Ok, I need a bit of a rant – and maybe to be told I behaved like a dick. There are 2 labs in the village that are friendly but have poor recall. Battendog has been on a long trailing lead lately as we’re working on trying to get distracted by other dogs. In the past he and this male lab have fought over treats. All blust and no damage. Battendog can guard food/toys against other dogs and we have been working on that.
Three times in a row the male lab (followed by the female) has run up to us in the field, often bringing a stick or toy with him. The owner has taken several minutes to get to us and I have struggled with the 3 dogs all milling around by my feet. Battendog looking like he might bust with frustration trying to get the stick and the labs also jumping up around my chest as they both want the hotdogs I carry. Tense moments.
The fourth time the lab helped himself to a mouthful of hotdog and as he withdrew his head from the treat pouch, scattered loads all on the floor around us. Battendog stood like a stone, tense and ready to fight. The lab hoovered all the treats up and came back for more. By this time the female was over and also jumping up. I had muddy pay prints around the collar of my shirt when I got back to give sense of how high they jump. The owner was on her way but still a long way away and recall was not working. I had Battendog’s lead in one hand and my other covering the treats to protect them.
At this point the owner claims I kicked her dog. I honestly cannot remember. What I do know is that I could not have deliberately taken aim and come onto contact with the lab with my foot with any force. It would be so out of character for me that I surely would remember it. What I can imagine doing is using my leg (both hands taken) to keep him away – maybe by raising the leg, maybe by using the side of the calf to push him, maybe by pushing my foot out to try and block him, maybe stepping forward onto that foot in a deliberate manner to try and block or cause him to step back. I definately remember swearing at him and telling him loudly and forcefully to get down.
Today I tried to approach her (we see each other often) thinking we might be able to talk it out. She basically had a go at me, saying my behaviour was “outrageous” and that there was no reason for me to go around kicking other people’s dogs.
I feel so shit about it. It’s a small village and I would hate to think anyone round here thought I was hurting dogs. Have I been a dick?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Did I kick her dog?
missbattenburg · 06/04/2019 10:09
I look at my interactions with humans in the same way as I train dogs- probably not the right way to go but hey ho 
What behaviour do I want to achieve? No interaction with the ladies dogs.
How can I achieve that? Keep out of her way 
you will not change her, you can not train her dogs, you can report her but she will not change so all you can do is keep you dogs safe and away from her.
I would be walking away from her and always keep a very big distance between her and my dogs at all times - no interaction no problem
I think she sees the wide open countryside we live in and thinks it would be lovely if all the dogs could run free and play and interact with each other.
Arghhh I hate this especially as my dog only wants to play with me when we are out together and gets fed up when I take away his ball if another dog comes up as they tend to steal it.
Maybe I just need to chalk this one up to experience and accept I am probably going to get the cold shoulder and a few dirty looks if we pass in the street now.
I would declare that as a result
Yes, you are all right. Thanks very much to everyone who has answered - it has at least helped put my mind at rest that I am not some forgetful dog kicking fiend.
If any of you want to recognise me in the future - I shall be the one with her nose in the air, walking in the opposite direction to two bouncy labs. I'll also be the one with a hide as thick as a rhino's. I shall just have to rely on my decent reputation in the village to withstand the tales she will tell about me to others...
FrangipaniPup has zero recall around other dogs, for that reason he is kept firmly on the lead.
If he's off leash and I see someone approach with another dog on a lead I clip him back in.
The only time he is unleashed and allowed to approach another dog is if the other dog is also off leash AND I have confirmed with the owner they are happy for me to "let him go"
My absolute pet hate is uncontrolled dogs running up to me when he is on his lead. He goes crazy wanting to play but at 20kg (only 7 month old) he can pull me off my feet!
YWNBU even if you had kicked the sodding dogs away 
(And I say this as someone who had words with a fellow dog owner only yesterday because she attempted to kick FrangipaniPup for doing nothing more than sniffing and wagging his bum at her precious little handbag dog )
FrangipaniPup
I just said this out loud and it made me giggle
She should be absolutely mortified that her dogs jumped on you. To shoulder height ffs?
If they did that to someone less steady in their feet or less dog loving than you she'd have the police round.
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