AIBU by being upset about this confrontation about my puppy?

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Sorry if this isn’t the usual post on here, just wondering if anyone can related or has any thoughts! So, I’m a bit shaken. I‘ve just taken my puppy for a walk and she has had some looser bowels today after she disagreed with a type of treat we’ve been giving her. When I took her on a walk earlier, she unexpectedly just went to the toilet right outside someone’s gate. Normally, I walk her through the fields or on the trail but with it being dark i’ve felt safer going through streets with street lights. I got my poo bag out and started picking it up.

As I was doing so, a car arrived just next to me where an older lady (I’d say about 75-80) got out the car where she’d been dropped off. Obviously I felt awkward and when she saw me she snapped “don’t let it mess in my gate!”. I was a bit taken aback so I said “sorry, what?” she then repeated it again but with a swear word or two. I was a bit shocked and said “I always clean it up. I’m so sorry, she normally doesnt go near gates”. She then replied “Yes but I don’t like it!” She was shouting which really threw me off, I think it was partly as I was already having a bad day and this happened. I then apologised again while she was walking to her door and clarified that I don’t encourage her to do that but she is a puppy and has been poorly. She then jist shook her head and slammed the door at me.

So, I want to clarify two things: 1. The mess wasn’t actually inside her drive, it was right outside. I don’t let any of my two dogs inside people’s property or garden. 2. I completely understand not wanting dog mess by your gate and that’s a reasonable request. But I would think most people would understand that dogs can be unpredictable and not be so hostile? 3. I know some people can be particular about their homes and surroundings and I do appreciate that. I have anxiety and I think that is partly what triggered me so much.
I know she could have just had some bad news and reacted in that way, or had some anger about something else. But I feel awful that I upset someone and at the same time a bit annoyed that I was spoken to like this.

Has anyone had anything similar happen with their puppy, and AIBU for thinking this could have been handled better?

Do you only ever poo at home?

But the op was literally walking around houses, not trying to get anywhere.

To be fair, Ive never left my house specifically to poo!

I don’t understand this comment at all.

Owners cannot usually predict when their dog will take a shit.

When I take my dog for a walk, it’s impossible to do so without walking past some houses. This will be the case for all dog owners apart from those who live in remote rural locations. Most of my dog’s walks are on the beach or some fields, but I have to walk past some houses on my way to the beach or fields.

What is it that you think I should do differently? If you can present a reasonable suggestion, I’ll give it some consideration.

I’m not going to walk around dark, unlit fields with my dog. Firstly, I’ll probably fall and break something, and secondly, it’s not good for my personal safety. Also, I can’t actually predict whether my dog wants to do his business at the beginning, middle or end of the walk. It varies.

(and I’m as cross as anyone when I see dog poo left on the pavement. Pick it up!)

Because dogs are actual living beings, when they have to go they have to go.

my own dog will poo in the garden in the morning, and then again when I take him out.

unless a dog is pooing within the boundary of your home, and the owner is picking up after it, they are doing absolutely nothing wrong.

I’m actually not sure if you are being serious now?

it’s perfectly normal to walk a dog around the streets (I call it walking around the block) for a quick stroll - especially in the darker evenings.

Grouchy old woman hates dogs yells at dog pooing outside her house. You're overthinking it to be honest. I don't think you've done anything wrong. She didnt need to be so awful but some people are. I'm sure (like all of us) she's had some dog poo outside her house before so aired her frustrations at you. Just try and forget about it.

If your dog starts to motion they are going to shit right outside someone’s gate you quickly distract them and move them on at least a few feet.

Anyone who says that’s not always possible isn’t being attentive enough to what their dog is doing, including puppies.

I don't poo in the street or fields.

The woman sounds extremely rude. Just try to put her out of your head.

Some people will look at all dog owners with suspicion and want to tar us all with the same brush of not cleaning up or whatever. You can't change them.

A few weeks ago someone at the far end of my street stopped me as I was walking my dog past his house, and started quizzing me on whether I was "the one" who had been putting poo bags in his wheelie bin. I said I was not had never done so. Of course he wouldn't take that as the end of the matter, basically said he didn't believe me and went on a rant about how unacceptable it was. Obviously he has a lot of anger about dogs/their owners, like your woman, and thinks it gives him license to be rude.

Ok but you could train it to poo at home, you just prefer not to?

I hate it when you are polite, or visible anxious and doing your best, and someone just keeps ranting at you.
It has happened to me with my dog. A lady in the park marched over to me and demanded I pick up a poo that she said my dog had done. My dog had not done it, and the poo was cold with a footprint on it. I picked it up anyway and the lady was swearing at me. It was awful. I also suffer with anxiety, and it put me off walking my dog there for quite a while.

What breed is your pup?

No, that’s not the case @maggisimpson . Have you ever been a dog owner at all?

That might be so but since it’s on a public path, not your property there’s bugger all you can do about it. People have as much right to walk there as you do. Unpleasant perhaps but nothing the rain won’t wash away. Doesn’t excuse rudeness.

And yet dog owners claim their dogs are impeccably trained, wouldn’t dream of jumping up on someone, walk without a lead and always come back when called, never jump on children when out and about, never run over a picnic stealing food and defy nature by becoming so humanised they would never bite … but any level of toilet training is apparently impossible.

Do you prefer not to read the posts you are responding to?

my dog does poo at home, I have said that. He will still poo when we go for a walk though.

You can train 3 year olds to only poo in an appropriate place and generally dogs are more trainable than toddlers.

Don't overthink it. You cleaned it up. You didnt do it on purpose.
She was annoyed. She will get over it.

I’m yet to be able to train my dog to use a toilet.

My mum's greyhound will only poo after he has had a good walk. He simply will not do it at home if you let him out in the garden.

So you have tried to train him only to poo at home and failed, or you never tried?

Do you not allow your 3 year old to poo anywhere but at home though?

How do you train a living being to only need a poo at home?
Do you only poo at home? If they need to go, they need to go.

Pooing isn’t a behaviour in the same way that those other things are, it’s a bodily process. When a mammal’s bowels decide to move, they move. Have you tried training yourself to poo at a particular time? Let us know how you get on with that. And yes, I’m well aware many people poo at roughly the same time every day (not something I’ve ever been able to do.) That’s not because they have trained themselves to do so 😂