viciously attacked my partner’s Collie (before we met).

The worst thing you describe in the scenario above is the attitude of the dog owner. I’ll no longer feel sad when I hear those frequent news reports of owners being attacked and killed by their “beloved” pets.

It’s Akitas for me, the American ones. They don’t show emotion in their faces and are dead behind the eyes. Scary, scary dogs.

Neither is kicking a dog out of the way if you reasonably believe your child is at risk.

Basically: play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Well you can’t report him because it sounds like the dog didn’t do anything and was friendly and wanting to play.
I agree he should have not allowed his dog to run up to people though, especially young children.
I know my dog and he isn’t aggressive, doesn’t jump up and has good recall - so no I’m not going to have him on a lead at all times because that would be cruel, however I also am not going to allow him to run up to people we don’t know.
I do think you need to think about whether you’re setting up your children to be scared of dogs, dogs aren’t going away so it’s much better if children learn how to behave around dogs and not be too nervous. Most dogs are friendly.

Owner was a entitled prick. Can you report the incident to whoever the landowner is, it was an out of control large dog, running at you and your small child. If it was council owned property, you can raise it with your local councillor too.

I'm a dog owner, of a small mop type dog, but would always put him on a lead if asked, even in an area where dogs can be off lead.

Sorry you had this scary experience.

Anytime I get the bullshit “oh he is just friendly” entitled reply I simply say “well I am not so get it on a lead”

Dog owners really are the worse when they assume everybody likes their dog. Newsflash not everyone does and it’s nothing to do with fear

Dog did nothing wrong. Guy should have put him on a lead when you asked but dog was fine. Mine would have run up to you in the hope of a stroke and a fuss made of him. Might not have come back when I called either as he’s still training. Dogs need to be off lead and practicing recall etc otherwise they will never learn.

The large dog bolted away from its owner towards unsuspecting people and the owner refused to put it on a lead.
I think that's wrong.

GSD should not be running around off the lead where toddlers and prams are present and the owner should put it on a lead as soon as asked.
The dog did nothing wrong, but the owner was an arse.

I really don't want dogs running up to me and I don't want to be used to train other people's dogs.

YANBU OP speaking as a previous dog owner, and we had German Shepherds, I always kept them on leads to keep them from running up to anyone.

Rude owner...

But if the dog approached you, bounced up and down a bit without touching you and then ran off... theres not a lot you can do.

Claiming it was dangerously out of control in a public place might work... if you had witnesses, if you know who he is, where he lives etc... but you'd need people to witness the dog approach you AND ignore him recalling it... before thats really going to carry any weight.

I really hate it when people let their dogs invade your personal space - it's not ok, its not acceptable, its fucking rude, but most of the time its best to ignore it and march on if you can, as looking at the dog, talking to the owner, tends to make matters worse.

From www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

Out of control
Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• injures someone
• makes someone worried that it might injure them

It sounds like OP was worried the dog would barrel into her or her toddler, which is not unreasonable. German Shepherds are much bigger and heavier than toddlers.

What an ignorant, selfish dog owner. All dogs should be on a lead in public spaces , I don’t care how “friendly” the owner says the dog is. Not everyone likes dogs, or is happy for your dog to bound over, sniff, jump up etc.

If the same thing happens again but with a smaller dog, kick or hit it with something (aim for the face) to make it go away. I've successfully done this a few times, though you do need to be wearing the right kind of shoes, and I definitely wouldn't try it with a large aggressive breed. The dog owners don't like their dogs getting a thumping, but meh, perhaps it will teach them to keep their dogs away from others.

I actually can’t believe there are people that think the OP is being unreasonable. Allowing your dog of any size to run up to anyone is selfish and entitled. It’s see you next Tuesday behaviour.

I hate people like that. I have a toddler and a spaniel who I often walk together. Yet I will not let my toddler near dogs I don't know, regardless of the size of dog. The other day we went out and a small dog off lead started attacking our dog as we walked by with our dog on a lead and the owner made no attempt at putting them back on a lead or apologising.

@Daffodilpup Mine would have run up to you in the hope of a stroke and a fuss made of him. Might not have come back when I called either as he’s still training.

If your dog isn’t trained at recall it’s even more reason for it to not be off lead around other people, particularly small children and babies.
No one wants to be your dog’s training practice.
Your view point is beyond entitled.

You’re a put up and shut up poster. Luckily the op was ok but’s worth reporting to the police as I have explained.

You shouldn't have your dog off lead in public places if you can't recall them back confidently. Train them with distractions far away and work closer using training leads (long lines that you can grab easily) or with friends that can act as distractions.

This is a daily occurrence now and I'm so sick of it. The word "friendly" just makes my back prickle. I don't give a fuck if he's friendly or not, I still don't want him jumping at me, covering me in mud, licking me, scraping its nails down my bare legs, stealing my food or pushing a child over - all of which have happened by "friendly" dogs.