AIBU to feel too frightened to walk my dog after this?

[Felixfox]

I have a German shepherd. I specifically chose a German shepherd because I thought people wouldn’t mess with me. Long story short, this guy stalked us for an hour on a near deserted common with woodland etc. I was on the path back to the car park and just happened to notice him dip behind a large hedge, about 75 metres in front of me. I waited for 10/15 minutes. Eventually I thought to myself, no way did I see that, and started up the track. A few seconds later he came out, stood in front of me for a few seconds (at a distance) and then disappeared into the heather and trees. I could not believe it. He had been waiting for me. I called the police and was beside myself. Occasionally, I would see him peer out from behind tree. After what seemed a long time they turned up but they never found him. I don’t know what to do. I am terrified every time I take my dog for a walk. I have had therapy which didn’t really work. I feel so angry and stuck. How dare he do this to me? Advice PLEASE!!! X

But you didn’t see him the first time!

I had an incident where I was on a dog walk on a quiet path in the woods when a guy came passed me wearing a balaclava on a quad bike. ( prohibited in these woods ). He had a good look at me and then got off the bike ahead of me. I did a quick duck into another route and then hid when he came back. I was pretty nervous and I was formerly a police officer so not particularly namby pamby. In reality I don’t think he was after me I think he was just riding his bike and couldn’t go further with it on a narrow path and turned back. But when they’re wearing a balaclava and looking at you repeatedly then that feels sinister. My dog is a rescue and a complete softy and I’m doubtful that she’d even run for bloody help let alone protect me.
Afterwards I posted on my local dog walking page and gave that route a swerve for a while. It pisses me off that I feel the need to do that but it’s a bit of a way from the main routes. I think in your situation I would have called the police because that sounds more intentional. It does sound opportunistic though rather than targeted if that makes any difference to you. He wasn’t after you specifically he was looking for “ a woman”. I’m sorry you had that experience and we shouldn’t have to have these conversations .

Yes but funnily enough the couple described him to me!!

Seems odd that someone would be in the middle of the countryside looking to stalk women, thats normally the safest place as there are less women to stalk, could they be local or known to you?

no, but you can carry deepheat incase you need some after your walk!

Not what I meant.

You didn’t OBSERVE someone following you the first time, so good chance you wouldn’t observe the second time if someone is being sneaky.

Excellent idea athough the last 2 cans I bought the spray mechanism stopped working after a couple of uses.

i had a similar encounter but I was being overtaken by a bike that then slowed down for me to over take down country lanes at dusk, Id been filming at the time so when I clocked he was following me I made a big thing about getting the camer out and talking as though I was doing a live stream, the diverted and went the other way.

she would however be more observant to her surrounds so there would be a very good chance she WOULD see someone if it happend again,

Is it?
Lots of people keep dogs as visual deterrents it’s hardly unusual.

As someone who lives and walks rurally I feel more confident wandering in the middle of nowhere with a GSD.

Agree with much of the advice already shared but you also need to report this to the police op. That goes for anyone else who experiences something like this too.

The OP did report to the police. They couldn’t find the man.

@Ophy83 ”One to attach to the dog and the other for spinning/circling around to stop anyone getting near you.”

that won’t stop anyone getting near you

I had a vaguely similar experience, walking my 2 dogs (lab & spaniel) in the woods. I can't describe the fear I felt at the time - I was on alert anyway, as this was just after the artist Claire Knights had been murdered while walking her dog.
I was wandering along v slowly as my lab was old & slow when I realised I was being followed by a man. I'd seen him sitting in his car in the car park when I'd arrived - he'd stayed in his car the whole time I parked up & unpacked the dogs and then started my walk.

He didn't fit with people I normally see in those woods (joggers, dog walkers). He was wearing all black, with a back hat, and a rucksack. He also didn't pass me (would expect him to pass me, not keep pace with an ancient plodding labrador). Then he disappeared for a bit, and I thought phew, he's gone off an another path. But then 5 mins later he was back walking a little bit behind me again.
My heart started beating crazily as I realised how vulnerable I was - there was no one else around - I can't out-run this man, I am highly unlikely to be able to fight him off... I got my phone out, but no one I could call (even the police) could have got to me in time if this man did anything. I just hoped that the 2 dogs would be enough of a deterrent.
So I stopped and made a big fuss of my Lab, said 'oh you're so tired, aren't you" put her on the lead, called the spaniel back, and then did a U-turn and walked back, facing up to and then passing man in black. I thought at least he'd have to make it v obvious to continue following me! I gave him no sign I was scared, didn't look at him or acknowledge him at all - and walked back to car - heart thumping the whole time.
I did make a note of his number plate, but really there was nothing to report to police, was there?
I haven't walked those woods alone since. I think about it a lot.
I carry one of those little spray cans of identifier paint that are sold on Amazon now when I walk in lonely places.
My sympathies, OP - I know how terrifying this sort of thing is. Rest assured, your GSD will be a deterrent in these situations - it may well have saved you that day.
I think getting your phone out and filming is a good idea - although it is confrontational. I went with the "not showing any fear" or the "not alerting the man that I'm scared" strategy and got the hell out of there.