why are people unable to keep their chuffin opinions to themselves?

[ditavonteesed]

seriously, my dog does not need to be socialised and even if she does it is none of your business, when I tell you my perfectly well behaved, on lead dog isnt friendly your opinion on my shortcomings is not needed, nor is the snotty look.

dita I completely empathise; we get this on a nearly daily basis.

We have a rescued 2 staffies who were beaten up by scumbags as pups so both look a bit, erm, rough round the edges. One has half an ear missing, the other has lots of scars on his face. Both are really sweet natured dogs but people judge them, especially when my 6'6 build DH takes them out straight from work in tatty old clothes/tracksuit bottoms.

We've even had the RSPCA around because a horrible woman down the road reported us for training fighting dogs. She even took photographs of the two of them playing in the park with each other and other dogs and presenting it to the RSPCA as evidence. Bitch.

dita Sorry, not clear, I meant we get the comments and snotty looks on a daily basis!

:( thats so sad, people dont look past what they see with dogs do they? Cherry is a very cute little border terrier who was attacked as a puppy and despite years of training and behaviourists just doesnt really like other dogs, which is fine she stays on a lead when there are likely to be other dogs around. I get kind of the opposite, how can she not be friendly she is so cute.

dita Yep, people are very judgey indeed. Everyday at least one person will cross the road when me or DH are walking towards them with the dogs.

Yours sounds like the little Yorkie I had as a teenager. She looked like the sweetest little thing bumbling around the park but she was a vicious little git with other dogs of any size. There are so many reasons why dogs turn out the way that they do but people are very closed minded. I always find this surprising and sad when its other dog owners as well.

People tend not to get close enough to actually say anything rude, because people tend to cross the road when they see us coming (we really aren't that scary - as the photos in my profile pics will attest),but I get the snotty looks, head shakes and tuts on a regular basis.

Apparently just having a large dog around here is reason enough - but heaven forbid one of those large dogs should be leash reactive when he sees off-lead dogs. He only barks when idiots irresponsible owners let their off-lead dogs charge up to him when he's on the lead and even then he's not aggressive, just noisy, but apparently he is the devil incarnate to some people.

Oh - and he's only like that in the first place because the very same people who let their dogs rush up to him then tut and judge are the people whose dogs rushed him and bowled him over when he was a pup and caused him to be fearful of loose dogs in the first place.

Actually I have been desperately searching for a secure field for hire around the Warwickshire area today, just so we can have at least some walks where both he and I can relax.

Oh I get that! It's always the people who just let their dogs run up as well, and then it's my fault when my dog snaps! The usual response from the owners is "it's ok, my dog's friendly". I find myself trying explain my dog's poor history with other dogs attacking her which has led to her being rather over-reactive and get a lot of looks implying I'm making it up. Arseholes.

I don't know moose he looks like a bit of a terrifying monster-dog in that blue housecoat!

I really hope you're able to find a secure field, it's so stressful feeling unsettled when you're out walking with them.

moosemama dont tell me you actually walk that devil dog, he looks terrifying proper cutie. I normally wlak miles away and very early in the mornign so I dont see other people, today however I am not feeling too good and thought I would have a quick trot round the park, my mistake. Id I walk in the park I tend to always go at the same time so we walk with a group of friends (whose dogs leave cherry alone).

That housecoat is actually getting a touch small for him these days.

I find myself increasingly envious of people who walk their dogs without a care in the world, letting them mooch about without having to scan the horizon for other dogs approaching and constantly work on recall to make sure they come back as soon as you need them to. I'm having a teeny dog next time, so at least I can put it in my pocket when the park is full of numpties!

No luck finding a field - there's just nothing around here. Nearest place I can find is Chip's Field, south of Bristol which we could only do once a month at most and it would take a whole day every time. I've been keeping an eye out to buy somewhere but sale prices are just too high for us around here too.

dita he's only dangerous if you're a cardboard box!

Same here, I have to avoid the park behind my house (so obviously the most convenient one) and walk further afield to avoid these people, but sometimes, eg when I'm not well or am short on time, I have no choice and then I always kick myself and wonder if it would have been better to just skip the walk altogether.

