Completely outrageous dog owner behaviour

[Onepeople]

Went for a walk this evening. We live by the sea and my walking route was along the sea front, popular with dog walkers. I am often bothered by dogs off their leads coming up and sniffing me, running round my ankles etc. I find it bloody annoying and inconsiderate really but, whatever.

Tonight though. Dog comes running up to me, leaps up and covers my trousers with his muddy paws. This annoys me and I tell the owner to control her animal. She gives the typical 'He's only saying hello!' response, which always makes me wonder whether I should go up to dog owners and slobber all over them as it's 'only saying hello' apparently. Anyway, the dog carries on jumping up at my so I kick out at it to make it go away.

Obviously in an ideal world I wouldnt have needed to do this. And I kicked out at it, rather than actually kicking it. I knew I wouldn't actually make contact.

Owner comes running up to me, suddenly showing a burst of speed she wasn't capable of when the dog was misbehaving. She screams 'Dont you dare kick my fucking dog!' then shoves me with two hands right in my chest. I almost lost my balance, but just about stayed upright before her friend dragged her away. I honestly thought she was going to punch me.

Not sure why I am writing this other than the fact that I am still a bit shocked and shaky.

I know that not all dog owners are like this, and that this woman seems to be particularly twatty. But God sometimes I hate them all. Bloody dogs and their bloody inconsiderate owners. Control your animals!

I've missed the part where the OP said she hated all dog owners? I read her saying that she recognises all owners aren't like that, didn't she?

What do you mean? They're always dipping in water and getting covered in dirt.

When people say their dogs are members of their family they are not saying that theyre human (and therefore will behave like a human).

They're still aware that the dog is an animal. Though it is a member of the living beings in their household with which the humans have bonded. That's a bit if a mouthful though so it is easier to say "member of the family"

So I still dont get why we are comparing dog behaviour to human behaviour.

No (sane) person actually genuinely believes their dog is an a literal human.

Note - I still maintain that you were both wrong in this rage baitey scenario.
anyway - off to wake my dog up because I am desperate for a walk!

Thats because they're literally everywhere.

I was out walking a few months ago and, as I went past a house, a Jack Russell rushed out barking and attached itself to my ankle. I kicked it off. I'd love to know if there was a kinder way to deal with the dog in case of future incidents? The dog seemed unharmed, and luckily I was wearing thick walking socks so I was fine as well. No sign of the owner!

This. 110%

@ Mischance
Not only is that a vile suggestion, how would that have deescalated the issue, the dog owner had already pushed the OP

@ ExperiencedTeacher
if she was scared her dog was in danger, then she should have trained it not to approach people and jump up them.

OP, I’m a dog owner and would be fuming if I thought someone was trying to kick my dog, but then I’d be equally fuming with my dog for running off because I’ve taken the time to train him. I would have apologised if he’d approached anyone, but not sure how I’d react if I thought someone was trying to kick him.
She can’t ignore her dog’s behaviour and get angry when someone reacts. But kicking, even if not attempting to kick the dog, isn’t great. Both things are wrong.

That said, I do understand your frustration. The ‘it’s ok he’s friendly’ brigade are utter twats who just can’t be arsed to train their dog. I told one dog owner recently as she laughed at her ‘just wants to play’ dog as he approached my definitely did not want to (on lead) dog, she’s putting hers into an dangerous situation. Not all dogs want to play or will react well. Her reply ‘oh well he goes to doggy day care and wants to play with all dogs now’. I guess she will continue to be that stupid until her dog gets bitten, then of course it won’t possibly be her fault I’m sure 🙄
Honestly the entitlement of some dog owners astounds me. I love dogs, but don’t want one jumping up at me and I absolutely don’t want them approaching my dogs.

I adore my dogs. But i know dogs can be intimidating and frightening to some people. My brother has profund special needs and is petrified of dogs. He may well lash put if a dog jumped up at him. If my dog runs over to someone and jumps up and someone kicks out in panic, I will blame myself not the person my dog frightened.

She was very wrong to not have her dog under control. I would suggest that kicking out at a dog isn't a good idea because that could cause the dog to become aggressive.
She was wrong to push you because that's assault.

