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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Friends Dog nearly strangled me on walk

74 replies

MrsJBradders · 08/02/2021 10:18

was out with a friend for a socially distanced walk yesterday, we normally go each Sunday and walk around a large area of playing fields, about halfway through her dog (flat coat retriever 21 months) got super excited, and grabbed my scarf that was tucked under my coat, as the scarf was obviously wrapped around my neck and he was pulling and pulling i got very frightened, i managed to remove the scarf to which he decided was a trophy and ran off with it.

my friend was trying to retrieve him during this - whole thing prob only lasted less than a minute but she ended up having to tempt him with treats to get hold of him, he's got form for jumping up and occasionally grabbing sleeves but this really frightened me, she got upset as she thought i was angry with her, as i told her it was dangerous and if he could do it to me, when i have known him since 8 weeks old, he could do it to anyone.

he goes to doggy day care everyday. her training with him is sporadic.

just looking for some advice as i feel within my right to refuse to walk with him until she has got him better trained, but equally don't want to seem like i am not wanting to see her? i suggested a muzzle and extendable lead for future but it's not my dog so what can i do?

OP posts:

huuskymam · 08/02/2021 11:30

He's an excitable puppy, he needs proper training. I wouldn't avoid going on walks, it's not like he's doing it all the time.

Sittinbythetree · 08/02/2021 11:32

Small - no. Playing tug of war games is a bad idea. Most people don’t have well enough trained dogs to safely do this.

Hoppinggreen · 08/02/2021 11:33

@Sittinbythetree

Anyone who plays ‘tug-of-war games’ with a dog is literally teaching them not to let go of things. Such bad training, and very unfair on the dog.

Disagree We do it to reinforce the DROP command, plus he loves it

Sittinbythetree · 08/02/2021 11:39

Hopping - but loads of people just do it without reinforcing the drop command. It would be better if they didn’t do it at all. I often see people playing with their dog, mindlessly pulling their toy a couple of times and then letting them keep it. They generally don’t even realise they’re doing it.

Lanzo · 08/02/2021 11:50

@Sittinbythetree

Op - just noticed you posted this in the ‘doghouse’ section. You will get replies from people who think that dogs are more important than people.

I am glad you pointed that out. I was wondering why all the replies on here were so unbalanced!

ooohbriefcase · 08/02/2021 11:59

"Sittinbythetree
Op - just noticed you posted this in the ‘doghouse’ section. You will get replies from people who think that dogs are more important than people."
I am glad you pointed that out. I was wondering why all the replies on here were so unbalanced!

@Lanzo I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this about the doghouse. People telling the op not to wear certain items of clothing because it might tempt the dog. Ffs.

Honeyroar · 08/02/2021 12:00

I can see that it would’ve been a scary experience for you, and you’re clearly not very comfortable with dogs, so perhaps it is a good plan not to walk with her and her dog again. The dog is at that boisterous teenage phase, it was only playing, it wasn’t attacking you, but your friend should’ve been able to get it off you quicker.

As an aside though, it is always a good idea to tuck ends of scarves away. My horse grabs at things like that too. To them it just looks like a toy. It’s something I’ve been taught to do as a child.

ArcherDog · 08/02/2021 12:02

Dogs are not robots. Especially the teenage ones. He got overexcited. It happens to all dogs and owners.

Yes it was probably scary for you, but it doesn’t mean he is dangerous, out of control or untrained.

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 08/02/2021 12:06

The dog saw it as a toy , it had no idea it would hurt you .. if you are scared stay away from it .. the way you are talking makes you sound like you don't like dogs so just stay away from them .

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 08/02/2021 12:08

That news strong is weird , who walks their dogs with the leads around their necks and the dogs attached !

elastamum · 08/02/2021 12:08

OP, you are not being overdramatic. It is totally unacceptable to let any dog jump up at people and grab their clothing. Your friend needs to up her dog training. I would be mortified if one of my dogs did this.

Bibidy · 08/02/2021 12:14

Jeez, I think you're over-reacting massively OP.

The dog wasn't attacking you, he was playing, it's not like he's vicious. It does sound like he could do with some training to stop when told but equally he could do this again 1000 times and what happened to you might never happen again!

I'd be saying something different if he had bit you or gone for your throat but that's not the case. It doesn't sound like a dangerous dog.

