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The doghouse

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Original poster

Chased Out Of Dog Park

140 replies

DaffodilDilly · 01/03/2020 13:43

Just been to our local dog park as i do every day, usually twice a day. I've got a Lab who is 14 months old. Mostly well behaved with good recall.
This is a designated dog park and 99% of the dogs are off lead. They all run around together quite happily
Well today a lady was walking a small dog, she saw us walking towards her and picked up her dog. Well, my lab saw this and jumped up at the dog. I quickly got him off and put him on the lead. I apologised to the lady and said if she left her dog on the ground my dog would have just walked past it.
She started swearing at me, took my photo and demanded money for her dirty coat.
She then followed me so I had no choice but to leave the park. All the time she was asking for my address and money.
I said I had no money, just poo bags and my phone.
I said she should expect to get dirty in the dog park and most people wear old clothes.
I was muddy and a few smaller dogs had jumped up at me. it doesn't bother me.
I've not seen this lady before and it really shook me up.
Was I in the wrong?

OP posts:
Kirkman · 02/03/2020 13:38

Go back to the park. Still try and work on him jumping up

But dont stress. I find this forum becomes a bit of a vacuum. Where dogs are all expected to be perfect 100% of the time and when they arent it's the owners fault. That certain things must be perfect or be the way people here say.

Look at threads on flexi leads. People continually saying only bad owners use them and a long line is what good owners use. When you get to the bottom of it it's because some crappy owners let their dogs do what they want on flexi leads. The same owners would be the same on long lines. Plenty of good dog owners also have flexi leads. But reading here you would think a flexi lead is a sign that says 'I dont give a shit what my dogs does'. I know, no one who thinks that in real life.

Your dog is fine. The woman over reacted and isnt really thinking of her dogs (or her needs) when walking them.

fivedogstofeed · 02/03/2020 14:35

Op I think you know your dog was in the wrong, but her reaction was ridiculous. And yes, your reaction has probably provoked her as she probably wanted a fight anyway
My dogs are nice, but far from perfect. I have been threatened to have my head kicked in for letting my dogs run off lead past a small dog with no contact between the dogs.
I have also made the mistake of pointing out to people lifting up small dogs that this really does encourage big dogs' attention - I wish I hadn't bothered. Likewise with the screamers. Give me strength.
I have pointed out to man waving a stick around that this was the only reason my dogs were not ignoring him - again, not worth it.
I didn't bother to point out to the nutter walking his huge reactive dog towards a group of nine offlead dogs and their owners that there was another path he could have taken....

OTOH i regularly have strangers dogs jump on me. More than happy to help with with training by turning my back. I've also been given a bruised cheekbone and was almost pushed in a lake by a huge Irish Water Spaniel. I love the dog, and no cash demands were involved. Smile

Really people - they're dogs, and most people are trying their best.

LochJessMonster · 02/03/2020 19:05

@PollyDangerCrackers well as a dog warden I can say I would have reacted in the opposite way. Yes accidents happen and no dog is perfect but I go on whether the dog owner takes full responsibility, apologises and takes steps to ensure it doesn’t happens again, or whether they are very blasé about the whole thing...

What’s sensible is not alway what is law.

Let’s not forget a 6month old border terrier puppy now has a contingent destruction order for life (has to be muzzled and on lead in public at all times) because he jumped up and caused a tiny scratch on someone’s leg.

The law does not side with the dog so it is up to the owner to do everything they can to protect them.

PollyDangerCrackers · 02/03/2020 19:20

@LochJessMonster Really? A bouncy puppy and muddy paw prints on a jacket, followed by an apology would be an offence? Seriously? Glad I'm not in your area then. Do you know that most trainers recommend that you don't pick a small dog up as it encourages other dogs to jump up? I don't know the story of a baby border terrier scratching someone but that sounds like there either more to that tale or an horrendous overreaction on someone's part.

Perhaps I should report the lurcher who stuck his nose in my pocket last week? I was traumatised, I tell you 😂

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 02/03/2020 19:44

@LochJessMonster Thanks for making me feel better not Hmm
The number of dogs I've had jump up at me and made me muddy and scratched my legs I would think 90% of the dogs in the dog park would have "contingent destruction order for life"
Everyone I've spoken to (dog owners) has said that its known that a small dog being picked up is like a red rag to a bull for another dog. I've seen it happen so many times in the dog park, but what I've not seen is a vile tirade of abuse, demanding money with menaces and being followed and harassed out of the gate. I would be interested in what the police would say about the incident, never mind a dog warden.

OP posts:
Kirkman · 02/03/2020 19:52

How would a muzzle stop a dog jumping up?

That doesnt even make sense.

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 02/03/2020 19:55

@Kirkland 😂
maybe the dogs need splints on their legs!!😯

OP posts:
frillyfarmer · 02/03/2020 20:12

You shouldn't have a dog off lead if it doesn't have a good recall, which yours evidently doesn't unless you allowed it to run and jump up to a stranger?

I absolutely loathe and detest "dog parks" and other areas which encourage pet owners to allow their dogs off leads without any control over them.

My dogs are all working bred dogs so I realise I fall outside the "pet" mentality somewhat, but I genuinely cannot understand how anyone is ignorant enough to think it is acceptable to have their dogs wandering, uncontrolled, up to strangers and jumping up at them. It's just outrageous entitled behaviour.

