AIBU by being upset about this confrontation about my puppy?

[silversable]

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?

You were actually genuinely shaking cause an 80 year old challenged you about your dog shitting on her walkway

But that does not benefit me. I am indifferent to well behaved dogs. I am actively disadvantaged by the badly behaved ones, and receive zero advantage from the alleged well behaved ones. That adds up to dogs as a whole having a negative impact on me.

OP said she suffers with anxiety anyway, and when you are being polite and trying your best, there is no need for someone to go over the top and continue to rant.
Asshole behaviour

Yep. I feel sorry for the 80 year old who had a selfish idiot's dog shitting on her walkway.

So you hold on and control yourself until a suitable time/place. Not sure what point you're trying to make?
That it's possible for humans so it's possible for dogs, or it's possible for humans but not for dogs?

For a dog, the suitable place is OUTSIDE.

You should have pulled her away from the gate area - it was runny and couldn't be cleaned up entirely

you could equally say understanding should come from you too about how people dont want this near their gate

im a dog owner of two

Whether or not you think dogs should be left alone or should be allowed to shit all over the place wasn't really my question.

You clearly think so but lots of us would disagree.

To a dog ‘outside’ is the suitable time and place. Outside is the public toilet. All of it.

If a dog is only allowed to go at home in their own garden, then the same logic follows for humans. They are only allowed to go at home in their own toilet.

If that is unacceptable, then feel free to explain.

As a human adult, you are aware of how far away you are from a toilet. You know if you will be home in the next hour, or if you will be coming across a toilet soon.

a dog does not know any of that information, and there is also no way of a dog owner being able to give it to them.

it really is as simple as that.

I’m sorry you’re so vexed about this 😔 This level of anger isn’t very good for you, nor is holding your bowels for a long period of time.

I really am off to cuddle the hound now. He’s finished all of his shits for the day, none of them outside someone’s gate luckily. All of them picked up and disposed of by me.

I’d share a photo of him, as I can tell you’d like that, but he’s too handsome and I don’t want to make everyone jealous. 🐕 🤗

Are you for real or just rather dim? Most humans don't actually shit in the street .

Mumsnet is mental, and I can only assume full of people so bored that they have to take umbridge with absolutely anything.

’dog owners should always pick up after their dogs’

’yup, agreed, I always do and it frustrates me just as much as you when people don’t’

‘Picking up isn’t enough! They should only poo in one square foot area of the entire world’

I think she was rude because your initial response was " Sorry, what?" Instead of something like " I'm so sorry, my puppy's just had an accident, is this your house? Any chance I could have some water to wash the pavement down?"

You're going to need thicker skin op if you're going to own a dog. Surely you can see that the woman didn't think you had encouraged your puppy to poo there, she was just fed up with people - not you specifically letting g their dog poo on the pavement. We all know you can't always control where a dog does it but it's sensible to be more prepared for clean ups with a puppy.

I think you spectacularly missed the point I was making. I am not the dim one here.

I remember a comment here saying that dog owners should carry anti-bac wipes. Because anti-bac wipes will sterilise a bumpy pavement 😂

Sounds fine, especially for the humans who are at home 20 hours a day like dogs are.

No dog is left alone for 20 hours. Stop being deliberately obtuse. It is embarrassing.

Did I say they were?

Most dogs are only walking the streets for a couple of hours a day. They can poop at home the other 20+ hours.

Any human who was at home 20 hours a day would be quite happy pooing there rather than on a walk round the block.

Of course the truth is most dog owners only take their dog on a walk so they can poo in public spaces rather than at home.

No, they take their dog on a walk for enrichment and exercise.

You have never had a dog. Stop trying to make out you know anything about them, because you don't, and it is cringe to watch now.

Op this thread is going to consist of dog people and non-dog people. With the latter going on as if they don't shit! Just ignore them. You are a responsible dog owner who was doing the right and lawful thing. Ignore the crazy bat with the gate and the grumpy dog-hating philistines on this thread. They can bang on all they like.. dogs are allowed to shit on pavements as long as their owners pick it up. And yes, even outside their houses! 😆 👌 However much they create about it

This is another statement you keep making but won’t clarify - why do you think it benefits dog owners if their dog shits outside their garden?

you have a lot of opinions you can’t back up.

👏👏👏