Of course though, don't walk with her if you no longer feel safe around her dog. Just saying the dog doesn't sound like a threat.

Bibidy · 08/02/2021 12:16

@ooohbriefcase

"Sittinbythetree Op - just noticed you posted this in the ‘doghouse’ section. You will get replies from people who think that dogs are more important than people." I am glad you pointed that out. I was wondering why all the replies on here were so unbalanced!

@Lanzo I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this about the doghouse. People telling the op not to wear certain items of clothing because it might tempt the dog. Ffs.

I didn't know there was a 'doghouse' lol. I just saw this thread on active!

Moondust001 · 08/02/2021 12:21

I am constantly amazed at the poor quality of friendships on this site. If you don't want to go for a walk with your "friend" then don't go. If you want to post drama llama stories then you may need to keep your "friend" to provide continued material.

Op - just noticed you posted this in the ‘doghouse’ section. You will get replies from people who think that dogs are more important than people.

No people do not think dogs are more important than people - although they are often better friends and more likeable than some people. They also don't make mountains out of molehills.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 08/02/2021 12:23

A muzzle isn’t going to help. Your friend needs to teach the dog ‘leave it’ or ‘drop’. Or both. That way the command can be used for anything the dog has that it shouldn’t, including things dangerous to it. A flexible lead isn’t going to fix the issue either, it just creates a false sense of security.

However, you are perfectly within your rights to not walk with your friend until she trains her dig. Especially as she has a large dog.

Hoppinggreen · 08/02/2021 12:25

@Sittinbythetree

I agree with loads of people but not anybody as you said at first It’s a bad idea to play any game with a dog where it could get out of control but as my dog (and plenty of others) instantly stop when I say drop, even if we are playing his favourite tugging game then it’s absolutely fine

SchoonerP · 08/02/2021 12:26

It seems a silly thing to lose a friendship over but no one has to be friends with someone else.

Crazybirdlady · 08/02/2021 12:41

Unacceptable behaviour. Until the dog is properly trained, it needs to be kept on a lead.

Our neighbours dog regularly accosts us on walks, paws on my shoulders and its face in mine. It is not a nice experience from someone else's dog. It has also attacked our dog who was on a lead. No recall but owners still let it off the lead.
There are so many idiots with dogs who think this behaviour is OK and everyone should accept it because "he's just being friendly and playful".

Insertfunnyname · 08/02/2021 12:43

This is the most over dramatic thing I’ve read all month.

Bluntness100 · 08/02/2021 12:47

She shouldn’t muzzle the dog. You’re writing this like the dog attacked you and tried to strangle you, it didn’t, it was trying to play, and in your own words it was over in seconds.

You’re being really very over dramatic.

PurpleRainDancer · 08/02/2021 12:51

@MrsJBradders

no he grabbed the scarf and almost strangled me - i dont think that's being overdramatic?

But surely you can appreciate the dog has no understanding of cause and effect in this situation? Your comment about knowing him since he was a pup is bizarre. It sounds like high spirits on his part he is still very young. I have never heard of any dog using any means to intentionally strangle someone. You can’t seriously believe that the dog meant you any harm OP? I was once in a similar situation with a goat at a children’s farm, never for one minute did I think the goat had murderous intentions

steppemum · 08/02/2021 12:53

well, obviously not acceptable behaviour, but

why didn't you just grab the scarf a bit further up so it wasn't pulling at your neck?
the dog is very young and still being trained.
if the dog and scarf at both still attched to you, I don't understand why the owner couldn't grab hold of the dog.

Weird story

KaptainKaveman · 08/02/2021 12:55

It's disgusting that people are telling the OP she's being 'over dramatic' when clearly she was in great pain and scared for her life.

OP please avoid the Doghouse section on MN, it's largely peopled by dog extremists and fanatics who think their dogs should be able to bite/bark/jump up on/attack anyone in any public place with impunity. If you react with just a teensy bit of negativity you are a dog-hater and cunt. If their dog attacks and maims a member of the public, it's the person's fault just for being there.

Go with a handheld dog-dazer is my advice. It works for me.

FYI the best form of defence is a dog-dazer.

bg21 · 08/02/2021 12:56

massively over dramatic

KaptainKaveman · 08/02/2021 12:59

There was a story in the news just a day or two ago about a woman killed by a dog in her sleep. So many dog owners are blind and in denial.

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