LochJessMonster · 02/03/2020 20:19

I’m not saying that dogs will never ever jump up, of course it happens, but when it does you just have to accept full responsibility and not turn it back on the other person.

The border terrier was an extreme example but the law isn’t always logical- that was an extreme example of what could happen. So all the posters saying ‘shit happens’ etc need to be aware of the consequences.

Her picking up her dog would not be a good defence against your dog jumping up.

I repeat, the law is not on the side of dogs so owners needs to be super aware of what their dog is doing.

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 02/03/2020 20:19

@frillyfarmer Have you read the whole thread?

OP posts:
adaline · 02/03/2020 22:30

Goodness me, what an unpleasant thread - full of posters acting as though their dogs are perfect Hmm

Dogs jump up. It happens. I'm a dog walker and spend my days covered in hair, mud and slobber! Every time I'm out I get dogs coming over to me and yes, they jump or get in my treats or play and cover me in mud - because they're dogs and that's what they do to get attention, or to greet, or to initiate play.

Please don't let this experience put you off OP. My dog was an utter hooligan when he was younger - he's now two and has finally calmed down!

fruitpastille · 02/03/2020 23:19

She sounds deeply unpleasant. Swearing at you, demanding cash from you, following you and taking photos, demanding you give her your address. Sounds much worse than your labrador puppy behaviour to be honest. Can you walk with a friend next time for a bit of moral support?

Booboostwo · 03/03/2020 05:38

The law is an arse on this one but if one took the law seriously no one would ever get a dog ever again.

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 03/03/2020 11:38

I plucked up the courage and went to the park. It's a lovely sunny day and there was loads of dogs running round off lead. My dog had a lovely time running around with his doggie pals.
I had the lead at the ready just in case but he was fine.
I told the lady that runs the Facebook page for the park about my experience (she is also a dog trainer) she was disgusted by the woman's behaviour and said no way should she have taken my photo or demanded money. She put my mind at ease saying my dog is still a puppy and obviously still learning.
She said she sees dogs all the time jumping up when an owner picks up their dog. What she hasn't seen is the aggressive response.
Incidentally there was a lady in the park today telling everyone to stay away from. her dog as it doesn't like it's bum being sniffed😂 Well don't bring it into a park full of dogs if you don't want your dogs bum sniffed🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 03/03/2020 11:45

I'm glad you've been back and had a better time, one of my loves is dogs playing and having a great time together so happy you're both back. I do believe the social benefit for dogs being allowed to run and play is hugely important.

adaline · 03/03/2020 11:49

Oh I'm so glad you went back and didn't let it put you off!

We've all had unfortunate experiences with our dogs, even those who claim their dogs are perfect Wink

Pentium85 · 03/03/2020 11:51

YABVU

you’re dog jumped up, it shouldn’t have done.
Any you shouldn’t expect other people to just be happy with being muddy.

You’re one of those ‘can’t do a thing wrong’ dog owners who drive me crazy

Anthia · 03/03/2020 11:58

YABU. She sounds a bit mental but there have been way too many small dogs attacked and killed to be complacent nowadays. She was probably understandably unsure what your dog was like.

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 03/03/2020 12:13

@Pentium85 Nowhere have I said my dog is perfect!
I know he did wrong that's why I feel so bad and I blame myself for his behaviour. If you read the whole thread I offered to pay to dry clean her coat but she wouldn't let me send her a cheque. She wanted instant cash and found it hard to believe I wasn't carrying any.
I've learned a lesson that my puppy needs to be on a lead as soon as I spot a small dog.

OP posts:
nicky7654 · 03/03/2020 12:35

She sounds like a nutter! If you go to a dog park you expect to get dirty it's not rocket science. Dogs jump up because they are dogs and like to be petted. Take no notice and don't let her attitude put you off going back.

Mymycherrypie · 03/03/2020 12:40

I've learned a lesson that my puppy needs to be on a lead as soon as I spot a small dog.

This is really good OP. He’ll learn and settle down as he gets older. I think this is quite a positive outcome out of all of it Smile

Kirkman · 03/03/2020 12:47

you’re dog jumped up, it shouldn’t have done. Any you shouldn’t expect other people to just be happy with being muddy.

Yes...quick...stop the press. Dog jumps up at woman who is engaging in behaviour known to encourage dogs to jump up.

Or is 'woman gets muddy at park?'

adaline · 03/03/2020 15:50

@pentium85 yeah, stop the press - a woman in a muddy dog park gets muddy! Hmm

Mud is part of having a dog. If you're not prepared to deal with hair, slobber and muddy walks then don't get a dog!

I'm a dog walker and often come home covered in mud. And, shock horror, I put my
clothes in the wash and an hour later they're perfectly clean and good to go.

I would also not be silly enough to wear brand new or expensive clothing on a dog walk!

Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 03/03/2020 16:04

Thankyou @adaline
I was covered in mud when I got home. I have "dog walk boots" that are always muddy and don't get washed.
I had at least 2 dogs jump up at me today, just saying hello or looking for treats. It wasn't a problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
DaffodilDilly · 04/03/2020 20:19

Back to the park today. A total of 11 dogs off lead running around in the mud having an absolute ball.
Thanks everyone for your commentsFlowers

OP posts: