Horrible experience today

[TessApricot]

I had a horrid experience walking my 3 year old golden retriever today. I’d just put her on lead as I’d heard some barking ahead when suddenly a lady and four big dogs came into our view. The only dog she had on lead was also a golden retriever which was barking and lunging, and the others were all off lead and ran towards my dog, surrounded her and were barking aggressively, one of them was going for her ears again and again and growling, showing teeth etc. My poor dog just sat there cowering whilst I shouted at the dogs and told the woman to recall them but for most of it I was just scared and stood still. The owner had absolutely no control!! Eventually they followed her away but I’m furious that someone would be walking four out of control aggressive dogs alone! My dog is so submissive and friendly - I really hope this hasn’t shaken her too much. The owner didn’t even come forward to try and grab her most aggressive dog who was going for mine.

I was really shaken when it happened, but tonight I feel really guilty that I just froze and didn’t do enough to protect my dog. :(

Ah OP sounds horrible hope you and dog are both ok. Some owners are useless and frankly dangerous.

@Napqueen1234 You’re right about it being dangerous - if my dog hadn’t been so submissive it could have been awful! When my dog runs too near to a dog on lead that I haven’t spotted I’m always so apologetic and run to grab her - this owner just stood there calling their names which they completely ignored.

Oh bless you and your dog. So sorry you’ve had such an awful experience.

oh no that sounds horrific, hope you are both ok

what is the correct thing to do in this situation? stay still holding onto your dog or walk away or anything else? i worry this would happen when my teen is walking ours

@BlackPetunia I don’t know. I do wonder if I should have let her go but I was scared she’d run or they’d chase her away and I wouldn’t get her back.

Oh that sounds awful. There wasn’t anything you could do. They weren’t your dogs to control and sounds like you and your dog were lucky not to be injured.
Worth contacting the dog warden? They were clearly not under control.

Sorry to hear that.
So so many crappy dog owners around and it’s only getting worse as everyone’s “cute lockdown puppies” grow up

That's awful, it must have really shaken you up. I read somewhere that a squirt of water stops aggressive dogs. It might be worth carrying one in the future just in case you see these dogs again.

I know a dog trainer who recommended carrying a second dog lead (a chain style one) so if someone like this happens you can give the aggressive dogs a whack on the nose.

Awful. I hope that your dog is okay

There are some shit dog owners around.

I was walking my dog (on a lead) this weekend when an off-lead jack russell cane up to mine. It then went mental and started biting my dog around the neck (luckily he has long fur). The owner just said its name once then continued to walk past on the phone and did not leash his dog.

I don't really know what the correct thing to do is when we encounter these idiots.

Thank you. She seems ok. Going somewhere different for our walk tomorrow and will hopefully meet some friendly dogs for her to play with. She is very sociable and gentle and I hope this doesn’t change.

@crazycatgal I’m so sorry that happened to you - it’s just unbelievable that people could be so shit!!

Out of interest - do you think they were her dogs or that she was a dog walker? Am just wondering if the latter whether there’s anything you can do to warn people.

@MLMbotsgoaway I wondered that too, as they were four different breeds and she really didn’t seem to have any authority over them.

Ah, I'm so sorry, OP. Horrible.

I expect she didn't come to grab the dog because the one she had on leash would have been very aggressive and then that would have made it worse. She shouldn't have had so many big dogs poorly controlled off lead, though.

In these situations, I take my dog off the lead immediately. She is pretty calm and mostly disinterested in other dogs but on lead she's basically trapped, whereas off lead she can give them a telling off if needed or get out of their way otherwise. If a dog or dogs comes up and crowds us while she's on lead, and it is clear the owner is not going to/not able to recall, I think it is safest - for her and me - not to be the one holding a lead.

my poor dog would crumble! he wouldn't know how to escape as he isn't off lead at all yet

See how she is tomorrow - if she seems uncomfortable with any dogs don’t push her. Am sure she’ll be fine but it’s best to be cautious in case she’s a little fearful.

In these situations, I take my dog off the lead immediately. She is pretty calm and mostly disinterested in other dogs but on lead she's basically trapped, whereas off lead she can give them a telling off if needed or get out of their way otherwise. If a dog or dogs comes up and crowds us while she's on lead, and it is clear the owner is not going to/not able to recall, I think it is safest - for her and me - not to be the one holding a lead.

Sorry this happened to you OP. I completely agree with the above, though appreciate it's difficult when you're put on the spot. My own dogs are very obedient and non-aggressive, but if put in a situation like the one you describe, being outnumbered by off-lead and out of control dogs, I'd certainly rather unleash my own than risk a bigger reaction by essentially cornering them. I hope your Ddog recovers her confidence after a few more nice walks

Spraying bleach in a dog's eyes is an horrific idea!!!

That's horrific. The sooner the law states dogs should be on leads on anything other than private land the better. Hope your lovely doggie is ok. 💐

[quote Honeybobbin]@georgiagirl52 are you fucking mental?[/quote]
i think she may be in a different country?