Bothersome dog

[ByWildBrickStork]

I was talking my morning exorcise in the park when I dog came up to me. And wouldn't go back to its owner and I was nervous. I was wondering, are you alowed to shoo it away?

You're allowed, but the dog might not listen. You'd be better off shouting to the owner to get their dog under control.

Of course you are.
You're also allowed to shout to the owner "Come and fetch your dog. And if you can't control it, keep it on a lead."
If it was me, I may add some swear words too.

There is nothing to say that you are not allowed to but as you don't sound very experienced with dogs, it's probably best if you don't, in case the dog thinks you want to play.

Stand still, hands tucked away and shout for the owner to come and get their dog, keep it under control.

Thank you for your comment, so you wouldn't mind if someone shooed away your dog?

No not at all, although it is probably wiser shouting on the owner to get the dog, sometimes "shooing" or waving hands about excites the dog.

Yes, I understand. Has anyone ever reacted to your dog that way? I would be afraid to offend the owner

Not at all. I'd be rushing over to grab my dog and apologising for them hassling you.

Mine can be a bit much but we never let him bother people, but if he did we would apologise and take him away, not everyone wants a dog bothering them,

I’ve had this many times when out for a run. Most owners are fine and apologetic. One daft woman was terribly offended I didn’t want to play with her dog (who was trying to get under my feet and had less than zero recall). She got a mouthful.

My dogs heel to me and do not approach strangers. If a random dog is approaching you and not recalling to its owner, it’s under trained with an incompetent owner. So no, in that situation I wouldn’t “shoo it away” because you’ve no idea what it will do. And hand flapping and high pitched (because you are uncomfortable with the situation) “shooing” will excite said under trained dog. If the dog is not aggressive, do not look at it, turn your back and walk away, hands in pockets. You’ll probably only need to walk 4 or 5 steps but the dog will get the message.

It’s really difficult to explain ‘go away’ to a dog. Turn your back and don’t make eye contact. Any looking at the dog and talking to it or waving at it will just intrigue it and make it watch you more, waiting for the next thing you do.