Dog Walking Rage

[Ickyockycocky]

My dog is a bit nervous, especially when she's crouching for a poo. I think she feels a bit vulnerable. Anyway, today she was on the lead and happily doing a poo when two dogs came up and started sniffing her bum and generally milling around her rear end.

I started saying shoo, go away etc., but one of them was determined and was on the verge of stepping in the pile. I used my foot to protect the dog from stepping in the poo, I'm not sure if there was any contact but if so, it was the dog pushing against my foot.

Anyway, the dog's owner shouted at me aggressively, telling me not to kick his dog. I can't see any way he could have thought that I had kicked his dog. So I calmly said "I didn't kick your dog". He replied that his dogs were only sniffing because that's what dogs do, you silly woman".

I lost it a bit and told him that "actually my dog was having a shit, you silly man". He shouted at me again and I told him he should keep his "fucking dogs under control".

I'm not happy about having dog rage but honestly what type of idiot allows their two dogs to get right up the bum of another dog having a poo?

What would you have done in similar circumstances?

My dog is very nervous after being badly attacked last year, and I'm so heartily sick of other dog owners letting their dogs run riot around a clearly anxious dog. Thank god mine is a fairly small cocker spaniel and I can just about scoop him up out of the way. I regularly shout "do you mind keeping your dogs away" if mine is on the lead and I don't recognise the dogs, but get a mouthful of abuse in exchange. I wish I knew the answer sadly.

Same as you OP I would have got between my dog and theirs as much as possible. I do find that some people think that dogs should be allowed to do whatever they want with any other dogs as they are just 'animals' which is true but those animals are our responsibility. I find 'parks' no matter how large an area are worse for this so walk in places likes woods where people tend not to let there dogs run off given all the distractions and wildlife.

I'm so heartily sick of other dog owners letting their dogs run riot

That's it exactly. So many people seem to think it's ok and it really isn't. My DH said to me that the problem is people are stupid about their dogs and you can't reason with stupid.

It's so difficult to know what to do these days.

My mother used to hate dogs. Said owners were selfish etc. Anyway roll on empty nest syndrome and she gets a dog. She allows the dog to run free and it's runs through people's picnics and robs their food. Knocks over small children and grabs balls. She laughs and says oh she is so sweet. I think ffs mother. You're a selfish idiot.

The fact your dog was on a lead says his dogs shouldn't have approached without permission. It's rude.

Agree with you, OP, and would have done the same as you.

This is more and more common, sadly. Our last hound hated, and was frightened of, other dogs, but no polite requests ever worked. An awful lot of dog walkers seem to spend more time on their mobiles than looking out for their animals (which could be another reason for the dreadful amounts of dog dirt on the streets at the moment - too busy chatting to pick it up. But that's another thread! Sorry!)

One of my dogs had a bandana, a yellow lead and harness saying 'nervous, space please' but tbh it still gets ignored or people lean in for a close look.

However - people who know us see us coming a mike away and will keep theirs away.

If a dog approaches and mine 'has a go' the. They've only got themselves to blame. As mine's under control. And never off lead.

Like this!

This happened to me yesterday! Walking past a group of people walking 3 large dogs with my small dog. All 3 chased him and he was obviously scared and they were just stood there chatting away oblivious. I was raging

@MiaowTheCat we call it doing a ninja move - over streams, hedges etc to move away!

I say firmly, 'Please remove your dog(s), mine doesn't like it', when they're surrounding her or jumping at her face when we're walking along, my dog on lead, minding our own business.

Some do, and apologise, others look at me as if I'm the stupid one. Fortunately in this area very few people are aggressive.

And yes, walking twenty yards ahead or looking at their phone, with no clue as to what their dog is doing, is more and more common.

Twice now I’ve had to yell at other people to come and control their bouncing, boisterous, herding dog and let us carry on our way. Because I’ve got a Lab I think people assume it’s him that’s at fault but when he’s practically prone because some leery great dog won’t let him go it’s really not.

A chap on the beach last year got quite cross with me when I said actually your dog isn’t being sweet, he’s being a pain in the arse. Stupid great thing just wouldn’t leave my dog alone and actually bowled him over. What are you supposed to do, stand there and let them be cowed? Fuck that.

This is a genuine question - no GF meant. I am rather concerned about....

Why are there so many nervous, antisocial dogs around? Do you all own dogs you have rescued and don't know their history? Or have you not bothered socialising your dogs when they were puppies?

When out walking with my dogs I meet lots of dogs with their owners. Most are off- lead and all dogs have a great time socialising (The owners have a good chat too). But there is always one or two owners who seem intent on blaming other dog owners because their dog is being a nuisance being off-lead (Even if the dog has not approached the other dog) because their dog is on a lead because its "nervous around other dogs".

Honestly I don't mean to be goady but I have often wondered how most dogs get along really well whilst the owners of a minority of dogs have to kick up a fuss - usually about nothing, other than an off- lead dog showed interest in their "nervous" dog.

For the record I always put my dogs on a lead if I see an on-lead dog approaching. I see the reason he is on-lead is because he has a problem and is likely to cost me a small fortune in vets fees if I allowed my dogs to approach him/her. So we approach with all dogs on-lead only for the other owner to pick their dog up, looking scared stiff! I have very well-trained Labradors.

I have met many different breeds of dogs whilst out walking, over the years - most with fantastic temperaments, a minority not so - but the minority seem to be getting greater every year. It makes no difference what breed a dog is. There are good and bad dogs in all breeds - Its the owner who creates the dogs temperament.

@PurpleTango i can't speak for all but I have a young Whippet with poor recall so always on the lead when out.
He had lots of early social opportunities but hates other dogs coming up to him when he is restricted by the lead, is very nervous.
However put him in a secure field off lead and able to greet dogs at his own pace unrestricted and he plays brilliantly.

That’s a shockingly ignorant question really purple. there are a million reasons why a dog wouldn’t be nervous. Just like there are a million reasons why a human would be nervous with people bounding up to them sniffing them, trying to play with them while they are just walking down the street, prodding them for attention, trying to dominate their space. How can this be confusing to you?

Donna - All I asked is why there are so many dogs that are nervous around other dogs lately? Is that such a hard question to answer? I have had dogs all my life. None of them have been nervous of other dogs. That is probably why I cant fathom why there seems to be an increase in dogs (or probably owners) who cannot understand "normal" dog behaviour.

purple do you realise dogs have their own individual personalities and they are not robots? just like people, some are gregarious, some are shy, some are nervous, some are boisterous, some are lazy, some have had terrible life experiences which deeply affect their behaviour and no amount of socialisation can alter a personality. Also size of dog matters large dogs chasing my tiny 7lb dog frightens her, it’s not a lack of socialisation it’s her natural instinct.

I can’t speak for others but I’ve always had rescues.
One was very under socialised and fear reactive towards other dogs.
With much work we got her to ignore dogs who wouldn’t leave her alone (but meant no actual harm). She was never going to be the life and soul of the park though.

Another was very keen on playing with other dogs but had no idea how to do it and was shit at reading their signals.

The two I have now are 99% great but one of them loses all reason if she spots a similar breed to herself.
She’ll charge off, all guns blazing, desperate to play - whether the other dog is on or off lead.

It’s a work in progress.

Re. The OP,
I’d have explained I wasn’t kicking, just blocking his dog from getting covered in poo.

I wouldn’t have had a row with him for the precise reasons your DH gave.
The same with other people’s children or religion.

My dog hates being chased. I walk a little of track to avoid the mad belters who assume that just because she's running to catch a ball means she wants another dog in her face. I'm always have to say 'my dog doesn't like being chased'. She's a collie terrier cross and she was very well socialised as a puppy. She just doesn't like Random mad dogs careering around after her and invading 'her space'. I suspect it might be a breed thing?

Thank you Sleight. That is a well reasoned response and one I can understand.

BettyBoo I probably know a lot about dog behaviour as I train sight and hearing dogs. Its the dog owners (erratic) behaviour I have a problem with.

I can totally understand owners who have a problem with rescue dogs - as they will not be fully aware of their dogs history. I simply cannot comprehend dog owners who have "reactive" dogs when they have had their dog from a young puppy.

I also don't understand your reasoning about all dogs having differing personalities being a valid reason for them being anti social. The breed of a dog makes no difference to their upbringing and development. Their well-being and social interaction is 100% due to their owner who took on the responsibility to raise them from puppyhood.

Do you believe some breeds are easier than others to raise? You seem to have a "not so sociable dog". What breed is your dog and do you think there is an inbred reason why a specific breed would be considered to be "naturally unsociable"??

I don't think tearing madly after my dog on sight, cutting off her path when she is clearly trying to avoid them, and running after her even when I've called her to heel to sit quietly while the other dog STILL insists on invading her space and hasn't picked up in the signals that my dog isn't interested in playing is particularly sociable behaviour. There is etiquette in dog behaviour just as their is in humans. My dog is quite happy to trot up and have a mutual sniff. She doesn't like being chased. Doesn't make her the antisocial one in my book!

There are so many inexperienced dog owners these days who panic at the sight of another dog. Dogs need to be socialised from an early age. They are pack animals who thrive on interactive with other dogs. A lot of owners don't realise this.