WWYD...

[NiceCupOfTea]

We've had NiceDog for nearly 4 months; she's from a rescue, wonderful and calm at home but slightly spooky/lungy/growly out and about meeting new dogs, so we give them a wide berth and everything's generally fine. We go on different routes to vary things but sometimes come across a woman with her off-lead terrier puppy. She has no control over it at all and it goes nuts (in an over-enthusiastic way) at the sight of NiceDog. It runs straight at her, jumps up at her face and backside + darts around between her legs like mad. I've warned this woman that NiceDog isn't friendly - she's seen NiceDog lunge and growl at her pup before as I try to get away pronto. Instead, she just watches from a distance, arms folded, and says 'oh, he's just a baby. If she bites him that'll teach him a lesson'. WTF????
I don't want my dog to turn into a biter; I've tried yelling at her pup to back off, throwing treats to distract it, told her to put it on lead, asked her to grab it's collar and pull it away (which she didn't), but she just stands back and really wants NiceDog to nip her puppy as part of its training!
I don't want to lash out at her dog (I've been veeeery tempted to kick it away) but i'm running out of ideas of how to deal with this before it turns unpleasant.
Any ideas (apart from moving to another area)?

Print out a disclaimer stating that she relinquishes any right to legal comeback or vets bills as she's repeatedly been warned that your dog is not friendly and ask her to sign it...

If your dog does finally give him a nip, I wouldn't worry that she'll now forever be a biter, perfectly friendly fully trained dogs can get annoyed enough to snap at irritating puppies.

Think I'd start growling at her I'm afraid. I'm currently trying to socialise my terrier puppy but I always check with the owner first and then take my cues from them ie if they start to look edgy then I pull the puppy away immediately. She needs telling, you've tried being nice so gloves off I think.

Our behaviourist suggested body blocking. Hands in pockets (to avoid getting nipped) then as pup approaches, stand in between the two dogs. If the dog moves to the left, so do you, etc. Very calmly, but determinedly. Eventually, pup will get bored of trying to get past you.

The other thing I've seen on here, is clicker training your dog to follow behind you when you raise your hand. So you can raise your hand in a 'stop' fashion, turn away and start walking off in the other direction, confident that your dog is following your hand.

I thought it was dog walking etiquette to put your dog on a lead if you come across another dog on a lead?

If a dog is on a lead there's a reason for it and if you let your dog run up to it then you should be held responsible for what happens next

Maybe she's never had a dog before & needs this explaining to her??

MrsWolowitz NiceDog is always on-lead; body-blocking is a sound idea - I've tried it as the pup approaches (which it ignores) but it's so fast/determined to get at NiceDog it's hard to keep up as it zips around/under her. Will definitely persist, tho.

This woman clearly has no idea of dog-walking etiquette girlsyearapart and seems to see it as normal dog-on-dog behaviour

So.... if her precious does get a nip (god forbid); who's in the wrong, and would I be liable for her vet's bills? I'm considering muzzling NiceDog to be on the safe side (leaving her defenseless if pup gets nippy), all because of this stupid woman... [hangry]

Please don't muzzle your dog because of this stupid woman . If your dog is on a lead and her dog is off lead there is no way you can be held responsible if her dog gets bitten .

She would be responsible for everything. I only mentioned it in a - make her think about what she's risking way. Your dog is on a lead, hers isn't and isn't under control.

To be honest I would just tell her - my dog is on a lead for a reason, get your dog out of her way, now!

She is ignorant of basic puppy training, and endangering her pup. Surprised some grumpy older dog hasn't injured the poor happy sole. She is being so stupid. Lots of good advice here OP.

If your dog bites her dog and yours is on a lead then it's her responsibility entirely - doesn't mean you wouldn't feel bad about it though does it?!

Let us know how you get on

A nip and a slap only does puppies good in PLAY so they learn when to quit and to respect other dogs. If is good for puppies to endure they read other dogs body language.

This woman is simply allowing it to terrorise your dog who will trying to behave for you on the lead. She is encouraging it to keep going up to a dog radiating GO AWAY signals.

Just a puppy is no excuse either. My Lab is just a puppy. At the moment I try and immediately get her on the lead when any dog approaches off lead or on until the other owner says its ok to let her off. As puppies are boisterous and annoying.

It is not for this woman to decide whether your dog should be attacked. I'm not sure of the legalities but I'd be tempted to take her photo and the dogs, and tell her you will be popping down the local police station do they are aware she is repeatedly harrassing you, so you have their support if there are serious repurcussions.

Owning a puppy is hard - I spend a lot of time appolygising to people. so I think you are well within your rights to be firm with this awful woman.