Dogs jumping up at my DC - what should I do?

[JuniDD]

I was walking down a public footpath over some common land with my small 2 year old DD. I don't usually take her this way because of dogs but I was in a rush.

A woman with two dogs off the lead (fair enough, it's a nice place to walk them, no playgrounds etc) came over the hill, about 200 yards away. As soon as I saw the dogs I stopped & picked DD up. One dog came bounding over to us and started jumping up. I'm only 5ft so the dog was able to jump up and lick DD's face. Luckily she didn't mind but for one horrified moment I worried it was going to bite her. :-(

The owner was calling the dog and I was saying 'down' but it just carried on.
With hindsight I thought I could've dropped DD's bike and held the dog down by the harness but I didn't think quick enough at the time.
The dog owner did apologise.

So, any advice for what I can do next time this happens? DD is just getting over a fear of dogs because this keeps happening and I'd like to be able to find a way of dealing with it that avoids the jumping up etc or getting the dog distracted from my DD or...something.

I don't blame the woman for having the dog off the lead but the running to us and jumping up is no fun. I'll also avoid the path in future!

Barnes I never used to react (due to realising she would pick up on it) but after a number of these interactions it seems safer than letting her potentially get upset and excite the dog more. That said, she did like it so maybe next time I'll see how we get on. I've had a dog bite me in play which I didn't much like so I'm not keen on letting them get too close at such speed. Good luck with the impending arrival! The issue is that it's a fear which I think is entirely reasonable (plus I'd rather she had a healthy respect than not) but which can inflame situations so needs careful handling.

tabula I didn't know that about the face thing, good to know. In the heat of the moment I just think 'argh, big hairy fast thing coming at us with those sharp teeth bared' but after I can think - well it wasn't growling or snapping so deep down I know it's not aggressive...I just find dogs running at me intimidating full stop!

If you don't want a dog to jump up then the only thing to is turn your back, and any dog trainer will tell you this. This works, whatever size of dog of puppy.

Of course owners should teach their dogs not to jump,but many don't. I meet dogs every day of the week who try to jump at me but tbh turning my back is so instinctive to me that the same dog rarely jumps at me more than once.

I have also taught my kids this from an early age, along with 'stand like a tree' and absolutely never to scream or run.

I think it's a fairly common assumption,from people who aren't used to dogs, that a dog running or barking means it intends to bite you when in fact this is very unlikely to be the case.

So, coincidentally I'm going to someone's house today. They have a viszla which always jumps up. Do I just keep turning my back on it until it's calmed down? Will it stop jumping or just wait til I turn round to walk into the room? (My friends will think I've lost it but it's a bloody handy tip! Plus I know this dog isn't attacking etc )

Yes it absolutely works. Actually the only way you get dogs to stop jumping up is to never reward them for doing it. So if everyone turns their backs and ignores them, most of them learn pretty quickly that they get the attention they're looking for if they have all four paws on the floor.

OP - I totally get that it's instinctive to pick your child up when a dog is running up to you. I have just come back from taking my dog on a walk and this other dog was jumping up at me because I had treats in my hand. His owners appeared entirely oblivious

Exactly. Turn your back, and chances are if the dog hasn't been trained he will do it again.
Turn your back again, and repeat.
Once he is sitting nicely, give him attention.
Any kind of attention before he is calm, even using your hands to push him off or making eye contact is rewarding unwanted behaviour.
Prepare to impress your friends with your new found viszla taming dog training skills 😉