That’s awful OP, you should be able to go about your day without some dunce-tier furbaby getting up in your business.

Dogs should always be on leads when not on private property.

So you are an irrational aggressive thug then? Great, got it.

I’d throw someone off a cliff for kicking my dog. It is an innocent animal, sorry it doesn’t have the same cultural understandings as a human being 🙄Would you kick a toddler than ran up to you and drooled on you? They do that too you know.

I don't think you should have kicked out at the dog but the owners should have had more control over it.

I'm not a dog owner but do enjoy seeing them out and about. I was on a beach once where a huge wet bundle of fluff (think it was a labourdoodle) starting running towards me, I was just stood frozen as wasn't sure what to do - he jumped up at me to say hi, he was that big his paws were on my shoulders 😅 the owners were running after him and immediately apologised and put him on the lead. I found him very cute so continued to pet him.

I would have only been annoyed if I had a nice outfit on but then I probs wouldn't have been at the beach.

Good luck with that. Most councils have not had a dog warden for years.

I think you’d struggle to find anyone worried about a toddler running up to them. They’re quite easily avoidable, unlike a dog that runs faster than the majority of humans.
Don’t actually think I’ve encountered many toddlers running lose though tbh 🤔😂

Dogs should never be jumping up at anyone. Muddy or not. Mine aren’t allowed to approach people they don’t know. Dogs must be under control in public. This one wasn’t.
I wouldn’t kick out at a dog. Mostly because I would fear hurting the animal. But also there is no guarantee you wouldn’t get bitten.

Next time get your phone out and film her and the bloody dog not on a lead then report her to the police for assaulting you after you were trying to defend yourself from her out of control dog.

Owners like that need reporting every time because risking their dog being PTS is the only thing that will make them pay attention and consider putting their mutt on a lead.

I have a large mixed breed dog that I never walk in a public place because even on the lead, if he were to jump up at someone, he could easily knock them over. The only place he’s allowed off lead is in our fields.

It's not my only question. It's my second reply.

I do know the UK is bigger than 70 miles. I'm currently walking around it on the coast path.

It's because I know the size of the UK that I asked the OP where she was rather than saying, "In the 70 mile UK it's been dry all week".

Wet yes.
Muddy ?

What a ridiculous comment to make. Grow up.
OP should have discussed with the owner why she allowed her dog to be out of control and how she planned on paying for the clothes to be washed/dry cleaned. If met with violence it’s a matter for the police and dog warden.
What OP should not have done is to try and kick the dog- which is what I would bet actually happened.

I think the slight difference is that there are laws around requiring a dog to be kept under control (for hopefully obvious reasons?) and no laws re toddlers (again for hopefully obvious reasons). A dog jumping up at someone unwarranted is deemed not under control

I've got a very well trained GSD who walks to heel unless instructed otherwise or I'm under attack. Funny how people can ALWAYS control their dogs & themselves around us.

Laws on one and not the other is kind of irrelevant? When the act of a dog jumping up didn’t warrant an act of violence against it? Or are you suggesting that any act, by anyone, that’s punishable by a fine, should also mean an act of violence against them is ok?….An act that could actually cause a dog to have trauma and become aggressive….
So, if a child steals something by from a store, punishable by the law, it would be ok to kick them? And even then that act involves malicious intent…. The dog wasn’t responsible, and wasn’t being threatening. But it’s still ok to kick it?

I have dogs and grew up with them & would absolutely kick an out of control dog that was a threat to me or jumping all over me & which it’s owner could not/would not control. It’s not like kicking a cat - which I would never ever do- because cats are not a threat! The last thing they do is jump at or bite strangers!

Dogs need to be trained in order to be acceptable in society & if they are not & people have to react accordingly, that’s on their crap owners.

There are so many irresponsible dog owners since lockdown who seem to think their dogs are ‘furry children’. They are not.

As opposed to the not actual sea.

Jackanory OP from goady poster, typical MN anti-dog thread of utter nonsense only remarkable for being a) the third in a day and b) managing to tick off so many Dog Bingo prizes in the OP.