There used to be a three quarters of an hour slot, right before the school run, when I could have the park to myself and let my two run free, but last time we went at that time we were menaced by an enormous Labradoodle (Pip is 28 1/2" to his shoulder and it towered over him) whose owner started off on the opposite side of the field, then actually left the park while her dog was harassing me and my two on-lead dogs.

I have taught my dog to sit and wait for a signal from me that she can approach an off lead dog (this isn't always successful if she knows the dog she will go before my command).
If we are walking in the woods or forest and come across a dog on lead I always lead her up as I think that there must be a reasonn that dog is on lead.
No matter what I always ask the owner if she can go and say hello out of courtesy.
I have never had this courtesy extended to me though, as we have had countless dogs bounding up to us.
I am lucky in that I have a retriever who loves loves loves to play and hasn't met a dog she hasn't liked.
Don't mean to be a goody two shoes but it really irks me that people just let their dogs bound up and jump up all over me covering me in mud and then just laugh it off.
Rant over!!!

How do you teach your dog to sit and wait for a signal before approaching another dog, that's a great skill for them to learn.

How do you teach your dog to sit and wait for a signal before approaching another dog, that's a great skill for them to learn

I'd love to know this too. My dog has good recall, so I call him away from dogs on leads, but getting him to not approach in the first place would be great.

if we see another dog on a lead (I have 2 dogs one off lead and one on) I always call boy dog to heal and he walks with me past the other dog, interaction between 2 dogs should be on both dogs terms not fair if one off lead and one on. When I see a dog off lead I always say she isnt very firendly as a heads up but most people ignore me and I end up spinning in circles on the fucking spot trying to keep girl dog happy and away from other dogs advances, drivesme up the wall. Nearly as much as people havinga go when they are in the wrong.

I tell her quite firmly to stay, I then catch her up and lead her up telling her what a good girl she is and sometimes giving her a little treat.
I then ask the owner if its ok if she approaches the other dog.
If the answer is no I then produce the best stick in the woods for my girl, throw it and we are on our way.

Thanks whatwould we have a bit of work to do with our stay command, I need to start working at commands at the distance.

moose I think the only people who genuinely have walks without a care in the world are those who have no understanding of dogs and what can go wrong......certainly not those I feel envious of!
My dog is friendly with no issues around other dogs and competes successfully at obedience. She has no problem obeying commands offlead around a show field full of 200+ dogs, and I work as a trainer.
You'd think that would qualify me for a stress free walk, wouldn't you? Nope! I'm constantly on the lookout for morons and their out of control dogs and constantly take avoiding action.

Those of you wanting to train your dogs to wait for permission to greet.....another good way in addition to the above is to get into the habit of ALWAYS recalling your dog when you first see another. Ask for a wait next to you, then treat and, if appropriate, release the dog to say hello. If not, obviously leash up. This soon becomes a habit and your dog will automatically see a dog and as a default will learn to turn to you in anticipation of its treat.
This gives the dog the idea of a double treat.....it gets food and still gets to say hello, so is much more likely to comply

I feel your pain. One woman has actually chased me across a field insisting that her dog could cure mine of his fear aggression. I tried polite, I tried explaining, and then I just jogged with my on lead dog looking anxiously over his shoulder. She ran out of puff before I had to karate chop her in the throat.

Thank you Whoknowswhocares - I'm going to have a try at that - starting as soon as it stops pouring!

Lol snakey

I love how people with out of control off lead dogs have an obsession as to why yours is on the lead and the lectures on how it's unfair to the dog. There doesn't to be any realisation that they are being unfair by
A) offering their unsolicited opinion (rude, tactless)
B) letting their dog bound up to people, children,other dogs they don't know (irresponsible, potentially dangerous)
C) letting a dog off the lead with little recall (unpredictable)
D) giving the impression all dog owners are like this

I don't care if your dog is friendly, I don't want to be friends with it. (Anti social)

Whoknows I would give anything to be able to just relax and enjoy my walks (hence looking for a bit of land) - but you're right, I wouldn't really want to be like people who simply don't have a clue and cause problems for other people as a result.

I do think it seems to have got worse though - or maybe that's just around here. We've live here for 11 years now and it's only over the last 18 months or so that we've had these problems.

It has got worse